| doctor | Zan Yin |
Zan Yin (approximately 797-859), a native of Chengdu, Shu (present-day Chengdu, Sichuan) during the Tang Dynasty, was born around the 13th year of the Zhenyuan era (797) and died in the 13th year of the Dazhong era (859).
Zan Yin once served as a medical scholar in Chengdu and authored a three-volume medical text, discussing diseases related to menstruation, leucorrhea, pregnancy, and childbirth. After reading it, Bai Minzhong, the military governor of Sichuan, named it "Chan Bao," also known as "Jingxiao Chanbao" (completed in 853). This is the first specialized book on obstetrics and gynecology that can still be seen in China, having a broad and profound influence on later physicians and contributing significantly to the development of gynecology and obstetrics. Zan Yin was not only skilled in obstetrics and gynecology but also systematically and practically addressed the treatment of obstetrical diseases. He also wrote the book "Shiyi Xinjian," which extensively discusses dietary therapy.
Zan Yin advocated for the importance of nurturing and protecting the fetus during pregnancy, emphasizing the regulation of qi and blood, and the tonification of the spleen and kidneys in treatment. He particularly discussed transverse birth, breech birth, and retained placenta in cases of difficult delivery. His discussions on pregnancy, difficult delivery, and postpartum diseases were of a certain level. For example, regarding pregnancy reactions, he described symptoms such as mental confusion, dizziness, heavy limbs, fatigue, aversion to food smells, and cravings for sour and astringent fruits, along with detailed and concise descriptions. The three prescriptions he provided, using ingredients like Ginseng, Magnolia Bark, White Atractylodes Rhizome, and Poria to strengthen the spleen and promote diuresis, and tangerine peel, Fresh Ginger Rhizome, and Bamboo Shavings to resolve phlegm and stop vomiting, were quite effective for morning sickness.
Zan's analysis and understanding of postpartum diseases were also scientific. He pointed out that postpartum thirst was due to the loss of fluids and blood during childbirth, leading to dehydration. For postpartum heat accumulation and constipation, he did not advocate for internal use of offensive purgatives but instead used Fried-Honey Anal plugs to facilitate bowel movements, which was cautious and effective. Especially for the emergency treatment of postpartum dizziness due to hemorrhage, he emphasized the need for prompt medication, stating that "if not treated urgently, it could be life-threatening." He also suggested using a red-hot weight quenched in vinegar for fumigation, which was practical and easy to implement.Zan Yin also had considerable research in dietary therapy, authoring "Dao Yang Fang" and "Shiyi Xinjian," each in three volumes, which still exist today. "Shiyi Xinjian" discusses dietary treatments for internal diseases such as apoplexy, beriberi, consumptive thirst, and gonorrhea, as well as some gynecological and pediatric diseases. It generally starts with the etiology, pathogenesis, classification, and symptoms, followed by dietary prescriptions and their indications, being concise and practical, with incisive discussions, especially detailed and refined in treatment descriptions. Zan placed great emphasis on the physiological functions of the spleen and stomach, believing that spleen dysfunction leads to "the convergence of all diseases." Zan's dietary methods were numerous, including soups, decoctions, porridges, wontons, cakes, teas, and wines, mostly made from easily accessible materials, adhering to the principles of simplicity, convenience, affordability, and effectiveness. In the use of animal-based ingredients in dietary therapy, Zan's idea of "using shape to supplement shape" was evident, such as using sheep head meat for wind dizziness, tiger tibia bone soaked in wine for joint pain, and pig heart soup for postpartum heart palpitations.
