A Study of the History of Medical Administration in Ming(明) Dynasty

명대(明代) 의정사(醫政史)에 관한 연구

Basic summary of the medical administration : First of all Ming dynasty was at its last stage of dynastic era that the politics reached absolute autocracy. The influence of centralized power lead to systematical medical administration management system that was generally formed around Tai Yi Yuan(太醫院). Criticizing treatments via shamanism with supernatural powers and advent of strengthening medical concepts were steps toward a new phase. Medical education in regional areas showed drastic development and preventative medicine on epidemics as well as relief work succeeded to a certain amount. Overall Ming(明) dynasty has somewhat of a growth in some areas keeping the basics of Tang(唐) Song(宋) and Yuan(元)'s medical administration, however basically, unique contribution was not shown much. But on the other hand, measures such as common medical system, reserving incompetent doctors, positioning medical officers by the amount of contributions, paying salary with medicine instead of currency brought losses on medical development.