Shanghan Zabing Lun (The Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Diseases)
This medical classic was written by Zhang Zhongjing (c.150 - 219) in the later years of the Eastern Han Dynasty. It analyses and differentiates febrile diseases according to the theory of six channels, miscellaneous diseases according to the pathological changes of viscera and bowels and their interrelations, and in so doing establishes Chinese medicine's theoretical system and therapeutic principle, i.e., diagnosis and treatment based on an overall analysis of signs and symptoms. It lays a foundation for the development of clinical medicine. Later generations divided it into two books.
One is Treatise on Febrile Diseases in which there are 113 prescriptions. The other is Synopsis of Prescriptions of Golden Chamber. It introduces 262 prescriptions, some of which are the same as those stated in the former book. Hence, the number of the prescriptions from these two books is up to 269 in all. They contain, basically, the prescriptions often used in every department of clinical medicine and are known as the earliest ancestor of all the other books on the study of prescriptions. The book provides some scientific methods for emergency medicine, such as treatment of attempted suicides and artificial respiration. For the forms of prepared drugs, the book lists decoction slices, powder, alcohol solution, lotion, fumigant, ear drop, nose drop, suppository, nema, and ointment. |
