[The first translation on pediatrics: Er Ke Cuo Yao]

Area of Science:

• Medical History
• Pediatrics
• History of Western Medicine in China

Background:

• Er Ke Cuo Yao (The Pediatric Summary) is the first Western medicine monograph on pediatrics introduced to China in the late Qing Dynasty.
• Edited by Mary Hannah Fulton and translated by Yin Duanmo, it covers pediatric disease diagnosis, treatment, and maintenance.
• The text played a vital role in advancing modern pediatrics and Western medicine in China.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the historical significance and content of Er Ke Cuo Yao.
• To understand its impact on the development of pediatric medicine in China.
• To evaluate its role in bridging traditional Chinese medicine and Western medical practices.

Main Methods:

• Historical text analysis of Er Ke Cuo Yao.
• Examination of its translation techniques, including paraphrasing and use of traditional terminology.
• Assessment of its content covering various pediatric conditions.

Main Results:

• Er Ke Cuo Yao covers general pediatrics, disease diagnosis, teething, throat, gastrointestinal, and infectious diseases.
• The translation employed accessible language, paraphrasing, and transliteration, incorporating traditional Chinese medicine terms.
• It reflects early modern Western pediatric standards and addresses gaps in traditional Chinese medicine.

Conclusions:

• Er Ke Cuo Yao was pivotal in introducing Western pediatric knowledge to China.
• It significantly contributed to the diagnosis and treatment of common and infectious pediatric diseases.
• The text played a crucial role in preventing malnutrition and improving pediatric healthcare in early modern China.