External Treatments Methods In Dunhuang Chinese Medical Manuscripts

Objectives:Dunhuang medical manuscripts are mostly from the Sui,Tang and Five Dynasties,and some from the Southern and Northern Dynasties or even earlier,and are important sources of information to rediscover TCM external treatment methods before the Song dynasty period.Dunhuang external treatment methods literature materials are collated,investigated and are used in comparative study with the extant TCM external medicine materials tracing the origins and changes in TCM history,aiming to provide a reference for Mordern clinical and experimental research.Material studied are sourced primarily from the Dunhuang Turpan medical Wenxian Xinjijiao(New Collation of Dunhuang and Turpan Medical Literatures)and primary imagery sources.External treatment prescriptions are collated and categorised,listed in TCM classification.External diseases:Ophthalmology,ENT disease,lower two orifices(external genital and anal region)diseases,dermatosis and ulcers,animal bite wounds,trauma,cosmetic and haircare.Internal diseases:external wind-pathogenic diseases,seasonal diseases,heart and lung diseases,spleen and stomach diseases,extremity channel diseases,foetal and birthing,accidental and emergencies,qi-blood-body fluids,parasitic diseases.Other diseases:Diseases of animals,special diseases.The similar or same prescriptions are found in extant materials,and the disease understanding,treatment types,medicine understandings and origins and developments are compared and discussed.The regional characteristics of the Dunhuang prescriptions are also discussed.