Medical Introduction: Volume 1

Author: Li Ting (Ming Dynasty)
Publisher:
Publishing Time: Not available
Features: Introduction to Medicine was compiled by the renowned Ming Dynasty physician Li Ting. Li Ting, styled Jianzhai, was from Nanfeng (now Nanfeng, Jiangxi). He lived during the Jiajing and Wanli eras of the Ming Dynasty. In his youth, he studied medicine due to his interest in diseases, extensively read books, diligently practiced clinical medicine, and gained a remarkable reputation. In his later years, feeling that beginners had no clear path to follow, he collected dozens of medical books, "summarized their key points, condensed their wording, revealed their hidden meanings, and organized them into categories," and wrote this book. It was published in the third year of the Wanli era (1575). The book consists of 8 volumes. It includes biographies of medical masters, health preservation, the theory of Five Elements, meridians, viscera, diagnosis, acupuncture and moxibustion, herbal medicine, prescriptions, as well as the pathogenesis of external and internal diseases, and the syndrome differentiation and treatment of various medical disciplines such as internal medicine, gynecology, and pediatrics. The content is presented first in song-style summaries and then followed by detailed annotations citing various sources and supplemented with the author's own insights. Due to its comprehensive content, clear classification, and easy-to-understand language, the book was well-received by later generations of physicians and became one of the best reading materials for beginners in traditional Chinese medicine. This edition is based on the original printing from the third year of the Wanli era (1575) and has been meticulously collated and proofread by referencing later versions such as the Konoe edition from Japan and other cited books. A preface has been added, and an index of prescriptions and a pharmaceutical name index are included at the end for easy reference. This book is the first part of Introduction to Medicine and is widely suitable for clinical practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine, students of TCM universities, and self-taught learners of TCM.