The ''Dongui Bogam'' (동의보감 東醫寶鑑) is a
Korean
Korean may refer to:
People and culture
* Koreans, ethnic group originating in the Korean Peninsula
* Korean cuisine
* Korean culture
* Korean language
**Korean alphabet, known as Hangul or Chosŏn'gŭl
**Korean dialects and the Jeju language
** ...
book compiled by the royal physician,
Heo Jun
Heo Jun (허준, 1539 – 9 October 1615) was a Korean physician. He was the royal chief physician of '' Naeuiwon'' during the reign of King Seonjo and King Gwanghae of the Joseon Dynasty in Korea.
Biography
Heo Jun was born in 1539 to an affl ...
(1539 – 1615) and was first published in 1613 during the
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon (; ; Middle Korean: 됴ᇢ〯션〮 Dyǒw syéon or 됴ᇢ〯션〯 Dyǒw syěon), officially the Great Joseon (; ), was the last dynastic kingdom of Korea, lasting just over 500 years. It was founded by Yi Seong-gye in July 1392 and r ...
of
Korea
Korea ( ko, 한국, or , ) is a peninsular region in East Asia. Since 1945, it has been divided at or near the 38th parallel, with North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) comprising its northern half and South Korea (Republic o ...
. The title literally translates as "A Precious Mirror of Eastern Medicine". The phrase "Precious Mirror" (보감 寶鑑) is a metaphorical idiom meaning 'something which can be modeled after'. Meanwhile, the phrase "Eastern Medicine" (동의 東醫) is not the antonym to 'Western Medicine'; "Dongguk" (동국 東國), meaning "Eastern Country," was one of the
names of Korea
There are various names of Korea in use today, all derived from ancient kingdoms and dynasties. The modern English name "Korea" is an exonym derived from the name Goryeo, also spelled ''Koryŏ'', and is used by both North Korea and South Korea in ...
, in reference to its geographical relation to East Asia. Therefore, the title can be rendered as "An Exemplary Explanation of Korean Medicine" and is listed in UNESCO Memory of the World as "Principles and Practice of Eastern Medicine". The book is regarded as important in
traditional Korean medicine
Traditional Korean medicine (known in North Korea as Koryo medicine) refers to the forms of traditional medicine practiced in Korea.
History
Korean medicine traditions originated in ancient and prehistoric times and can be traced back as far a ...
, and is one of the classics of Oriental medicine today. As of July 2009, it is on
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. It ...
’s
Memory of the World Programme
Memory is the faculty of the mind by which data or information is encoded, stored, and retrieved when needed. It is the retention of information over time for the purpose of influencing future action. If past events could not be remembered, ...
. The original edition of Dongui Bogam is currently preserved by the Korean National Library.
[Dongui Bogam]
at Doosan Encyclopedia The original was written in
Hanja
Hanja (Hangul: ; Hanja: , ), alternatively known as Hancha, are Chinese characters () used in the writing of Korean. Hanja was used as early as the Gojoseon period, the first ever Korean kingdom.
(, ) refers to Sino-Korean vocabulary, ...
and only part of it was transcribed in Korean for wide reading use, as only officials understood in
Hanmun. It was translated to English in 2013.
Background
Known as one of the classics in the history of Eastern medicine, it was published and used in many countries including China and Japan, and
remains a key reference work for the study of Eastern medicine. Its categorization and ordering of symptoms and remedies under the different
human organs affected, rather than the disease itself, was a revolutionary development at that time. It contains insights that in some cases did not enter the medical knowledge of Europe until the twentieth century.
Work on the ''Dongui Bogam'' started in the 29th year of
King Seonjo
Seonjo of Joseon (26 November 1552 – 16 March 1608) was the fourteenth king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea from 1567 to 1608. He was known for encouraging Confucianism and renovating state affairs at the beginning of his reign. However, politi ...
’s reign (1596) by the main physicians of ''Naeuiwon'' (내의원, “royal clinic”), with the objective to create a thorough compilation of traditional medicine. Main physician
Heo Jun
Heo Jun (허준, 1539 – 9 October 1615) was a Korean physician. He was the royal chief physician of '' Naeuiwon'' during the reign of King Seonjo and King Gwanghae of the Joseon Dynasty in Korea.
Biography
Heo Jun was born in 1539 to an affl ...
led the project but work was interrupted due to the
second Japanese invasion of Korea in 1597. King Seonjo did not see the project come to fruition, but Heo Jun steadfastedly stuck to the project and finally completed the work in 1610, the 2nd year of
King Gwanghaegun
Gwanghae-gun or Prince Gwanghae (4 June 1575 – 7 August 1641), personal name Yi Hon (Hangul: 이혼, Hanja: 李琿), was the 15th ruler of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. As he was deposed in a coup d'état, he did not receive a temple name.
...
’s reign.
[An ancient medical text gains worldwide recognition](_blank)
, Korean Press
The book
The ''Dongui Bogam'' consists of 25 volumes. In contrast to ''Hyangyak jipseongbang'' (향약집성방, "Compilation of Native Korean Prescriptions"), written in 1433, ''Dongui Bogam'' is more systematic. It not only refers to Korean medicinal texts, but also Chinese medicinal texts, and records illnesses practically with their respective remedies.
[Dongui Bogam]
at Encyclopedia of Korean Culture
Contents
The book is divided into 5 chapters: ''Naegyeongpyeon'' (내경편, 内景篇, Internal Medicine), ''Oehyeongpyeon'' (외형편, 外形篇, External Medicine), ''Japbyeongpyeon'' (잡병편, 難病編, Miscellaneous Diseases), ''Tangaekpyeon'' (탕액편, 湯液編, Remedies), and ''Chimgupyeon'' (침구편, 鍼灸編,
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine and a component of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in which thin needles are inserted into the body. Acupuncture is a pseudoscience; the theories and practices of TCM are not based on scientif ...
).
*''Naegyeongpyeon'' primarily deals with physiologic functions and equivalent disorders of internal organs. The interactions of five organs -
liver
The liver is a major organ only found in vertebrates which performs many essential biological functions such as detoxification of the organism, and the synthesis of proteins and biochemicals necessary for digestion and growth. In humans, it ...
,
lungs
The lungs are the primary organs of the respiratory system in humans and most other animals, including some snails and a small number of fish. In mammals and most other vertebrates, two lungs are located near the backbone on either side ...
,
kidneys
The kidneys are two reddish-brown bean-shaped organs found in vertebrates. They are located on the left and right in the retroperitoneal space, and in adult humans are about in length. They receive blood from the paired renal arteries; bloo ...
,
heart
The heart is a muscular organ in most animals. This organ pumps blood through the blood vessels of the circulatory system. The pumped blood carries oxygen and nutrients to the body, while carrying metabolic waste such as carbon dioxide to t ...
, and
spleen
The spleen is an organ found in almost all vertebrates. Similar in structure to a large lymph node, it acts primarily as a blood filter. The word spleen comes . - are thoroughly explained.
*''Oehyeongpyeon'' explains the function of visible parts of the human body - skin, muscles, blood vessels, tendons, and bones - and the various related illnesses.
*''Japbyeongpyeon'' deals with diagnosis and healing methods of various illnesses and disorders such as
anxiety
Anxiety is an emotion which is characterized by an unpleasant state of inner turmoil and includes feelings of dread over anticipated events. Anxiety is different than fear in that the former is defined as the anticipation of a future threat wh ...
, over-excitement,
stroke, cold,
nausea
Nausea is a diffuse sensation of unease and discomfort, sometimes perceived as an urge to vomit. While not painful, it can be a debilitating symptom if prolonged and has been described as placing discomfort on the chest, abdomen, or back of the ...
,
edema,
jaundice,
carbunculosis, and others. This chapter also has a section for
pediatrics and
gynecology.
*''Tangaekpyeon'' details methods for creating remedies and potions such as the collection of medicinal herbs and plants, creating and handling of medication, correct prescription and administration of medicine. All herbal medicine is categorized with explanations regarding their strength, gathering period and their common names for easy understanding.
*''Chimgupyeon'' explains the acupuncture procedures for various ailments and disorders.
''Dongui Bogam'' offered not only medical facts, but also philosophical values of Eastern Asia. Heo Jun conveyed the message that maintaining the body's energies in balance leads to one's good health. The first page of the book is an anatomical map of the human body, linking human body with heaven and earth which embodies the Asian perspective of nature.
Editions
There have been several print editions of ''Dongui Bogam'' besides the original ''Naeuiwon'' edition, within Korea and abroad. The first Chinese edition was printed in 1763 with additional prints in 1796, and 1890. The Japanese edition was first printed in 1724, and then 1799.
UNESCO Memory of the World Register and controversy
In 2009, UNESCO decided to add ''Dongui Bogam'' to the cultural heritage list due to its contribution as a historical relic and it was placed on
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. It ...
’s
Memory of the World Programme
Memory is the faculty of the mind by which data or information is encoded, stored, and retrieved when needed. It is the retention of information over time for the purpose of influencing future action. If past events could not be remembered, ...
, becoming Korea's seventh cultural heritage to be thus included. However, doctors clashed over ''Dongui Bogam'' after the official listing. The Korean Medical Association (KMA) downplayed the book’s importance saying that “it shouldn’t be taken as anything more than a recognition of the book’s value as a historical relic. It should not be taken as an acknowledgement of traditional medicine for its superior effectiveness” Listing the fact that the book is full of
quackery
Quackery, often synonymous with health fraud, is the promotion of fraudulent or ignorant medical practices. A quack is a "fraudulent or ignorant pretender to medical skill" or "a person who pretends, professionally or publicly, to have skill, ...
such as how to bear a son or how to make yourself invisible. The KMA emphasized that ''Dongui Bogam'' was merely a cultural artifact and not science. The Association of Korean Oriental Medicine (AKOM) criticized the doctors of KMA for the lack of their appreciation of the influence of ''Dongui Bogam'' and history, saying it is necessary “to inherit and advance traditional medicine”.
Doctors Clash Over ‘Mirror of Eastern Medicine’
Korea Times, 2009-08-04.
See also
* Heo Jun
Heo Jun (허준, 1539 – 9 October 1615) was a Korean physician. He was the royal chief physician of '' Naeuiwon'' during the reign of King Seonjo and King Gwanghae of the Joseon Dynasty in Korea.
Biography
Heo Jun was born in 1539 to an affl ...
* Traditional Korean medicine
Traditional Korean medicine (known in North Korea as Koryo medicine) refers to the forms of traditional medicine practiced in Korea.
History
Korean medicine traditions originated in ancient and prehistoric times and can be traced back as far a ...
References
External links
{{Commons category, Dongui Bogam
''Donguibogam'': Principles and Practice of Eastern Medicine
at UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. It ...
website
400 years of ''Dongui Bogam''
Dongui Bogam Organization
''Donguibogam, precious book of Korean medicine''
article published in the UNESCO Courier
''The UNESCO Courier'' is the main magazine published by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). It has the largest and widest-ranging readership of all the journals published by the United Nations and its sp ...
Korean non-fiction books
Medical books
Korean culture
Traditional Korean medicine
Memory of the World Register
1613 books
Ho Chun
National Treasures of South Korea