ABSTRACT

The text was bought at Dunhuang around 1900 and passed down a family of Chinese physicians living in Hebei Province, but the original was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. However, two copies had been made and both were used in the reconstruction of the text. They vary in places but not in such a way as to alter the meaning of the prescription. The authenticity of the text is not in serious doubt. It has been carefully studied by China’s leading experts in both traditional Chinese medical literature and ancient manuscripts. The text is attributed to the famous Daoist alchemist and physician Tao Hongjing ( 456-536). Although clearly not in his hand, it contains many indications of drawing on early medical traditions of pharmacy between the Han and Sui dynasties.3 It is certainly pre-Song and may well come from the early period of the Tang dynasty (perhaps the seventh century ), incorporating some even earlier material. The original was decorated with images of the Three Daoist Lords and the Twelve Constellations, indicating links with Daoist traditions. In translation it reads as follows:

Putting under the tongue to cause heart qi to flow freely !"#

For treating symptoms such as struck by evil, acute heart pains and cold in the hands and feet, which can kill a patient in an instant.4