Based On Drug Weight Measured By The Square Primitive Dose Study

ObjectiveComprehensively research on the influencing factors, tools for measuring herbs, weight units, etc, which are all related with actual measurement of herbs, the dissertation aims at probing into the original dosage of classical formulas coined or recorded by Zhang Zhongjing in East Han Dynasty, by actually measuring the weight of herbs with non-weight units and powder in "Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases" and verifying, deducing, and analyzing the herb's weight which has been measured and recorded by Tao Hongjing and Sun Simiao through the author's actual weight. Those can provide actual-measurement evidences and accesses for converting original dosage of Zhang Zhongjing's formulas into gram as well as reference values of converting classical formulas'dosage in experimental and clinical researches.MethodsMethods of the dissertation are mainly based on actually measuring weight of the herbs, except for literature excavation and archaeological finds. Based on textual research on containers'volume used by doctors in the periods from Han to Tang Dynasties, measuring the weight of the herbs that are measured by the non-weight units in "Shang Han Za Bing Lun" (Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases), the herbs measured by Tao Hongjing and Sun Simiao which are mentioned in "Ben Cao Jing Ji Zhu" (Collective Commentaries on the Classic of Materia Medica) and "Bei Ji Qian Jin Yao Fang"(Important Formulas Worth a Thousand Gold Pieces for Emergency). On the basis of carrying forward Zhang Zhongjing's theories, Tao Hongjing and Sun Simiao, measured weight of the herbs which is beneficial to figure out the original dosage of Zhang Zhongjing's formulas.Contents & Results1 Factors influencing the results of herbs'weight contain botanical one, herb processing and tools for measuring herbs. The size of herbs is a more important influencing factor on the result of herbs'weight measured by the number unit. Processing method can change moisture of Chinese herbs. The volume of the container used for measuring herbs is also a greater influencing factor on the measured results of herbs'weight. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in the period of Han to Tang Dynasties, measuring value standard was a little different from that of the state government. The unique TCM measuring unit, "Sheng" was used to take some volume of some herbs, and had been used for almost two thousand years. The dissertation affirms the existence of "Shen Nong steelyard"2 Confirm the sizes of square-cun spoon, powder on a coin, and knife tablet and measuring weight for certain herbs in full volume through textual research commonly-used units in Han and Tang Dynasties. The most influencing factor is properties of the herbs. To be specific, herbal powders belonging to grass and tree families are obviously lighter than those of pertaining to gold and stone families. The amount of powder contained in the tool is related with the volume of the herbs, so the measuring value from containing powder is not fixed each time, which is affected by manipulator's skill and degrees of thickness of powders. 3 During Han and Tang Dynasties, measuring units with non-weight ones include Wu Tong Zi (Semen Firmianae), egg, and egg yolk, etc, which mainly appear in pill form. Based on ancient literature works recording that volume relation between Wu Tong Zi (Semen Firmianae) and fine linen, hemp, lima bean, red bean, soybean, and egg yolk, and the size of Wu Tong Zi (Semen Firmianae) in the genuine local place nowadays, the volumes of the above mentioned measuring tools can be deduced. By measuring the sizes of egg and egg yolk in Henan Province, we know that the result is similar with that measured by Su jing in Tang Dynasty, whereas the size of egg yolk measured by Tong Hongjing is obviously smaller than that of today's egg yolk.4 Textually research in breeds, producing areas, and medicinal processing of the herbs by actual measurement of weight of the herbs measured by non-weight units in "Shang Han Za Bing Lun" (Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases), the big difference is that the herbs can be modified by quantity units after going on my own actual weight and analyzing other researches'measured results. We discover that measuring results of the herbs containing bit of moisture are much steadier than those containing a large deal of moisture. The breeds and medicinal processing of the herbs is the same with or similar to those used by Zhang Zhongjing, or it will make a big difference when converting Zhongjing's dosage into gram.5 Discuss the "source" and "branch" relations among Zhang Zhongjing, Tao Hongjing, and Sun Simiao, on the basis of textual researches on the breeds and medicinal processing of the herbs, the author chooses the seven same herbs have been measured by Tao Hongjing and Sun Simiao respectively, measure again, and make a comparison between them. On the ground of the measured results, we can deduce measuring values of units chosen by the two TCM doctors, and finally probe into the original dosage of the classical formulas and get a result that one "Hang" is approximately equal to 15.6g.6 Actually research on some powders in "Shang Han Lun" (Treatise on Cold Damage) and "Jin Gui Yao Lue" (Essentials from the Golden Cabinet) and choose Hou Shi Hei San (Hou's Black Powder) which is the only one to definitely record days for taking and Wu Ling San (Five Substances Powder with Poria) with concrete and minimum dosage. Compared the actual results with dosage recorded in ancient literature works, we get a deduction that one "Hang" in powder form is equal to 1.4g or so and further figure out the measuring units in powder and decoction are different. Specifically speaking, compared with dosage unit used in decoction, that used in powder is much smaller and takes up about one tenth of dosage unit made by the state government in Han Dynasty.ConclusionBy going through literature works and textual researches, we ensure that "sheng" as a dosage unit in TCM used to take some herbs'volume has been existed and used for quite a long time in ancient China. One "sheng" is nearly equal to 200ml. More and more evidences prove the existence of "Shen Nong steelyard". Once again, we actually measure weight of the herbs measured by Tao Hongjing and Sun Simiao and deduce the result that one "Hang" in the original dosage of Zhang Zhongjing's formulas is around 15g. Based on the actual measurement of powder in "Shang Han Za Bing Lun" (Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases), we figure out that one "liang" in powder is approximately equal to 1.4g and measuring value is obviously lighter than that used in decoction taking up about one tenth of the state government in Han Dynasty. Therefore, we speculate there are two different measuring unit systems in powder and decoction forms respectively. A variety of evidences indicate probability of the existence of "Shen Nong steelyard" which may be used to measure a spot of powder or precious medicinals, but it needs further research and discussion.