Character and Medical Collection

Author: (Jin) Zhang Zihe, edited by Deng Tie
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1996-10-01
Features: This book is a collected and annotated edition of the works of Zhang Zihe, a renowned medical scientist of the Jin Dynasty. Zhang Zihe, also known as Cong Zheng and Dai Ren, was an outstanding figure in the history of Chinese medicine, known for his unique style and extraordinary contributions to the development and innovation of medicine during the Jin and Yuan dynasties. Zhang wrote extensively throughout his life, and today, at least ten of his works are still available. Through research, it has been confirmed that while not all of these works were written by Zhang himself, they were all based on his teachings, drafted by him, and refined by his disciples. This edition compiles and annotates Zhang's medical works, Rumen Shi Qin and Xinjing Bieji, into a single volume titled Zihe Medical Collection to be enjoyed by readers.
Rumen Shi Qin consists of fifteen volumes, which are based on Zhang's original three-volume Rumen Shi Qin, supplemented by nine other works such as Houzhi Baifa and Shixing Santiao, forming the comprehensive title Rumen Shi Qin. The first three volumes are Rumen Shi Qin, reflecting Zhang's academic thoughts and clinical experiences in his representative works. The fourth and fifth volumes are Houzhi Baifa, introducing treatments for various diseases, with a focus on accurately and flexibly citing classical texts to discuss the pathogenesis and treatment plans for a hundred diseases. The sixth, seventh, and eighth volumes are Shixing Santiao, organized around ten forms (wind, cold, summer heat, dampness, dryness, fire, internal injury, external injury, internal accumulation, and external accumulation) and three methods (perspiration, emesis, and purgation) for treatment, introducing approximately 139 cases from internal, external, gynecological, and pediatric medicine. The differential diagnoses and treatment plans are unique, concise, and highly effective. The ninth volume is Zhamajiumen, which deviates from the conventional discussion of treatment principles to introduce unconventional methods, reflecting Zhang's responses to criticism and offering a fresh perspective on learning. The tenth volume is Cuoyao Tu, the eleventh volume is Houzhi Zayan, discussing the close relationship between the theory of interconnected qi and the pathogenesis, etiology, and treatment of diseases, showcasing its depth. The twelfth volume is Sanfa Liumen, introducing Zhang's specific formulas for the three methods (perspiration, emesis, and purgation) and treatments for six doors of syndromes (wind, cold, summer heat, dampness, dryness, and fire), with a unified format and complete dosage and usage instructions. Many of the ancient formulas cited have been adapted, reflecting Zhang's ability to adapt to clinical situations while adhering to classical principles. The thirteenth volume is Liu Hejian Xiansheng Sanxiao Lun, as Zhang considered Liu Hejian a disciple and feared that his work might be lost, so he published it. After being annotated and refined by Zhang's disciples, Liu Hejian's Sanxiao Lun and its treatments for three types of diabetes were preserved and disseminated. The fourteenth volume is Zhifa Xin Yao, summarizing the essential treatment principles of famous ancient medical classics, etiology, pathogenesis, and treatment principles. The fifteenth volume is Shifu Shenxiao Mingfang, collecting empirical formulas from ancient scholars for surgery, ophthalmology, pediatrics, gynecology, and rare and difficult diseases.
Xinjing Bieji, attributed to Changde of Zhenyang, was compiled and refined by Zhang's disciple, Jin Changde, to systematize Zhang's teachings. The book is divided into seven chapters, with the first four discussing the three methods (perspiration, emesis, and purgation), and the last three addressing wind syndromes, the transmission of cold damage, and the theory of yin-harm and yin-complement. The book highlights Zhang's emphasis on identifying pathogenic factors as the primary focus in diagnosing diseases and advocating the principle of eliminating pathogens first, followed by restoring qi. The three methods (perspiration, emesis, and purgation) are used to treat acute, severe, and critical conditions, forming a complete and unique system of theory, method, formula, and medicine in attack-and-elimination therapy, which stands out in the history of Chinese medicine and has had a profound impact on its development. At the end of the book, there is a postscript by the compiler and annotator, providing a meticulous analysis and objective evaluation of Zhang's medical works and academic views, making it highly valuable academically.
Therefore, this book is a must-read for studying Zhang Zihe's academic thoughts and the characteristics of academic debates during the Jin and Yuan dynasties, as well as a rare reference for studying traditional Chinese medicine.