Donguibogam, the 'Matrix of Korean Medicine'
Donguibogam, the 'Matrix of Korean Medicine'
Despite the advanced development of modern
medicine, we are still helpless against new viruses and infectious diseases.
Nowadays, as wearing a face mask and using disinfectants have become daily
routines for people of all ages due to COVID-19, we realize once again that
prevention is the top priority. There is a medical compilation that is drawing
attention again in this age of viruses. It is ‘Donguibogam’, the matrix of
Korean Medicine. This compilation on preventive medicine dates back to the 17th
century. 
Public Health Project for the People
Public Health Project for the People
In 1592, when Japan crossed the sea and
invaded Joseon, many people suffered from diseases and injuries. . King Seonjo,
the king of Joseon, selected the best medical scholars of the time, including
Heo Jun, the most trusted royal physician, for the nation and its people, and
ordered to commence a project of compiling a medical book. The goal of the project was to compile and
distribute medical books dealing with treatments and medicines ideal for the
environment of Joseon, without further need to import Chinese medicines.
However, after a year of co-writing, they had to stop compiling the books as
the second Japanese invasion of Korea broke out, and later King Seonjo ordered
Heo Jun to complete Donguibogam on his own.
Heo
Jun compiled a total of 25 summarized books by referring to over 230 medical
publications and literary works in distribution in Joseon and China and adding
clinical experience and knowledge. Upon completion of the medical compilation,
it was named as Donguibogam, meaning the treasured mirror of eastern medicine,
or laying down a standard for Chinese and Korean Medicine by inheriting the
medical tradition of Joseon.
Donguibogam was compiled on top of the modern
ideology, 'the responsibility for the people’s public healthcare lies in the
state’. Therefore, the compilation introduced a large number of medicinal herbs
easily obtainable in the nature and specified their names using both the
professional terms used by physicians and their Korean names that were widely
used by the people.
In 1592, when Japan crossed the sea and
invaded Joseon, many people suffered from diseases and injuries. . King Seonjo,
the king of Joseon, selected the best medical scholars of the time, including
Heo Jun, the most trusted royal physician, for the nation and its people, and
ordered to commence a project of compiling a medical book. The goal of the project was to compile and
distribute medical books dealing with treatments and medicines ideal for the
environment of Joseon, without further need to import Chinese medicines.
However, after a year of co-writing, they had to stop compiling the books as
the second Japanese invasion of Korea broke out, and later King Seonjo ordered
Heo Jun to complete Donguibogam on his own.
Heo
Jun compiled a total of 25 summarized books by referring to over 230 medical
publications and literary works in distribution in Joseon and China and adding
clinical experience and knowledge. Upon completion of the medical compilation,
it was named as Donguibogam, meaning the treasured mirror of eastern medicine,
or laying down a standard for Chinese and Korean Medicine by inheriting the
medical tradition of Joseon.
Donguibogam was compiled on top of the modern
ideology, 'the responsibility for the people’s public healthcare lies in the
state’. Therefore, the compilation introduced a large number of medicinal herbs
easily obtainable in the nature and specified their names using both the
professional terms used by physicians and their Korean names that were widely
used by the people.
Value unaltered after 400 years of time
Donguibogam also emphasizes the concept of 'prevention' before contracting an illness. It is referred to as the world's first book on preventive medicine as it contains not only the treatments for diseases but also the preventive measures. The compilation highlights that it is more beneficial to avoid contracting an illness than treating one. Ranging from colds and hair loss to infectious diseases, its practical and specific preventive measures for various diseases are well worth recommending to the people of modern society today.
Historical protocols that established the foundation of Korean Medicine
How and from whom has the 4,000-year-old history of Korean Medicine developed? The answers are found in the history books that laid the foundation for Korean Medicine.
Historical figures who established the foundation of Korean Medicine
Historical figures who established the foundation of Korean Medicine
In the early Joseon Dynasty, books related
to indigenous Korean Medicine were published, including the
"Hyangyakgugeupbang," which is believed to have been published in
1236. 'Hyangyak' refers to medicinal herbs produced in Joseon as opposed to
Chinese medicinal herbs 'Dangyak.’ These medical books dealt with medicinal
herbs grown Joseon, especially those readily available around us, and practical
treatments. Thanks to these attempts, Joseon achieved the development of
independent study of pharmacopoeia that did not rely on Chinese medicinal
herbs.
In 1559, Joseon's original specialty
publication on surgery titled "Chijongbibang" was published, written
by Im Eon-guk, a renowned physician of the time. Despite the fact that surgical
operations were considered as a taboo at the times, a groundbreaking treatment
for tumors through incision and a disinfection technique to prevent secondary
infections are described in the book. The following book,
"Chijongjinam," is estimated to have been written by Im Eon-guk and
his disciples, and it contains an incision technique described in detail with
drawings. The book is referred to as a book that demonstrated the existence of
traditional Korean surgical medicine.
In 1613, the most famous
"Donguibogam" was compiled by Heo Jun. This outstanding medical
publication was the result of a large-scale project carried out by the royal
command of King Seonjo for the people who were suffering after the war. The
medical knowledge of East Asia was aggregated to summarize the essence, and it
contained medicinal herbs and treatments ideal for Joseon. In particular for
common people who could not read Chinese characters, Hangeul was transcribed
together to add to its effectiveness as a book for the public health.
In 1644, Heo Im, who was a proficient
acupuncturist, wrote "Chimgugyeongheombang.” The book was written based on
his experiences and it compiled a treatment method that combined the technique
of cutting open an abscess with a large needle and draining the blood and the
technique of applying cupping treatment to the affected area.
In 1894, Lee Je-ma, a medical scholar,
wrote a medical publication titled "Donguisusebowon." The idea that natural constitution should
be classified into Taeyangin, Taeumin, Soyangin, and Soeumin and the medicine
should be applied differently even for the same disease to match each
constitution. This concept remains as the backbone of Korean Medicine.
Since then, the historical books on
medicine continued with the publication of the academic journal of
“Donguibogam,” the first publication of “Dongyanguihak,” “academic journal of
“Uirim,” “Haengnim,” and “Hwangjeuihak.”
In addition to the historical books
discussed here, there are many other historical books on Korean Medicine,
including books on first-aid medicine and Herbal Medicine prescriptions, and they
remain to serve as an important foundation and references for Korean Medicine.
[Source]A collection of excellent writing of the KIOM social press group on the story of Korean Medicine, Korea Institute of Oriental MedicineCultural Encyclopedia of Korea,https://terms.naver.com/list.nhn?categoryId=44621Historical Records of Modern and Contemporary Figures in Korean Medicinehttps://terms.naver.com/list.nhn?categoryId=58506Figures in Korean History, NAVER CastBook <Noted Physicians of Joseon>, Kim Ho, Sallim BooksBook <Noted Physicians of Joseon>, Kim Ho Medical books that valued people, Donguibogam / YTN Science
[Picture Source]Encyclopedia of Korean Folk CultureNational Folk Museum of KoreaNational Library of KoreaHyangyak Gugeupbang – Korean Language Database (kang.chungbuk.ac.kr)Hyangyak Jesaeng Jipseongbang - Cultural Heritage Administration (cha.go.kr)Hyangyak Jibseongbang, Uibang Yuchui, Dongui Bogam, Dongui Suse Bowon - National Cultural Heritage Database, Cultural Heritage Administration (cha.go.kr)Chijongbibang – The Korea Daily( http://www.koreadaily.com)Chijongjinam - Rewriting the History of Medicine in Korea(http://www.ohmynews.com)Chimgu Gyeongheombang – National Museum of KoreaPortrait of Heo Jun – National Archives of KoreaPortrait of Jeong Yak-yong, drawn by Chang Woo-soung in 1974 – Encyclopedia of Korean CultureLee Je-ma – Records of Figures in Modern and Contemporary Korean MedicineJi Seok-yeong – Encyclopedia of Korean CultureCho Heon-young – Records of Figures in Modern and Contemporary Korean Medicine
In 1559, Joseon's original specialty
publication on surgery titled "Chijongbibang" was published, written
by Im Eon-guk, a renowned physician of the time. Despite the fact that surgical
operations were considered as a taboo at the times, a groundbreaking treatment
for tumors through incision and a disinfection technique to prevent secondary
infections are described in the book. The following book,
"Chijongjinam," is estimated to have been written by Im Eon-guk and
his disciples, and it contains an incision technique described in detail with
drawings. The book is referred to as a book that demonstrated the existence of
traditional Korean surgical medicine.
In 1613, the most famous
"Donguibogam" was compiled by Heo Jun. This outstanding medical
publication was the result of a large-scale project carried out by the royal
command of King Seonjo for the people who were suffering after the war. The
medical knowledge of East Asia was aggregated to summarize the essence, and it
contained medicinal herbs and treatments ideal for Joseon. In particular for
common people who could not read Chinese characters, Hangeul was transcribed
together to add to its effectiveness as a book for the public health.
In 1644, Heo Im, who was a proficient
acupuncturist, wrote "Chimgugyeongheombang.” The book was written based on
his experiences and it compiled a treatment method that combined the technique
of cutting open an abscess with a large needle and draining the blood and the
technique of applying cupping treatment to the affected area.
Since then, the historical books on medicine continued with the publication of the academic journal of “Donguibogam,” the first publication of “Dongyanguihak,” “academic journal of “Uirim,” “Haengnim,” and “Hwangjeuihak.”
In addition to the historical books discussed here, there are many other historical books on Korean Medicine, including books on first-aid medicine and Herbal Medicine prescriptions, and they remain to serve as an important foundation and references for Korean Medicine.
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