Xu Hong: Biographical Introduction and Historical Accounts, Major Works and Academic Contributions
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✵Xu Hong: He studied Confucianism in his youth and was not widely recognized for his medical knowledge. However, he gained renown for his effectiveness in treating unusual diseases and syndromes. Throughout his life, Xu Hong devoted considerable attention to collecting and researching prescriptions. He is the author of Jin Jing Nei Tai Fang Yi (Golden Mirror of the Inner Platform Prescriptions), which compiles his studies on the prescriptions of the Shang Han Lun (Treatise on Cold-Induced Diseases).
- Xu Hong
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Brief Introduction Chinese Name: 許宏 (Xǔ Hóng) Alias: Zongdao (宗道, Zōng Dào) Popular Name: 許宏 (Xǔ Hóng) English Name: Xu Hong (family name first) or Hong Xu (given name first) Hometown: Unknown Dates: ca. 1341–1421 CE Main Works: 《金鏡內臺方義》(Jin Jing Nei Tai Fang Yi, or Golden Mirror of the Inner Platform Prescriptions). Representative Works: Jin Jing Nei Tai Fang Yi (Golden Mirror of the Inner Platform Prescriptions). Biographical Introduction and Historical Accounts
Xu Hong (許宏, Xǔ Hóng); his alias was Zongdao (宗道, Zōng Dào). He studied Confucianism in childhood and was not known for medicine. However, he gained fame for his effectiveness in treating unusual diseases and syndromes. He was one of the most influential physicians of the Ming dynasty. Throughout his life, Xu Hong devoted much of his attention to collecting and researching prescriptions.
Major Works and Academic Contributions
Jin Jing Nei Tai Fang Yi (Golden Mirror of the Inner Platform Prescriptions) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) text compiled by Xu Hong. The work comprises twelve volumes devoted to the study of the Shang Han Lun (Treatise on Cold-Induced Diseases) and the Jin Kui Yao Lüe (The Synopsis of the Golden Chamber). A preface by Feng Shiren (馮士仁, Féng Shìrén) appears at the beginning of the book, and a postscript by Cheng Yongpei (程永培, Chéng Yǒngpéi) appears at the end. The book summarizes the 113 prescriptions of the Shang Han Lun into three categories: decoctions, powders, and pills. Volumes 1–10 contain decoction prescriptions—101 in total. Volume 11 contains powder prescriptions—seven in total. Volume 12 contains pill prescriptions—five in total—followed by two essays on clinical applications. For each prescription, the author details the compatibility and functional roles of the sovereign (monarch), minister, assistant, and envoy (guide) herbs. He provides theoretical explanations to elucidate the rationale of each prescription and records evidence regarding its indications, contraindications, and modifications. For particularly difficult points, questions and answers are included, and key meanings are explained repeatedly. The author named the book after classifying the Shang Han Lun prescriptions as "Nei Tai Fang" (Inner Platform Prescriptions) and those related to miscellaneous diseases as "Wai Tai Fang" (Outer Platform Prescriptions). The prescriptions are clearly explicated with original insights. This work is an important reference for studying the Shang Han Lun.
The book was completed in the twentieth year of the Yongle era of the Ming dynasty (1422 CE). A manuscript dating from the early Qing dynasty was collated and published by Cheng Yongpei in the fifty-ninth year of the Qianlong reign (1794 CE).
References:
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- 1. Xu Hong: Biographical Introduction and Historical Accounts, Major Works and Academic Contributions
