A Treatise on Original Essentials

袁氏Tibet People's Publishing House · ChinaJun 2024

2.6

Word count: 17K words
Chapters: 31

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Summary

Yuanyao Lun is a work of traditional Chinese medicine by an anonymous author surnamed Yuan of the Qing dynasty.

Editor's review

Yuanyao Lun is a work of traditional Chinese medicine by an anonymous author surnamed Yuan of the Qing dynasty, now edited and published by Tibet People's Publishing House. As a traditional Chinese medical text, it deals with medical theory and key clinical points, reflecting Qing-dynasty physicians' thinking on the fundamentals of Chinese medicine and on pattern differentiation and treatment. It has some documentary value for research on the origins and development of Chinese medical scholarship and for understanding the writings of Qing-era folk physicians. Since the author's life is unknown, readers should treat it as a period medical text rather than an authoritative work by a renowned master. It is best read alongside Chinese medical classics and against the Qing medical background, with attention to differences between its terminology and current usage. In length and structure it suits supplementary reading in the study of Chinese medical texts and focused browsing by readers interested in traditional medical literature. Overall, its value lies in preserving an individual viewpoint and the medical style of its time, and it is best examined from the perspectives of textual scholarship and medical history.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Scholars engaged in the collation of Chinese medical texts and the history of medicine
Readers who wish to understand the writings of Qing-era folk physicians
Enthusiasts with some grounding in Chinese medicine who are willing to study classical texts
Libraries and institutions that collect or research traditional Chinese medical classics

Not a good fit for

Complete beginners with no grounding in Chinese medicine who seek a quick introduction
Readers expecting modern clinical guidelines or popular science writing
Researchers who require definite information on the author's life and scholarly lineage

Reading tips

Begin with the table of contents and prefaces to grasp the book's structure and scope, then read the chapters in detail.
Read alongside classics such as the Huangdi Neijing and Shanghan Lun to understand the origins of its terminology.
Keep a notebook of statements that differ from current medical theory for later verification.
For research purposes, consult background material on Qing medical history before turning to the text.

About the publisher

Tibet People's Publishing House China · Founded in 1971

Tibet People's Publishing House is a comprehensive publisher known for collating Tibetan and Chinese ancient texts and publishing traditional culture. Judging from the books in its catalogue, its publishing focuses on medicine, Eastern philosophy, classics, and ancient poetry. It offers traditional Chinese medical and health-preserving works such as the Compendium of Materia Medica, Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Pieces of Gold, and Principles of Correct Diet, as well as canonical and philosophical texts including the Book of Changes, Zuo Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals, Annotated Edition of the Erya, and Luxuriant Dew of the Spring and Autumn Annals, along with historical and geographical works such as The Overall Survey of the Ocean's Shores. Its authors include figures such as Li Shizhen, Sun Simiao, King Wen of Zhou, Zuo Qiuming, Guo Pu, Dong Zhongshu, Hu Sihui, and Ma Huan. The house emphasizes the collation and republication of ancient texts, balancing scholarship and accessibility, and has developed its own strengths in transmitting Tibetan and Chinese cultural classics. Public information is limited, so other publishing details are omitted here.

版权信息
序
总论
论汗
麻症干渴发热论
论下体冷全身冷
论口疮
论腹痛
论吐痰
论唇舌干燥唇舌破裂舌苔
论发斑
论云暗
看疹诸色论
论咳嗽
论鼻涕鼻衄鼻扇
论发搐
总附咳嗽诸方论
总附渴症诸方论
总附鼻涕鼻衄诸方论
发水泡论
论气促
眼闭论（总附白珠赤珠）
啮牙论
论吐沫
论蛔
论呕吐
论泄泻
论药味所忌
胎产
产后
虞氏麻疹治法

FAQ

Who was Yuan, the author of Yuanyao Lun?

According to available information, the book was written by an author surnamed Yuan of the Qing dynasty whose name has been lost and whose life is unknown. Readers should therefore focus on the text itself rather than judging its value by the author's reputation, and treat it as one Qing physician's individual view.

Can readers without a foundation in Chinese medicine understand this book?

As a traditional Chinese medical work, its terminology and mode of argument pose a barrier for readers without background knowledge. It is advisable to first acquire basic knowledge of Chinese medical theory or to read it alongside an introductory textbook; otherwise readers may grasp only the literal meaning and miss the medical reasoning.

Is this book suitable as a clinical reference?

This is a Qing-dynasty physician's work, and its theoretical framework and modes of expression differ from contemporary clinical standards, so it should not be used directly as a basis for diagnosis and treatment. It is better suited as material for medical history and textual research; clinical use requires caution and adherence to current standards.

Comments

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About the author

袁氏 Author

Yuan Shi, whose dates of birth and death, nationality, and personal history remain unknown, is an author about whom limited public information is available. At present, only one work by this author is held in the collection, namely Yuan Yao Lun (On the Fundamentals and Essentials), commonly classified under medicine. Judging from the title and its classification, the book appears to be a traditional treatise on medical theory, likely discussing the fundamental principles of medicine and key issues in diagnosis and treatment, reflecting the author's emphasis on the underlying theories of medicine and a tendency toward systematic organization in writing. As the content and background of the original work require further investigation, its specific medical views, sources, and scholarly origins cannot yet be described in detail, nor should they be conjectured. Based on the available information, Yuan Shi may be regarded as an author known for a single medical treatise, whose influence rests mainly on the transmission and citation of Yuan Yao Lun in later medical literature. Readers should consult the original text together with relevant bibliographic records to form a more reliable understanding of the author and the work.