Wang Haogu: Biographical introduction and legendary stories, major works and academic contributions
✵Wang Haogu: A distinguished, sagacious physician lived in the thirteenth and early fourteenth centuries. He was also known as Wang Jinzhi by his alias and as Wang Hai-Zang in his later years. A prominent herbalist of the Yishui school during the Jin Yuan period, he mastered the ancient book Nei Jing (the Inner Canon)and had an in-depth study of Zhongjing's theory. He learned from the herbalists Zhang Yuansu and Li Dongyuan and developed their theory. His chief contribution was explaining yin syndromes and using warming tonics in the later stages of cold-induced diseases. He developed and enriched the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and had a far-reaching influence on later generations. Five of his books are still extant and well known.
王好古 (Wáng Hǎogǔ).
Brief Introduction
Chinese Name:
王好古 (Wáng Hǎogǔ)
Alias:
進之 (Jìn Zhī), or 信之 (Xìn Zhī)
Assumed Name:
海藏 (Hǎi Cáng)
English Name:
Wang Haogu, or Haogu Wang (Given/Sur Name)
Hometown:
Zhao Zhou (today's Zhao county,Hebei)
Dates:
about 1200~1308 A.D.
Main works:
Over 20 kinds ever recorded,mainly 《陰證略例》(Yin Zheng Lue Li, or the Sketchy Cases of Yin Syndromes) 1 volume,《醫壘元戎》(Yi Lei Yuan Rong, or Fighting Diseases in Medical Field) 12 volumes,《此事難知》(Ci Shi Nan Zhi) 2 volumes,《癍論萃英》(Ban Lun Cui Ying) 1 volume,《湯液本草》(Tang Ye Ben Cao) 3 volumes; other works ever published but some lost:《斑疹論》(Ban Zhen Lun) 1 volumes,《本草實錄》(Ben Cao Shi Lu), 《活人節要歌括》(Huo Ren Jie Yao Ge Kuo),《痘疹論》(Dou Zhen Lun), 《標本論》(Biao Ben Lun),《錢氏補遺》(Qian Shi Bu Yi),《十二經要圖解》(Shi Er Jing Yao Tu Jie); Other works not ever published:《傷寒辨惑論》(Shang Han Bian Huo Lun),《仲景詳辨》(Zhong Jing Xiang Bian),《光明論》(Guang Ming Lun),etc.
Representative works:
Yin Zheng Lue Li (the Sketchy Cases of Yin Syndromes) 1 volume,Tang Ye Ben Cao 3 volumes,Yi Lei Yuan Rong (Fighting Diseases in Medical Field) 12 volumes,Ci Shi Nan Zhi (the Questions difficult to understand) 2 volumes,Ban Lun Cui Ying (the collected essential thesis on ecchymosis) 1 volume,etc.
Biographical introduction and legendary stories
Wang Haogu: A distinguished, sagacious physician lived in the thirteenth and early fourteenth centuries. He was also known as Wang Jinzhi by his alias and as Wang Hai-Zang in his later years. A prominent herbalist of the Yishui school during the Jin Yuan period, he mastered the ancient book Nei Jing (the Inner Canon)and had an in-depth study of Zhongjing's theory. He learned from the herbalists Zhang Yuansu and Li Dongyuan and developed their theory. His chief contribution was explaining yin syndromes and using warming tonics in the later stages of cold-induced diseases. He developed and enriched the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and had a far-reaching influence on later generations. Five of his books are still extant and well known.
王好古 (Wáng Hǎogǔ), his alias is Jin Zhi (進之Jìn Zhī) and his title is Hai Cang (海藏Hǎi Cáng), he was a native to Zhao Zhou. He studied medicine with his master, Zhang Yuansu, and another disciple of Zhang, Li Dongyuan, but was 20 years younger than Li Dongyuan. Later, he also took Li Dongyuan as a teacher, and inherited his theories. Zhang Yuansu attached importance to the syndrome differentiation of the Zang-Fu viscera and emphasized the differentiation of cold and heat, as well as deficiency and excess of the Zang-Fu viscera, according to the location of the disease. Li Dongyuan interpreted the theory of the spleen and stomach and made extreme detections on the endogenous hurt deficiency syndrome of the spleen and stomach. Influenced by Zhang Yuansu and Li Dongyuan, Wang Haogu also paid attention to the ancient classic Shang Han Lun (The Treatise on Cold-Induced Diseases), holding specific viewpoints and focusing on the development of Yang deficiency from primordial Qi deficiency and presented as Three Yin syndromes, and Yang Deficiency syndrome which originated from primordial Qi. He established a specific school and doctrine.[edited]
Regarding the years of birth and death of the herbalist Wang Haogu, some popular articles have recorded it as around 1200-1264 A.D., This date was determined by later generations based on some reign title records, "Zhi Yuan," which were recorded in one of his works. However, due to possible confusion regarding the reign titles and other facts, as well as the preface date of his later works (the Wuxu year, Tang Ye Ben Cao), this popular years of birth and death is questionable and may be inaccurate. The Wuxu year was 1298 A.D.According to other facts and his later works, such as the "Ren Chen" year records in the preface of Yin Zheng Lue Li (the Sketchy Cases of Yin Syndromes)), some recent studies by historians have concluded that his actual years of birth and death was around 1200-1308 A.D.
Wang Haogu was well-versed in ancient classics and history from an early age. His nature is clear and wise, and knew a great deal about history and classics. He enjoyed medical prescriptions and passed the highest imperial examinations, the Chin-shih (the highest imperial examinations). He was then assigned the title of Jiao Shou, which was an ancient title similar to "scholar" or "professor," in the local state. Later in life, he was also assigned the official title of "Ti Ju Guan Nei Yi Xue." The academic thoughts of herbalist Wang Haogu mainly came from the ancient classics Nei Jing (the Inner Canon) and Shang Han Lun (the Treatise on Cold-induced Diseases), among others. He was also influenced by previous famous herbalists, including Wang Shuhe, Zhu Gong, Xu Shuwei, and Han Zhihe. He was especially influenced by the spleen-stomach theory from his teacher, the herbalist Zhang Yuansu, and the endogenous hurt theory of the spleen and stomach from his second teacher, the herbalist Li Dongyuan. He later studied the books of various schools, from Qi Bo to Huang Di. He was thoroughly familiar with them as the palm and fingers of his hand, and all of this contributed to the basis of his Yin syndromes theory and others.
Major works and academic contributions
Major Works: Herbalist Wang Haogu is known to have compiled over 20 works, some of which have survived to this day. Some have been lost and others were never published. The surviving works are known as: Yin Zheng Lue Li (the Sketchy Cases of Yin Syndromes) in 1 volume, Yi Lei Yuan Rong (Fighting Diseases in Medical Field) in 12 volumes,Ci Shi Nan Zhi in 2 volumes, Ban Lun Cui Ying, Tang Ye Ben Cao in 3 volumes, etc., among them the book Yin Zheng Lue Li (the Sketchy Cases of Yin Syndromes) is regarded as his representative work. His other works include Ban Zhen Lun in 1 volume. Some of his works have been published, but some have been lost, they are: Ben Cao Shi Lu, Huo Ren Jie Yao Ge Kuo, Dou Zhen Lun, Biao Ben Lun, Qian Shi Bu Yi, Shi Er Jing Yao Tu Jie. His other works are recorded in ancient literature, but seems they have never been published, include Shang Han Bian Huo Lun, Zhong Jing Xiang Bian, Guang Ming Lun, etc.
The ancient book Yin Zheng Lue Li (the Sketchy Cases of Yin Syndromes) was an academic work on thesis and discussion of Yin syndromes. According to the preface written by Wang Haogu himself, the book was compiled and finished in 1232 A.D. It references the fact that “cold-induced disease is a major category of disease from ancient times until now; the Yin syndrome hurts people especially urgently” and that “the Yang syndrome is easier to differentiate and treat, while the Yin syndrome is more difficult to differentiate and treat”. The author quotes and extracts discussions and treatises about Yin syndromes from previous herbalists and combines these with his own viewpoints to provide detailed and exhaustive interpretations from different angles, including pathogenic factors, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment, and so on. The author's intention is to clearly explain and interpret the risks and harms of Yin syndromes and the importance of warm and Yang. According to ancient literary records, this work was later collected in a later book titled Ji Sheng Ba Cui (the Essence For Life Saving) by Du Sijing (杜思敬Dù Sījìng) at the earliest date (Ji Sheng Ba Cui was published in 1308 A.D.). It was also recorded in later works, such as Yi Shu Wu Shi Si Zhong (The Fifty Four Kinds of Medical Books) by the herbalist Chen Xiuyuan (陳修園Chén Xiūyuán) and Zhong Guo Yi Xue Da Cheng (The Great Achievement of Chinese Medicine).
The first draft of Tang Ye Ben Cao (The Herbal Classics of Tang Ye) was compiled in 1298 A.D., and the final draft was finished in 1308 A.D. The main content includes interpretations of herbs, treatment methods, points, and preparation methods of herbs, and so on. It provides further interpretations and developments of the theories of Zhang Yuansu and Li Dongyuan and reflects the academic achievements of TCM theory and herbal works during that period. The name "Tang Ye" means "decoction", as most herbal prescriptions were prepared and applied as water decoctions, thus, the book is named "Tang Ye Ben Cao". It contains herbal introductions and applications from Zhang Zhongjing, Cheng Wuji, Zhang Yuansu, and Li Dongyuan, as well as Wang Haogu's own experience with herbal applications. The first volume contains the collected works Yao Lei Fa Xiang and Yong Yao Xin Fa from Li Dongyuan, as well as the basic herbal and prescription theory under the title Tang Ye Ben Cao from Wang Haogu himself. According to the first preface of the book, written by the author, the prescription theory of Tang Ye Ben Cao was originally based on the theories from Wang Haogu's teacher, Zhang Yuansu, as presented in thes book Zhen Zhu Nang. This theory was then supplemented with Wang Haogu's own innovative theses and creations. The second and third volumes record 241 representative herbs in nine categories and provide in-depth studies on topics including the nature of herbs, channel tropism, and specific opinions on using five-taste herbs to invigorate deficiency and discharge excess, and dietary supplements.
The ancient book Yi Lei Yuan Rong (Fighting Diseases in the Medical Field) was compiled in 1291 A.D. and finished in the same year. Due to exogenous febrile disease and miscellaneous diseases were divided into two categories after Zhang Zhongjing, medical practices gradually became more professional and rougher. Wang Haogu inherited Zhang's will and combined methods from the Yi Shui School and Li Dongyuan. He reinvented key points for treating exogenous febrile disease and miscellaneous diseases, and hoped learners could achieve mastery through comprehensive study. The book's content mainly consists of cold-induced disease and miscellaneous disease based on the theory and prescriptions of Zhang Zhongjing, many miscellaneous diseases were classified as diseases of the six meridians. Due to his efforts, diseases and syndromes caused by endogenous injuries and exogenous affections could be differentiated and treated according to the six meridians. The book is supplemented with the theory and methods of famous herbalists, including Zhang Yuansu and Li Dongyuan, as well as effective prescriptions from Wang Haogu. The book also provides flexible applications of Zhang Zhongjing's prescriptions and expands their scope of application. This book can be considered one of his most notable works interpreting and developing Zhang Zhongjing's theory.
The book Ci Shi Nan Zhi (The Questions Difficult to Understand) was published in 1308 A.D. and was edited based on the medical theories of Li Dongyuan. It is composed of two volumes and covers 106 articles on topics such as the Zang-fu viscera, channels and meridians, Qi and blood, Ying-Qi and Wei-Qi, diagnostic methods, etiology and pathogenesis, treatment methods, and the relation and interaction between humans and the sky, and so on. As its contents mainly discuss the theories of Li Dongyuan, it was attributed to Li Dongyuan in the past. However, it is actually a book compiled and edited by Wang Haogu that also preserves some lost content about the cold-induced diseases from Li Dongyuan.
The book Ban Lun Cui Ying (The Collected Essential Theses on Ecchymosis) was compiled and finished in 1237 A.D. Its content is simple and brief, providing specific discussions and viewpoints on the treatment of babie's ecchymosis and its differentiation from herpes. It collects theses and discussions on ecchymosis from previous herbalists Qian Yi, Zhang Yuansu, and Li Dongyuan, aas well as related articles from Wang Haogu himself. The prescriptions are properly issued and fit for practice.
Disciples: According to the preface of Yin Zheng Lue Li (The Sketchy Cases of Yin Syndromes) by herbalist Ma Xinzhi (麻信之Má Xìnzhī), Wang Haogu had five disciples: Huangfu Fu (皇甫黻Huángfǔ Fú), Zhang Dun (張沌Zhāng Dùn), Song Tinggui (宋廷圭Sòng Tíngguī), Zhang Ke (張可Zhāng Kě), and Yi Gouying (弋彀英Yi Gòuyīng).
✧Main Theories and Theoretical Innovations from Wang Haogu:
Theory of Endogenous Yin Syndrome: since the publication of the ancient herbal classic Shang Han Lun (the Treatise on Cold-induced Diseases) by Zhang Zhongjing, subsequent generations of herbalists have revered it as a classic rext for in-depth study. However, most scholars only left detailed studies and related works on the Three Yang Syndromes, but short of related studies on the Three Yin Syndromes. This means that the descriptions of Yin-Syndromes in the Shang Han Lun (the Treatise on Cold-induced Diseases) did not receive adequate attention. In peaceful epochs, cases were described as “fat people take greasy food and normally use a potent recipe, and it works well enough.” which led many herbalists to ignore the conditions of Three Yin. Wang Haogu felt that "exogenous febrile disease is a major disease among people. Its symptoms are very urgent, and the affection of Yin Syndrome is very serious. Yang-Syndromes are easy to identify and treat, but Yin-syndromes are hard to differentiate and hard to cure." He buried himself in this subject for several years, studying relevant discussions from previous herbalists and proving them in practice. He revised related drafts three times in ten years and compiled and finished the academic Yin Zheng Lue Li (The Sketchy Cases of Yin Syndromes). He established his own theory based on Zhang Zhongjing's recipes and treatise on warming the interior and supporting Yang, as well as discussions and treatises about Yin-Syndrome and Yin-channels from other previous herbalists. He provided a detailed analysis and interpretation of the etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of Yin Syndrome. Wang Haogu based his theory of endogenous Yin syndrome on his knowledge of endogenous injury to the three Yin channels. His teacher, Zhang Yuansu, treated internal injury to the diet by establishing three methods (the resolving method, the emetic method, and the purgative method) according to pulse manifestations at the wrist and differentiation among diseases of the three Yin channels.
Theory of Insidious Yin Hidden Deeply in the Interior and Identification of Yin Syndrome: Wang Haogu established the theory of insidious Yin hidden deeply in the interior. He discussed the pathogenic reasons of endogenous Yin syndrome in detail and concluded that it is related to both exogenous and endogenous pathogens. He also developed identification methods for Yin Syndrome, whose symptoms are complicated and varied (deteriorated syndromes) and present with a pseudomorph, orfalse appearance. Wang Haogu searched widely and collected various schools of thought for reference. He summarized and identified twelve common symptoms as a reference to help identify and differentiate Yin Syndrome and Yang Syndrome in practice.
Experience of Yin Syndrome Treatment:
⑴.Exogenous Cold and Dampness Affection: cold dampness of fog and dew pathogenic factors affect people, and although they could cause exterior syndrome, the principles and prescriptions for treatment reflect the experience of Wang Haogu in the rules and principles of ADFS (ascending, descending, floating, and sinking), which he inherited from his teachers.
⑵.Characteristics of Prescriptions: For the treatment of Yin Syndrome, Wang Haogu clearly proposed that: "Double relief, honey tea, and bathing, should not be used for Yin syndromes." He also holds different viewpoints from those of Zhang Zhongjing in the 29th article of the book Shang Han Lun (the Treatise on Cold-induced Diseases) regarding the specific entry where Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang was advised. His academic work, Yin Zheng Lue Li (the Sketchy Cases of Yin Syndromes), recorded 58 prescriptions.
Other academic thoughts of Wang Haogu:
Regarding the exogenous febrile diseases, Wang Haogu emphasized the importance of internal or endogenous pathogenic causes. Exogenous cold pathogens, endogenous hurt of diet, and a cold or empty stomach all lead to endogenous Yin syndrome. This theoretical viewpoint is consistent with and almost the same as that described in Huang Di Nei Jing (The Inner Canon) : "Where pathogens come together, its Qi will be deficient," and "Healthy Qi exists in the interior; pathogenic factors cannot affect it." Additionally, Wang Haogu proposed a pathogenesis for the Three Yin Syndrome, explaining that it is closely related to the insidious Yin hidden deeply in the interior. He also inherited the related theory from Li Dongyuan.
Based on his experience, Wang Haogu believes that the treatment of Three Yin syndromes from the endogenous injury requires different prescriptions for various Yin syndromes, including: ①.Jue Yin case deficiency Yang due to flourishing of Yin; ②.the Shao Yin case deficiency Yang due to flourishing of yin; ③.the Tai Yin case deficiency Yang due to flourishing of Yin. Wang Haogu attached great importance to the exogenous febrile disease three Yin syndromes and proposed that "Yang syndromes are easier to differentiate and treat, while Yin syndromes are difficult to differentiate and treat." He also made up a series of additional research findings on the shortcomings of the Shang Han Lun (the Treatise on Cold-induced Diseases) study from previous generations. His unique features and perfections lie in the specific application of the warm tonic theory he inherited from Li Dongyuan and its flexible application in the study of Shang Han Lun (the Treatise on Cold-induced Diseases).
In practice and prescriptions, Wang Haogu believes that herbs have a warm nature and should invigorate the spleen and stomach. He created new prescriptions to treat various Yin syndromes: ①. Yin toxin and Exogenous febrile disease, mind and spirit dysphoria, headache, counterflow cold of the limbs; ②. Excessive Yin refusing Yang (Predominant Yin rejecting Yang), dysphoria and not drink; ③. Yin toxin and exogenous febrile disease, cyanotic looks(cyanotic facial complexion), counter flow cold of the limbs (counter flow cold of arms, hands, legs, and feet), flatulence of heart and intestine, pulse deep and thready; ④. Yin toxin and exogenous febrile disease, cyanotic looks (cyanotic facial complexion), breath out and Qi flows out, hard glomus below the heart, body not hot, sweating only on the forehead, anxiety without stopping, black tongue and drowsiness (more sleep), cold limbs; ⑤. Exogenous febrile disease with evil symptoms; ⑥. Yin toxin and exogenous febrile disease, mind and heart fidgetiness and irritation, counterflow cold of the limbs; ⑦. Exogenous febrile disease, abdominal flatulence, counter flow cold of the limbs, falling down in a faint and being unable to recognize others, develops into a serious Yin toxin syndrome.
With his wisdom, genius, and extensive knowledge, as well as his hard work and study, Wang Haogu followed the theory of syndrome differentiation of the Zang-Fu viscera, which came from Zhang Yuansu, as well as the theory of the spleen and stomach, which came from Li Dongyuan. He combined this knowledge with his own experience and frequently quoted discussions from different schools. With his creative findings, he separately interpreted and described the syndrome differentiation of the Yin syndromes. He edited the discussion and treatise articles, which were scattered in various previous works in an abrupt order, and systemized them into a specific theory with his own order of syndrome differentiation and treatment. This made a significant contribution to the development of TCM theory during that chaotic war period and initiated a major breakthrough in the study of yin syndromes for future generations.
In discussing the Yin Syndrome, Wang Haogu considered the internal or endogenous causes to be important. He was not limited by the traditional theory of cold disease exogenous pathogenic origins and proposed the theory of Endogenous Yin Syndrome. Based on Tai Yin internal injury of deficiency cold, he provided a detailed interpretation of the Yin Syndrome theory, which brought the differentiation and treatment of the Yin syndrome, from cold-induced exogenous Yin syndrome to a new stage. In this stage, endogenous injury miscellaneous Yin syndromes were identified, greatly enlarging the scope of Yin Syndromes. This theory combined the theory of cold-induced disease and the theory of spleen-stomach internal injury. The theory not only developed Zhang Zhongjing's theory, but also supplemented aspects and fields not recorded in the heat syndrome of the middle from the spleen-stomach internal injury theory of Li Dongyuan. His views on the warm tonics and replenishing the spleen and stomach greatly influenced the warm-recuperation school of the Ming dynasty and beyond.
Wang Haogu is a genius, and his creativity in the field and has enlightened many later-generation herbalists. Due to the seriousness of Yin syndromes and their actual treatment-resistant, his efforts and achievements have saved countless people and he should be respected as a great physician and a master of herbal medicine.
References:
1.Wang Haogu: Biographical introduction and legendary stories, major works and academic contributions
✵Wang Haogu: A distinguished, sagacious physician lived in the thirteenth and early fourteenth centuries. He was also known as Wang Jinzhi by his alias and as Wang Hai-Zang in his later years. A prominent herbalist of the Yishui school during the Jin Yuan period, he mastered the ancient book Nei Jing (the Inner Canon)and had an in-depth study of Zhongjing's theory. He learned from the herbalists Zhang Yuansu and Li Dongyuan and developed their theory. His chief contribution was explaining yin syndromes and using warming tonics in the later stages of cold-induced diseases. He developed and enriched the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and had a far-reaching influence on later generations. Five of his books are still extant and well known.
Wang Haogu: A distinguished, sagacious physician lived in the thirteenth and early fourteenth centuries. He was also known as Wang Jinzhi by his alias and as Wang Hai-Zang in his later years. A prominent herbalist of the Yishui school during the Jin Yuan period, he mastered the ancient book Nei Jing (the Inner Canon)and had an in-depth study of Zhongjing's theory. He learned from the herbalists Zhang Yuansu and Li Dongyuan and developed their theory. His chief contribution was explaining yin syndromes and using warming tonics in the later stages of cold-induced diseases. He developed and enriched the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and had a far-reaching influence on later generations. Five of his books are still extant and well known.
✧Main Theories and Theoretical Innovations from Wang Haogu:
Other academic thoughts of Wang Haogu:
