Library

[Wang's (Dalun) Xinfa for Smallpox and Measles] Two volumes, extant.
[Qin's (Changmai) Zhezhong on Smallpox and Measles] Two volumes, extant.
[Yin's (Zhongchun) Xinfa on Measles] One volume, extant.

The Gazetteer of Xiushui County records: Yin Zhongchun, courtesy name Fangshu, self-styled Donggaozi. He was proficient in Qihuang (the Yellow Emperor and Shennong, representing traditional Chinese medicine), lived in seclusion, and engaged in teaching. His thatched hut with reed walls could not shelter him from wind and rain. He was aloof and incompatible with the world, associating only with scholars such as Gao Songsheng, Yao Shishun, Wang Shumin, and the monk Zhi Xian in Heshang. They would bring wine to inquire about novel matters and compose poetry by dividing rhyme schemes under a carved candle. His authored works include *Yicang Mulü* (Catalogue of Medical Treasures) and *Qilaotang Ji* (Collected Works of Qilao Hall).

[Li's (Zhongzi) Dianke on Smallpox] Not seen.

Note: [Zhu's (Xun) Kejian on Smallpox] Two volumes, extant.

Zhu Fengtai wrote in the preface: Treating human diseases is most difficult with infants. Among infant diseases, none is more perilous than smallpox. In my youth, I suffered from smallpox and nearly fell victim to medical error. As I grew up and heard my parents recount the incident, I would feel startled and fearful, worrying for all infants. Thus, I paid close attention to this condition. Whenever I encountered good prescriptions, I collected them without exception. Suddenly, I obtained a secret transmission in two volumes, as precious as an arch-bi (a legendary jade) or a light-shining pearl. I searched, discussed, and organized it, exhausting a year's effort, before having it printed. A guest asked: Why is the book named "Kejian" (Key)? I replied: Kejian means key. A door cannot be opened without a key; this book regarding smallpox is like a key to a door. The guest said: Your words allow infants to avoid the hands of quacks. Who can surpass your merit? I replied: If doctors obtain this book and study it diligently, they can protect infants from harm. This is the doctor's merit, concerning the lives of infants. What does it have to do with me personally? It is like the peace of the world, clear seas and rivers, akin to a person whose Yuan Qi (Original Qi) is tranquil and harmonious, with limbs flowing smoothly. This belongs to the Son of Heaven's statecraft. How dare those who govern the nation claim the credit alone? Zhu Fengtai, father of Shenren, inscribed casually at Tuisi Hall in Jingjiang.

Note: Chiba Yūkō of Tongxi stated: This book was compiled by Zhu Xun of Wanling, presenting family secrets and important discussions from ancients. The original compilation had no title. Zhu Fengtai of Jingjiang edited and published it, naming it *Kejian on Smallpox*. Chapters such as "Treatment According to Stages," "Golden Mirror Ode," "Restraint Ode," and "Compass Guide Ode," covering six sections from initial heat to scab falling and residual toxins, along with ten treatises on transforming deficiency into excess and treating weakness, are all found in *Jingjin Lu*. The measles chapter is generally found in *Baochi Quanshu*. Other occasional ancient theories, such as six treatises from fever to residual toxins, and formulas like *Mantianqiu*, *Jiuku Dan*, *Rejianchou*, *Qianlima*, *Saichunlei*, and *Yiwanchun*, are all found in *Dantai Yu'an*. Research shows *Dantai Yu'an* was authored by Sun Wenyin during the Chongzhen reign. Although the chronological order between this book and *Dantai Yu'an* is unknown, according to Zhu Xun's statements, the theory of Wu Dongyuan (styled Guinong, teacher Chunyi) cited in this book is also recorded in *Yu'an*, though the source is not noted. This book contains phrases like "My Father said," which appear in *Yu'an* but without the specific phrase. In summary, this book's arguments often contain insights not previously expressed by ancient sages, clearly distinguished and detailed. Since the Song and Yuan dynasties, dozens of smallpox books have been written, none exceeding this one. Could it be plagiarized old theories passed off as original? Thus, it is concluded that this book was authored by Zhu Xun. However, the original text contained many errors because Zhu Fengtai printed it from a draft manuscript without collation.

[Wang's (Jichang) Mijue on Smallpox] Not seen.

The Gazetteer of Wuyuan County records: Wang Jichang, courtesy name Boqi, from Daban. His ancestors were mostly in medicine. Wang began to strive in learning and writing, but failed the imperial examinations. He then devoted himself to medicine, hanging his gourd at Mount Huangshan and Baiyue. He mastered the theories of Yin-Yang and Si Tian (Six Qi ruling the year), regulated the generation and restriction of the Five Elements, rejected bizarre and domineering methods, and saved countless people, earning the title "National Master." He had special transmissions for treating smallpox. He often told others: There are no fatal cases in smallpox treatment; failures are the doctor's fault. His work *Mijue on Smallpox* was circulated. He was humble, generous, helped others in emergencies without showing pride, and suffered from a skin disease called "Nongfeng."

[Li's (Yan...) Quanshu on Smallpox and Measles] Not seen.

Note: The above is mentioned in the tomb inscription of Scholar Li Ta of Boshuting Pavilion.

[Cai's (Jizhou) Baosi Lingying Xianshu on Smallpox and Measles] Two volumes, extant.

Autobiographical Preface: The terms "medicine" and "pharmacy" have ancient roots in the *Jinkui*, *Yuban*, dialogues of Qibo and Huangdi, *Lingshu*, *Nanjing*, and pulse manuals. How detailed and correct they are! Upon careful reflection, pediatrics, specifically smallpox and measles, is called "Pediatrics." Infants cannot speak of cold or heat, nor distinguish sweet or bitter. Facing heaven and earth, they suddenly undergo the transformation of childhood, a critical moment of life and death, leaving parents helpless. Calling a doctor might result in random talk: "Tonify if needed, purge if needed." Following orders blindly, one does not know that between tonification and purging, life hangs by a thread. Masters and disciples are confused, ignorant of medical principles, failing to align with the Dao. Only those with the courage to walk on white blades, the integrity to refuse titles and wealth, and the virtue of the Golden Mean can practice medicine. Its usage differs from other specialties. Knowing only that Ginseng tonifies, using it too early closes toxins inside, causing evil and righteous Qi to clash, killing instantly. Knowing only that Croton seed and Rhubarb purge, using them when Yuan Qi is weak and fragile causes further destruction, leading to death. I am neither skilled in tonifying nor purging. I adhere to the principle of centrality and justice to inform the world. I believe no one will doubt this. Since the Gengxu year, I entered office through purchase, facing frequent family disasters and adversity, delaying my education at the Tiger Gate Academy. I longed to pass the exams at the Golden Gate. Given three days of leisure in this floating life, I wrote tens of thousands of words of dust-like text, leaving it to others' discretion. My ancestor, Kai, styled Zishi, went to Haikang in the 2nd year of Jiading as a relative of the Empress. My seventh-generation ancestor, Daotai, was recommended as "Worthy, Upright, Honest, and Square" in the 2nd year of Zhishun. My fifth-generation ancestor, Wei, styled Yongyan, served as Magistrate of Yuqian. Ancestor Wu served at Wan'an Bridge. My cousin, Shi Yi, styled Xuangu, plotted to capture Xu Hai and drove away Wang Wufeng and Mao Haifeng. My nephew, Wenlong, at eighteen, used a three-edged sword to repel Hu Ping, charging and plowing the siege, forgetting food for three days and nights, eager for success, dying in battle. My father, Shan, styled Tongchuan, and mother, Lady Li, could serve the spirits. At five years old, my father ordered the establishment of a charity estate field record. Organizing clan lands amounted to only eighty thousand. I intended to appeal to the Thunder God for justice to recover property and warn neighbors against bullying. Over the years, honored ministers commanded me to write books. Suddenly, this idea arose. I carefully compiled *Xianshu on Smallpox and Measles* in two volumes, completing one set, ready for four directions, to benefit the future. Mencius said: "He who knows destiny does not stand under a precipitous wall." This carving hopes people seek profit and avoid harm. Thinking my literary talent is inferior to Ban Ma, and my ability inferior to Han Fu and Fan Zhongyan, I dare ask for prefaces and postscripts to burden the minds of famous scholars. Within two to three years, I will complete commentaries on classics, internal and external medicine, Shanghan, and *Jingjin Lu*, to repay the hearts of Heaven, Earth, and Parents. Whether entering mountains, boating on lakes, observing bamboo and pines, planting flowers, or watering gardens, I will awaken with awe, laugh fully, and not know what I say. Ji Yuzi Cai Jizhou from Yongdong.

[Anonymous Mi Yao on Smallpox and Measles] One volume, extant.

Preface by Chen Chuyu: Books on smallpox prescriptions, transmitted from ancient to modern times, number over a hundred families. Finding one that is precise and effective is hard. My late father served in Qianzhou, where he met Xiao Zi from Taihe, becoming close friends. This gentleman had long been famous nationwide for treating smallpox. Knowing that Guang Junzi was interested in this field, he gave me a manuscript of smallpox cases compiled by his teacher during his leisure. My father greatly admired it. Since then, whenever encountering such cases, using it yielded miraculous results. However, lacking printing, few people saw it. When transferred to Yiyang as a judicial officer, he planned to print it there, but soon retired due to illness. A year later, he passed away. This book was nearly lost. After the Jiazi examination, I was destitute and idle. Checking a leftover chest, I luckily found the pages intact. Pained by my father's deep attachment, I could not bear to let it scatter. I gathered the remaining parts after insect damage, corrected errors, retitled it *Mi Yao on Smallpox and Measles*, and gave it to printers to spread its transmission and fulfill my father's will. Thus, I narrate this upon completion. Early Autumn of Yimao Year, Tianqi, Chen Chuyu of Nanhai respectfully recorded.

[Wu's (Guohan) Huicui Jianheng Ji on Smallpox and Measles for Infant Protection] Two volumes, extant.

Preface: My life has been full of hardships, especially regarding offspring. After more than ten pregnancies, I only got three sons and one daughter. Others died of convulsions, but those dying of smallpox were the cruelest. Out of extreme anger, I thought: Ancient miscellaneous diseases all have treatments. Does smallpox lack true transmission? I sought various schools, cross-referenced and verified. The origins and goals became clear. Dangerous, difficult, and fatal cases seemed observable and teachable, truly serving as a guide for saving lives. However, students often memorize existing books, reciting and thinking for years until familiar. Yet when prescribing, they reverse the order, misuse warm/cool properties, and misjudge deficiency/excess, leading to the blame of quack doctors killing patients. The effect of reading is like catching wind. Why? Is it the book's fault? Mainly because redundant content was not cut, and questionable content was not simplified. I suffered greatly from this. Thus, I presented my views, widely collected statements from masters, removed redundancy, and compiled a collection. Detailed discussions, though not exhaustive, cover the main ideas. Accurate prescriptions, though not complete, ensure correct administration. Though listing one may miss ten thousand, it is inevitable. But the items listed are concise and clear, simple and comprehensive, convenient for observation and selection. Knowing my limited knowledge will be laughed at by experts, yet being stubborn, I consider it a gain from a thousand deliberations, perhaps serving as a bridge for learners. Thus, I record my humble thoughts.

[Jiang's (Xuqi) Jing on Smallpox] (Or *Daquan on Smallpox and Measles*) Three volumes, extant.

[Anonymous Zhizhi Fang on Smallpox and Measles] One volume, extant.

*Xinshu on Smallpox and Measles* One volume, extant.

[Cheng's (Jiaxiang) Family Transmission Jingyan Collection on Measles, Chickenpox, and Smallpox] Five volumes, extant.

Brief Autobiographical Preface: My late father, styled Xinyu and also Qibin, studied Confucianism in his youth, failed, and then practiced medicine. My grandfather, Donggu Gong, said: Alas, why must learning be solely Confucian? If it benefits the world, is it not Confucian conduct? He showed my father secrets taught by various masters. My father studied and pondered day and night, feeling enlightened and gaining something. Every application worked instantly. Later, he visited famous doctors nationwide, such as Fang Longshan, Fang Sitang, He Xiaochong, Yao Shaoqiong, Wang Lufeng, Huang Wanshan, and Xia Shaojiang, discussing extensively, reading widely, and refining his knowledge. My father was diligent in writing, recording a prescription and case for each treatment. Some insights came from books, some from his mind revealing book deficiencies, some from friends, some from himself supplementing friends' lacks. All were listed in bamboo slips. I was devoted to Confucianism in my youth, regretting my father's unrecorded achievements. So I abandoned Confucianism for medicine. My father then passed down secret instructions. I devoted myself to medicine, studying with him while alive to understand disease processes, and relying on his subtle treatments after his death. Treatments were effective as drumsticks hitting targets. I believed Mencius's words: Shooting far requires strength; hitting the target requires skill. However, keeping secrets is like having none. For the sake of saving the world, isn't it wrong? Saving one area is small virtue; saving the world is great virtue. Saving one time is limited merit; saving generations is infinite merit. Without printing, how can this be achieved? So I revealed all secrets, recording everything studied and clinically verified, publishing it publicly. Let everyone open the scroll and see it clearly as sun and stars. Even treating dangerous cases according to prescriptions avoids confusion. Saving millions through one person—is this not benevolence giving words? May my father's and my intent to save people and benefit things be expressed.

[Lv's (Xiance) Youyou Xinshu on Smallpox and Measles for Infants] Seventeen volumes, extant.

Autobiographical Preface: From my youth, I engaged in civil service exams, unaware of medicine. Recently, my father suffered from foot disease, bedridden for years. I accompanied doctors daily, studying Qihuang texts, thus entering medicine. Previously, a book on regulating menstruation was published for those without heirs. It was concise and effective, echoing like a valley. Regarding infants, since the Yellow Emperor's time, no writings existed. Doctors considered "mute diseases" hardest. Indeed, miscellaneous diseases are hard, but smallpox is harder. Smallpox outcomes depend on fourteen days. From fever to scabbing, minor changes daily, major changes every three days. Life and death hang on breath, situations urgent. Parents see their children suddenly placed in fire and water, panicked, trusting quacks, causing chaos and death. Fearful! I gathered several smallpox books, researched for over ten years, and compiled this. Roughly, it follows symptoms and prescriptions, day-by-day sequence, clear logic. Discussions use common language, not seeking depth. Prescriptions follow ancients, daring not to innovate. Fearing readers might not understand, I placed drug properties and processing first, so one volume clarifies everything, allowing self-treatment without asking doctors. Especially detailed on distinguishing form, color, movement, temperature, and deficiency/excess. Generally focusing on ascending and detoxifying. In warming and tonifying, ascending and resolving must be included. After ascending and resolving, warming and tonifying are urgent. Key efforts lie at the crossroads. My children, encountering epidemic smallpox/measles, treated according to symptoms, escaped disaster. I rejoiced: I can care for my young. Yet I regretted not helping others. Relatives urged wide dissemination. I declined due to printing difficulties. Brothers Baozhi and Xizhi generously assisted. Opening my chest, I gave it to printers: Feed the hungry, clothe the cold, rest the weary. Infants cannot speak; if crying with smallpox or suffering measles, who treats them? This book serves as a raft. Perhaps caring for my young extends to others' young. Hence named *Youyou Xinshu*. Late Summer, 8th Year of Chongzhen, Lv Xiance Kuangshi of Guyuan inscribed at Jingdu Studio.

[Wu's (Yuanming) Qieyao on Smallpox] One volume, extant.

Autobiographical Preface: My father, Daochuan Gong, mastered Qihuang. Prescriptions for men, women, and children were always effective. I was busy with noise, unable to study. At twenty, my mother fell seriously ill. I anxiously served medicine. Mother told my father: "Our orphan son studies Confucianism; better he also studies medicine to broaden his learning." Father eagerly taught me orally and manually. I sought broadly, explored pulses and origins, gaining clarity. Smallpox required particular diligence. Yet I didn't grasp the essentials. Winter of Dinghai, Wanli era, smallpox epidemics swept the village. Father treated 20-30 people daily, taking me along, saying: "Smallpox books are many, but lack essentials. Adaptability is infinite. Essentials lie in accurate diagnosis, visible only by personal observation." Smallpox divides into Smooth, Adverse, and Dangerous types. Half smooth, half dangerous, 20-30% adverse. Many smooth cases become dangerous/adverse due to error. Based on symptoms, analyze exterior/interior, deficiency/excess, yearly Qi, locations, shape, color, and adjust warm/cool/hot/cold. Treatment is like a boatman steering;乱推 (pushing randomly) causes capsizing. Like a baker steaming dough: if fired too early before rising, bread burns; if fired too late after rising, bread collapses. Timing is crucial. Days 1-5: Disperse and detoxify with cool herbs. Days 6+: Support pulp formation with warm/tonic herbs. Essentials lie in switching between cool and warm without delay. Good indeed! Misjudging smooth cases causes little harm; misjudging dangerous cases leads to endless variations and no rescue. Be cautious! Hence named *Qieyao on Smallpox*. My father learned from Ding family of Yanhu, passed to me, I added verified observations, compiled this, dared not keep secret, printed for correction by experts. Early Winter, Dingchou Year, Chongzhen, Wu Yuanming Chengfu, Acting Director of Guanglu Temple, Gushi, wrote.

[Fei's (Qitai) Jiupian Suoyan] Ten volumes, extant.

Autobiographical Preface: I once thought Dao has no name or image, void and silent, non-action, responsive and miraculous, infinite, inconceivable. Not just Dao, but medicine: upper relates to Luck (Yunqi), lower concerns... and entrusts life. Though a minor art, can it not be agile? Smallpox has constants and variables, auspicious and ominous, life/death limited by dates. Lack of insight leads to loss of flexibility. Survivable smallpox becomes fatal. Can one rely on rigid texts? Discussing smallpox from eruption to scabbing relies on Qi to transform toxins and complete the process. Thus, earlier stages focus on supporting Yuan (Original Qi), treating toxins lightly, fearing collapse. This is the normal way. But knowing smallpox involves fierce toxins, like a burning house. Not only transformation fails, but Qi becomes toxic gas, Blood becomes toxic blood. Viewing change as constant reverses the order, hastening death. Times change, smallpox varies. Examining current failures: those failing from deficiency are like fading flowers; those from toxins are like autumn leaves. Distinguishing deficiency and toxin is tricky, mostly similar appearances. Not resolved by prejudice or cleverness. Deeply investigating four major mechanisms allows seeing that smallpox differs from past, and deaths resemble toxin cases. If all smallpox died from deficiency, robust bodies wouldn't enter underworld records. Yet some die before pulp formation—why? Weak bodies don't survive. Some need no help to pulp—why? Balancing toxin pressing on deficiency, how can one ignore toxin due to deficiency? Where toxin lies, life hangs in moments. No time to discuss infancy vs. early marriage or post-illness. Grasping urgency wins; calming killing toxin shows great wisdom. My clinical experiences are hard to record fully, but trust is not false. Essence lies in participating in toxin analysis. As recorded, various bad forms/colors, rampant symptoms, disturbed spirit differ greatly from Qi deficiency. More different from entrenched internal toxins. Symptoms seeming deficient hide prairie-fire flames; symptoms seeming cold are more unpredictable than violent outbreaks. Often co-existing. Colors uniquely differ. Co-existing colors...