Chen Nianzu,pioneer of medical popularization

Chen Nianzu,also known as Chen Xiuyuan and Chen Shengxiu(1573—1823)was from the Mei Village,Changle Xi,Fujian Province.He was a distinguished traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)theorist,clinician and educator of the Qing Dynasty and the author of the Three-Character Primer of Medicine(Yi Xue San Zi Jing),Versified Currrent Formulas(Shi Fang Ge Kuo),Briefly Annotated Treatise on Cold-induced Diseases(Shang Han Lun Qian Zhu),and Briefly Annotated Essentials fromthe Golden Cabinet(Jin Kui Yao Lue Qian Zhu),etc.

本草学家唐慎微

Tang Shenwei(Style:Tang Shenyuan,c.1056‒1136)was from Jinyuan,Shuzhou,Sichuan Province(present Chongzhou,Sichuan Province).Later he moved to Huayang,Chengdu(present Chengdu,Sichuan Province).He was a famous scholar of materia medica and practitioner of the Song Dynasty(960—1279).He was the author of Materia Medica Arranged According to Pattern(Zheng Lei Ben Cao)(Complete title:Classified Materia Medica from Historical Classics for Emergency of the Zhenghe Era(Zheng He Jing Shi Zheng Lei Bei Ji Ben Cao)),which is the extant earliest and complete monograph on materia medica in China.

Chao Yuanfang and his Treatise on the Causes and Manifestations of Diseases

Chao Yuanfang was a famous physician of the Sui Dynasty.There is no record about his biography and life in official history.It is said that he served as an imperial court physician and the minister of the Imperial Health Administration from 605 to 616.Under the imperial order,he took charge of compilation of Treatise on the Causes and Manifestations of Diseases(Zhu Bing Yuan Hou Lun),the first book about disease causes and symptoms in history.According to the Emperor Yang Digging the Grand Canal(Yang Di Kai He Ji),a novel of the Song Dynasty,Emperor Yang appointed Ma Shumou as the head of the project.Unexpectedly when he arrived in Ningling County(now Ningling County,Henan Province)Ma fell ill with swollen limbs and chills,and couldn't sit up.At the moment,Chao was immediately sent by the emperor to help Ma.After examinations Chao believed that it was caused by invasion of the striated layer by wind.He suggested him to take steamed tender mutter with some medicinal herbs.Very soon the patient was cured.From above we know that Chao was proficient in medicine.

Jianzhen's eastward sea-voyage

Chunyu Jianzhen(688-763)was from the Jiangyang County,Guangling(now Yangzhou,Jiangsu Province).He was an eminent Buddhist monk and learned medical scientist of the Tang Dynasty(618-907).He is the author of Jianshen's Secret Recipes(Jian Shang Ren Mi Fang).At the invitation of Japan,he went there and intro-duced Buddhism,medical and other technical knowledge to Japan,so he was honored by the Japanese people with the“Founder of Japanese Kampo Medicine”and“Master from Overseas”.

Buddhist monk Lin Daoren,specialist of traumatology and orthopedics

Buddhist monk Lin Daoren(790-850,from Xi'an,Shaanxi Province)was a specialist of traumatology and orthopedics of the Tang Dynasty.Secrets of Treating Wounds and Rejoining Fractures(Li Shang Xu Duan Fang)written by him is the first extant monography on traumatology and orthopedics in China.According to the preface of the book,he had profound medical knowledge especially about the theory,diagnosis and treatment for wounds and fractures.

Wang Shuhe and his Pulse Classic

Wang Shuhe(c.210‒285),also known as Wang Xi or Wang Gaoping,was from Gaoping,present Shanxi Province,or Zoucheng City,Shandong Province.He was one of the celebrated medical scientists of the Wei and Jin dynasties(220-420)and he once served as the minister of imperial physicians.He is the author of The Pulse Classic(Mai Jing),the extant first monograph on pulse in China.Wang was born into a family of nobility.With placid temper he was eager to learn since childhood.As a young boy he had extensive knowledge and studied the various schools of thoughts and their exponents.Then to avoid chaos of war his family moved to Jingzhou City,Hubei Province,where he met Wei Xun,a disciple of Zhang Zhongjing(150e219).

Chunyu Yi and his pioneer case records

Chunyu Yi(215 _(BC)-150 _(BC))once served as an official of granary in the Qi State.So he had a nickname of granary chief.His ancestral home was Linzi(present Linzi,Shandong Province).He was a celebrated practitioner of the Western Han Dynasty.His 25 case records,the extant earliest ones in China,were listed in The His-torical Records(Shi Ji).

Bian Que,the founder of diagnostics of traditional Chinese medicine

Bian Que or Qin Yueren(ca 5th century B.C.)was a medical scientist with profound influence in the Warring States Period(475 BC-221 BC).There is argument about his native place,but it is generally acknowledged he came from Bohai Sea Mo County(present Renqiu County,Hebei Province).It is said that he was the author of Bian Que's Internal Classic(Bian Que Nei Jing)and Bian Que's External Classic(Bian Que Wai Jing).It is a pity they are all lost.

Wu Youxing, an anti-epidemic vanguard

Wu Youxing(courtesy name Wu Youke)also known as Wu Danza,was from Wu County(present Suzhou)Jiangsu Province.His dates of birth and death are unknown.He,a famous expert of warm-pathogen disease,lived in the late Ming Dynasty(1368e1644).His Treatise on Warm-pathogen Disease(Wen Yi Lun)is regarded as the first monography on warm-pathogen disease in China's medical history.

Yi Yin,the founder of herbal decoction

Yi Yin(dates of birth and death unknown)is also known as Yi Zhi or A Heng.“Yin”is an ancient official title,similar to“administrative assistant”.He lived in the early period of the Shang Dynasty(1600 BC1046 BC),and regarded as an politician,physician and head chef.1 He is the author of Classic of Herbal Decoction or Yi Yin's Classic of Herbal Decoction.

Hu Sihui, A nutritionist

Hu Sihui,also known as He Sihui,lived in the 14th century.He,a Mongolian(or of the Hui ethnic group)was a famous nutritionist of the Yuan Dynasty(1206e1368).Yin Shan Zheng Yao(Principles of Proper Diet)written by him was the extant earliest book on dietary therapy and nutrition in China and the world.

Fu Shan,a celebrated physician and cultural figure crowned with eternal glory

Fu Shan(1607-1684),originally named Fu Dingchen(courtesy name:Fu Qingzhu),was from Yangqu County,Taiyuan Prefecture(present Taiyuan,Shanxi Province).His assumed name was Scarlet Taoist or Songqiao Old Man.Fu was a famous scholar in the period of the late Ming and early Qing Dynasties and he was a diligent student of Confucianism,religion,calligraphy,painting and medicine.He was highly esteemed in the history of Chinese culture and thought.Fu was skilled in phonology and critical interpretation of ancient texts.

Wu Tang, specialist of warm-pathogen disease

Wu Tang(style name Wu Peihang and courtesy name Wu Jutong,1758e1836)was from Huiyin,Jiangsu Province.Popularly known as Wu Jutong,he was a celebrated specialist of warmpathogen disease of the Qing Dynasty and the author of The Detailed Analysis of Warm-Pathogen Disease(Wen Bing Tiao Bian),Wu Jutong's Case Records(Wu Ju Tong Yi An)and Rectify Errors in Medical Practice(Yi Yi Bing Shu).

Wang Shixiong,expert of warm-pathogen diseases

Wang Shixiong(courtesy name:Wang Mengying,also known as“Semi-Stupid Hermit”and“Sui-Xi Lay Buddhist”,1808e1867)was from Haining,Zhejiang Province.1 He was an expert of warmpathogen diseases of the Qing Dynasty(1664e1911)and the author of the following books:A Chapter ofWarp andWoof ofWarm-Heat Pathogen Diseases(Wen Re Jing Wei),The Treatise on Sudden Turmoil(Huo Luan Lun),Food and Drink Recipes from the Sui-Xi Lay Buddhist(Sui Xi Ju Yin Shi Pu),Medical Discourses at the Qian Study(Qian Zhai Yi Hu),etc.

Dong Feng,earliest ancestor of apricot grove(traditional Chinese medicine)

Dong Feng(courtesy name:Dong Junyi,2nd-3rd century)was from Houguan(present Min County,Fujian Province).1 He was an outstanding physician in the period of the Three Kingdoms(220e280).There were no records about him in authorized history,neither about his writings,so he seemed to be a legendary figure.According to Ge Gong,a famous Taoist,practitioner and alchemist,once Shi Xie,the prefecture governor of Jiaozhou,was critically ill in coma,all the physicians invited were at a loss what to do,and his family members happened to know Dong was travelling around Jiaozhou,and he was immediately invited to see the patient.

Bao Gudwoman of great ability in medical circles

Bao Gu,also known as Bao Qianguang(c309-363 or 288e343),was a famous moxibustion practitioner and Taoist scholar of the Jin Dynasty(265e420).Her husband was Ge Hong,a distinguished physician,Taoist scholar and alchemist.They practiced medicine in Luofu Mountain,Guangdong Province.She was dignified with the title of“Goddess Bao”because of her brilliant medical skills.It is a pity that she didn't left behind any medical works.

Xue Xue,a practitioner,well-versed in both polite letters and martial arts

Xue Xue(1681e1770,courtesy name:Xue Shengbai)also known as Yipiao,or Holy Man Huaiyun,was a native of Suzhou,Jiangsu Province.1 As a specialist of warm disease he was well-versed in both polite letters and martial arts,and he was the author of Systematic Differentiation of Dampness-heat Disorders(Shi Re Tiao Bian),Gist of Medical Theories(Yi Jing Yuan Zhi)and Xue Yipiao’s Case Records(Xue Yipiao Yi An),etc.

Wang Qingren and correction of errors in medical works

Wang Qingren(courtesy name:Wang Xunchen,1768e1831)was from Yutian County,Hebei Province.He was a distinguished physician and wrote the book Correction of Errors in Medical Works(Yi Lin Gai Cuo),in which many anatomical mistakes in ancient works were corrected,and it had far-reaching influence.Wang was born into an eminent family of intellectuals and he started learningmartial arts since childhood.He passed the imperial martial arts examination at county level on his youth,and then he got an official titlewith a donation.Upright and never stooping to flattery he was public spirited.In his hometown,there was a bridge over a river.For amassing wealth toll money was demanded by the local officials for passage.Wang strongly opposed it and took legal proceedings against them.The county magistrate failed to refute him。

Song Ci,A Medicolegist

Song Ci(courtesy name:Song Huifu,1186e1249),a famous medicolegist of the Southern Song Dynasty(1127e1279)was from Jianyang,present Nanping,Fujiang Province.Xi Yuan Ji Lu(The Record For Vindication)written by him is the first and extant monography on forensic medicine in the world,for which Song was honored as the founder of forensic medicine.Song was born into an official family.His father once served as the governor of Guangzhou,so he received good education since childhood.At ten year old,he studied with one of the pupils of Zhu Xi(1130e1200),the authority of the neo-confucianism in the Song Dynasty and other great scholars.

Wang Kentang—a scholar-physician of the ming dynasty

Wang Kentang (courtesy name:Wang Yutai,1549-1613) was a native of Jintan (in present Jintan County,Jiangsu Province).He was either a Confucian scholar or a famous physician.As a successful candidate in the highest imperial examination,he held a position in the National Academy.He wrote a dozen books,among which two books were most famous,i.e.Standards for Diagnosis and Treatment (Zheng Zhi Zhun Sheng) and Complete Book of Orthodox Ancient and Modern Medical Works (Gu Jin Yi Tong Zheng Mai Quan Shu).They had profound impact on later generations.