Yakushigaku Zasshi. 1999 ; 34(2): 70-6.

[Documents related to a medical prescription book in the Date Museum (Date City, Hokkaido)]

Matsumoto Y, Matsushita M, Taira N.

Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, Japan.

This is a report of a prescription book which Munetomo Murayama, a medical doctor attached to the Date Watari Feudal Clan, inherited from his ancestors and handed on to his descendants. It is now preserved in the Date Museum in Date, Hokkaido, Japan, and the records there show that it was donated by a descendant of Dr. Murayama. The prescription book is unique in its detailed descriptions that are different from traditional medicine. It describes specific illnesses and the medications that were used in their treatment. The illnesses described are not serious ailments but illnesses commonly encountered in daily life and commonly available (over-the-counter) drugs recommended for the treatment of stomach ailments, diarrhea ; drugs for external use, also 'tochino' (a non-prescription drug commonly used for all kinds of illnesses in old times in Japan), drugs for tiredness, hemorrhoids, cough relief, aroma therapy, and others. Some of the drugs are also recognized today as being effective and having medicinal effects. They are thought to be agents with medicinal effects and the treatments reported by Dr. Murayama are separate and different from the Shimizu style in which they are applied.