• The Journal of Korean Medical History
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.149-160
• /
• 2013

King Sunjong was the 27th King and the last King in the Joseon Dynasty. He lived an unhappy life as the prince and the King of perishing country. At the age of 22, He witness the death of his mother Queen Myeongseong by Japanese assassin. He has a weak constitution and have many diseases. He get varicella(水痘) in infancy, and suffered from smallpox(紅疫) at 6, and catched the measles(天然痘) at 12. At the age of 25, Having drunk the coffee that contained opium(阿片), he had bloody excrement(血便) and lose the 18 teeth. The Symptoms that appeared frequently at adult age are indigestion(滯症), diarrhea(泄瀉), trophedema(足部浮腫), odontopathy(齒科疾患) etc. This indigestion(滯症) and diarrhea(泄瀉) are occurred by gastroenteropathy(胃腸病). This odontopathy(齒科疾患) is the aftereffect from having 18 false teeth. We assume that this trophedema(足部浮腫) is occurred by cardiac disease(心臟病) and renal disease(腎臟病). The chronic diseases of King Sunjong are gastroenteropathy(胃腸病), renal disease(腎臟病), cardiac disease(心臟病), rheumatism. We assume that the immediate cause of his death is the aggravation of the renal disease(腎臟病) and cardiac disease(心臟病). The medical treatments for him are hardly included in "Formal Records of the Joseon Dynasty(朝鮮王朝實錄)" which is the prime governmental document. Many royal doctors in court used the traditional Korean medicine, but western doctors from Japan often treated him by medical techniques such as injection(注射), consperg(散藥), liquid medicine(水藥).

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
• /
• v.35 no.3
• /
• pp.41-58
• /
• 2022

Objectives : In this paper, the outline and overall content of the Majinhwiseong, a specialized medical text on measles written by Lee Wonpung was introduced, along with its academic historical meaning. Methods : The entire Majinhwiseong was analyzed according to content and form. In terms of form, organization, construction, cited literature, etc., were studied, while in terms of content, diagnosis of disease pattern and treatment formulas were studied. Later, based on cited medical texts and the author's social position, the academic historical meaning of this book was discussed. Results : Through the Majinhwiseong, Lee Wonpung strengthened the credibility of the text by not only providing medical knowledge on measles but listing their sources and comparing and analyzing related contents. In the diagnosis part, Lee focused on the changes in symptom, shape, color, and pulse of measles, discussing in detail its differential diagnostic methods. In the treatment part, while listing numerous formulas suggested by Ming (明) masters, Lee did not leave out treatment experiences of Joseon physicians. Meanwhile, the Majinhwiseong is indicative of measles medicine in 18th century Joseon having been progressed in the private sector rather than the official, and how the results of private sector medicine were being absorbed into the official realm through the Uiyakdongcham (議藥同參) system. Conclusions : The Majinhwiseong is a practical treatment manual written by clinician Lee Wonpung to deal measles which was widely spread at the time. The author organized existing medical knowledge on measles for clinicians while reflecting outcomes and medical situation of Joseon physicians in this book. Based on these findings, we could verify that medicine in 18th century Joseon had been progressing actively around the private medical sector.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
• /
• v.13 no.1 s.19
• /
• pp.19-27
• /
• 2007

In the 18th Century, those who played most important role in international interchange of medical science between Korea and Japan were skillful doctors and doctors of Joseontongsinsa(Correspondents of Joseon called on Japan as a mission). But they have been truly neglected by researchers on history of Korea, even on history of Korean medical science. They were received warm treatment from Japanese. But They were at the most middle-class in social standing in Joseontongsinsa. Though they played important role, they were underpriced and their brilliant achievements were faded out. It is on account of their low social position in Joseon Dynasty, a strict class society. Samsa, Jesulkuan, and Seogi were members of Joseontongsinsa those who were high class in social standing and were good at writing. In general, they were also Confucian doctors in Joseon. In the case of Samsa, there was Seo Myungung who was famous Confucian doctor. And since 'dispatch principle of Jesulkuan' had been prepared, Jesulkuans had paticipated in questions and answers on clinical problems. In a broad sense, We can regard Lihyun, a Jesulkuan in 1711's mission, Shinyuhan, a Jesulkuan in 1719's mission, and Seogies of Samsa as Confucian doctors. Though they were not medical specialist, but we can find them as Confucian doctors through the questions and answers on clinical problems they were participated in.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.53 no.2
• /
• pp.237-242
• /
• 2015

Analysis of ancient DNA (aDNA) extracted from Ascaris is very important for understanding the phylogenetic lineage of the parasite species. When aDNAs obtained from a Joseon tomb (SN2-19-1) coprolite in which Ascaris eggs were identified were amplified with primers for cytochrome b (cyt b) and 18S small subunit ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) gene, the outcome exhibited Ascaris specific amplicon bands. By cloning, sequencing, and analysis of the amplified DNA, we obtained information valuable for comprehending genetic lineage of Ascaris prevalent among pre-modern Joseon peoples.

• The Journal of Korean Medical History
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.75-83
• /
• 2014

This study investigated the various editions of Huangjenaegyeongsomun (黃帝內經素問) published in the Joseon Dynasty. Only study for on Eulhae metal type (乙亥字) Huangjenaegyeongsomun and bibliography research of some holding institutions are the existing research on this topic. The conclusion of this paper is as follows. 1. The 14 and 15-volume book are existing most common versions of Huangjenaegyeongsomun (黃帝內經素問) published in Joseon Dynasty. The two books were corrected by Naeuiwon (內醫院). According to this study, the latter is more early than the former. But in the study of the past were not made clear distinction between the two books. 2. The 15-volume book of Huangjenaegyeongsomun (黃帝內經素問) was published in the mid-18th century between the first half of the 19th century. 3. A Wooden print editions Huangjenaegyeongsomun (黃帝內經素問) about Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592 ago have been investigated holding institution. 4. The Gyeongju-published Huangjenaegyeongsomun (黃帝內經素問) is estimated that in the mid Joseon Dynasty, This edition has been estimated that the late Joseon Dynasty far.

• The Journal of Korean Medical History
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.23-29
• /
• 2021

Takji-oryego (A Review of the Five manners related to the Ministry of Finance) is a book organized by Hojo (Joseon's Ministry of Finance) and the cost and details of royal events held according to five manners. This book contained a lot of information on medicine-related rituals in the late Joseon Dynasty. Thus, it was found that the royal rituals related to medicine include not only childbirth and fertility, but also Heuljeon and Sangjeon. Through this study, the following facts were newly discovered: 1) The time of transcription was between October 1840 and October 1841. 2) Huljeon (Privilege given to save) is also related to the rise of the status of medical officials after King Sukjong. 3) According to Heuljeon, medical bureaucrats in the late Joseon Dynasty had a higher position than other technical officials. 4) The contents of reward were complementary to the existing literature. The date of death of a medical official, which was unknown in previous studies, is documented. In a case like Sansilcheong, there are contents that are unknown through other sources.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
• /
• v.56 no.1
• /
• pp.54-60
• /
• 2023

Lactase non-persistence (LNP), one of the causes of lactose intolerance, is related to lactase gene associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Since the frequency of LNP varies by ethnic group and country, the research to reveal the presence or absence of LNP for specific people has been conducted worldwide. However, in East Asia, the study of lactase gene associated SNPs have not been sufficiently examined so far using ancient human specimens from archaeological sites. In our study of Joseon period human remains (n=14), we successfully revealed genetic information of lactase gene associated SNPs (rs1679771596, rs41525747, rs4988236, rs4988235, rs41380347, rs869051967, rs145946881 and rs182549), further confirming that as for eight SNPs, the pre-modern Korean people had a lactase non-persistent genotype. Our report contributes to the establishment of LNP associated SNP analysis technique that can be useful in forthcoming studies on human bones and mummy samples from East Asian archaeological sites.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.103-113
• /
• 2017

Objectives : Korea and China are applying different conversion standards for weight in traditional medicine books. This study aims to research and suggest how to convert the units of weight in old traditional medicine classics into the contemporary unit of grams. Methods : Historical documents of Korea and China were used to review the process in which weights and measures changed in each country and the manners in which the Chinese units of weight were introduced to Korea. Results : Weights and measures changed with time. They became almost standardized by the period of Song in China, when coins played the most crucial role, and it was introduced to Korea. Donggaryang, the standard container for weights and measures in ancient China, Gaewontongbo, a coin in Tang, Sangpyeongtongbo, a coin in Joseon, and a scale in Joseon were used as strong foundations for conclusion from literature review. Weight of a 1-don(coin) in the time a traditional medicine books were written was used as a unit of weight in those books. Sangpyeongtongbo, a 1-don coin in Joseon, weighs 4 grams on average. Conclusions : Since the current conversion of 1-don coin into 3.75 grams is not supported by literature review, it is suggested that 1-don(coin) as a unit of weight in traditional medicine books of Joseon, may be better converted into 4 grams, while that of China is converted to 3.73 grams.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.147-152
• /
• 2009

Objectives : This paper intends to shed light on the value of Jejungsinpyeon, which is known to have had a considerable impact on the country's medicine in the later period Joseon Period, and its position in the Joseon history of medicine. To such an end, this paper focuses on how Yakseongga was developed and transformed in the later period Joseon Period through a bibliographical study of it. Methods : (1) To make comparison and analysis of the 303 lines, which the author said he quoted from Wan.bing.hui.chun and Susebowon, with Yakseongga of Jejungsinpyeon to see association between them based on Yakseongga contained in Jejungsinpyeon (2) To make a table concerning the names of the books, their authors, when they were published, how many kinds there are, their formats based on a survey of literature containing Yakseongga published after Jejungsinpyeon. (3) To see influences made by Jejungsinpyeon on books of medicine in the later Joseon Period. Results : It was found that a total of 303 lines had been quoted from Wan bing hui chun and Susebowon and that 83 lines had been newly inserted by the author. As a result of an analysis of Yakseongga of Jejungsinpyeon, Of the 303 lines, 297 were quoted from Susebowon, and only six from Wan bing hui chun. This means that the author of Jejungsinpyeon chiefly used Susebowon as the source of Yakseongga quoted therein. 275 lines, or 76%, of a total of 386 lines of Yakseongga of Jejungsinpyeon, have their Korean names marked. Medicinal herbs marked as Chinese herbs number 83 out of 386. Among the 83 herbs named, one belongs to the part newly inserted by the author, while the remaining 82 are quoted from Yakseongga. Conclusions : It shows the author's intention to make what is contained in Yakseongga localized knowledge and used by the people easily, although Yakseongga was compiled based on quotations from Chinese literature.

• The Journal of Korean Medical History
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.3-17
• /
• 2006

This paper examines the episodes of some herbalists described in the various anthologies in the Joseon Dynasty. Especially the kernels of the stories, which have still considerable influence upon oriental medicine in my opinion, will be arranged in narrative style. Not to mention, it was not rare that in someone's huge collection of works only a few lines of clinical diagnosis and prescriptions could be found. But they are invaluable. In this respect, we are very fortunate in having medical contents in the anthologies such as Jisanjip, Igejip and Wanamjip. The result of the analysis is summarized as follows. First, the materials can be used to examine the level of the medicine at that times. Second, the records of clinical diagnosis and prescriptions in the anthologies are precious even at the present time. Third, it is confirmed that the herbalists of Joseon had handed down their remedies and also inherited at any forms. And most important, they had added their own recipes to that.