In the volumes of the third major section, on Miscellaneous Disorders, various aspects of the disorders are approached in a systematic fashion. Early on, the book covers qi circulation, the understanding of the disorders and methods of examination, prescription and treatment. Exteriorly induced disorders and internal disorders are covered in an orderly manner and ready-to-be-used treatment methods are introduced later in the chapter. The section on Miscellaneous Disorders concludes with topics on gynecological and pediatric disorders.


Volume 1: The Laws of the Universe, Detection, Pattern Identification, Diagnosing the Pulse, How to Use Medicinals, the Emetic Method, Sweating and Purgation.

Early in this section, the book details the required foundational knowledge for examining patients, the usage of herbal medicine and treatment strategies. First of all, without knowing the laws of the universe, one cannot understand the mechanisms of disease in the human body. There are four diagnostic methods in the examination process of the patient. Pattern Identification consists of eight principles. They are comprised of yin-yang, exterior-interior, cold-heat and deficiency-excess. The section continues with the differentiation according to the seasons and between daytime and nighttime. The pulse is read as a reflection of the current condition of the body. By taking the pulse, one is able to deduce the existence of any disorder. After all these detecting and diagnosing processes, one should take practical action to treat the disease. In the chapter on ‘How to Use Medicinals,’ the principles of herbal usage are summarized into four categories. First, one must determine whether the pathogenic energy is stronger or the body energy is stronger, and then decide to administer a tonic or a sedation. Second, one must check the body temperature. Third, one must determine the correct location of the pathogen and set the target. Fourth, one must use the herbal medicine according to the seasons and environmental surroundings. The emetic method, sweating, and purgation are introduced in this book as the three major treatment strategies, each with core principles and particular application specifications.

Volume 2 & 3: The Wind, Cold, Summer-heat, Dampness, Dryness and Fire

In this volume, exteriorly-induced pathogens are covered in the following order: wind, cold, summer-heat, dampness, dryness and fire. Stroke is translated as, “struck by wind.” Wind can be abrupt and unpredictable, so a stroke is compared to an attack by the wind. The cold damage disorder is named after the cold-induced pathogen that causes the illness. Exposure to cold dew in the morning or to frost in the winter triggers the cold damage disorder. Cold qi entering the body can initiate the disorder immediately. Under the influence of summer heat, one tends to accumulate dirt on the face, sweat spontaneously and suffer from fever in the body, a stuffy chest, thirst, lassitude, lethargy, lusterless hair, myalgia, diarrhea, coldness in the limbs and to have dry frontal teeth. Heat stroke is classified into various types depending on its causes and symptoms. An individual can often be affected by the dampness. During the late summer season, exteriorly-induced damp can be caused by dampness from the mountains and swamps, getting soaked in the rain, being soaked from sweat, and so forth. Types of interiorly-induced damp include eating raw and cold food, consuming alcohol, and suffering indigestion that leads to damp accumulation in the spleen. Dryness in the body arises from the heat of fire. Dryness patterns include rough and withered skin accompanied by itching. If the dryness is on the exterior side, the skin is wrinkled and itchy, whereas dryness on the interior side leads to a reduction of essence and blood. Fire not only affects one's behavior, but can also easily turn into a disorder if there is too much fire energy. The fire energy has the tendency to burn off all other materials, making them vanish. Fire melts metal, reduces the earth's energy, burns wood and dries up water. Thus, the "Dongui Bogam" mentions that the disorders caused by fire are very harmful, distinctive, and progress very rapidly in severe cases to death.

Volume 4: Internal Damage and Deficiency Vexation

Following the six qi of wind, cold, summer heat, damp, dryness and fire, the book continues with internal damage and deficiency vexation, which are closely tied with internal conditions and righteous qi. A human body depends on the stomach’s actions to engage in life. However, any dysfunction that can lead to a disorder is referred to as internal damage. Internal damage occurs with the improper intake of food or under excess fatigue. Deficiency is defined as a weakness and a lack of something, while vexation is defined as fatigue and troublesomeness. Thus, deficiency vexation refers to the body when it is in a painful stage that is due to a lack of some necessary constituent of the body.

Volume 5: Intestinal Convulsion, Vomiting and Coughing

Following the discussion on the six qi, internal damage and deficiency vexation, the book continues with the topics of intestinal convulsion, vomiting and coughing. These are all caused by internal and external injuries. The "Dongui Bogam" suggests that intestinal convulsion is caused by food, especially eating rotten food or raw and cold food. An improper diet will lead to the accumulation of dampness in the body, which eventually leads to the formation of heat in the body that blocks the functions of the "middle energizer." As a result, the qi cannot ascend or descend in the body, causing intestinal convulsion. Vomiting is done either with or without noise, but both types are caused by a qi deficiency in the spleen and a cold pathogen in the stomach. Coughing may or may not be accompanied by phlegm. Coughing without phlegm is due to injury to the qi in the lungs and coughing with phlegm is from a dampness in the spleen.

Volume 6: Accumulations, Edema, Distention, Wasting-thirst and Jaundice

Topics discussed in volume six include accumulated rheumatism, edema, distention, wasting thirst and jaundice, all of which are difficult to cure and deeply tied with adult diseases. Accumulations are defined as the bulging of flesh on the abdomen, chest or flanks. An accumulated mass can result from a qi stagnation or a qi gathering and can occur both in the viscera and the bowels. The condition of edema is defined by the swelling of the entire body, especially the face and extremities, the thinning of the skin, and a pitting indentation when the flesh is pressed with the finger. Distention refers to conditions of swelling of only the abdomen, as the face, eyes, and limbs stay normal. Wasting is translated from a word that means that the fire can boil or burn everything. The heat inside the body metabolizes the food easily and also guides smooth urination. As seen in the name of the disorder, wasting-thirst is characterized by the frequent intake of food, thirstiness and frequent urination. A process of jaundice is similar to the production of yeast. Damp-heat is comparable to soybean malt and jaundice is comparable to the resulting yeast. The steaming of damp-heat will cause heat in the blood and the blood will appear muddy. The color will disperse on the face and eyes, and then spread to the nails and skin, and eventually all over the body.

Volume 7 & 8: Malaria, Epidemic Diseases, Mania, Abscess and Boils

The conditions of malaria, epidemic diseases, mania abscess and boils are discussed in this part of the section. These are peculiar disorders. In cases of malaria, for instance, shivering is seen on hot summer days. Epidemic diseases are explained by people manifesting similar symptoms, while mania shows symptoms considered to be caused by the possession by a ghost. Abscesses and boils refer to a condition of the formation of various types of lumps on the skin or tissues.

Volume 9: Common Wounds, Detoxification, Emergencies, Diseases of Unknown Causes and Various Prescriptions

Common miscellaneous disorders that can occur in daily lives are discussed here. Common wounds, detoxification, emergencies, diseases of unknown causes and various prescriptions for survival are listed in this section.

Volume 10: Gynecology

In the sub-section on gynecology, the book continues with discussions on pregnancy, delivery and first-aid techniques for newborns: specific details of methods to get pregnant, ways to obtain a boy, the development of the fetus during gestation, nausea during the pregnancy and methods for easy delivery. Abnormal delivery, contraceptive methods and good days for delivery and proper delivery positions are also explained.

Volume 11: Pediatrics

The "Dongui Bogam" extensively covered pediatric disorders. The book covers convulsions and small pox in great detail. The sub-section on pediatrics not only covers the myriad pediatric disorders but also the growth of children, childcare, and child health management.