Zhonghua Yi Shi Za Zhi. 2002 Jul; 32(3): 140-4.

[Textual research on Shi Kan and Shi zai zhi fang (Shi Zaizhi's Prescriptions)]

Wang Z.

Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250014.

Shi Kan, also known as Zaizhi, was born in Emei, Sichuan, and Zaizhi was more popularly known. He lived in the Northern Song dynasty, and was a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations. As a government official, he was promoted to the position of governor. When he cured the constipation of Cai Jing only with a single herb Aster root, people considered that he had excellent medical skill as famous doctor Xu Shuwei. He was one of the representatives who were doctors as well as government officials. His book Shi zai zhi fang (Shi Zaizhi's Prescriptions) was a typical formula work of the Song dynasty. In this book he emphasized the treatment principles on strengthening the vital and dispelling the evil. He also underlined the theory of yunqi (five elements' motion and six kinds of natural factors). He had many new ideas about the application of herbs and pulse - taking. According to the book, Zhi zhai shu lu jie ti (Zhizhai's Interpretation on Collected Books), Shi had a 2 - volume book titled Zhi nan fang (Guide Prescriptions). There were different views on whether Guide Prescriptions was the other name for Shi Zaizhi's Prescriptions. By studying the contents of citations from Shi's Guide Prescriptions quoted in Hong shi ji yan fang (Hong's Collections of Proved Recipes), Quan sheng zhi mi fang (A Guidebook of Recipes for Saving Lives), and by combining it with the textual research made by various scholars of the Qing dynasty, the author claims that Guide Prescriptions is another book rather than the other name of Shi Zaizhi's Prescriptions.