Library

The *Three Physicians' Medical Cases* has been kept in a book chest for many years. After the completion of the collation and printing of *Yi Xiao Mi Chuan* (Secrets of Medical Efficacy), like-minded friends, regarding these two books as precious treasures akin to the swords found at Fengcheng and Yanjin, urged that they be combined and printed together. Consequently, I undertook further supplementation and revision, instructing my disciple Ling Youxin and my nephew Wu You to proofread and correct the texts, in response to their request. The following precepts are briefly listed below.

Medical cases and medical books appear similar but are fundamentally different. Books demonstrate rules and standards to readers; therefore, they should be categorized by subject matter so that beginners have a fixed guideline. Cases, however, involve applying formulas based on specific symptoms, demonstrating the flexible application of a single formula without rigid adherence to ancient methods, thereby supplementing the limitations of books. Since cases lack a fixed format, there is no need for strict categorization; thus, I selected and recorded them as I went. Moreover, since cases often present complex and mixed clinical presentations, it is inherently difficult to analyze them with meticulous detail.

Ye Tianshi's case records are widely circulated among the public, yet most preserved ones are outpatient consultations. Having collected materials for over twenty years, I gathered no fewer than eight hundred to nine hundred cases. The versions by Mao and Qiu from Xihu were compiled and preserved by their disciples from home visits. The discussions in these cases are profound, and their formulation principles are precise, making them particularly enlightening for future generations; hence, I adopted more of these than other versions.

Regarding Xue Bing's cases, besides the copy preserved by the Zhu family in our county, scattered copies are rare, much like the elusive Lanting Preface from Dingwu. Only Mr. Lianxi, a fellow townsman, possessed a handwritten copy containing forty percent more content than the Zhu version, which I promptly registered and noted. However, I regret that the number of prescriptions preserved is small. If any gentleman sharing this interest possesses another copy, I hope he will mail it to me for supplementary printing to facilitate its wider dissemination, which would be greatly appreciated.

Miao Wei's cases were hand-recorded by my principal teacher, Mr. Zhang Youqiao. Miao specialized in regulation and tonification, skillfully utilizing "sentient substances of different categories" (animal-derived medicinal materials) to treat consumptive diseases and miscellaneous disorders. His approach was logical and comprehensive, truly filling gaps left by earlier physicians. Therefore, these have been compiled and published together.

The cases recorded in this book represent only a fragment of the three physicians' works. Yet, glimpses of their miraculous healing skills are evident. It is hoped that readers may extend these insights through analogy and deduction, providing perhaps a minor contribution to the art of medicine.

Subsequent publications planned include five volumes: *Ren Shen Shuo Gai* (General Description of the Human Body) dictated by the Westerner Matteo Ricci, *Yan Yi* (Remarks on Medicine) by Pei Yizhong of Yanguan, *Wen Yi Xin Bian* (New Compilation on Plague Diseases) by Lu Qiushan of Pinghu, along with my own works *Yu Bing Man Lu* (Casual Records of Speaking Ice) and *Yu Li Zhi Fei* (Knowing Errors Through Experience). These manuscripts have been compiled and will be issued subsequently.

Recorded on the 15th day of the 8th month in the Xinmao year of the Daoguang reign [1831], by Wu Jinshou, courtesy name Ziyin, of Lizé.