Development of Preventive Medicine

In the Qin (221B.C.~A.D.207) and Han (206B.C.~A.D.220) Dynasties, there were two preventive measures: using fragrant medicinal substances, and isolation.  It had been a routine for officials in the Han Dynasty (206B.C.~A.D.220) to take bath every five days.  There was also significant progress in hygienic regulations dealing with drinking water, sewage, garbage and human wastes.

On the basis of his predecessors’ experience, Hua Tuo compiled his famous exercise of Wu Qin Xi (Five Mimic-animal Frolics), which included movements of the tiger, deer, bear, ape, and bird.

All of these preventive measures had already enjoyed popular support during the Qin (221B.C.~A.D.207) and Han (206B.C.~A.D.220) Dynasties.  Huang Di Nei Jing (Huangdi’s Canon of Medicine), a famous medical classic compiled in this period, proposed the idea of “prevention first”.  This fully demonstrated that people of that time paid special attention to disease prevention.

 

Wu Qin Xi (Five Animal-mimic Frolics)

 

Progress of Various Clinical Fields

In this period, surgical skills improved rapidly.  Hua Tuo, a great physician, highly skilled in internal medicine, surgery, gynecology, pediatrics, acupuncture, and moxibustion, invented anesthesia methods to aid surgery.  This could be regarded as legendary in world’s medical history.  For his outstanding contribution, Hua Tuo was honored by later generations as the father of surgery.

In the Qin (221B.C.~A.D.207) and Han (206B.C.~A.D.220) Dynasties, there was progress in therapeutic dermatology.  For example, Behcet's syndrome, which was found by Turkish dermatologist Behcet, had already been recorded in Jin Kui Yao Lue (Synopsis of Golden Chamber) compiled by Zhang Zhongjing.

A great acupuncture work named Huang Di Ming Tang Jing (Huangdi’s Illustration for Acupuncture Points and Meridians) appeared during the period of later Western Han Dynasty (206B.C.~A.D.24) to Eastern Han Dynasty (25~A.D.220).  Huang Di Ming Tang Jing (Huangdi’s Illustration for Acupuncture Points and Meridians) is the first monograph on acupuncture in China.  This book had been listed as a compulsory textbook for later acupuncturists.  It was introduced to Japan and other countries later and had a far-reaching impact on the development of acupuncture in China and other countries.

 

Huang Di Ming Tang Jing (Huangdi's Illustration for Acupuncture Points and Meridians) Kept in Ermitage Museum, Russia