北齊徐之才『藥對』考

Abstract

This article is a study of the work of Xu Zhi-cai 徐之才，a physician of the period of the Northern Dynasties, and the medical system of the dynasties. It has previously been recognized that an earlier work also known as the Yao-dui 薬對 had been compiled by Lei-gong 雷公, and it was theorized that the Yao-dui of Xu Zhi-cai might have been either a supplement to the earlier work, or that, in contrast, the two works were completely unrelated. However, there has been no evidence to confirm either theory to this point in time. No one, however, has disputed the fact that passages of Xu Zhi-cai's Yao-dui found in the Song pharmacopoeia Jia-you ben-cao 嘉祐本草 are attributable to Xu Zhi-cai. By analyzing the passages from the Yao-dui of Xu Zhi-cai in the Jia-you ben-cao, one can learn of the medical and pharmacological practices of Xu Zhi-cai. Although communications with the Western regions flourished throughout the period from late Northern Wei to Northern Qi dynasties, medicines from the Western regions were not dealt with in the Yao-dui of Xu Zhi-cai, and the number of medicines derived from the Southern Dynasties is small. Based on these factors, it can be assumed that the work was produced in the period from the end of the Northern Wei to early in the Eastern Wei when northern China was in turmoil. The inscription on the tomb of Xu Zhi-cai records that he was Shang-yao dian-yu 尚藥典御, Director General of the Pharmaceutical Office for the Emperor, who was responsible for preparing medicine and diagnosing the emperor. The reason for Xu Zhi-cai's compilation of the Yao-dui can be considered a result of fulfilling the duties of this office. Heretofore it has been thought that the office of Shang-yao dian-yu was established in the period of the Northern Qi, but the origin can actually be traced back to the Chang-yao dian-yu 嘗藥典御 established by the order of the twenty-third year of the Tai-he 太和 era of the Northern Wei. The office of Shang-yao ju 尚藥局, Pharmaceutical Office for the Emperor, was first established in Chinese history during the Northern Wei when the post of Zhong-san 中散, which was exclusive to the Xian-bei 鮮卑 people, and which had been occupied by a person of special talents who would serve the ruler personally, was abolished. All the medical policies incorporated into the systems of the Sui and Tang, which included, for example, national projects of compiling pharmacopoeias and medical works under the support of the Shang-yao ju and the Tai-yi shu 太醫署 (Medical Office), which were staffed by government bureaucrats, can be seen to have their basis in the medical policies of Xiao-wen di 孝文帝 and Xuan-wu di 宣武帝 of the Northern Wei. From the point of view of the relationship between medical practice and the state, the origin of the system and medical practices of the Sui-Tang can be seen in the history of the Northern Dynasties.