title: Historical difference between traditional Korean medicine and traditional Chinese medicine.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although traditional Korean medicine (TKM) has been influenced by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), it has developed distinctive features. Around the tenth century, Chinese medical books were introduced to Korea. In those days, Koreans started movement to develop its own medical system.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed Korean and Chinese medical literatures, and analysed the characteristics between two medical systems.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the early 17th century, Dongeuibogam was published by Dr Joon Hur. He provided a turning point to establish Korean medical system independent from TCM. TKM emphasizes specific characteristics of the individual who suffered from the disease, rather than single symptom. The concept was elaborated by Dr Jae Ma Lee who published Dongeuisusaebowon in the early 20th century.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Through historical development, TKM has established the unique characteristic and modality as the whole-person-centered medicine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Korean Medical History, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Korea. chawung@khu.ac.kr
authors.forename: Wung-Seok
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Cha
authors.forename: Jun-Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: Hi-Joon
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Sang-Woo
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.forename: Se-Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Nam-Il
authors.initials: NI
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D002681:China; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D049670:History, 17th Century; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D008518:Medicine, East Asian Traditional / Q000266:history; D010686:Philosophy, Medical