Library

[Wang's (Honghan) *Essentials of Pediatrics*] Not seen.
Note: The above appears in the *Wu County Gazetteer*.

[Cheng's (Yunpeng) *Raft for Nurturing Children*] Twelve volumes, extant.
Preface by the author states: In my youth, I studied for the imperial examinations and did not understand the principles of the *Ling Shu* and *Su Wen* of the *Huangdi Neijing*. When my late mother died of malaria and my wife died of postpartum hemorrhage, and among our three sons and two daughters, some died of convulsions and others of smallpox, I began to doubt the so-called doctors of the world. I then examined all books in my family collection from the time of the Yellow Emperor onwards, totaling over 1,790 volumes. I read by day and pondered by night; upon gaining insight, I would weep bitterly, beating my chest and striking my head until I could not stop. It seems that my late mother's malaria was a precursor to the *Bengzheng* (Leukorrhagia/Hemorrhagic syndrome), characterized by alternating chills and fever; treatment should have nourished Kidney Water. My wife's bleeding resulted from retrograde menstruation, where blood followed Fire upward; treatment should have guided it downward according to its trend. However, the physicians treated my mother with Qingpi (Cortex Aurantii) and Caoguo (Fructus Tsaoko), and my wife with Sanqi (Radix Notoginseng) and Xueyutao (Sanguis Spinae Cervi), severely damaging True Yuan (True Qi) and suppressing Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi), leading to dryness of Water and coagulation of Blood, which became incurable. How sorrowful! My children were constitutionally deficient from birth. When they developed smallpox during the severe winter, those who understood the times should have regulated Qi and assisted Blood to prevent stagnation, making recovery easy. Yet, the physicians daily administered Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum), Fen (Talcum), Xijiao (Cornu Rhinocerotis), Lingyangjiao (Cornu Saigae Tataricae), Fuling (Poria), Huanglian (Rhizoma Coptidis), Zhizi (Fructus Gardeniae), and Huangbai (Cortex Phellodendri), freezing the vital energy with cold properties, ultimately resulting in death. My second son contracted cold and suffered vomiting and diarrhea; the physician administered Baolong Wan (Dragon-Embracing Pill) and dispersing agents, causing the Wind Gates (pores) to open wide, leading to head shaking and fixed gaze. Subsequent administration of Niuhuang (Calculus Bovis) and Zixue Dan (Purple Snow Pill) caused his death. Did they not know that Zang-Fu Qi fluctuates, easily becoming Deficient or Excess? Such cases require warming the Middle and tonifying Spleen. In the Bingzi year, I resided in Guangling, where Cheng Sheng from Jizha hired me to discuss ancient and modern medical texts. I authored seven works. Cheng generously wished to publish the pediatric work first and asked my teacher. The teacher said, "Modern medicine consists either of quacks or charlatans. Quacks are narrow-minded, adhering rigidly to one master's theory without flexibility; charlatans engage in subjective speculation, failing to perceive subtleties. Alas, contemporary physicians should reflect upon themselves. What more can I say? Reluctantly, I will briefly outline the purport of these seven books. First, *Ling Su Wei Yan*: The *Su Wen* lists five Zang and six Fu organs, but the world only recognizes six Fu organs, possessing Bao Luo (Pericardium) without San Jiao (Triple Burner), or San Jiao without Bao Luo. 'Stomach is the gate of Kidney' was erroneously written as 'Kidney is the gate of Stomach'; this single character error inverted Yin and Yang, affecting digestion. Discussions on 'Zhen Ren' (True Person) and 'Sheng Ren' (Sage) are certainly not to be conflated by Confucian scholars; all are clarified. Second, *Mai Fu*: Wang Shuhe's text is confused and unreliable. Li Shicai, based on the *Su Wen*, conducted detailed research, listing twenty-eight characters to inspect deep and catch floating pulses, yet junior students struggle to investigate. The theories of Initial Qi and Secondary Qi do not align with the Annual Luck (Yun); thus, corrections were made. Third, *Shanghan Dawen*: Zhang Zhongjing's methods are profound and obscure, often ignored, leading to confusion in clinical practice. Therefore, I answered questions from scholars to provide simple explanations for easier understanding. Fourth, *Yiguan Biecai*: Zhao's compilation of Li Dongyuan and Xue Ji's essentials is accurate but imprecise in citation and overly dogmatic. Lazy practitioners use it as a secret manual to discard other schools, causing great harm. I removed superfluous words and added miscellaneous case discussions from various schools, significantly improving the content. Fifth, *Yiren Zhuan*: From Xuanyuan and Qibo downwards, there has been no lack of practitioners. I compiled their biographies to highlight their merits and expose errors, guiding learners and benefiting the people. Sixth, *Ciyou Fa*: Qian Yi and Chen Zhongduo had different approaches. The world widely circulates the "Golden Mirror" (*Xiao'er Yao Zheng Zhi Jue*), asserting that infants possess pure Yang and cannot tolerate warming tonification. While theoretically sound, rigid adherence kills famous principles. Even porters and cooks claim medical knowledge, boasting of secret transmissions, while reading is deemed unnecessary. Alas, how can ignorant infants endure this? Seventh, *Zhongsi Xuanji*: Although heaven and earth are extremely cold, life persists. If Yuan Jing (Primordial Essence) is not stored, one indulges in alchemical elixirs, or becomes blocked by sorrow, or indulges in rich food, or exhausts oneself through toil; this is self-abandonment. Heaven has no heart. There are also absurd claims about menstrual cycles and using reed pipes to predict fertility, chasing shadows and winds, inviting ridicule like the Ru'ao clan. These are the categories of the seven books. Cheng wished to prioritize *Ciyou Fa* out of pity for crying infants. How could I bear to narrate this? My mother, wife, sons, and daughters resent me in the underworld. I failed to learn earlier, bearing infinite grief. Yet, I am fortunate to have learned within twenty years, pleasing my father and raising my children safely. I hope to apply this after twenty years so that children worldwide do not die prematurely at the hands of quacks. Written on the eve of Flower Festival in Jiashen year by Xiangmeng Shusheng.

[Ye's (Qizhen) *Baoyizi Pediatric Guidelines Manuscript*] Five volumes, not seen.

[Chen's (Fuzheng) *Complete Collection for Infants*] Six volumes, extant.
Introduction states: Since the secrets of the Three Treatises were revealed and sages arose, *Bencao* and *Neijing* have shone like stars and suns. Sages inherit the Way of Heaven to establish norms, achieving position and nurturing functions. Considering the metabolism of Yin and Yang in the universe and the shift of Yunqi (Luck), there are no fixed rules for timing. The victory and revenge of the Six Evils cause disasters; can the common people avoid premature death? This led to Qibo's ten-generation transmission and Emperor Qi's nine-chapter inquiries, giving rise to medical studies. As recorded, the Yellow Emperor said to Qibo, "Great is the Way of the Sage! Only you can comprehend the great transformation of heaven and earth. Please store it in the Chamber of Spiritual Orchids; do not show it unless fasting." Even such a sage as Xuanyuan revered medicine so highly, viewing all beings as one body, wishing to bring benevolence and longevity to generations. Following the *Su Wen*, figures like Yi Yin (*Tangye*), Huangfu Mi (*Jia Yi Jing*), Qin Yueren (*Nan Jing*), Zhang Zhongjing (*Jingui Yaolue*), Wang Shuhe (*Maijing*), and Tao Hongjing (*Zhoubi Houfang*) inherited the *Ling* and *Su* but also innovated. Since then, medical literature declined. Although authors appeared continuously, finding unbiased works was rare. Only in the late Ming did Li Shizhen, Zhang Jingyue, and Yu Jiayan emerge, clarifying *Jingui* and *Neijing*, clearing weeds to return to purity, contributing greatly to medicine. Though Ming dynasty natives, their works flourished in early Kangxi reign due to the Emperor's virtue and the compilation of *Yizong Jinjian*, ensuring public health. Thus, the emergence of wise rulers and ministers to nurture the people was not accidental. However, pediatrics remains regrettable. Although Yu Jiayan started the discussion, it remained incomplete. Every time I read texts on Convulsions (Jingfeng), I sigh and weep. I was constitutionally weak and sickly since childhood, studying pulse and complexion. Later, I met an immortal master who taught me Golden Cauldron fire techniques and mysteries of life and nature. I traveled widely, treating everyone from nobles to beggars. The number of cures is beyond description. However, rumors about Convulsions spread everywhere, uncorrected, causing innocent infants to suffer. Now, I revise these theories, adding my insights. Covering fetal origin, moxibustion, measles, smallpox, burns, and sores, I compiled six volumes, totaling 100,000 words. Titled *Youyou Jicheng*, it follows classic principles without bias, aiming for reason and safety, not to criticize predecessors but to adapt to current times. May it help preserve infants. I present this humble work to experts, hoping to emulate the ancient sages' benevolence. Written in the first month of Gengwu year (Qianlong 15) by Feixia Shi Chen Fuzheng at Zhongxing Cottage in Yangzhou.

Examples state: Pediatric books are numerous. Rumors of Convulsions are full of errors. Yu Jiayan, Chen Yuangong, and Cheng Fengchu identified "Spasm" (Jing) but failed to explain its causes and treatments adequately. I now thoroughly expose it, categorizing spasms from Cold Damage, miscellaneous diseases, and collapse into three types: Mis-spasm, Similar-spasm, and Non-spasm. Clear classification ensures correct treatment. Zhou Xuzhong said opening these gates saves many lives. First, pediatric theories relying on "Yang Excess, Yin Deficiency" are erroneous, harming generations by encouraging cold-natured drugs that damage Spleen and Stomach. Ancient infants were robust; modern ones are frail. Ancient formulas often clash with modern conditions, necessitating revision adapted to the times. Second, smallpox books by Feng, Chen, Nie, and Wan vary in quality. Wan's is clear and urgent, but original plates were lost in late Ming; the Kangxi reprint is riddled with errors and missing proofs. I revised and incorporated them to complete the work. Third, fire therapy is crucial for pediatrics but previous methods violated the principle of "not locking the door while chasing thieves," causing harm. I now illustrate and sing songs on divine fire transmission for rapid rescue.

[Shen's (Jin'ao) *Pediatric Riddles Explained*] Six volumes, extant.