• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.104-128
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• 1996

In the ancient times, the medical practice relied primarily upon human instincts and experiences at the same time, shaman's incantations were widely believed to cure diseases, the workings of evil spirits supposedly. For the period from the Old Chosun through Samhan(三韓), Chinese refugees brought a long medical knowledge and skills of the continent. New Chinese medicine, traditional practices and incantations were generally used at this time. In Samhan, however, the last was the most important, performed by a Chongoon(天君). Medicine and the medical system were arranged by the period of the Three Countries(三國時代). No definite record concerning Koguryo remains now. As for Paekje, however, history shows that they set up the system under the Chinese influence, assigning medical posts such as Euibaksa(醫博士, medical doctor), Chaeyaksa(採藥師, pharmacist), and Jukeumsa(呪禁師, medicine man) within Yakbu(藥部, department of medicine). Scientifically advanced, they sent experts to Japan, giving a tremendous influence on the development of the science in ancient Japan. After the unification of the three countries, Shilla(新羅) had theri own system after the model of Dang(唐). This system of the Unified Shilla was continued down to Koryo(高麗) and became the backbone of the future ones.