Abstract
Objectives In the later period of Choseon dynasty, korean pediatrics became a pivot part of medicine. SoAUiBang was the most important book in that era. DongEuiBoGam was the most widely read of all oriental medicine books and published in early days of the Choseon dynasty. Therefore, this comparative study on the prescription and formation of SoAUiBang and DongEuiBoGam could be a useful way to understand SoAUiBang's characteristics. Methods This study was based on SoAUiBang and DongEuiBoGam, two literatures of oriental medicine. Results 1. Formation of SoAUiBang had a similar aspect with that of DongEuiBoGam's and enlarged the area of pediatrics by featuring general medical books. However, its formation did not follow the DongEuiBoGam's, but had its unique formation. It tried to include all diseases of pediatrics in the system of DongEuiBoGam. Plus, smallpox and measles belonged to the epidemic diseases were excluded from the area of pediatrics. 2. Comparing SoAUiBang's prescription of some important diseases with DongEuiBoGam's, it was almost a prescription based on DongEuiBoGam's prescription. However, adjustment of herbs and dosages could not be found in any oriental medicine books including DongEuiBoGam. Conclusions SoAUiBang maintained the traditional Oriental medicine based on author's scholarly creativeness. In addition, it also inherited the lineage of medicine in Korea along with the pedigree of DongEuiBoGam. Therefore, SoAUiBang should be re-evaluated as a medicine book that opened a new field of pediatric and had great academic values.