bubble_chart Description The full name is sometimes referred to as Huangdi Jiayijing (Sui Shu-Jingjizhi), Huangdi Sanbu Zhenjiu Jing (Xintangshu-Yiwenzhi, etc.), and is now generally known as Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing, which is the earliest extant specialized book on acupuncture and moxibustion. The number of volumes recorded in various books varies, and the current version mostly takes the twelve volumes mentioned in its preface.
The current version of Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing consists of twelve volumes and one hundred and twenty-eight chapters. Its content is extracted from the essence of Suwen, Zhenjing (i.e., Lingshu and Nose Acupoint Moxibustion Essentials, and reorganized.
Volumes one to six sequentially describe the physiological functions of the human body, including the five zang-organs, six fu-organs, nutrient-defense qi and blood, spirit and soul, essential qi and body fluids, and the relationship between the limbs, five sense organs, and zang-fu organ functions. Next, it describes the circulation routes of the human meridians, meridian sinews, and other meridian and collateral systems, Gudu intestinal measurements, and the stomach and intestines. It then describes the human back transport points, detailing their locations and indications by body parts. The book describes 348 back transport points (including 49 single points and 299 double points) rather than the 365 points as claimed. These acupoints are arranged by head, face, neck, chest, abdomen, arm, thigh, etc., making them easy to locate. Each point includes the depth of acupuncture and the number of moxibustion cones. It then describes diagnostic methods, focusing on pulse diagnosis, especially the three positions and nine pulse-takings. It then introduces the principles of acupuncture, acupuncture and moxibustion contraindications, including forbidden points. Finally, it discusses some pathological and physiological issues, explained through the theory of yin-yang and the five phases.
The clinical section also consists of six volumes, sequentially introducing acupuncture and moxibustion treatments for internal medicine (including cold-damage disease, Rebing, apoplexy, Zabing), five sense organs, gynecology, pediatrics, etc. Internal medicine includes 43 chapters, covering external six excesses, internal seven emotions, five zang-organs diseases, six fu-organs diseases, meridian diseases, and five sense organs diseases. There are three chapters on surgery, mainly discussing Yongju. As for gynecology and pediatrics, each has one chapter discussing 20 and 10 types of diseases in those fields, respectively.
Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing has greatly promoted the development of acupuncture and moxibustion in China. During the Song Dynasty, from the 6th to the 8th century, it was a required course for students in China, Korea, and Japan. Important acupuncture and moxibustion works from the Song, Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties were largely based on this book. There are already English translations of this book abroad, which have also significantly influenced the development of acupuncture and moxibustion internationally.