[The serious plague in Kaifeng in the third year of Chunhua of the Northern Song dynasty and the government's response].

In the May of the third year of Chunhua (992) of the Northern Song dynasty, because of a long persistent drought and scorching hot day, the plague occurred and prevailed in Kaifeng, the capital of Northern Song, with a massive death toll, drawing much attention from the government. The cause of plague was related to high temperature, summer-heat warmth in TCM. In response to this, the government issued three imperial edicts: firstly, promulgating the formularies; secondly, sending some doctors to cure patient, as well as giving money and medicines. At the same time, the Imperial Medical Academy to preside over treatment and assigned an inner eunuch to be responsible for intendance; the third was sending the emissary to clear up the prison. This policies of the third year of Chunhua brought important effects to the system of prevention and rescue of epidemic disease in Song dynasty, exerting significant influences on the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases in the Song dynasty.