A Study on the Health Care of the Aged in View of the Kings of the Joseon Dynasty

조선 군왕의 삶으로 본 고령화시대 건강증진 방법에 대한 고찰

Background and Aim : As one of the World Cultural Heritage, Joseonwangjosillok is a history book including general state affair, social affair, economy, astronomical and atmospheric phenomena, art, music, eat. as well as the very private life of the king. With Joseonwangjosillok, we will look into health and death of the king and apply it to the regimen and recommended life-style of the aged. Materials and Method : With the archive of Joseonwangjosillok and medical text books such as Donguibogam Huang Di Nei Jing as reference, we tried to inquire the work and life of the kings of the Joseon dynasty, find connection with the regimen recommended life-style, and suggest medical guidelines for the aged as geriatric society is coming. Result : The Kings of the Joseon dynasty had omnipotent power, so that they lived quite much better lift than common people. But their average lifetime is estimated to be no better than that of ethers. Probably overwork, mental stress, rich fatty diet and lack of exercise took healthy life from them. Conclusion : Even if they had unlimited power, the state-of-the-art medical treatment hardly helped the Kings live better and longer life than common people. To keep and promote healthy lift for the aged, they need moderate exercise, appropriate rest, balanced diet, seen dissolving with reasonable environment.