Section on Various Types of Choking

Chen MengleiJun 2024

2.9

Word count: 23K words
Chapters: 23

Summary

Traditional Chinese thought and culture have a long history and are highly original, inventive, and literary. Early forms of thought have distinctive characteristics: religious theology, classical texts of traditional Chinese medicine, ancient military strategy, Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism, and the Hundred Schools of Thought, feng shui and metaphysics, the Twenty-Four Histories, customs and local gazetteers—all are profound and extensive.

This series, "Essence of Classic Chinese Culture: Original Texts," preserves the appearance of the original books and focuses on preserving and transmitting traditional Chinese thought and culture. By reading the literary essence left by ancient sages, readers can cultivate their temperament and subtly appreciate the classics of Chinese learning.

Editor's review

Zhu Geng Men is attributed to Chen Menglei of the Qing dynasty and is included in the series "Essence of Classic Chinese Culture: Original Texts." Judging from the title and the conventional classification of traditional medical texts, geng generally refers to conditions such as dysphagia and choking, while men is the format in which ancient medical books are compiled by category of disease and syndrome. The book should therefore belong to the specialized compilation of clinical literature in traditional Chinese medicine concerning choking-type conditions. This edition preserves the appearance of the original book and focuses on preserving and transmitting traditional medical and Chinese cultural heritage. It has some reference value for understanding the categorical compilation methods of ancient Chinese medicine, the understanding of diseases and syndromes, and the corresponding approaches to formulas and treatment. It should be noted that disease names, analyses of causes, and therapeutic formulas in ancient medical texts bear the limitations of their times and cannot be directly applied to modern diagnosis and treatment. When reading, one should regard it as a document of medical history and traditional culture rather than a practical clinical manual. For researchers of traditional Chinese medical literature and enthusiasts of traditional culture, this book can serve as a sample for understanding the format of ancient specialized literature; for general readers, it is advisable to read selectively under professional guidance, focusing on its documentary value and significance for historical understanding.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Professional readers studying traditional Chinese medical literature and ancient disease classification
Readers interested in the history of traditional medicine and classics of Chinese learning
Academic researchers who need to understand the categorical format of ancient medical books
Readers of traditional culture with some grounding in classical Chinese who are willing to read the original texts slowly

Not a good fit for

General patients hoping to diagnose or medicate themselves on this basis
Beginner readers lacking a foundation in classical Chinese who need vernacular explanations
Medical practitioners seeking modern clinical guidelines

Reading tips

First consult relevant materials on medical history to understand the general meaning of "geng men" in ancient medical texts, then proceed to the original text.
While reading, focus on recording disease names, descriptions of symptoms, and the classification of formulas and treatments, distinguishing documentary records from modern medical concepts.
Read alongside contemporary or similar traditional Chinese medical texts to observe differences in how various physicians described choking-type conditions.
Treat any content involving formulas and medicinals only as documentary information; never use formulas on one's own, and consult a professional physician when necessary.

版权信息
诸哽门
千金方【唐孙思邈】
古今医统【明徐春甫】
单方
医案
五绝门
单方
怪病门
单方
诸虫门
黄帝素问
灵枢经
金匮要略【汉张机】
千金方【唐孙思邈】
本事方【宋许叔微】
证治准绳【明王肯堂】
景岳全书【明张介宾】
石室秘箓【清陈士铎】
方
单方
针灸
医案

FAQ

What does the title "Zhu Geng Men" mean?

In traditional medical texts, geng generally refers to conditions such as dysphagia and choking, while men is the format in which ancient medical books are compiled by category of disease and syndrome. "Zhu Geng Men" can roughly be understood as a specialized compilation on multiple choking-type conditions. Its precise meaning still requires understanding in light of the original content and relevant materials on medical history.

Can this book be used to treat illnesses according to its formulas?

Not recommended. Disease names, understandings of causes, and formulas in ancient medical texts bear the limitations of their times and differ from the modern medical diagnostic and treatment system. This book should be read as a document of medical history and traditional culture; any content involving formulas should be treated only as information and must not be directly applied to treat illness. If you feel unwell, consult a professional physician.

Who was the author Chen Menglei?

Chen Menglei was a Qing dynasty scholar who participated in the compilation of large encyclopedias. This book is attributed to Chen Menglei and belongs to the literature of traditional medicine. Readers who wish to learn about his life and scholarly background may consult relevant reference works and histories of medicine; his entire career should not be inferred from this book alone.

Can someone without a foundation in traditional Chinese medicine understand this book?

It is somewhat difficult. The book preserves the appearance of the original and involves traditional medical terminology and disease classification; readers lacking a foundation in traditional Chinese medicine and the ability to read classical Chinese will find it challenging. It is advisable first to acquire some background in the history of traditional Chinese medicine and classical Chinese, or to read it alongside annotated editions and works on medical history.

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About the author

Chen Menglei Author · China · 1651–1741

Chen Menglei (1651–1741), courtesy names Zizhen and Shengzhai, later styled the Old Man of Songhe, was a Qing dynasty scholar from Houguan, Fujian. He passed the imperial examination in the ninth year of the Kangxi reign and was appointed to the Hanlin Academy as a compiler. After 1698, by imperial order, he tutored the third prince, Yinzhii, and took the opportunity to compile a vast classified encyclopedia, the Hui Bian, using the collection of the Xieyi Hall; the Kangxi Emperor later bestowed on it the title Gujin Tushu Jicheng. The library holds more than 410 of his works, mostly sections of the officialdom chapters of that encyclopedia, covering institutions such as the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, the Imperial Observatory, the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Rites, prefectural governors, the Transmission Office, and the Imperial Medical Academy. These works address ancient bureaucratic systems, ritual norms, and administrative practice. His compilations are distinguished by systematic classification and extensive citation, preserving a wealth of source materials for later generations; they are commonly categorized under culture and Eastern philosophy. As public information on his life is limited, this note confines itself to his known scholarly contributions.