Prescriptions of Marvellous Efficacy

方贤Qunyan Publishing House · ChinaJun 2024

4.0

Word count: 843K words
Chapters: 69

Summary

Qixiao Liangfang (Fine Prescriptions of Remarkable Efficacy), a medical work in 69 juan. Originally compiled by Dong Su of the Ming dynasty and edited by Fang Xian. Published in 1470. It arranges clinical formulas of various specialties into 64 categories, each subdivided into smaller classes; every class gives the discussion before the formulas, with more than 7,000 formulas in total, especially rich in prescriptions from the Song dynasty to the early Ming.

Editor's review

Comprising 69 volumes, 64 categories and over 7,000 formulas, Qixiao Liangfang is a large-scale compilation of clinical formulas from the Ming dynasty. Its structure—discussion first, formulas second, with subcategories under each category—lets readers read a brief medical discussion of each category of disorders and then follow it to the corresponding formulas, serving both retrieval and understanding. Sources indicate that the book is especially rich in formulas from the Song to the early Ming, giving it documentary value for studying the transmission of formulas and clinical prescribing in this period. It should not be read as a quick-reference collection of folk remedies but as a formulary with discussions: first read each category's general discussion to grasp the approach to pattern differentiation, then examine formula composition and modifications, noting how different formulas for the same disorder apply in different situations. For general readers, its length and dense terminology make it better suited to those with some foundation in Chinese medicine, who can consult it as needed or use it as reference material for studying Chinese medical literature.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Students and clinical practitioners of Chinese medicine who need to consult Ming dynasty formulas and the classification of disorders
Scholarly readers researching Chinese medical literature, the sources of formulas, and the transmission of Song and Ming medicine
Enthusiasts with a foundation in Chinese medicine who wish to understand systematically how a large Ming formulary is organized
Readers who collect or study traditional medical texts and value the “discussion first, formulas second” structure

Not a good fit for

General readers with no foundation in Chinese medicine who simply want a few everyday formulas for quick use
Readers expecting correspondences with modern disease names and concise prescribing guidance
Beginners who hope to master clinical prescribing by reading the book through once

Reading tips

Read the table of contents and the 64 categories first, then select and study closely the categories relevant to your needs; do not attempt to read the whole book
For each category, read the general discussion before the formulas; understand the approach to pattern differentiation before examining composition and usage
Compare several formulas for the same disorder side by side, noting similarities and differences in composition and indications
Consult basic Chinese medicine textbooks or professional reference works for terminology to avoid taking words too literally

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
卷之一
卷之二
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
卷之十五
卷之十六
卷之十七
卷之十八
卷之十九
卷之二十
卷之二十一
卷之二十二
卷之二十三
卷之二十四
卷之二十五
卷之二十六
卷之二十七
卷之二十八
卷之二十九
卷之三十
卷之三十一
卷之三十二
卷之三十三
卷之三十四
卷之三十五
卷之三十六
卷之三十七
卷之三十八
卷之三十九
卷之四十
卷之四十一
卷之四十二
卷之四十三
卷之四十四
卷之四十五
卷之四十六
卷之四十七
卷之四十八
卷之四十九
卷之五十
卷之五十一
卷之五十二
卷之五十三脱肛门（附论）
卷之五十四
卷之五十五
卷之五十六
卷之五十七
卷之五十八
卷之五十九
卷之六十
卷之六十一
卷之六十二
卷之六十三
卷之六十四小儿门
疮诊论卷之六十五论疮痘初出证第一
卷之六十六腋臭门
卷之六十七
卷之六十八
卷之六十九

FAQ

What is the difference between this book and Qixiao Jianbian Liangfang?

Qixiao Liangfang is a large formulary compiled by Fang Xian in the Ming dynasty, with 69 volumes, 64 categories and over 7,000 formulas, structured as discussion first and formulas second, and especially rich in Song to early Ming formulas; it emphasizes systematic compilation and documentary value. Qixiao Jianbian Liangfang has 4 volumes, 18 categories and about 1,000 formulas, focusing on commonly available ingredients and multiple formulas for one disorder; it emphasizes household emergency use and simple practicality.

Can someone without a foundation in Chinese medicine read this book?

It can be browsed, but the barrier to understanding is high. The terminology is dense, the discussions are terse and archaic, and the formulas are designed for pattern differentiation, so without a foundation it is easy to misread them. It is advisable first to grasp basic Chinese medicine concepts, or to use the book as reference material by category; for specific formulas, seek help from a professional in interpreting them, and do not use the formulas on your own.

What are the reading benefits of the “discussion first, formulas second” arrangement?

“Discussion first, formulas second” means that each category of disorders begins with a brief discussion of causes, patterns and treatment principles, followed by the corresponding formulas. Readers can thus first build a framework for pattern differentiation and then understand why a formula is composed as it is and in what situations it applies; this is more conducive to grasping the logic of prescribing than a mere list of formulas, and it also makes it easier to consult systematically by disorder.

With over 7,000 formulas, how should general readers use it?

There is no need to read it through. You can locate the relevant category of disorders among the 64 categories, read that category's general discussion first, then browse the indications and composition of the formulas and look closely at entries relevant to your needs. Use it as a reference book and documentary material; for specific prescribing questions, consult a Chinese medicine practitioner rather than memorizing formulas one by one or trying them yourself.

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About the author

方贤 Author

Fang Xian is an author about whom only limited public information is available; details such as his life dates, native place and personal history have not been clearly recorded, making it difficult to describe his career in any detail. According to the existing records, only one work is catalogued under his name, namely the medical text Qixiao Liangfang (Effective Proven Prescriptions). Judging from its title and its classification under medicine, the book appears to be a compilation of prescriptions, focused on collecting clinically effective formulas for physicians and students of medicine to consult and apply. This reflects a practical approach to compilation and a pragmatic view of prescribing. Works of this kind played a role in the transmission of traditional medicine by gathering experience and making it easy to consult, and through this book Fang Xian left later generations a body of prescription literature worthy of study. Because information about the author himself is scarce, his scholarly background and the circumstances in which the book was compiled await further research; readers may find it useful to begin with the work itself and learn about its content and value.