Based on the research of various versions of

Yixue Gangmu

(

Compendium of Medicine

)

this study further investigates the origin of the TCM classic

and makes clear the three major systems of the existing versions

namely

the 39-volume Ming Dynasty’s Handwritten Copy

the 45-volume Jianyang Block-printed Version and the 40-volume Cao Zhuo Block-printed Version. Their master copies and reproduced copies examined

and their strengths and weaknesses identified. Based on the result

it is suggested that the collation of

Yixue Gangmu

should be based on Ming Dynasty’s Handwritten Copy and Jianyang Block-printed Version

and

when it comes to ambiguities

the collator should choose the correct one after comparing the two copies. The Cao Zhuo Block-printed Version

which is revised and corrected to a greater extent

can only be used in conjunction with other reference materials

and its early version should be used.