[Han Dong-ha’s Herbal Anecdotes] Cured an illness using the same medicine

[Financial News]Boncho Yeodam is a collection of writings by Korean medicine practitioner Han Dong-ha, presented in an entertaining narrative format based on various clinical cases and interesting, useful records found in Korean medical texts.


During the Ming Dynasty in China, there lived a physician named Wang Guan in Suzhou. Wang Guan loved reading from a young age. His dream was to acquire knowledge and rise to a government position, but his family was poor, making it difficult for him to continue his studies. Eventually, he put down the classics and devoted himself to the study of medicine. Although he gave up on a government post, he believed that saving lives through medicine was also a way to benefit the world.
At that time, there was a prefect named Cao Feng in Suzhou. He was a man of imposing stature and a commanding presence. With broad shoulders and an extraordinary build, people even called him a future general.
However, one day, Jo Bong fell ill and was confined to his sickbed. At first, he did not think much of it, but his condition did not improve even after several days. Jo Bong summoned renowned physicians from Suzhou. Each physician checked his pulse and examined his symptoms before prescribing treatment. Strangely, however, although he seemed to improve slightly while taking the medicine, his condition would worsen again before long.
Jo Bong felt nothing but frustration. "Is there really no one among all these doctors who can cure my illness?"
Then one day, someone recommended a physician named Wanggwan. "Sir, there is a physician named Wanggwan, and I hear his medical skills are quite outstanding. How about you summon him?"
Jo Bong was reluctant, but he had no choice. "Can that man really cure an illness that even such renowned doctors could not? Still, there is no other way, so summon him."
Wang Gwan entered the government office. Jo Bong examined Wang Gwan's appearance. He was not dressed in splendid clothes, nor was he an elderly physician. He looked like just an ordinary doctor.
Wang Gwan first examined Jo Bong's complexion and checked his pulse. He then asked what medicine he had taken so far. Jo Bong had all the prescriptions written by the doctors brought to him.
Wanggwan examined the prescription one by one. After thinking for a moment, he said, "My lord, I shall prepare the medicine for you."
A few days later, Wang Gwan brought the medicine. Jo Bong unfolded the herbal decoction Wang Gwan had prepared and examined it. However, it was not significantly different from what other doctors had already prescribed.
Jo Bong asked Wang Gwan, "I have already taken these prescriptions, so why are you telling me to take them again? If they were ineffective then, surely they won't be effective now, will they?" Wang Gwan replied, "I have a specific intention, so please give them a try."
Although he found it truly absurd, Jo Bong tried taking Wanggwan's prescription. Then, something surprising happened. His illness, which had shown little improvement for a long time, began to get noticeably better. After a few more days, Jo Bong regained his strength and was able to get up from his bed.
Jo Bong was pleased yet puzzled. He summoned Wang Gwan back. "How strange. Looking at the medicinal herbs you used, they are not much different from those used by other doctors. Yet, why did the other doctors' medicines not work, while only yours was effective?"
Wang Gwan replied respectfully, "My lord, it is said that 'the physician is of intent.' The art of medicine is not merely about memorizing and applying prescriptions, but must adapt to the patient's condition."
Jo Bong asked, "Considering the patient's circumstances? What does that mean?"
Wanggwan explained calmly, "Your Excellency is much larger than an average person. However, other physicians prescribed the same amount of medicine for you as for an ordinary person. That is why the effects were insufficient. On the other hand, I prescribed double the usual amount, which is why you saw results."
Jo Bong was greatly impressed. "Other doctors only saw the disease, but you saw the person suffering from it as well."
Wanggwan bowed his head. "I have merely examined what ought to have been examined."
Even after that, whenever Jo Bong was sick, he would call Wang Gwan. Since he would recover immediately after Wang Gwan examined him and administered medicine, rumors of his medical skills spread widely throughout the Suzhou region.
People often look for the excellence of medical skills in special medicinal herbs or mysterious prescriptions. However, Wang Gwan succeeded in treatment by using the same herbs that other physicians used, but adjusting the dosage.
This brings to mind the principle of "Ininje-ui" in Korean traditional medicine, which dictates that treatment should be tailored to the individual. It means that even for the same illness, the type and dosage of medicine must be varied according to the patient's age, physique, physical condition, and the severity of the disease.
Ming. King. 按《蘇州府志》: King's wealth, fortune telling book, family wealth, 乃攻醫. Knowledge, knowledge, knowledge, knowledge, lack of knowledge, lack of knowledge, and lack of knowledge. Medical treatment, medical treatment, human rights management, question, discussion: "Medician's mind. Public health expert, businessman, “One body, one body, two people, two people, one body, two different people, different abilities.” After all, it's good to have a good time, it's hard to get sick, and it's a medical name. (This is a story about Wang Guan, a physician during the Ming Dynasty. According to the *Suzhou Fuzhi*, Wang Guan studied the classics in his youth, but due to his family's poverty, he later studied medicine. Lady Zhao Feng fell ill and sought treatment from various physicians, but failed to recover; then, someone recommended Wang Guan. Zhao Feng examined the medicine Wang Guan used and noticed that although it was identical to that of the other doctors, only Wang Guan's medicine was effective, so she asked for the reason. Wang Guan replied, "The art of medicine is about thought. You are of a large physique; if I were to use the same amount of medicine as an ordinary person, how could the effect reach your entire body? I simply used the amount of medicine for two people for one person. The medicine used was the same, but the therapeutic effect was different; there is no special secret method." After that, whenever Zhao Feng fell ill, she recovered immediately upon receiving Wang Guan's treatment, and his fame spread far and wide.)
/ Han Dong-ha, Director of Han Dong-ha Korean Medicine Clinic


[email protected] Jeong Myeong-jin, Medical Specialist Reporter