Sinchanbyeogonbang(1991-1)

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.1087-1

Category

Books & Records

Era

1613년(조선 광해군5년)

Designated year

1991

Location

관악구, 서울특별시— 서울특별시 관악구 관악로 1 (신림동, 103동 서울대학교 규장각한국학연구원)

Coordinates

37.462351, 126.950453

This medical book was compiled by Heo Jun (1546-1615) in 1613 with an aim to cure patients suffering from the “infectious disease” (Onyeok), probably epidemic typhus which is transmitted by lice. An outbreak and spread of typhus in the Korea’s northeastern region between 1612 and 1613 led King Gwanghaegun (r. 1608-1623) to order his medical expert Heo Jun to tackle the situation. The following effort by the court medical man resulted in the compilation of this book where he focused his attention on the cause and treatment of the epidemic typhus, effective medicinal materials, and things to do and not to do to avoid the disease. The book is regarded as the most comprehensive book to be written on the epidemic typhus after the Easy Categorical Prescriptions for the Treatment of Epidemic Typhus (Bunmun Onyeok Ihaebang) published in 1542. It also had a strong influence upon the medical books published to repel epidemic diseases in the late Joseon period. Of the books collected in by Kyujanggak Institute for Korean Studies, three of the original 1613 edition published by the Inner Royal Infirmary (Naeuiwon) are designated as Treasures. A colophon written inside the front cover reveals that the books were stored in the Odaesan History Depository, Office of Government Publication (Gyoseogwan), and Office of Expansive Literature (Hongmungwan) among others.

Location