• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.179-191
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• 2008

Yuchang(喩昌), prominent doctor in the early days of Cheong Dynasty, argued in favor of Daegiron(大氣論) and Chujoron(秋燥論). He referred the concept of Daegi(大氣) to the initiatory force that maintains and perpetuates the vital activities of human body. The historical background of his argument can be related to the abuses of the doctrine of warming and tonifying. At that time, the practice of misusing warming and tonifying herbal medicines without deteriorations of a case was widespread among doctors. Dryness and heat disease mechanism was triggered from this malpractice. Subsequently Yuchang(喩昌) witnessed many cases of lung diseases resulting from dryness and heat. That's why he suggested relieving dryness of the lung as a treatment, further establishing Daegi(大氣) - which correlates with the lung - as the vital fundamentals. Yuchang(喩昌)'s argues that the autumn energy emanates after the Autumn Equinox and that is what Chujo(秋燥) signifies in Chujoron(秋燥論). He articulates that most of the autumn diseases can be attributed to fire and heat. This argument is distinguished from the one that attributes lung diseases to coldness, thus providing an important factor in deteriorating a lung disease.