[Study on the history of formulas corresponding to syndromes]

The theory of formulas corresponding to syndromes is a relatively mature and integrated method contained in the classics of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for diagnosing and treatment of diseases. The development of the theory mainly includes three stages, i.e. prototype stage before Han Dynasty, sublimation stage of late Eastern Han Dynasty and the following improving stage. People recorded what they saw and heard of during their medical activities in prototype stage. In sublimation stage, Treatise on Febrile Diseases written by Zhang Zhong-jing found out the relationship of structure-fixed prescriptions used more often with symptoms and signs. Doctors after Han Dynasty repeated and verified the truth of classical prescriptions and the theory of formulas corresponding to syndromes. They also developed and improved the theory. Based on clinical experience, and classics, it was enriched, advanced and improved by doctors after then. It could provide reference for clinical treatment through systematically hackling the theories.