Korean J Med Hist.  2024 Dec;33(3):599-640. 10.13081/kjmh.2024.33.599.

Analysis of the Career Trajectories of Students from the Jeonui-gam in the Late Nineteenth Century : Focusing on the Individuals in Jeonhamsaengdoan and Byeolcheonpalsean

• SHIN E
• WOO H

• KMID: 2564418
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.13081/kjmh.2024.33.599

Abstract

This study analyzes the career trajectories of students from Jeonuigam in the late nineteenth centry Joseon dynasty, shedding light on its educational functions by focusing on individuals listed in the Jeonhamsaengdoan and Byeoncheonpalsean. The primary subject of this research, the Jeonhamsaengdoan, is a valuable resource for understanding the career paths of Jeonuigam students, containing enrollment information for 384 individuals. The Byeolcheonpalsean, introduced for the first time in this paper, provides information about an alternative method of enrollment known as ‘Byeolcheon’ for students entering Jeonuigam. The analysis of these individuals’ career paths reveals that many Jeonuigam students had overlapping enrollments in other technical institutions, such as Saekwon and Gwangsangam. This suggests that medical education was not limited to specific disciplines but was part of a broader educational framework. Moreover, the Seogyeong system allowed younger siblings to enroll alongside older ones, while the Byeolcheon system, which facilitated recommendations from other institutions, provided educational opportunities for families. These findings highlight the diverse methods in which medical and vocational education were conducted in the late nineteenth century Joseon dynasty. Approximately 66 percent of Jeonuigam students became medical officials, while others pursued careers in fields such as interpreting and various government roles, contributing to society in multiple ways. This study demonstrates that Jeonuigam was not solely focused on training medical personnel but was intricately linked to broader vocational education systems. Consequently, this study contributes to a historical understanding of medical education in the late Joseon period. Future studies should explore comparisons with Hyeminseo and Naeuiwon, changes in the social status of the middle class, and Jeonuigam’s role during the transition to modern medical systems.

Keyword

Joseon Dynasty; history of medicine; Jeonham Saengdo An; medical examination; Jeonui-gam; Hyeminseo; Middle class of the Joseon Dynasty; 조선시대; 기술직중인; 의학사; 전함생도안; 별천팔세안; 의과; 전의감; 혜민서; 의원; 의학; 전의감생도