Ancient Medical Relics of Mawangdui
Introduction
In late 1973, a number of ancient documents concerning early Chinese history, philosophy, geography, military affairs, astronomy, divination, and medicine were excavated from Grave No. 3 at Mawangdui, located on the outskirts of Changsha, Hunan Province. These extremely valuable archeological finds include fourteen medical documents, known collectively as the Ancient Medical Relics of Mawangdui. Ten of these documents were hand-copied on silk, and four written on bamboo slips. No authors are mentioned. Most of the documents were untitled, and were subsequently named according to their subjects or keywords.
The Ancient Medical Relics of Mawangdui were probably lost during the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 AD), since no references to them have been found after this time. Although the exact age of the documents has not been determined, a wooden tablet found in the grave states that the deceased, the son of Prime Minister Li Chang of the State of Changsha, was buried on February 24, 168 BC, establishing that they were written prior to this date. However, the unsystematic and empirical nature of the contents of the Relics has led scholars to believe that they were actually written substantially earlier, probably around the middle of the Warring States Period (475-221 BC)1. In any event, the Ancient Medical Relics of Mawangdui predates the Neijing (c. 104-32 BC), making them the oldest medical documents in existence.
Synopses of the fourteen documents of the Ancient Medical Relics of Mawangdui
1. Classic of Moxibustion with Eleven Foot-Arm Meridians (Zubi Shiyi Maijiujing足臂十一脉灸经) (silk)
Distribution and disorders of eleven of the twelve Foot and Arm Regular Meridians, including six Foot Meridians and five of the six Arm Meridians (Arm Jueyin is not included).
Therapeutic method: Moxibustion.
Remarks: The earliest extant medical monograph on meridian theory and moxibustion.
2. Classic of Moxibustion with Eleven Yin-Yang Meridians (Yinyang Shiyi Maijiujing阴阳十一脉灸经) (silk)
Distribution and disorders of eleven of the twelve Yin and Yang Regular Meridians, including six Yang Meridians and five of the six Yin Meridians (Hand Jueyin is not included).
Three versions of this document have been found, two written on silk and unearthed at Mawangdui, and one inscribed on bamboo slips and excavated at Zhangjiashan, Hubei Province in 1983.
The Classic of Moxibustion with Eleven Yin-Yang Meridiansfurther developed the material found in the Classic of Moxibustion with Eleven Foot-Arm Meridians, and served as a primary source for the later Neijing(c. 104-32 BC). The Classic of Moxibustion with Eleven Yin-Yang Meridians differs from the Neijingin its naming of the three Hand Yang Meridians, referring to the Hand Taiyang Meridian as the Shoulder Meridian, the Hand Shaoyang Meridian as the Ear Meridian, and the Hand Yangming as the Tooth Meridian.
Therapeutic method: Moxibustion.
Remarks: An important medical monograph on meridian theory and moxibustion, following the Classic of Moxibustion with Eleven Foot-Arm Meridians and preceding the Neijing.
3. Methods of Pulse Examination and Bian Stone (Mai Fa脉法) (silk)
Diagnostic and therapeutic methods: Diagnosis by examining pulse in the area superior to the inner ankle bone. Incision of abscess with bian stoneand four kinds of improper manipulations. Recommends cooling the head and warming the feet to maintain good health, because the head is yang and the feet are yin; yang qi is beneficial to the lower but harmful to the upper.
Therapeutic principle: Reinforce deficiency and reduce excess.
Remarks: The earliest extant monograph on pulse diagnosis and bian stone therapy.
4. Indications of Death on the Yin-Yang Meridians (Yinyang Mai Sihou阴阳脉死候) (silk)
Predicts death by inspection of Yin and Yang Meridians.
Therapeutic methods: Recommends exercise to maintain more qi in the four limbs than in the five zang organs. Good health will result, just as running water is never stale and a swinging door hinge never rusts.
Therapeutic principles: Application of reducing method for excessive pulse and reinforcing method for deficient pulse.
5. Therapeutic Methods for 52 Diseases (Wushi'er Bingfang五十二病方) (silk)
Fifty-two diseases are discussed (three missing from existing records). The majority are surgical and internal problems; the remainder pediatric, gynecological, and ophthalmologic.
Therapeutic methods: A number of methods are given for each condition. Herbal therapy is the primary treatment, with 254 kinds of herbs and 280 prescriptions extant. Various alternative methods are also discussed, including moxibustion; application of hot compress, dry heat, and steam; hot water baths, horn cupping, massage, bian stone therapy, surgery, and zhuyou (incantation). Discusses many specific shamanistic techniques.
Remarks: The earliest extant monograph on therapeutic methods, with an emphasis on herbal prescriptions.
6. Prescriptions for Maintaining Health (Yang Sheng Fang 养生方) (silk)
Prescriptions for sexual problems, including impotence (especially in the elderly), swelling of the external genitals, and insufficient semen. Prescriptions for increasing sexuality ability, correcting general deficiency, and keeping fit. Includes various sexual techniques; diagram of external female genitals.
Remarks: The earliest extant monograph on prescriptions for maintaining sexual health.
7. Miscellaneous Prescriptions (Zaliao Fang 杂疗方) (silk)
Prescriptions for deficiency of qi, yin, and yang. Prescriptions for bee and snake bites.
8. Book of Pregnancy and Delivery (Taichan Shu 胎产书) (silk)
Special care during pregnancy: diet, emotions, and environment. Methods to safeguard embryo and fetus, by month. Prescriptions for infertility.
Remarks: The earliest extant monograph on pregnancy and safeguarding the fetus.
9. Methods for Eliminating Food and Eating Qi (Quegu Shiqi Fang却谷食气方) (silk)
Therapeutic principle: Regulation of diet to maintain health. Grains are eliminated, and a diet of herbs, fruits, vegetables, minerals, and water adhered to.
Therapeutic methods: Consumption of qi to maintain health. Qi is the energy that animates the body and supports the functioning of its tissues and organs. Consuming qi is a type of qigong that consists of completely exhaling turbid qi and inhaling as much clear qi as possible.
Remarks: This is the earliest extant monograph to present specific methods for regulating diet and consuming qi.
10. Maps of Daoyin (Daoyin Tu 导引图) (silk)
Daoyin is a type of physical exercise that combines breathing exercises and self-massage. Forty-four color pictures illustrate various physical exercises, many of which imitate movements of animals.
Remarks: Contains the earliest extant illustrations of daoyin exercises.
11. Ten Questions (Shi Wen 十问) (bamboo slips)
Ten dialogues between Emperors and their subjects, concerning sexual technique, breathing exercises, and diet.
Remarks: One of the earliest extant document on sexual techniques.
12. Book of Sex (He Yinyang 合阴阳) (bamboo slips)
Preparation for sexual activity, signs of sexual arousal, and various sexual techniques.
Remarks: One of the earliest extant monograph on sexual techniques.
13. Miscellaneous Forbidden Methods (Zajin Fang杂禁方) (bamboo slips)
Various shamanistic methods to promote family harmony, avoid nightmares, stop children's crying.
14. Profound Principle of the Universe (Tianxia Zhidao Tan 天下至道谈) (bamboo slips)
The contents of this book are similar to the Book of Sex.
Remarks: One of the earliest extant monograph on sexual techniques.
Reference
1. Ma Jixing, Study and Annotation of Ancient Medical Relics of Mawangdui (Mawangdui Guyishu Kaoshi马王堆古医书考释). Changsha: Hunan Science and Technology Press, 1992, p. 8.
