• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.119-136
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• 2021

Objectives : The Korean Medical concept Nochae(勞瘵) has been identified as tuberculosis, which is defined as an infectious disease caused by Myobacterium Tuberculosis. However, this identification requires re-examination. Methods : The historical context of tuberculosis was examined, followed by examination of Nochae(勞瘵) as explained in the classical medical texts. The findings were compared. Results : Before tuberculosis was defined by Myobacterium Tuberculosis, there were various discussions on the disease, which overlapped greatly with Nochae(勞瘵). On the other hand, there were notable distinctions as well, which suggest key characteristics of Nochae(勞瘵). Conclusions : Tuberculosis pre-bacteria was understood as a consumptive and infectious disease manifested in symptoms in the Lungs. Nochae(勞瘵) was not defined by its lesion but rather within the contexts of deficiency-fatigue and being caused by parasites called Chung(蟲). Moreover, emotional fatigue was understood as the main cause of Nochae(勞瘵).

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.47-62
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• 2022

Objectives : To analyze and understand the clear meaning of Nochae(勞瘵), which is used in the same meaning as tuberculosis in Korean medicine. Methods : Nochae was mainly investigated using the Korean medicine classic DB(https://mediclassics.kr). Records that clearly revealed the visual observation of Nochaechung(勞瘵蟲), the cause of Nochae, and those that do not were arranged in chronological order. It was also analyzed what modern diseases are similar to Nochae. Results : Records that Nochaechung can be observed visually through feces or vomiting suggested the possibility of ascariasis. Nochaechung, which has a shape similar to silkworms and causes symptoms such as coughing and hemoptysis similar to those of tuberculosis while parasitic on human, suggested the possibility of paragonimus westermani. Based on the record that it showed symptoms of coughing and hemoptysis along with chills, fever, and weight loss, Nochae might have been a disease such as pneumonia and lung cancer as well as tuberculosis. Records of women's bloating, weight loss, anorexia, and jaundice suggested that Nochae might have been a liver cirrhosis. Conclusions : Records that clearly reveal the visual observations of Nochaechung, suggested that Nochae was a parasitic disease such as ascariasis or paragonimiasis. Records that visual observation of Nochaechung was not clearly revealed, suggested that Nochae might have been diseases such as pneumonia, lung cancer, and liver cirrhosis in addition to tuberculosis.