『향약구급방』부인잡방으로 본 고려의 임신과 출산

Abstract

Examined in this article is a portion inside Hyang’yak Gugeub-bang that is related to female disorder and diseases, and the Goryeo society’s view on females’ pregnancy as well as giving birth to children. This portion is the “Bu’in Jab-bang” chapter (gynecopathy section) in the Hyang’yak Gugeubbang’s Second volume, and this chapter contains documentation of symptoms and prescriptions specifically meant for female diseases that are mostly associated with pregnancy or childbirth. Issues that are primarily dealt here are 1) things that should not be attempted or occur during pregnancy, including vaginal/anal blood discharge, 2) difficult deliveries (dystocia), with cases of stillborn or agrippa(upside-down) babies, and 3) postpartum complications, including excessive bleeding, stroke and depression.BR Further examination of “Bu’in Jab-bang” reveals other aspects as well.BR First, this chapter does not discuss the ‘cause’ for symptoms. Without engaging any “Byeonjeung Nonchi” discussion, it only provides symptoms and treatments. Primary symptoms listed here are difficult deliveries and postpartum complications. In other words, it is a chapter dedicated to pre-natal and post-natal emergency conditions and responses. Treatments are also simple ones that could be executed swiftly and efficiently.BR Second, as can be deduced from Hyang’yak Gugeub-bang’s very title, medication of this book usually employs local materials with medicinal properties that could easily be obtained and be used in emergency situations. The “Bu’in Jab-bang” chapter is no exception, as it is designed to be used and consulted in unusual situations -such as difficult deliveries or postpartum problems- rather than general female disorders.BR Third, in this particular chapter, several Chinese medical texts are quoted, while some Goryeo treatments are also introduced. The Chinese ones included in this book seems to have been ones that were selected by the Goryeo people for their own purposes and situations.BR Fourth, the ‘Symptoms & Prescriptions Only’ approach of this book and especially this chapter should have made this book a must-have one for females in emergency distress. Female childbirth and postpartum healthcare was an issue that had nothing to do with the individual’s social class or occupation, and literally a universal one. The book must have been used and consulted widely and massively.BR Other symptoms and prescriptions in the rest of Hyang’yak Gugeub-bang are related to male diseases and male conditions. It was created and used primarily by male Sadaebu figures. Female disorder is only addressed in a very limited fashion, and even the very chapter dedicated to that area only refers to childbirth-related issues. This shows us that Hyang’yak Gugeub-bang’s creators, practitioners and readers –all dominant male leaders of the Sadaebu class- only regarded the female body in the context of its role in human procreation.