Hi,

I am doing some research into the history of Cancer and I have found
that the first references to 'tumours' and treatments was noted by the
ancient chinese yellow emporer - Huang Ti, author of Nei Ching: Yellow
Emperors Classic of Internal Medicine.

Huang-ti is reputed to have been born about 2704 BC and to have begun
his rule as emperor in 2697. His legendary reign is credited with the
introduction of wooden houses, carts, boats, the bow and arrow, and
writing.

I am finding conflicting information however.  Other sources
indicating that Huang Ti was a mythical character and the Nei Ching
was written much later by a collection of chinese scholars and
attributed to this mythical character.

It would be greatly appreciated if someone could clarify a more
factual position or point me in the right direction.

Thanks

Jason

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Request for Question Clarification by answerfinder-ga on 15 Jun 2006 05:13 PDT

Dear jason6925-ga,

Have you read the first few pages of this edition of The Yellow
Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine published by the University of
California Press?

It discusses the age and the authorship of the Nei Ching. 

Amazon has a ?search inside this book? facility which allows you to
read some of the pages. A few more than Google Books.
Go through this page. You have to register and use these search terms: huang ti. 
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0520229363/ref=nosim/002-0255764-6891274?camp=2025&dev-t=D26XECQVNV6NDQ&link%5Fcode=xm2&n=283155

A copy is also available on Google Books but you are restricted to
only a few pages. Go to this link (you have to register if you have
not already). On the left in the ?Search within this book? type the
search term. Then you will references to him.
http://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN0520229363&id=qIfTD68k53gC&dq=%22Huang+Ti+%22


You need to read pages 4 - 8 which discuss the existence of Huang Ti
and the authorship of the book. I?m afraid historians appear to be in
disagreement on this.  The book sources these various views.

If you cannot see all the pages then perhaps your library will have a copy.

I note that part of your question wording is the same that appears in
the Merriam-Webster's Encyclopedia of World Religions by
Merriam-Webster.  This appears to be good source and summary of the
current position.
http://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN0877790442&id=ZP_f9icf2roC&pg=PA475&lpg=PA475&dq=%22Huang+Ti+%22&sig=t-vfL8O4nAwiV4I2yZit_ry80Gc

Does this help you enough for an answer? Or do you require additional
help / sources?

answerfinder-ga

Pinyin  Huangdi (Chinese: ?Yellow Emperor?),  in full  (Wade-Giles)
Shen Yen Huang-ti,   third of ancient China's mythological emperors, a
culture hero and patron saint of Taoism.

Huang-ti is reputed to have been born about 2704 BC and to have begun
his rule as emperor in 2697. His legendary reign is credited with the
introduction of wooden houses, carts, boats, the bow and arrow, and
writing. Huang-ti himself is credited with defeating ?barbarians? in a
great battle somewhere in what is now Shansi?the victory winning him
the leadership of tribes throughout the Huang Ho (Yellow River) plain.
Some traditions also credit him with the introduction of governmental
institutions and the use of coined money. Huang-ti's wife was reputed
to have discovered sericulture (silk production) and to have taught
women how to breed silkworms and weave fabrics of silk.

Huang-ti is held up in some ancient sources as a paragon of wisdom
whose reign was a golden age. He is said to have dreamed of an ideal
kingdom whose tranquil inhabitants lived in harmonious accord with the
natural law and possessed virtues remarkably like those espoused by
early Taoism. On waking from his dream, Huang-ti sought to inculcate
these virtues in his own kingdom, to ensure order and prosperity among
the inhabitants. Upon his death he was said to have become an
immortal.