The earliest monograph on geriatrics
Since the beginning of the 20 th century, with the development of science and culture, the progress of medicine and health, the life expectancy of human beings has been significantly extended, the proportion of the elderly population has increased, and more and more countries have entered or are about to enter an aging society. To this end, the United Nations convened the World Conference on Ageing for the first time in 1981, and the United Nations General Assembly held in 1998 designated 1999 as the "International Year of Older Persons", calling on all governments and people to make efforts to do a good job in all aspects of work, including health care for the elderly.
As far as the history of medicine in the world is concerned, geriatric medicine has a long history and rich content, and China should be second to none. As early as more than 2,000 years ago, there were many discussions on geriatric medicine in the "Yellow Emperor's Neijing". More than 1,300 years ago, the earliest treatise on geriatrics appeared, which was the Tang Dynasty physician Sun Simiao's "Pension Rules" and "Diet for the Elderly", which were written by Sun Shi in 680 AD.
According to the natural law of human life process, when people enter old age, a series of changes will inevitably occur in physiology, psychology, physique, personality, temperament, interests, words and deeds. There is a detailed description of this in the "Pension Case": "People are more than 50 years old, the yang energy is declining, the loss is the day, the heart is gradually retreating, forgetting the past and the future, the prosperity is lazy, the calculation is not satisfactory, the hearing and hearing are unstable, the more retreats and less advances, the sun and the moon are not equal, everything is scattered, the heart is boring, forgetful and angry, the temperament is mutated, the food and drink are tasteless, and the bed is restless." He pointed out that "the nature of the elderly will be arrogant and unconformable." Sun Simiao emphasized that as the descendants of the elderly, we must have enough understanding of the above-mentioned series of changes in the elderly, otherwise they will mistakenly believe that "adults should not be admonished when they are old", so they will be impatient and even complain and dislike. Therefore, it is admonished that younger generations should be well suited to the needs of the elderly according to their characteristics, and that "they should always be cautious about their affairs, and they should not be unhappy when they are asked", so as not to adversely affect the mood and health of the elderly.
Diet is closely related to human health and longevity, and "Diet for the Elderly" has made a special discussion on this. The article summarizes the experience of predecessors and authors, and points out: "The foundation of life must be food, and the only way to cure diseases lies in medicine." Those who do not know the appropriate food are not enough to live a whole life, and those who do not know the properties of medicine cannot be cured of diseases. Food can expel evil and calm the internal organs, and medicine can nourish the mind and nourish the four qi. "Whoever is the son of man, let him not know these two things." Emphasizing "Eat fresh food, make sure to be simple." Eating and drinking should be frugal, if the greed hurts a lot, the elderly have thin stomach and skin, and more will not disappear, and Pahang will be short of breath", so "it is necessary to know that taking food will be temperate". Advise the elderly to "always learn light food" and not to eat "fatty soup, butter cheese, etc." in summer. It is pointed out that raw meat, liquor, sorrel, salt, etc. are not suitable for the elderly. Modern science has confirmed that eating these foods regularly is indeed detrimental to the digestive system, cardiovascular system, kidneys and health of the elderly.
The article especially recommends milk, black sesame, honey, etc. to the elderly, believing that "milk is flat, nourishes blood and veins, benefits the heart and muscles, makes the body healthy and moisturized, and pleasing to the face", points out that "this thing is far better than meat", and instructs "those who are sons of man must provide them for regular food". Modern scientific experiments have proved that the above-mentioned foods have different degrees of efficacy in improving the physiological function of the human body and the coordination of the whole body, or reducing blood lipids and enhancing disease resistance. Milk can provide the human body with a more comprehensive nutritional composition, and the regular consumption of milk is not as common as the usual meat food may cause some diseases, and it is indeed "far better than meat". Among the ingredients of black sesame seeds, lecithin and vitamin E are particularly noteworthy, which play an important role in maintaining the normal function of brain tissue, promoting fertility, delaying cell aging, and improving heart and cerebrovascular function. The composition of honey varies according to the season and region of brewing, but it is generally rich in fructose and glucose, as well as protein, yeast, enzymes, organic acids, biotin, volatile oils, minerals, trace elements, vitamins, etc., which have a variety of effects of tonic, moisturizing, relieving pain and detoxification, which is very beneficial to the elderly. It can be seen that "(black sesame) will not be sick if you take it for a long time, and you will not be old if you take it often" and "(honey) will be fat and longevity for a long time", which is a scientific reason.
Exercise is an important measure to activate metabolism, enhance physical fitness, and delay human aging. "Diet Therapy for the Elderly" quotes the principle of "running water does not rot, and the hub does not beetle", emphasizing that the elderly "need to know how to adjust the body and massage, shake the limbs, and guide the qi" to achieve the purpose of strengthening the body and prolonging life.
The elderly are very susceptible to diseases due to physical decline, so it is necessary to pay more attention to the prevention and treatment of geriatric diseases. "The Great Case of Pension" wrote: "If people are old and sick and do not treat, they will be speechless. The article discusses the common diseases of the elderly and their prevention and treatment, saying, "People are fifty years old, all the stool is unfavorable, or often bitter diarrhea, there are two diseases, often need to be prevented, if the secret is astringent, it is advisable to eat sunflower and other cold and slippery things, such as diarrhea, it is appropriate to warm vegetables with ginger leeks, so the elderly in the four o'clock, often should be warm, not light." The old man's teeth are brittle, and the article advises: "Don't bite hard and bite hard meat, which will cause broken teeth." ”
In addition, for the emotions, actions, living habits, hobbies and other aspects of the elderly, Sun Simiao has a lot of correct opinions in his geriatric monographs, proposing that "the way to care for the elderly, no play, no strength, no weightlifting, no fast walking...... No sorrow, no sorrow, no sorrow", advocating that "those who are good at caring for the elderly, do not read unless they are books, do not listen to their voices, do not do their duties, and do not eat unless they eat", and remind the elderly to pay attention to "often avoid bad weather such as strong winds, heavy rain, heavy cold, heavy heat, heavy dew, frost and snow, and whirlwind and bad weather". In short, Sun Simiao believes that the elderly "are often not hungry, not full, neither cold nor hot, and kind". To achieve "walking, living, sitting, lying, talking, laughing, sleeping, eating, and making times, those who can do without losing in vain can prolong their lives".
Sun Simiao's life of 100 years old is undoubtedly closely related to the importance he attaches to geriatrics. His experience and exposition on health preservation still have great reference and practical value.
(Originally published in Essays on Medical Culture, published by Shanghai Ancient Books Publishing House in 2001.) ）
Source: Internet
Editor: Qing Dai