Xu Hong: Biographical introduction and legendary stories, major works and academic contributions
-
✵Xu Hong: He studied Confucianism in his youth and was not well-known for his medical knowledge. However, he became famous for his effectiveness in treating unusual diseases and syndromes. Throughout his life, Xu Hong paid much attention to collecting and researching prescriptions. He is the author of 《金鏡內臺方義》(Jin Jing Nei Tai Fang Yi, or Golden Mirror of the Inner Stage Recipes), which collects his studies on the prescriptions of the Shang Han Lun (the Treatise on Cold-induced Diseases).
- 許宏 (Xǔ Hóng).
-
Brief Introduction Chinese Name: 許宏 (Xǔ Hóng) Alias: 宗道 (Zōng Dào) Popular name: 許宏 (Xǔ Hóng) English Name: Xu Hong, or Hong Xu (Given/Family) Hometown: Unknown Dates: about 1341–1421 A.D. Main works: 《金鏡內臺方義》(Jin Jing Nei Tai Fang Yi, or the Golden Mirror of the Inner Stage Recipes). Representative works: Jin Jing Nei Tai Fang Yi (the Golden Mirror of the Inner Stage Recipes). Biographical introduction and legendary stories
許宏 (Xǔ Hóng), his alias was Zong Dao (宗道, Zōng Dào). He studied Confucianism in his childhood and was not known for medicine. However, he became famous for his effectiveness in treating strange diseases and syndromes. He was one of the most influential herbalists in 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 (the Golden Mirror of the Inner Stage Recipes) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) work compiled by Xu Hong. The book contains twelve volumes on the study of Shang Han Lun (the Treatise on Cold-induced Diseases) and Jin Kui Yao Lue (the Synopsis of the Golden Chamber). A preface by 馮士仁 (Féng Shìrén) is at the beginning of the book and a postscript by 程永培 (Chéng Yǒngpéi) is at the end. The book summarizes the 113 prescriptions of the Shang Han Lun (the Treatise on Cold-induced Diseases) into three categories: decoctions, powders, and pills. Volumes 1–10 contain collected prescriptions for decoctions; a total of 101 prescriptions are recorded. Volume 11 contains collected prescriptions for powders; a total of seven prescriptions are recorded. Volume 12 contains collected prescriptions for pills; a total of five prescriptions are recorded, followed by two articles on applications. For each prescription, the author lists the compatibility and combination of the monarch, minister, assistant, and guide. He provides arguments to illustrate the meaning of each prescription and records the evidence of its application, prohibition, and development. For difficult points, questions and answers are provided, and the meaning is explained repeatedly. The author named the book after classifying the contents of Shang Han Lun (the Treatise on Cold-induced Diseases) as the "Nei Tai Fang" and the contents related to miscellaneous diseases as the "Wai Tai Fang." The prescriptions are clearly explained with innovations. This book is an important reference for studying Shang Han Lun (the Treatise on Cold-induced Diseases).
The book was finished in the 20th year of the Ming dynasty's Yongle period (1422 CE). A manuscript from the early Qing dynasty was corrected and published by Cheng Yongpei in the Qianlong 59th year (1794 CE).
References:
-
- 1.Xu Hong: Biographical introduction and legendary stories, major works and academic contributions
