Pediatric Medical Care in the Past of Japan
- VernacularTitle:我が国の過去の小児医療 ～子どもの漢方～
- Author:
Takeshi SAKIYAMA
1
Author Information
- Keywords: Waho; Kampo medicine; folk medicine; pediatric medical care; shokenchuto
- From:Kampo Medicine 2025;76(1):1-11
- CountryJapan
- Language:Japanese
- Abstract: The history and treatment of Japanese medicine, including Waho (Japanese traditional medicine), Kampo medicine, and folk medicine, were examined from a pediatric perspective to the extent possible, focusing on available literature. Due to the sanitary conditions and high infant mortality rate at the bygone time, past pediatric books mainly dealt with birth, child rearing, night crying, diarrhea with melena, infantile convulsion, etc. Shokenchuto, now commonly used for children, was not prescribed until the Showa era after it had been mentioned for pediatric usage by Goto Gonzan. Also, kanbakudaisoto cannot be not yet found written for children before Tokaku and Sohaku. From the myth of Prince Ohkuninushi, which appeared in the story of the white rabbit of Inaba, “Daidoruijuho” which contains collected various handed down medical methods, “Wahoichimanho” which compiled folk remedies and drug prescriptions during the Edo period, till “Kyuminmyoyaku” said to be the oldest home remedy book, Waho has been around since ancient times without written letters in our country, and today it remains as a folk remedy. After “Ishinpo,” which can be said to be an abstract of those old-day Chinese medical books, this Waho gave its supremacy to Kampo medicine originated from ancient China. Kampo medicine achieved its own development during the Edo period, but after the Meiji period it was dominated by Western medicine and declined, then it was revived in the Showa era. Pediatric medical care was also under the influence of that history.
