包诚

Bao Cheng, whose dates, birthplace, and native place are unknown, is known only from limited public records. At present, only two medical works by him are known to survive: Shiji Biao (Table of the Ten Categories) and Shanghan Shenzheng Biao (Table for Examining Patterns in Cold Damage). Judging from their titles and their classification under medicine, his writing centers on traditional medical formulas and on the differentiation of patterns in cold-damage disorders. Shiji Biao organizes formula categories in tabular form for easy reference and comparison, while Shanghan Shenzheng Biao summarizes the examination and analysis of cold-damage patterns in lists. Both works adopt the table format, indicating a preference for arranging complex medical theory and diagnostic treatment content into concise, easily consulted forms. Such tabulation helps beginners grasp the essentials and practitioners look things up quickly. Because surviving sources are insufficient, his medical training, teachers, and professional activities cannot be verified; his writing can be understood only through these two works.