Medical classics on the bibliographical view in the
Chosun dynasty
According to medical historians on TKM, about 200 medical books were
written and published in Korea during the period from the three kingdoms
to the Chosun dynasty. Half of these books were lost, and the remaining half
were collected and are preserved at the Kyu Jang Gak Library (formally the
Chosun Dynasty Royal Library) at Seoul National University and the Han
Dok Museum of Medicine and Pharmacy which was founded by a private
collector.1,2 These medical classics cover an extensive area of medical
therapies: basic theory, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, smallpox,
measles, ophthalmology, forensic medicine, acupuncture technology, herbal
medicines, and even veterinary medicine for horses and cattle. Of these
medical classics, there were several famous books that significantly influ-
enced the progress of traditional medicines in Korea as well as in China and
Japan.
Eui Bang Yoo Chui(the Classified Assemblage of Medical
Prescriptions)
This book is a series of compilations of almost all herbal formulae and
medical theories available in Korea and China. It consisted of 264 volumes
and took more than 30 years to be printed (AD1445–1477). Only 30 copies
were printed, but 29 copies were lost during the Korea–Japan wars (AD
1592–1598), and the Japanese general Kato Kiyomasa took one copy. This
last copy is now kept in the Japanese royal library located in the Japanese
king’s palace. There is no doubt that this book contributed to the progress
of traditional Japanese medicine (kampo).
Hyang Yak Chae Chui Wol Ryong(the Harvest and Collection of
Indigenous Herbal Plants during the Four Seasons)
This book is a kind of guidebook for identifying and collecting indigenous
herbal material in each month of the year across the Korean peninsula. It
consisted of one volume and was published by the Great King Sejong (AD
1431). The purpose of publishing this book was to supply domestic needs
for commonly used herbal materials with indigenous herbal plant sources.
Subsequently, this book was the basis for establishing various herbal
formulae using Korean herbal materials.
262 | Traditional medicine