Objectives : This paper analyzes the exam paper titled, 'Is Traditional Chinese Medicine Just an Art?' of the Yixuetongzong(醫学統宗) to provide basis for research on regional physicians' examination in the Ming period. Methods : Cross examination, interpretation and content analysis of the exam paper were carried out. Results : This document is the examination paper that He Jian(何柬) submitted past the age of 40 at a regional examination for physicians that took place at the Duxue Wenyuan which is presumed to have been a regional education institute for medicine in Nanjing. While he had experience in anatomy, having been an army doctor when he was young, and was an experienced doctor who was an expert in acupuncture, it seems his goal to become a medical official at the royal medical center failed. He accumulated knowledge and experience as a Confucian doctor for more than 25 years under his teacher Pan Xiquan. It is unclear whether he had been educated at the regional medical education institute. Conclusion : The regional physicians' examination during the Ming period promoted test takers to learn both medical and Confucian knowledge quite thoroughly.

Objectives : This paper examined the Buddhist contents within the text, Bencaoshengyabanji(本草乘雅半偈). Methods : Medicinals that were searched through Buddhist vocabulary were examined. Results & Conclusions : Medicinals that quoted the Lengyanjing were related to the Water-Fire interaction, food and medicine, and karma, while those that quoted the Shidian were related to 無上道, 去惡殺蟲, 樞機滑利, and 生生之氣. Those related to the Great Earth of the Four Elements corrected the body's form based on Metal Qi, while those related to the Great Water were connected to the circulation of water dampness. Those related to the Great Fire were deeply related to Yang Qi, and those related to the Great Wind were connected to Wind control. Of the Four Origins, medicinals that were viviparous lowered Qi, while those that were oviparous were related to communicating Shen, treating diseases of the Conception Vessel, and the closing and opening of day and night. Medicinals originating from dampness were related to urination and fluid management, while those of metamorphosis were related to the process of Qi. Those related to emptiness were related to the communication of the Qi system, while those related to 六根六塵 were connected to calming the Shen and strengthening the will, and smoothing the nine orifices. Medicinals related to 圓通 were used for improving eyesight and hearing and controlling the closing and opening. Lu Zhi-yi's analysis of medicinals through the Lengyanjing is original in that it suggested a new perspective other than previous theories on pharmacology which were based on the Yin-Yang and Five Phases and Rising/Lowering/Floating/Sinking theories, but also pedantic and exaggerated. The Bencaoshengyabanji is a unique text on medicinals which analyzed each medicinal under Buddhist influence. However, it also followed the contexts of other previous texts on medicinals, and influenced Zou shu.

Objectives : This study aims to provide a methodology for effectively searching similar applications of formulas by comparing applications of pre-existing prescriptions and those applied clinically based on the difference in weight ratio of each medicinal. Methods : The clinical application part was substituted by prescriptions from the Donguibogam. Samples of pre-existing prescriptions were taken from the Bangyakhappyeon. The component ratio of Donguibogam prescriptions(Y) and Bangyakhappyeon prescriptions(X1, X2) were calculated and expressed as Y = a×X1 +b×X2 + α. (a,b: numbers, α: the rest) Results : 1. In order to express the component ratio based on arbitrary prescriptions as standard prescription, a system that incorporates a storage sector for pre-existing prescription data, an input sector for arbitrary prescription data, an analysis sector that compares the two, and an output sector that generates analysis results is required. 2. The current study shows that the suggested analysis method allows for two standard prescriptions to an arbitrary prescription. Therefore, it is possible to analyze prescriptions that are combinations of two standard prescriptions. 3. Based on arbitrary prescription(Y) and pre-existing prescription(X1, X2), the combinations could be expressed as Y= a×X1 + b×X2 + α. Through finding the most simple combination, it is possible to search the most similar application to each arbitrary prescription.

Objectives : This study analyzes the theoretical and clinical reasoning process of Zhao Xian-Ke that argued that the Mingmen is the true monarch of the body. Methods :The analysis focuses on how the arguments of Li Dong-yuan and Zhu Danxi was succeeded and supplemented by Zhao Xian-Ke into a new theoretical system in the Yiguan(醫貫). Results & Conclusions : Zhao's argument that the Mingmen is the true monarch of the body is a result of emphasis on the meaning of innate Qi that is separate from the Water and Fire of the Heart and Kidney, which is derived from the innate Qi concept of Li Dong-yuan's Spleen-Stomach Theory. Zhu Danxi's Ministerial Fire Theory was also accepted through the innate Qi concept of Ministerial Fire and True Yin, which contributed to the establishment of a systematical theory on Mingmen, Miniterial Fire, and True Yin as constituents of innate Qi. In conclusion, the Neijing's explanation that the Heart radiates Shenming as the monarch organ has been modified into innate Qi from the Mingmen reaching the Heart to radiate Shenming.

Objectives : Based on the entries on each medicinal's 'specification' and the phrase '所以然' in the Shennong Bencao Baizhonglu, this paper aims to examine Xu Dachun's understanding of herbal medicinals. Methods : One hundred medicinals from the text were sorted into eight categories: Qi, flavor, color, form, quality, nature and characteristic, time of growth, and producer, then examined. Results : 1. Medicinals related to Qi were aromatic and pungent and warm. 2. Medicinals related to flavor were explained according to the Five Flavors' nature in terms of the thing and its functions theory. 3. Medicinals related to color were explained in relation to the Five Colors, whose interpretations were rather erratic. 4. Medicinals related to form were explained as it being possible to figure out their effects based on each medicinal's shape and form. 5. Medicinals related to quality were those that were used to manage dryness and dampness using their dry or wet qualities. 6. Medicinals related to nature and characteristics needed to be understood in their originality to grasp their unique abilities. 7. Both producer and time of growth were closely related to each medicinal's efficacy. Conclusions : Understanding of the application of medicinals in the Shennong Bencaojing through continuous examination into each medicinal's 'specification' and 'its reasoning', together with their clinical application, will allow for learners to build an understanding of herbal medicinals.

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).

Objectives :The Korean Medical concept Gak-Gi(脚氣) is understood as being identical to Beriberi and Vitamin B1 deficiency, without the necessary investigation that is required in such identification. Therefore this study aims to systematically compare these two concepts for thorough investigation. Methods : Research was carried out in two directions. First, the cause, symptoms, treatment principles of Gak-Gi(脚氣) in the medical texts were analyzed. Second, the process of the Beriberi theory development and its identification with Gak-Gi(脚氣), medical information on Beriberi, and the basis of various diseases that have been linked to Gak-Gi(脚氣) were studied. Results of the two directions were used to compare Gak-Gi(脚氣) and Beriberi. Results : Gak-Gi(脚氣) and Beriberi overlap in many aspects. However, unlike Beriberi which is understood as nutrient deficiency essentially, Gak-Gi(脚氣) can be caused by exterior pathogens such as wind toxin, while its different manifestations and treatment principles cannot be fully explained by nutrient deficiency. Conclusions : Gak-Gi(脚氣) could be understood as a type of syndrome in which causes and symptoms are connected, where symptoms start in the legs, moving upwards. It cannot be identified with Beriberi, which has been interpreted as a single disease.