Library

[M Xu Yongxuan's *Xiu Zhen Xiao Er Fang*] Ten volumes. Extant.
Preface by the author states: There is nothing more difficult than medicine, and within medicine, there is nothing more difficult than pediatrics. Why? Because pediatric conditions can only be diagnosed through careful inference and speculation. The ancients compared it to dew on grass blades or bubbles on water (ephemeral and elusive). Unless one has clear insight into medical principles, how can one cure it? Ancient and modern formularies are numerous, yet they often address one aspect while neglecting another, making them insufficient for comprehensive reference. Taking advantage of my leisure time, I privately collected various pediatric formularies from different schools and compiled them into a single work, divided into ten volumes. It begins with pulse diagnosis formulas, followed by formula discussions and acupuncture diagrams, titled *Xiu Zhen Xiao Er Fang* (Pocket-Sized Pediatric Formulary). It contains seventy-two categories and a total of six hundred and twenty-four prescriptions, designed for convenient carrying and consultation. I dare not seek fame in the world with this; rather, I hope that my descendants who pursue the profession of medicine will have something to follow and remember. Alas! Future generations should treasure this book and preserve it without loss. I write these words as a record.

Preface by Pan Qi states: The book *Xiu Zhen Xiao Er Fang* begins with diagrams of palm lines and pulses, followed by diagrams of complexion and physical appearance, then diagrams of the Mingmen (Gate of Life) location. Subsequently, it covers conditions from birth to smallpox/variolae, including vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, infantile malnutrition (Jing and Gan), wind-cold epilepsy, malaria, and dysentery, all recorded in order. It concludes with acupuncture diagrams. The entire work comprises seventy-two categories and six hundred and twenty-four prescriptions. Each category either uses mnemonic verses for judgment or detailed discussions, with effective empirical prescriptions appended below. Regarding pediatric syndromes, the principles of Yin and Yang, reversal and順顺 (normalcy), are explained clearly; the transmission and tonification/reduction methods are organized systematically. In a single glance, one can grasp its essence. If one treats according to the book, it is like Cook Ding carving an ox, following the natural crevices and slicing effortlessly. This is truly an excellent formulary for saving young children. However, this book did not exist in the world until the Yongle era, when Xu Yongxuan of Sanqu began compiling it. Xu Yongxuan came from a family of hereditary physicians, studied Confucian classics from a young age, and devoted himself to medical studies, achieving mastery in his later years. He often lamented that existing pediatric texts were vast but contradictory, lacking a clear focus. Thus, he investigated their origins, incorporated his own insights, wrote discussions, selected good prescriptions, and compiled this volume to keep for reference, thereby perfecting his skills and passing them to posterity. During the Tianshun era, Qiu Gong, then a censor in the Ministry of Justice and later Governor-General of Shu, encountered Xu Yongxuan’s grandson (name missing) in Beijing when his young child fell ill. He invited him to treat the patient. Observing his examination of color and pulse, listening to sounds, and prescribing medication, which differed greatly from ordinary practitioners, and noting the rapid efficacy, Qiu Gong asked repeatedly about the reason. Moved by the grandson’s sincerity, he showed him this book, which was hand-copied by Xu Yongxuan, with tiny characters filling a palm-sized space and dense ink. After reading it, Qiu Gong found the diagrams detailed, the discussions precise, and the prescriptions concise, realizing it was indeed a rare book. He obtained it with courtesy, applied the prescriptions, and found them effective and miraculous. It was evident that this book could save young lives. Now, in the spring of Gengxu year of the Hongzhi era, after his duties in Shu, Qiu Gong entrusted the book to Xing Gong, the Provincial Administration Commissioner of Wen’an, to print and circulate it, asking me to write the preface. I believe Xu Yongxuan exhausted his mind and spirit to create this book, intending to preserve it to perfect his profession and pass it to his descendants, so that infants in every county and commandery, and future generations, might benefit from his grace and survive. His medical skill was exquisite, and his intention benevolent. It is a pity it was not widely disseminated. If governors like Qiu Gong and Xing Gong print and spread it, the reach of the book becomes the reach of his benevolence. Will not the world and future generations benefit from his grace? Is his benevolence limited to just one county or future generations?

*Synopsis of the Complete Library of the Four Treasuries* states: *Xiu Zhen Xiao Er Fang*, ten volumes, written by Xu Yongxuan of the Ming Dynasty. Xu was from Quzhou; the *Yiwen Zhi Draft* lists him as from Huizhou, likely due to similar character shapes causing an error. The book starts with pulse diagnosis, followed by formula discussions and acupuncture diagrams, totaling seventy-two categories and 624 prescriptions. The collection is quite comprehensive, but the discussions largely repeat old texts without significant innovation. The book was composed during the mid-Yongle period and reprinted in the 11th year of Jiajing by Qian Hong, Governor-General of Jiangxi. It is based on the theories of Qian Yi from the Song Dynasty.

[Zhuang Yingqi's *Bu Yao Xiu Zhen Xiao Er Fang*] Ten volumes. Extant.

[Ge Zhe's *Bao Ying Ji*] Four volumes. Not seen.

Preface by Zheng Wenkang states: *Bao Ying Ji* was compiled by Ge Zhe (courtesy name Mingzhong) of Kunshan. The Ge family practiced medicine for generations, reading all Confucian and medical texts, and studying all internal and external specialties. He believed that for infant diseases, where language is unclear and pulse patterns are undetermined, sudden illnesses leave one at a loss, relying solely on voice and complexion. The words of Qian Yi (Zhangyang) from Wenyang and Wang Tan from Handong are unquestionable. However, Chen Wenzhong’s preference for hot over cold and tonification over purging has been criticized by Zhu Danxi. Zhang Zhongjing’s methods for treating cold damage are universally accepted. Therefore, he collected effective prescriptions from various schools, categorized them with discussions, and listed accompanying herbs. The remedies are mild, excluding reckless ones. The compiled work was presented to Emperor Xuanzong, who personally reviewed it, granted a banquet and rewards. Mingzhong kept a copy at home and requested a preface. Alas! Medicine is a benevolent art; among all arts, none is more benevolent than medicine. Parents do everything for their children; if illness strikes and they have no one to turn to, they entrust it to doctors. Without good prescriptions and medicines, how can doctors accept this trust? A skilled practitioner turns danger to safety and death to life; an unskilled one brings unspeakable disasters, potentially ending family lines and ancestral sacrifices, let alone safe childbirth. This is why Mingzhong compiled *Bao Ying Ji*. Mingzhong was learned and skilled in pulse diagnosis, persistent, and currently serves as Di Gong Zuo Lang and Deputy Physician at the Chu王府 (Prince of Chu’s Residence). (From *Pingqiao Gao*)

Also, *Brief Epitaph for the Joint Tomb of Retired Deputy Physician Ge Mingzhong and his Wife Cai*: Our Kunshan has many hereditary medical families, such as Zhou, Xu, Dong, Shen, and Zheng, all renowned for skill in past dynasties. Recently, only the Ge family has gained prominence and official positions through medicine. The Ge family lineage reached Jifu, who expanded the family business, surpassing others. Jifu had a son, Shucheng, who married Zhang and had Nong (Mingzhong). Mingzhong served successively at Jing, Liang, and Chu residences, adhering to constancy and the Dao, rarely failing. Officials from the Chief Clerk downwards respected him and marveled at his skills. While in the Imperial Medical Academy, he submitted several volumes of *Bao Ying Formula Discussions*. At Jing Residence, he received imperial edicts praising his diligence and caution, promoting him to Xiuzhi Zuo Lang. His wife, Cai, named Jing, was the daughter of Sizhai from the same county. Mingzhong died on April 21, Tianshun Year 5, aged 73; Cai died on the 7th day of the 12th lunar month, living slightly longer. (From *Pingqiao Gao*)

[Kou Ping's *Quan You Xin Jian*] Sixteen volumes (*Yi Cang Mu Lu* lists four volumes). Extant.
Preface by the author states: Ancient sages tasted hundreds of herbs and wrote the *Suwen* (Basic Questions), initiating medicine to eliminate disease and bring people to longevity. Successive physicians continued this tradition, establishing theories and prescriptions, expanding functions, generally aiming to save lives. Medicine was divided into thirteen departments to ensure specialization and focus, yielding perfect results. Pediatrics is one such department. Yet, pediatrics is called difficult. Why? Newborns have weak constitutions, incomplete spirit and qi, cannot speak, lack dietary discipline, and are unaware of temperature regulation, making pulse-taking and questioning difficult. Specialists must understand the pivot of life and nature, the attachment of Ying and Wei, and the connection of meridians. By observing facial colors corresponding to the five zang organs, one probes the root of disease. Using the warm/cool properties of herbs, one determines the urgency of attack or tonification. Ancient prescriptions vary in efficacy because cosmic qi changes across eras, just as seasons differ within a year. Not knowing the current “season,” using ancient prescriptions today requires compilation. I gathered these into a book, listing disease observation methods first, followed by treatment prescriptions, titled *Quan You Xin Jian* (Complete Mirror for Infant Care). It is printed and distributed to clarify vision and open the mind, easy to understand, spreading widely. My intention is broad and good, written here to encourage medical study.

[Qian Dayong's *Huo You Quan Shu*] Listed as eight volumes in *Guo Shi Jing Ji Zhi*. Extant.
Preface by Wu Zhiyin states: Diseases vary in severity and are not interchangeable. The most difficult to treat are pediatric cases. Children have incomplete constitution and cannot speak; medications often harm them. Thus, Han dynasty had Shangyu Chen’s department, Song dynasty had Xin’an Qian’s department, and Yuan dynasty had Hengyang Zeng Shirong’s department. Though many books exist, specialized ones are few, and users rarely see results. Recently, Qian Dayong, a late scholar, traveled Jiangsu and Zhejiang, met famous scholars at the Imperial Medical Academy, studied under elderly Confucian masters, collected verified miraculous prescriptions for children, and compiled them into *Huo You Quan Shu* (Complete Book for Reviving the Young), requesting my preface. I find Dayong’s new book distinct from others, showing miraculous effects upon trial. However, the text is mixed and disordered. I selected over 300 highly effective prescriptions, organized them by category, added verses and discussions, and arranged details afterwards, making it easy for practitioners to consult. Outlining the general principles reveals specifics: which prescription for which disease. Errors are corrected, false transmissions removed, redundancies deleted, omissions filled. It is neither sparse nor brief, but orderly. Future students may emulate it; prescribers may verify with it. One need not worry about ineffective drugs or uncured diseases. Dayong does not collect prescriptions for fame or use them for profit. Trained in orthodox medicine, he possesses benevolence and dedication to saving children. Having accumulated prescriptions for years, he now publishes them without seeking reward, trusting that Heaven will bless him. What need is there for mere words? This is the preface.

[Xue Kai's *Bao Ying Cuo Yao*] Listed as twenty volumes in *Ming Zhi*. Extant.
Preface by Xue Ji states: *Bao Ying Ti Yao* (Summary of Infant Protection) was compiled by my ancestor. I have attached cases I have treated and verified. Shen Gong of Shishan, Grand Secretary, praised it for benefiting the people and ordered its printing. Alas! My ancestor’s intention is preserved. When my ancestor wrote this, he was diligent, teaching me: “In pediatrics, Jiegu Lao Ren is the most proficient; Chen Wenzhong and Qian Zhongyang are the two great masters. Chen never exclusively used hot agents, yet later followers of Chen erred; Qian never exclusively used cool agents, yet later followers of Qian erred. Thus, mutual criticism has burdened both masters. But were their methods intentionally flawed?” He also said, ‘Children have no tonification method’ is a vulgar error. Neither Qian nor Chen held this view. Yet many kill using this theory; beware!” He further stated, “Adults and children differ in dosage formulation. Adults have larger guts, requiring ample doses; children have smaller guts, requiring modest doses. This is the rule. Also, children vary in size; infants in swaddling clothes require different doses than those with hanging hair; those with hanging hair differ from older boys. The spleen and stomach cannot bear excessive force, causing injury; thus, practitioners must be cautious.” “When using attacking/purging agents, one must examine the truth, not mistaking deficiency for excess. Stop when the disease is addressed, then regulate slowly. The illness will heal. Continuing causes injury from overdose, endangering the child. Practitioners must be cautious.” He also said, “Mother and child are one unit. Especially for nursing infants relying entirely on breast milk, the connection is swift. Thus, if the mother is sick, the child is sick; if the mother is well, the child is well. Therefore, when diagnosing pediatric illness, one must examine the mother. Treating the mother cures the child. First, drug flavors brew in breast milk and enter the infant’s belly; second, once the mother is cured, the infant drinks good milk. Both paths lead to recovery. This is an excellent method for treating infants. If the mother is healthy but the child is sick, and the child suffers taking medicine, the mother should take it instead. The drug transmits via milk, with equal efficacy to direct administration. I have tested this frequently; it is not empty talk.” He also said, “Adults and children appear different, but treatment is the same. Why? The principle of Five Elements generation and restriction is identical. Treating disease without basing it on Five Elements is blind, deaf, and confused. This is what I fear and avoid. Moreover, the infant protection formulas I collected are mostly applicable to adult internal medicine; it depends on the knowledgeable practitioner to use them well.” He also said, “Collected formulas are often old, intended for completeness, not implying they can be used blindly. Old formulas were made for specific patients of their time and may not fit current conditions. Do not use them hastily; deliberate carefully.” Alas! My ancestor’s profound teachings were detailed and sincere. How could I forget? Profound words and essential theories are the compass for pediatrics. Practitioners must know them. Reading *Bao Ying* without understanding these theories is like turning a door without the hinge or lifting a coat without the collar. How can this be acceptable? Thus, I respectfully record my ancestor’s words at the beginning. My ancestor, named Kai, courtesy name Liangwu, was a Confucian scholar and local student, recruited for medical expertise. In the Hongzhi era, he served as a physician in the Imperial Medical Academy, posthumously honored as Academy Director. He authored many works; this is just one. His biography is detailed in scholars’ writings, family records, and epitaphs, so I omit them. Jiajing 34th year, Yimao, September 1st. Xue Ji, Retired Academy Director of the Imperial Medical Academy, respectfully writes.

*Synopsis of the Complete Library of the Four Treasuries* states: *Bao Ying Ti Yao*, eight volumes, written by Xue Kai of the Ming Dynasty. Kai, courtesy name Liangwu, was from Hao County, serving as a physician in the Imperial Medical Academy during the Hongzhi era. This compilation is detailed regarding pediatric syndromes and treatments. He argued that for nursing infants with illness, the mother must be treated first: “If the mother is sick, the child is sick; if the mother is well, the child is well.” He noted that since infants struggle with medication, having the mother take it allows drug transmission via milk, yielding quick results. These were novel insights. His son, Xue Ji, Academy Director, appended his verified cases to each category, indented. Later, *Xue Shi Yi An* (Medical Cases of the Xue Family) included this book. Lin Maoju, Prefect of Suzhou, requested Xue Ji to condense the work in his preface, suggesting Xue Kai only drafted it and Xue Ji edited it. This version, printed in Jiajing Bingchen year, is a standalone edition prior to inclusion in *Yi An*.

Note: [Wang Lun’s *Jie Zhai Xiao Er Yi Shu*] Not seen. Listed in *Zhejiang Tong Zhi* citing Huang’s bibliography.

[Liu Xi’s *Huo You Bian Lan*] Two volumes. Extant.
Preface by the author states: The ancients said a good doctor treats disease before it arises, just as a good minister prevents chaos. Preventing minor issues avoids major disasters; strengthening the root prevents illness. Those who care for infants must understand this. Ancients valued prenatal education and postnatal care, preventing illness before it occurred, resulting in robust children free from premature death. Modern caregivers neglect prenatal education, exposing fetuses to pathogens, and spoil infants, causing harm. Accumulated minor ailments go unnoticed until severe. If treated by wise physicians, crisis can be averted; if by ignorant quacks who chase profit with reckless prescriptions, disaster ensues. This stems from parental negligence. As a hereditary pediatrician from Xin’an, I have treated seasonal epidemics with some success. However, remote areas lack access. The ancients said, “Giving prescriptions is better than giving medicine,” as prescriptions have wider reach. I believe teaching prevention is better than treating existing disease. Ancient texts like *Yan Shan Sheng Weng Huo You Kou Yi*, *Quan You Xin Jian*, and works by Qian and Chen are extensive but overwhelming. My family’s secret methods are oral traditions, unknown to the public. Thus, I selected essential points from various books and family teachings, compiling thirty-plus items on prenatal care and nurturing, and over a hundred items on disease origins and emergency prescriptions, titled *Huo You Bian Lan* (Convenient View for Reviving the Young). The first part explains fetal preservation and daily care to prevent spoiling; the second part explores disease roots and includes emergency prescriptions to guide treatment and avoid medical errors. Cases of constitutional weakness leading to early death are recorded to manage expectations. Alas! Pediatrics is traditionally difficult, with profound theories and variations beyond one book’s scope. However, general principles are covered here. I publish this to help远近 (near and far) understand care and treatment, avoiding confusion. Adaptation to circumstances and flexibility are matters of divine skill, beyond my humble prediction. Zhengde 5th year, Gengwu, Spring, late month. Liu Xi of Xin’an writes.

[Peng Yongguang’s *Yuan You Xin Fa*] Listed as three volumes in *Guo Shi Jing Ji Zhi*. Extant.

[Anonymous *Bao Ying De Xiao Fang*] Not seen.

[*You You Quan Shu*] Not seen.
Note: Listed in *Gu Jin Yi Tong*.

[Lu Bosi’s *Ying Tong Bai Wen*] Listed as ten volumes in *Guo Shi Jing Ji Zhi*. Extant.

[Siman Chen’s (Anonymous) *Xiao Er An Mo Jing*] Not seen.
Note: Listed in *Zhen Jiu Da Cheng*.

[Xue Ji’s *Guo Qin Xin Lu*] One volume. Extant.
Preface by the author states: Pediatric medicine is called the “mute department” because infants cannot describe their illness, and even if they can, they lack self-care knowledge. It is indeed difficult. Practitioners must observe pulse and color, treat mother and child together, and adjust for size and deficiency/excess to avoid errors. Pitying this, I extracted the most essential points, discussing several theories and prescriptions, forming a small booklet. Historian Shi of He Xi printed it as *Guo Qin Xin Lu*. It is not meant to be comprehensive but simple and readable for beginners and rural people.