本文是对这个课题的一种批判性的综述。它具有三个主要部分：（Ⅰ）化学理论包括亚里士多德的四元说和阿拉伯金丹家的金属之汞硫说，（Ⅱ）化学工艺包括《坤舆格致》的选择和制强水法的记载，（Ⅲ）西药包括金鶏纳和鼻冲水。它采用了某些新资料，有的是最近发现的，有的是以前未曾被人察觉到的。在各部分的历史估价方面它表达了自己的看法。 This article is a critical overview of the subject. It has three main components: (i) chemical theory including the Aristotelian quaternary and the mercury-sulfur metal of the Arab Kindan home, (ii) chemical processes including the choice and refinement of " Water law records, (III) Western medicine, including gold 鶏 satisfied and nasal flushing. It uses some new information, some recently discovered, and some that have not been perceived before. It expresses its own views on the historical valuation of each part.