『Buinbyeongchiryobeob(婦人病治療法)』 is a medical book on obstetrics and gynecology written by Cho Heon-yeong in 1940''s. It was published under the title ''Donyanguihakchongseo(東洋醫學叢書)'' with several other books of Cho Heon-yeong until 1990''s. Although he is famous not only as a politician but also as a researcher on Traditional Korean medicine, there was not much research about Cho Heon-yeong and his books in Traditional Korean medicine profession. 『Buinbyeongchiryobeob(婦人病治療法)』 provides good data that gives us insight into his medical ideology and clinical experience.
This paper is a research about ideological features and clinical applications of Cho Heon-yeong''s medical thoughts in obstetrics and gynecology based on the contents and prescriptions of 『Buinbyeongchiryobeob(婦人病治療法)』. This book consists of introduction, Jeungchi(證治), Yangjinhanchi(洋診漢治), Cheobangnonhae(處方論解). Cho Heon-yeong referred to various books such as 『Donguibogam (東醫寶鑑)』, 『Keongakjeonseo (景岳全書)』, 『Junguihaksajeon (中醫學辭典)』, 『Jejungsinpyeon (濟衆新編)』, 『Uihakipmun (醫學入門)』 and 『UijongKeumkam (醫宗金鑑)』. Among them, 『Junguihaksajeon (中醫學辭典)』 is now unknown.
Introduction includes principles, cautionsa and ethics of obstetrics and gynecology in Traditional Korean medicine. Jeungchi(證治) is diagnosis and treatment about various obstetrical and gynecological symptoms. Systemic symptoms such as Weakness(虛), Fire(火), Cold(冷), Akhyeol(惡血) are discussed at first. And then menstruation(月經), gynecological hemorrhage(崩漏), vaginal secretion(帶下), pregnancy preparation(求嗣), pregnancy(胎孕), childbirth(分娩), and postpartum(産後) are discussed according to the order presented in the classical medical books. Additionally, surgical and unusual symptoms such as Tumor(??), breast(乳), genital disease(陰門諸疾), bachelorette''s disease(獨身病) are discussed. Each symptom has its meaning and characteristics explained, and is classified according to byeonjeung(辨證) to pretend appropriate treatments and prescriptions. Descriptions are the form of a mixture of Korean and Chinese characters in vertical writing and sometimes cite chinese character sentences in a classical books. Yangjinhanchi(洋診漢治) includes Traditional Korean medical treatment on obstetrical and gynecological disease of western medicine. Cheobangnonhae(處方論解) is commentary on prescriptions used in Jeungchi(證治) and Yangjinhanchi(洋診漢治).
Cho Heon-yeong’s medical theory is represented throughout 『Buinbyeongchiryobeob(婦人病治療法)』. First, his theory of compromising Traditional Korean Medicine and Western medicine does not mean integration of two different medicine at an equal proportion. The diagnosis and treatment system of Traditional Korean medicine(證治) is firmly maintained and Western medical knowledge is used as a reference in Yangjinhanchi(洋診漢治). Secondly, Cho Heon-yeong regarded treatment of weakness(補虛) as important because he thought that most symptoms and diseases start from weakness. Especially, mothers who just gave birth are basically weak, so prescriptions and herbs with pahyeol(破血) effect must be used carefully to them. Third, he included mental state as one of the basic physiological characteristics of women. Lastly, he presented a new diagnotic standard based on a spectrum of fire(火) and cold(冷).
363 types of prescriptions are included in Cheobangnonhae(處方論解), and the source of prescriptions are 『Donguibogam (東醫寶鑑)』, 『Keongakjeonseo (景岳全書)』, 『Junguihaksajeon (中醫學辭典)』, 『Jejungsinpyeon (濟衆新編)』, and Cho Heon-yeong’s own clinical experience. The number of prescriptions cited in 『Donguibogam (東醫寶鑑)』 is the highest at 171 types. The most frequently cited prescription is Samultang(四物湯), and all of the prescriptions cited more than 10 times haver the effect of treating weakness(補虛). Prescriptions from Cho Heon-yeong’s own clinical experience are not often cited but fall into various categories. 27 types of prescriptions, mostly basic ones(基本方), are adjusted based on symptoms. He presented external remedies that can be applied or smoked in surgical symptoms. Except for prescriptions, Cho Heon-yeong emphasized Seopsaeng(攝生) and pretended stimulation therapies and exercise methods.
『Buinbyeongchiryobeob(婦人病治療法)』 showed that Cho Heon-yeong was not just a scholar, but also a clinician with extensive insight and practical clinical experience. It is necessary to study further his books to find out more about his theories and experiences in detail, and their impact on modern Korean medicine.