Rebirth Collection

Author: (Qing) Chen Jie
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1999-04-01
Features: The Collection of Life Revival (Huisheng Ji) in four volumes, compiled by Qing Dynasty physician Chen Jie and published in the 54th year of the Qianlong reign (1789). Chen was a native of Gubeikou (now Miyun County, Beijing) in the Qing Dynasty, known by the sobriquet Le Tian Zong. Throughout his life, he had a deep passion for medical formulas and possessed extensive clinical experience. He compiled hundreds of medical formulas, categorizing them into four sections: internal medicine, external medicine, gynecology, and pediatrics, to form this collection. The formulas compiled by Chen are characterized by simplicity, effectiveness, and affordability, making significant contributions to the health of people in mountainous areas with limited access to medical care. This is why the collection is named The Collection of Life Revival. The book features concise and balanced prescriptions, reflecting the principles of syndrome differentiation and treatment. The selection of herbs is based on their affordability, and the formulas are chosen for their ease of preparation. Additionally, the text is written in plain language, making it accessible to both physicians and patients, who can easily find relevant formulas based on symptoms. This collection holds practical value, which is why it was reprinted multiple times during the Jiaqing, Daoguang, and Republican periods, receiving praise from clinical physicians. It is worth noting that, as the author lived in the Qing Dynasty and was deeply influenced by Taoist philosophy, some formulas may contain (feudal superstition). A critical approach should be taken toward these aspects. This edition is based on the original Qianlong printing, with the Jiaqing edition used as a reference for collation. Some formulas have been omitted, the original table of contents has been simplified, the vertical text has been converted to horizontal, and all variant characters, archaic characters, and modernized characters in the book have been standardized to simplified forms.