• The Journal of Korean Medical History
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.1-13
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• 2010

The early Joseon era was a period when various medical systems were established and many medical literatures were published. Hwang Ja-hu(黃子厚) was a civil minister and medical professional who worked hard for maintaining government administrative system and medical regime during the Taejong and Sejong reign. Hwang Ja-hu followed his father and made MiReukWon(彌勒院) prosperous for the homeless people around Chungcheong-do Hoedeok. Hwang Ja-hu was talented in policy development as a government official. He was also learned in medicine, thus always doubled as head of JeonUiGam(典醫監). Hwang Ja-hu reformed the irrationalities in medical regime. He legalized JeonUiGam duties such as the presenting of the medicine or the preparation of the medicine and had the doctors take charge. He also suggested training acupuncture specialists(鍼灸專門醫). Hwang Ja-hu played a leading role in spreading HyangYak(鄕藥) throughout the country and reissuing [HyangYakGuGeupBang(鄕藥救急方)] due to personal philanthropism and service. He tried to defeat illnesses by letting the common people understand the symptoms and use medicine accordingly. Also he intended [HyangYakGuGeupBang(鄕藥救急方)] which was written focused on 'easiness book'(簡易方), 'experience book'(經驗方) to be used for the common people because [HyangYakJipSungBang(鄕藥集成方)] was made up a huge volume andused for training medical professionals and for accumulating knowledge. Hwang Ja-hu pursed subdivision of medical systems and specialization of medicine but also promoted medical rights. We should continue to discover and introduce medical figures who understood medicine and improved the medical systems.