Research Of The History On Formula Classification

The practical medical branches came up in Warring States Period.From the Pre-Qin to Han Dynasty,the ancestors have classified the formula according to the different sorts of diseases.The known of disease pattern is deepened by Shanghanzabinglun(Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Disease).Thus it provided mainstay for the method of classification on disease patterns.Another contribution of it is to produce lots of excellent formulas,which are solid in formation theory and approved in the clinic,even constitute the backbone of the research on formula study.1 Classified by the dynasties1.1 Jin and Tang DynastiesThroughout the 700 years from the end of Han dynasty to Tang Dynasty, feudalism gradually improved.Productive forces developed more and more.The Tang Dynasty has been a summit of civilization in feudalism society.TCM has developed from the basic theory to a high level in all areas.During the hundreds of years,the phenomenon of "multiple kinds of classification under the same classification method" has appeared.It refers to the formula books classify the formulas according to the disease patterns but not diseases.The method of classification on dosage form came up and applied in use in this period.1.2 Song,Jin and Yuan DynastiesThe governors and courts in NorthernSong Dynasty and SouthernSong Dynasty took much more count of the medical industry than that in any other dynasties.It is proved by the emergence of many formula books and pharmacopeias organized by the government.The method of classification on disease patterns has been improved and perfect.There are not many large-scale formula books in Jin and Yuan Dynasties.But the achievements on medical theory and formula study are great.The methods of treatment and formulas put forward in Jin and Yuan Dynasties were widely quoted in Ming and Qing Dynasties.1.3 Ming,Qing Dynasties and Republic of ChinaWith the of method of classification on disease patterns come to maturity and the method of treatment go deeper,the new methods of classification on formula study,which are more theoretical and systematic,come into being.Wangang,a physician in Qing Dynasty,learnt from the experiences before and put forward a comprehensive method on classification,which is mainly sorted by functions,and related to diseases,subjects and the needs of clinic.From the end of the Qing Dynasty to the beginning of Republic of China,with the spread of Western Medicine knowledge in our country,the trend of combining TCM and Western Medicine together also reflected in the classification on formulas.1.4 Modern TimesAfter the set up of New China,the formula subject developed vigorously, and the research on the classification of formula study is deepened. Especially in the thirty years of reform and opening-up,with the improvement of standard of living,dissemination of medical knowledge, prosperity of publishing industry,the method of classification on formulas have changed greatly.Recently,some scholars tried to sort the famous formulas in the past dynasties with "the Eight Diagrams Medicine" theory. The development of classification on formulas is believed to have more achievements in the near future.2 Three main classification methodsThe methods of classification on formulas in the formula books during the past dynasties are of wide varieties.Some of them are inherited by the offspring after the appearance.Some others are only admired in a small area and not that popular.For instance,the three grades of formulas classification method,Wuweiyinyanghanre classification method,etc.The disease pattern classification method,the function method,and the general classification method,which have a long history and great influence are chosen to be discussed in this article. 2.1 Disease pattern classification methodGenerally speaking,disease pattern classification method is a way to classify the formulas according to the standard of differences between diseases and symptoms.From the examples of the disease pattern classification in the formula books written in the past Dynasties,we can see that the concept of disease pattern contains a lot of meanings actually. It refers to the cause of disease,location of disease,relevant categories besides the disease names.From the earliest formula book existing-Fifty Two Prescriptions(Wu Shi Er Bing Fang) to the development of the the formula study today,disease pattern classification method is an efficient way all the time and plays an vital part in the history of formula classification.According to the analysis and discussion of the related historical materials in the five main periods from Pre-Qin Dynasty to modern times,the development history of disease pattern classification method can be drawn as the followings:it came up in the Pre-Qin Dynasty, developed in the Jin and Tang Dynasties,and perfected in the Song Dynasty.Under the influence of the modern medical study,the disease pattern classification today has shown a new look in classifying TCM formulas under the Chinese and Western diseases classification system.2.2 Function classification methodThe appearance and development of function classification method experienced a long time.The proposal of the leading theory is under the condition of the rich and multiple TCM theories,whose beginning is the "ten" theories.Through the analysis of the evolution on the relevant theories and the research of the "Ba Zhen" and "Yi Men Ba Fa" in Ming and Qing dynasties,we can see that the leading effect of theories to the practice plays an important part in this classification method.Compared with it,the appearance of the disease pattern classification method is earlier.But it is lack of classification theories and only can be attached to the medical theories and clinic to exist.It is obvious distinguishes that if there is a professional leading theory between the positive and negative classification methods.This method is the closest to the characteristics of the formula and is recommended by the institute of formula study.2.3 The general classification methodThe general classification method is classified in three ways.One is mainly classified by disease pattern and subsidiary with dosage of formula. One is mainly classified by Function classification and subsidiary with other classification method.The other is the general classification method that focuses both on the disease pattern classification and the function classification method.The modern research on the formula study generally means the ones focus on the functions,for example the Yi Fang Ji Jie.The general classification method before Ming and Qing Dynasties are those mainly classified by disease pattern and subsidiary with formula dosage. After that,the classification method mainly by functions and combined with disease pattern classification gradually improved.The latter is superior to the former considering from the angle of the formula study. However,the two classification methods are both used because of the different compiling aims and users.From the coming out of Yi Fang Ji Jie to the basic looking of modern FangJiXue,the general classification method established the embryonic form of the modern formula study.In recent years,the general classification method used by many large-scale formula books provided new references for the classification of modern formula study.DiscussionBy the analysis and the research of the formula books in the past dynasties, the discussion part of the thesis draw a conclusion that the appearance and enrichment of the method of classification on formulas are forced by the development of TCM theory.Then it considered the Method of classification of synthesis as the mainstream.To the completing of TCM formula teaching material,I propose that:all the formulas should be classified by the functions,then by the disease pattern.By doing so,the teaching of formula study can be strengthened and related to the practice in the clinic.