C15 Chinese prescription book

Unknown artist

First page (first half-folio) of the appendix of <I>Liangfang leibian</I> (Classified Book of Effective Prescriptions), by Yang Ruiji, published in 1531 (10th year of the Jiajing reign period of the Ming dynasty, Xin Mao year). <P><I>Liangfang leibian </I>is a remedy compilation drawing on three separate texts: 1) <I>Xinkan jingyan mifang</I> (Tried and Tested Secret Precriptions, Newly Engraved), compiled by Li Tanhuai and Hao Liaoyang in the Ming period (1368-1644) (28 remedies with an index showing the sapors of the drugs in each one); 2) <I>Fangwai qifang</I> (Egregious Prescriptions), anonymous (23 remedies with detailed notes on preparation and administration); 3)<I> Jingyan yaofang</I> (Tried and Tested Medical Prescriptions), compiled by Li Wenmin in the Ming period. </P><P>Most of the prescriptions included in the book are single-ingredient empirical remedies. In the appendix, Yang Ruiji has added seven magical remedies and five elixirs of his own. </P>