Mirror of Medicine Past and Present

龚信Qunyan Publishing House · ChinaJul 2024

4.3

Word count: 291K words
Chapters: 18

Summary

A comprehensive medical work. Sixteen volumes (originally 8 volumes). Compiled by Gong Xin of the Ming dynasty, continued by Gong Tingxian, and revised and supplemented by Wang Kentang. Date of composition unknown. The book begins with four treatises on pulse diagnosis, pathogenesis, medicinal properties, and the five movements and six qi as the theoretical foundation for clinical practice; thereafter it discusses diseases by category, covering internal medicine, gynecology, pediatrics, and diseases of the ears, nose, mouth, teeth, and eyes. The literature gathered ranges from the Inner Canon and the Classic of Difficult Issues down to the doctrines of such Jin-Yuan physicians as Liu Wansu, Zhang Congzheng, and Li Gao. The author also combines his own views in discussing patterns of disease. The formulas collected are extensive, and many folk empirical formulas and external treatments, as well as acupuncture and moxibustion therapies, are also recorded. Various Ming and Qing editions survive; a typeset edition appeared after 1949.

Editor's review

Gujin Yijian (Mirror of Medicine Ancient and Modern) is a comprehensive medical work by the Ming dynasty physician Gong Xin, completed in the mid-to-late sixteenth century. The book systematically organizes traditional Chinese medical theory and clinical experience from before the Ming dynasty, covering internal medicine, external medicine, gynecology, pediatrics, and the five sense organs, and includes a large number of formulas. Gong Xin came from a medical family; his father Gong Tingxian was also a famous physician, and father and son both made outstanding contributions to the transmission of Chinese medicine. The book is not a simple compilation but embodies Gong Xin's scholarly ideal of "reconciling ancient and modern": he analyzes and integrates earlier doctrines and incorporates his own clinical experience, with particularly original views on pulse studies, cold damage, and the diagnosis and treatment of miscellaneous diseases. For modern readers, the value of reading this book lies in the following: first, it provides a systematic understanding of the development of Chinese medical theory and the accumulation of clinical practice before the mid-Ming; second, the scholarly method of "mirroring the ancient to understand the present" that it embodies remains instructive for students of Chinese medicine today; third, some of the formulas and therapeutic methods it records still have reference value in contemporary clinical practice. It should be noted that this is, after all, an ancient text whose theoretical exposition differs from contemporary standard medical terminology, and some content must be viewed critically in light of modern medical knowledge. Overall, this is a Chinese medical classic of significant historical value and some practical reference value, suitable as reference material for research on the history of Chinese medical theory or for in-depth study of the Chinese medical classics.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Researchers or enthusiasts interested in the history of Chinese medicine, especially Ming dynasty medicine.
Medical students or clinicians with some grounding in Chinese medical theory who wish to broaden their reading of classical medical texts.
Traditional culture enthusiasts who enjoy exploring traditional wisdom on health preservation and disease from ancient texts.
Scholars engaged in research on Chinese medical history and philology.

Not a good fit for

Ordinary readers with no basic knowledge of Chinese medicine who expect quick, simple modern health regimens.
Pure pragmatists seeking treatment guidelines fully consistent with modern medical standards.

Reading tips

It is advisable to gain a preliminary understanding of basic Chinese medical theory (such as yin-yang and the five phases, the viscera and channels) and the historical background of the Ming dynasty before reading.
While reading, focus on the author's commentary on and integration of the various schools of doctrine, and appreciate his scholarly characteristic of "reconciliation."
As for the formulas and therapeutic methods in the book, it is best to focus on understanding their historical evolution; if you wish to apply them, be sure to do so under the guidance of a professional physician.

About the publisher

Qunyan Publishing House China · Founded in 1989

Founded in 1989, Qunyan Publishing House has long been committed to publishing academic and educational books for mid- and high-level readers, and has built up a certain presence in Eastern philosophy, classical literature, and classic works. Representative titles available in the database include Records of the Grand Historian, Dream of the Red Chamber, Selections of Refined Literature, Complete Song Ci, Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio, Record of Daily Knowledge, Taiping Huimin Hejiju Fang, and The Collected Works of Wang Yangming, covering common categories such as ancient poetry, medicine, and examinations. Its author resources include Sima Qian, Cao Xueqin, Xiao Tong, Li Shan, Pu Songling, and Gu Yanwu. The press also offers distinctive series such as the Biographical Series of the China Democratic League and the Historical Documents Series of the China Democratic League, and publishes research on historical documents, biographies, memoirs, and textbooks and academic works by League members. Public information is limited, and its overall publishing scale and complete catalogue require further verification.

版权信息
序
卷之一\脉诀
卷之二\药性
卷之三
卷之四
卷之五
卷之六
卷之七
卷之八
卷之九
卷之十
卷之十一
卷之十二
卷之十三\幼科
卷之十四
卷之十五
卷之十六

FAQ

What is the relationship between Gujin Yijian and works such as Gujin Yitong Daquan?

Gujin Yijian is Gong Xin's personal work, while Gujin Yitong Daquan is another large medical compendium compiled by Xu Chunfu. Both are important Ming dynasty medical texts, but their compilers, editorial approaches, and emphases differ. Gujin Yijian places more emphasis on Gong Xin's personal scholarly synthesis and critical selection.

Do the clinical formulas in this book still have value in modern application?

The formulas recorded in the book are part of the historical heritage of Chinese medicine, and some classical formulas are still used in clinical practice or serve as a basis for research. It must be recognized, however, that Chinese medicine emphasizes treatment based on pattern differentiation; ancient formulas cannot be directly applied to modern diseases. Their use requires modification by a qualified Chinese medicine practitioner according to the specific circumstances of the present, and differences between ancient and modern medicinal materials must also be considered.

What are the features of this edition (China Publishing Group Digital Media Co., Ltd.)?

This is a digital edition, convenient for searching and carrying. As a collated edition of an ancient text, its value depends chiefly on the quality of the punctuation and collation and on whether it includes an introduction or annotations. Before reading, it is advisable to check the publisher's note to learn the source of the base text and the collation work, which directly affect the reliability of reading and research.

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About the author

龚信 Author

Gong Xin was a physician in ancient China whose birthplace, dates of birth and death, and personal details can no longer be reliably established, and the available public information about him is very limited. What can be confirmed is that two medical works entitled Gu Jin Yi Jian (Mirror of Medicine, Ancient and Modern) are attributed to his name. Judging from the titles and subject matter, the book is a comprehensive medical compilation that brings together medical discussions and clinical experience from successive ages. Its content is broad and inclusive, covering basic theories of traditional Chinese medicine, the analysis of diseases and syndromes, and the use of formulas and drugs, reflecting an editorial approach that collects earlier achievements for convenient clinical reference. Works of this kind played a role in organizing and disseminating traditional medical knowledge, allowing students of medicine to look up formulas by disease and consult them according to symptoms. Because biographical materials are lacking, it is difficult to say more about his medical training or intellectual background, and assessment of the man and his work must rest mainly on the subject matter and compilation method of the works themselves.