This paper presents our parasitological studies on the ancient corpse of Western Han Dynasty unearthed from tomb No. 168 on Phoenix Hill in Jiangling county, Hubei province. It was found that eggs of four species of parasites in it, belong to Schistosoma japonicum, Clonorchis sinensis, Taeniarhynchus saginatus (or Taenia solium), and Trichuris trichiura respectively. This shows that early in 167 B.C. there was prevalence of four kinds of the above-mentioned parasitoses in Jiangling county area. The ancient corpse is recognized as the earliest case of these four parasitic diseases ever reported in the world’s medical literature.
In this paper such questions as the circumstance of Old Yunmong Lake (earlier name) or Jianghan lakes group (recent name), its formation and constitution, and the natural material conditions for prevalence of parasitoses are discussed in detail. Other social and productive factors predisposing to parasitic infections, such as the life style, farm and sideline productive activities of ancient people are also dealt with. Moreover, the special significance of eggshells of parasites in preservation is considered as well.