A Literature Review of the Acupuncture and Moxibustion Methods in UiRimCh'walYo

Objectives : Investigate the situation of Joseon Dynasty's Acupuncture and Moxibustion. Methods : the Acupuncture and Moxibustion methods in UiRimCh'walYo (醫林撮要 'Essentials of Oriental Medical Doctors') were studied. Results and Conclusions : First of all, the Acupuncture and Moxibustion methods in UiRimCh'walYo are narrated according to specific symptoms like diarrhea and stomachache, and not organized by the origin of illness or some abstract nature of a disease. In addition, it excluded complicated Acupuncture and Moxibustion methods, only adopting a couple of Acupuncture Bleeding methods and Moxibustion methods to simplify the technique as much as possible. Secondly, the Acupuncture and Moxibustion methods in UiRimCh'walYo, along with those in DongUiBoCam and Ch'imGuYoGyol introduce ways to perform moxibustion on the Umbilical Middle and Elixir Field. By focusing on the similarities between the three comtemporary medical works, it is possible to assume the existence of a unique acupuncture method using moxibustion on the Umbilical Middle and Elixir Field. Thirdly, the Acupuncture and Moxibustion methods in UiRimCh'walYo didn't go into detailed differentiation of symptoms and just concisely described one or two treatment methods for each symptom and simplified the prescription down to the core acupuncture points. This shows that the Acupuncture and Moxibustion methods in UiRimCh'walYo didn't seek its own cure but was edited in order to act as an appendix to Herbal Medicine. When integrating the conclusions above, it can be said that UiRimCh'walYo strived to use acupuncture and moxibustion simply and effectively inside the Oriental medicine's large boundaries of Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture and Moxibustion. Harmony with Herbal Medicine, an easy-to-find organization, and simple, easy-to-do prescription are what UiRimCh'walYo was about.