Abstract
Objectives : To determine the meaning of 'yi(噫)' from verses containing the character in 『Huangdineijing』. Methods : First, examples of the usage of 'yi(噫)' in Huangdineijing were collected and analyzed, followed by examples from the other books of the time when 『Huangdineijing』 was written. Finally the term 'ai' which surfaced in a later period than Huangdineijing to refer to eructation was examined. Results & Conclusions : Based on analysis of the usage of 'yi(噫)' in the 『Huangdineijing』, out of a total of 20 cases, 14 cases could be categorized as referring to eructation, 4 cases were difficult to categorize as eructation, and 2 cases were indeterminable. At the time of publication of 『Huangdineijing』, the character 'yi(噫)' was generally used to refer to eructation when used in a medical context, while in non-medical contexts it referred to sigh, or groan. The appearance of 'ai(噯)' is predicted to be during the Song period, but its appearance did not take away the meaning of eructation from 'yi(噫)' and both were used. Based on the change of meaning of 'yi(噫)', we can determine the approximate time when certain contents of the 『Huangdineijing』 were constructed. In the case of '心爲噫[Heart makes 'yi(噫)']', we can understand it as the pectoral qi leaking through the throat manifesting as a sigh in order to relieve stagnation of the excessiveness of the Heart. In cases of deficiency, when the Stomach function is weak, the body is likely to let out a sigh. The term meaning sighing which is 'taixi(大息)' was understood as symptomatic of problems of the Gallbladder as well as the Heart.
