Preliminary research on the medical condition of the "jiu bian" (nine northern border towns) of the early Ming Dynasty

Abstract

In the Ming Dynasty, the important affairs of the nine northern border towns were building the city walls, providing armaments and provision and funds for the troops. Thus, the medical resources were relatively insufficient and the management system was not established. The supply of doctors and medicines were always insufficient, with similar conditions appeared in the troops and the royal government. Though the medicines and doctors were sent to the towns in the northern border frequently, yet, it was only a temporary measure. Because of the shortage of medical resources, the northern border towns had to invite doctors from inland, or train local doctor, or choose those who had medical knowledge from the army to take the responsibility of doctors.