Introduction to Medicine (Volume 1)

Name: Introduction to Medicine (Volume 1)
ISBN: 9787117345071

李梴 / 田代华Apr 2025

4.3

Word count: 446K words
Chapters: 34
ISBN: 9787117345071

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Summary

This book is one of the Must-Read Classics for TCM Clinical Practice series. The series has been a bestseller for over a decade, with cumulative sales in the millions, consistently ranking near the top of bestseller lists. The medical texts selected are all based on fine and reliable editions, providing readers with accurate original text. This revision corrects errors in the original book and updates the instructions for use. Modeled on the Medical Classics for Beginners (Yijing Xiaoxue) and compiled by category with reference to various schools of thought, the book covers medical overviews, biographies of physicians, illustrated explanations of meridians and acupoints, meridians, zang-fu organs, diagnostic methods, acupuncture and moxibustion, materia medica, externally contracted diseases, internal injuries, miscellaneous internal diseases, women's diseases, pediatric diseases, external diseases, medications by specialty, and emergency formulas. The main text is written in rhymed verse, supplemented by annotations for clarification. It is an influential introductory medical text. This edition is based on the initial woodblock print of the third year of the Wanli reign of the Ming dynasty.

Editor's review

This volume is the first part of Introduction to Medicine (Yixue Rumen), covering medical overviews, biographies of physicians, illustrated explanations of meridians and acupoints, meridians, zang-fu organs, diagnostic methods, acupuncture and moxibustion, materia medica, and externally contracted diseases. It is the first half of Li Chan's introductory medical work, which was modeled on the Medical Classics for Beginners (Yijing Xiaoxue) and compiled by category with reference to various schools of thought. The main text is written in rhymed verse, with annotations providing supplementary explanation, preserving the convenience of recitation while also clarifying medical theory. This edition is based on the initial woodblock print of the third year of the Wanli reign of the Ming dynasty, with errors corrected, resulting in highly accurate original text. The first volume mostly contains the foundational framework of introductory Chinese medicine, suitable for readers to first establish knowledge coordinates in meridians, zang-fu organs, diagnostic methods, and materia medica before moving on to the various diseases in the second volume. For TCM beginners, this volume can serve as a bridge between reciting classic original texts and organizing basic concepts; however, since the rhymed verse style and annotations run parallel, a certain foundation in classical Chinese and Chinese medicine is still required. It is recommended to read alongside textbooks, dictionaries, or under teacher guidance, and not as a standalone vernacular introductory reader.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Junior TCM students who need to build a framework of meridians, zang-fu organs, and diagnostics
Classics learners preparing to recite TCM rhymed verse and train their sense of the original text
Grassroots TCM practitioners who want to review basic theory and key points of diagnostics
Enthusiasts of medical history and literature interested in the compilation style of Ming dynasty introductory medical texts

Not a good fit for

Ordinary readers with zero background who want modern vernacular TCM popular science
Those who only want to look up ready-made formulas for specific diseases without studying the basics
Readers who are not comfortable with classical Chinese rhymed verse and need line-by-line vernacular translation

Reading tips

Read in the order of medical overviews, meridians, zang-fu organs, diagnostics, and materia medica to build the framework first.
First read the rhymed verse until fluent and memorized, then return to the annotations to clarify the specific referent of each term.
When reading the illustrated explanations of meridians and acupoints, use acupuncture models or acupoint charts for对照 memory.
After each chapter, retell the key points in your own words to test whether you truly understand the annotations.

版权信息
重刊说明
序一
序二
原序
导读
整理说明
医学入门引
卷之首
集例
先天图
天地人物气候相应说
天地人物气候相应图
明堂仰伏脏腑图
释方
历代医学姓氏
原道统说
阴骘
保养
运气
卷之一
经络
脏腑
观形察色问症
诊脉
针灸
卷之二
本草引纂《捷径》雷公
本草总括
本草分类
卷之三
外感
内伤
内伤饥饱劳倦总方

FAQ

Is Volume One suitable for readers with no foundation to study directly on their own?

It is not very suitable for complete beginners to study directly on their own. Although Volume One is an introductory medical text, the main text is in verse, the annotations contain many Chinese medical terms, and it is based on an early woodblock edition with a relatively classical flavor. It is advisable to first acquire basic concepts such as zang-fu organs, meridians, and yin-yang, or to read alongside modern basic Chinese medicine textbooks and dictionaries to reduce difficulty.

Can the meridian and acupoint illustrations and acupuncture content be used for direct practice?

The meridian and acupoint illustrations and acupuncture sections are collated original classical text. They can be used to study meridian and acupoint theory and to understand Ming dynasty knowledge, but should not be used as the sole basis for self-administered needling. Acupuncture practice involves location, depth, contraindications, and disinfection, and must be practiced under professional courses and clinical supervision. When reading, focus on understanding the illustrations and verse.

Why is the main text in verse, and why are annotations added?

According to the materials, the main text of the book is in verse, with annotations added for supplementary explanation. The verse has a regular structure and is easy to recite and memorize, suitable for grasping the framework at the introductory stage; the annotations explain medical theory, formula meanings, and key concepts, compensating for the difficulty of understanding caused by the concise verse. The combination of the two is a common compilation method in traditional introductory medical texts.

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About the author

李梴 Author

Li Chan was a physician of the Ming dynasty; public records of his life are limited, and his birth and death years, native place, and nationality are not clearly documented. Judging from his extant works, his writings concentrate on medical education and introductory clinical study. Three works are held in this collection: Medical Primer (Volume One), Medical Primer (Volume Two), and Yi Wulüzi's Thorough Guide to Medicine. The two-volume Medical Primer covers both basic theory and the various clinical specialties, and its language is deliberately plain and accessible, making it suitable for beginning students to read in sequence; it is one of the more widely circulated introductory works in traditional Chinese medicine. Yi Wulüzi's Thorough Guide to Medicine reflects his exposition and development of medical principles. Li Chan's writing style emphasizes clear organization and concise practicality, and he sought to present medical knowledge to readers in a systematic way. Because sources are limited, details of his life, teachers, and practice cannot be firmly established, yet these works have had a certain influence on the popularization and introductory teaching of traditional Chinese medicine and are often consulted by later students of medicine.

田代华 Author

Tian Daihua's biographical details are unavailable, and public information is limited. Judging from the six works held in the collection, his editorial and compilation work centers on classical Chinese medical texts and clinical literature. These include the historical formulary Shiyi Dexiao Fang, the pediatric specialty text Huoyou Xinshu, the surgical treatise Yangke Xinde Ji, a collector's edition of the Huangdi Neijing Suwen, and the two-volume Yixue Rumen. Most of these titles are canonical medical works, formularies, or introductory readers, and are classified under medicine. Tian Daihua's contribution consists mainly of textual collation, editing, and documentary compilation, serving the teaching, clinical reference, and general reading of traditional Chinese medicine and helping to preserve and transmit classical medical literature.