Tao Danan: Biographical Introduction and Historical Accounts, Major Works and Academic Contributions
-
✵Tao Danan: A herbalist during the Kangxi reign of the Qing dynasty. The years of his birth and death are unknown, but he lived during the 17th century and died at the age of 89. He is the author of Shang Han Yuan Liu (The Complete Works on the Origins and Transmission of the Treatise on Cold-Induced Diseases).
- Tao Danan
-
Brief Introduction Chinese Name: 陶憺庵 (Táo Dàn'ān) Alias: 之典 (Zhī Diǎn), 石溪逸叟 (Shíxī Yìsǒu) Popular Name: 陶憺庵 (Táo Dàn'ān) English Name: Tao Danan (family name first) or Danan Tao (given name first) Hometown: Weishan Dates: Unknown; active during the 17th century Main Works: 《傷寒源流》(Shang Han Yuan Liu, or The Origins and Transmission of the Treatise on Cold-Induced Diseases),《嶽麓書院誌》(Yuelu Shuyuan Zhi, or Records of Yuelu Academy),《溈山誌》(Weishan Zhi, or Topography of Mount Wei),《陶瓶子史雜錄》(Tao Pingzi Shi Zalu, or Miscellaneous Records of Bottle Tao),《冠松巖文集》(Guansongyan Wenji, or Crown Pine Rock Miscellany) Representative Work: Shang Han Yuan Liu Biographical Introduction and Historical Accounts
Tao Dandan, whose alias was Zhī Diǎn (之典) and whose self-designated title was Shíxī Yìsǒu (石溪逸叟), was a native of Weishan, Xiangtan, and a herbalist during the Kangxi reign of the Qing dynasty. The exact dates of his birth and death are unknown, but he lived during the 17th century and died at the age of 89.
Major Works and Academic Contributions
The book Shang Han Yuan Liu (The Origins and Transmission of the Treatise on Cold-Induced Diseases)—also known as Shang Han Yuan Liu Quan Ji (The Complete Works on the Origins and Transmission of the Treatise on Cold-Induced Diseases)—comprises six volumes. It was authored by Táo Dànān of the Qing dynasty and published in the 36th year of the Kangxi era (1697 CE). The original text of the Shang Han Lun (Treatise on Cold-Induced Diseases) quoted therein is based on Cheng Wuji’s edition. Its arrangement follows Wang Kentang’s Shang Han Zhun Sheng (Standards of the Treatise on Cold-Induced Diseases). The work is divided into the Yuan Ji (Source Collection) and the Liu Ji (Transmission Collection). Chapters on normal pulse identification and pulse methods have been omitted.
The Yuan Ji (Source Collection) comprises two volumes and systematically narrates the Six Channels, transmission patterns and pathological evolution of disease origins and symptoms, combined syndromes and overlapping, sequential and skip-over meridian transmission, and various post-treatment manifestations following sweating, vomiting, and purgation. Taking the Six Channels as its structural outline, it further elaborates on meridian circulation, principal syndromes, and channel affiliations with clarity.
The Liu Ji (Transmission Collection) comprises four volumes. Syndromes are presented in clearly categorized entries indicating channel attribution, exterior and interior, and principal prescriptions. Volumes III and IV list 30 syndrome entries with corresponding treatments; Volumes V and VI address branch syndromes of the Six Channels, listing 18 such syndromes. For each syndrome, the text details pulse conditions, pathogenesis, deficiency or excess, cold or heat, disease progression and prognosis, as well as syndrome differentiation and diagnosis. It includes 240 prescriptions—113 inherited from Wang Shuhe’s compilation plus renowned prescriptions from later generations. Explanatory notes accompany each main indication. The work is rigorously organized, thoroughly documented, cites classical sources extensively, and synthesizes insights from multiple schools. It is rich in content and highly accessible.
References:
-
- 1. Tao Danan: Biographical Introduction and Historical Accounts, Major Works and Academic Contributions
