title: [An overview on the collation and revision of medical books by the Bureau for Revising Medical Books in the Northern Song Dynasty].
abstract: The Bureau for Revising Medical Books was a temporary agency established by the government of the Northern Song Dynasty in 1057, the 2nd year of Jiayou of Emperor Renzong, exclusively for the edition, revision and publishing of ancient medical books. 11 medical books were revised and edited by 13 Bureau members in a period of 12 years until 1069, the 2nd year of Xining of Emperor ShenZong, which eventually became the final versions until today. 8 medical books were initially planned for the revision, but 11 were actually completed in the end. The time for completing a revision varied from over 10 years at most to less than 1 year at least. Instead of working in the office, the officers of the Bureau for Revising Medical Books did their works at home. The members of the said Bureau came from the Tiju officer of the Bureau for Revising Medical Books and the officials of revising medical books, consisting of both Confucian ministers and medical officers. Confucian ministers played an important role in revising medical books. The Bureau had a strict workflow in electing revising officials, making the project, and the determination of the principles and arrangements of the tasks of editing and proofreading.
authors.affiliation: College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Huhhot, 010110, China.
authors.forename: Yongliang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.affiliation: Library, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China.
authors.forename: Yongxuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liang
mesh_terms: D001877:Books / Q000266:history*; D049691:History, Medieval; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional / Q000266:history*