A Study of Huh-Im(許任)'s ChimGuKyungHumBang(『鍼灸經驗方』)

허임(許任) 『鍼灸經驗方』 연구(硏究)

Huh-Im(許任, 1570~1647) was an acupuncture doctor of Chosun(朝鮮) era through the late 16th century and early 17th century. Even though he was a person of low birth, he participated in the loyal medication through three loyal generations, Sunjo(宣祖), Kwanghaegun(光海君) and Injo(仁祖). He was recognized of his services and became an official, 'Dangsanggwan'(堂上官) and Kyunggi(京畿) district official several times. In the early Chosun era, acupuncture medicine was focused. During the late 16th century, Imjin(壬辰) war aroused more needs about acupuncture medicine, and acupuncture doctors showed remarkable work. Under these circumstances, Huh-Im(許任)'s fame spread throughout the country. Huh-Im(許任) wrote ChimGuKyungHumBang("鍼灸經驗方") in 1644 based on his lifetime clinical acupuncture & moxibustion experience. It was the first specialized book of acupuncture in Chosun era. This event took place 30 years after DongEuiBoGam - Acupuncture Chapter("東醫寶鑑-鍼灸篇") was published. But it was not influenced much by DongEuiBoGam - Acupuncture Chapter("東醫寶 鑑-鍼灸篇") in the form or contents. ChimGuKyungHumBang("鍼灸經驗方") and Huh-Jun(許浚)'s DongEuiBo- Gam - Acupuncture Chapter("東醫寶鑑-鍼灸篇") were the fruits of the middle Chosun, and they are complementary to each other in theory and practice. The chief distinctions of ChimGuKyungHumBang("鍼灸經驗方") are in it's compact and practical edition and a lot of his clinical acupuncture prescriptions mentioned in the book. Huh-Im(許任) not only accepted the existing books such as NaeKyung("內經"), DongInSuHyulChimGuDoKyung and Shin- Eung Kyung("神應經") with his point of view and clinical experience, but also showed creative operation of studies. Indicating incorrect acupuncture points(訛穴), acupuncture remedy based on the visceral pathogenesis(臟腑病機) and the channel pathogenesis, research on new acupuncture points, sorting out plenty of outer meridian acupuncture points(經外奇穴), creating supplementary and purging acupuncture method(鍼補瀉法) which is a change of hand treatment of KiHyoYangBang("奇效良方"), operating variety of acupuncture and moxibustion treatments, and application of acupuncture treatments on surgery field such as intumescences and emergency cases are the examples. Huh-Im(許任)'s ChimGuKyungHumBang("鍼灸經驗方") influenced on the folk remedy books(民間經驗方書) in the late Chosun era. Compact and practical characteristics of the book let acupuncture treatment be freindly to the people. It can be confirmed in JeungBoSanRimKyungJe-Emergency Chapter("增補山林經濟-救急篇") or the formation of SaAmChimBob(舍巖鍼法). ChimGuKyungHumBang("鍼灸經驗方") was introduced to Japan in 18th century and published twice. ChimGuJibSung("鍼灸集成"), known as an acupuncture medical book of late Qing dynasty(淸末, 1874), is confirmed to be an plagiarization of DongEuiBoGam-Acupuncture Chapter("東醫寶鑑-鍼灸篇") and ChimGuKyungHum- Bang("鍼灸經驗方") of 17th century Chosun. Confusions and errors arouse from mistaken editional trend of ChimGuJIbSung("鍼灸集成") which had not disclosed it's original author and the title of the book must be reformed. In this way, fruits of acupuncture of the middle Chosun era including Huh-Im(許任)'s ChimGuKyungHumBang("鍼灸經驗方") will take a right place in acupuncture medicine history.