Library

Section. It forms the power of its medicine, and so on. This is then a clear proof that ancient surgeons (Yangyi, physicians specializing in surgical diseases) employed both attacking and tonifying methods simultaneously. Later surgeons relied solely on formulas for attacking toxins, treating the exterior but not the interior, treating the branch but not the root. Therefore, their errors were frequent. De's book in this regard strives to examine the cause of the disease and measures the strength or weakness of Yin and Yang to apply treatment. Thus, among surgical texts, it is the best edition. The book contains not a single word mentioning Li Gao. Li Gao himself did not focus on surgery throughout his life. The original text was appended to the end of Dongyuan's Ten Books, likely because block-printed miscellanies combined them to reach the number of ten books. The included works by Zhu Zhenheng are also considered spurious additions. Sun Yikui cited this in *Chishui Xuanzhu* (Mysterious Pearl of Chishui), actually calling it *Dongyuan Waike Jingyi* (Essence of Surgery by Dongyuan). This lack of verification is extreme.
[Slip Shou's Hemorrhoids Chapter] Lost
Note: The above appears in Zhu You's biography of Ying Ningsheng.

[Anonymous Immortal Transmitted Surgical Secret Formulas] (Catalogue of Medical Treasures, compiled by Zhao Yizhen) *Guoshi Jingjizhi* (Records of the National History Bibliography), Vol. 11. Not seen.
[Yang Qingsou's Collected Verified Surgical Formulas] *Guoshi Jingjizhi*, Vol. 1. Extant.
Preface by Zhao Yizhen: One volume of *Collected Verified Surgical Formulas* was compiled and narrated by Yang Qingsou of Hechuan, who passed it to Wu Ningji. Ningji's son, Youben, passed it to Mr. Li Shanguan of Xiping, who then passed it to me. Its formulas are concise; I regret they were not printed, so I preserve it alone. Recently, traveling to the blessed land of Jinjing, passing through Yudou, my disciple Xiao Tianni from Fenggang, originally from a prominent family in Xichang, had studied the Dao at Ziyang Temple since childhood. Twenty years ago, he accompanied me on travels. He could summon wind and rain and relieve droughts and floods. This was due to his profound Daoist affinity and his earnest and respectful practice. His junior brother, Liu Zhirou, suffered from boils and carbuncles all over his body for several years in Shunchuan. Decoctions of荆 (Jing, likely referring to herbs like Artemisia or similar local remedies) and other anti-toxic drugs like Sang (Mulberry) were ineffective. I therefore taught him surgical formulas, using Fanhun Tang (Resurrection Soul Decoction). Before finishing the dosage, he was cured. Tianni happily donated his own funds to carve the woodblocks and distribute it widely. Such is his intention to benefit others. Thus, it is fitting that rain responds to prayers. However, I have an old friend who once suffered from Guzhuifeng (Drum-beating Wind, a type of wind-pathogen disease characterized by alternating chills and fever). He had alternating chills and fever for months, confined to bed. Various medicines failed to cure him. Finally, a physician diagnosed him, saying, "Although it has become a stubborn disease, there is a pathogenic factor in the Shaoyang Meridian (Lesser Yang Channel) that has not resolved. If you had taken Wuji San (Five Accumulations Powder), it would have been a mistake." Inquiry confirmed this. I therefore administered Xiaochaihu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction). After several doses, the chills and fever disappeared immediately. Then, using Benliao Zhuifeng Wan (Original Material Wind-Expelling Pills) and other medicines, I regulated his wind syndrome, and he was completely cured. For miscellaneous diseases, there are specific formulas; for Shanghan (Cold Damage), there are specific methods. Mastering both is what makes a good physician. If one specializes only in broad internal medicine or surgery, fearing error without knowing it, how can one achieve perfection? Although this surgical text's argumentation and prescription-making reach the pinnacle of theoretical reasoning and stands out among other formulas, those with flexible minds must exercise extra caution when applying them clinically. On the first day of the ninth month in the Wuwu year of Hongwu, Zhao Yizhen, Yuanzi of Junyi, wrote the preface.
[Surgical General Discussion] *Guoshi Jingjizhi*, Vol. 1. Not seen.
[Anonymous Secretly Transmitted Surgical Formulas], Vol. 1. Extant.
[Guo Wencai's Heart Essentials of Sores Department], Vol. 2. Not seen.
Liu Chun said: In my early years, residing in Huainan, at the study hall of Chen Fuchu's close friend's home, I obtained Guo Wencai's *Heart Essentials of Sores Department*, Vol. 2, a family tradition from Dongyuan. I traveled extensively, selecting and using it according to the methods, often achieving miraculous effects. (*Yuji Wei Yi*)
[Wang Quan's Dahe Surgery], Vol. 2. Extant.
Preface by Wang Shihuai: During the Yongle era, Wang Quan of Dahe received secret transmission from an extraordinary person, mastering surgical formulas. He secretly transmitted them to his descendants for six generations. The efficacy was greatly manifested, and everyone knew of Dahe Surgery. Yet the book remained increasingly secret and untransmitted. When Governor Shanquan Ji inspected Fujian, he occasionally produced a copy. I obtained it and read it. The discussions were mostly plain and unadorned, often deliberately obscure and repetitive, mixed with vulgar language. Was this intentional to obscure the meaning and keep the transmission secret? However, the lord once suffered from a shoulder carbuncle, called Madao (Horse Knife, a type of scrofula or abscess). Treatment was ineffective. After a long time, he obtained a miraculous formula and was cured immediately. Years later, he saw this book, and the previously mentioned miraculous formula was contained therein. I privately believe that those who dispel illness and nurture the form certainly possess many techniques. The key lies in protecting the Primordial Qi (Yuanqi) and preventing damage. This is the main point. *Dahe Surgery* contains thirty-six diagrams, mostly depicting dangerous, evil, critical, and strange diseases. Even mediocre physicians would be terrified and shocked. They often administer harsh, fierce, and toxic agents to attack internally urgently, seeking rapid effects within days. Thus, for simple arm ulcers or elbow tinea, failure to save the patient is due to damaging the Primordial Qi. This book, however, includes various formulas that mostly focus on dispersing stagnation and guiding digestion, reaching the branches while protecting the root. This is why it is valuable. Alas! In coastal and border regions, military reports were once frequent, truly worthy of fear. But elimination depends on skill and technique. One must be careful not to exhaust the people's strength. This is likely also a discussion on Primordial Qi. Those who are loyal, worry about the world, and truly plan for the state will surely find value in *Dahe*. The book was originally a manuscript. Commissioner Huang Dun Tun saw it and said it should be widely disseminated. We jointly requested the governor to print it.
[Tao Hua's Miraculously Effective Secret Formula for Carbuncles and Ulcers] *Guoshi Jingjizhi*, Vol. 1. Extant.
[Shi Duan Guan] *Yicang Mulu*, Vol. 1. Not seen.
[Zhou Wencai's Collected Verified Surgical Formulas], Vol. 2. Extant.
Self-preface: Medicine is one, yet there is a distinction between internal and external departments. This is because human diseases have internal and external aspects. Since the departments are divided into internal and external, ancient specialists each had their own medical books to transmit to future generations. However, those specializing in internal medicine today refine their internal knowledge but may neglect the department of sores. Those specializing in external medicine refine their external knowledge but may be unfamiliar with pulse diagnosis and internal formulas. Both cannot avoid bias. Only the benevolent, whose heart of loving others is deep, long-lasting, and meticulous, will desire to master both before stopping. In the Bingchen year of Hongzhi, His Highness the Prince did not consider me ignorant and ordered me to carefully select verified formulas from all major internal medicine books, categorize them, and discuss them below, naming it *Selected Essentials of Medical Formulas*, totaling ten volumes for submission. The department of sores was also one volume. This spring, His Imperial Mind again considered that the collection of selected essentials was sufficient for treating internal diseases. However, in daily life, no one does not eat or drink, nor does one not experience joy or anger. Irregular diet and inconsistent emotions inevitably damage Ying and Wei (Nutritive and Defensive Qi), causing sores and toxins to arise. Their types are numerous. How can one volume of sores suffice to treat them all? Therefore, I ordered me to re-collect surgical formula discussions, striving for careful comparison and precise selection, investigating the source of the disease and detailing the use of medicines, to match with *Selected Essentials*, lest there be any neglect. I thereby deeply understand Your Highness's great heart of benevolence extending to others, which is indeed deep, long-lasting, and meticulous. As for me, a commoner, my learning is insufficient to clarify principles, and my medicine is insufficient to gain fame in the world. I am ordinary, superficial, focusing on one aspect while neglecting another. How can I meet Your Highness's expectations? Nevertheless, I dare not disobey the Imperial decree, and my dullness must be utilized. Thus, forgetting my ignorance, I collected surgical books from ancient famous physicians, carefully matched medicines with symptoms, and applied clever treatments according to the illness. Based on the regulations of *Selected Essentials*, I compiled two volumes, naming it *Collected Verified Surgical Formulas*, to present to Your Imperial View. Whether a disease is cured or not, whether a physician is good or bad, depends on whether the formula is effective. My collection, although presumptuously named "Verified," is merely a limited view, forced to respond to the decree. As for careful comparison, precise selection, investigating sources, and detailing uses, how dare I claim such? On an auspicious day in the ninth month of the Wuwu year of Hongzhi, Vice Physician Zhou Wencai bowed and respectfully wrote the preface.
Preface by the Prince of Xing: In the Bingchen year of Hongzhi, I ordered Physician Zhou Wencai to select verified and essential formulas from major internal medicine books, creating ten volumes named *Selected Essentials of Medical Formulas*. The surgical formulas were briefly omitted and not yet complete. By this spring, I again ordered the same official to collect miraculously effective formulas from surgical books, compiling two volumes for submission. I reviewed it and found its examinations and discussions precise and detailed, and its symptom management accurate. It sufficiently stabilizes the key points of surgery and enlightens the ignorance of medicine. Therefore, I had it carved and widely disseminated, allowing people under heaven, those suffering from external diseases and practicing external departments, to use this book for treatment. Although unable to continue the divine and wondrous skills of the ancients, for the severely disabled, deaf, blind, and lame, recovery to wholeness might be possible. The merit of generating life is thus extensive.
[Xu Zhaozhen's Collected Verified Surgery] Not seen.
Note: The above appears in the preface to Wu Xiu's *Yijing* (Medical Mirror).
[Han's Discourse and Treatment Formulas for Chancre] Vol. 1. Not seen.
Han said: Recently, mold chancre (syphilis) was also cured using Xiatain Gao (Cloud Sky Ointment) added to Fangfeng Tongsheng San (Siler and Gardenia Powder). I separately wrote one volume of *Discourse and Treatment Formulas for Chancre* and one sheet of *Dianhu Jianyi Fang* (Simple Formulas from Dian Pot), which were circulated far and wide. Users always achieved efficacy. (*Yitong*)
[Xue Ji's Surgical Mental Methods] *Guoshi Jingjizhi*, Vol. 7. Extant.
[Surgical Experienced Formulas] *Guoshi Jingjizhi*, Vol. 1. Extant.
[Mechanism Essentials of Leprosy and Ulcers] *Guoshi Jingjizhi*, Vol. 3. Extant.
[Surgical Unfolding], Vol. 8. Extant.
[Surgical Pivot Essentials], Vol. 4. Extant.
[Wang Ji's Principles of Surgery] *Mingshi* (History of Ming), Vol. 8. Extant.
Self-preface: Surgery is named so because carbuncles, ulcers, and sores are all visible externally. However, surgery must be based on the internal. Knowing the internal to seek the external is like seeing it in the palm of one's hand. The Classics say: "Changes from rich food and fine grains can produce large ding (carbuncles)." This arises because richness and fineness accumulate toxins internally. It also says: "When Ying Qi does not follow its course and reverses in the muscle tissue, carbuncles and swellings arise." Thus, carbuncles and swellings arise from Ying Qi reversing within the muscle tissue. What exists internally then manifests externally. Treating the exterior while neglecting the interior is called "not measuring the root but equalizing the branch." This will surely lead to harming others. If one does not know oneself, and others are harmed by oneself, others will not realize it either. Alas! Even if one does not know, Heaven must know. Even if others do not realize, Spirits must recognize it. In the future, receiving heavenly blame openly and spiritual condemnation secretly, whether upon oneself or one's descendants, is inevitable. I feared this, hence compiling this book, named *Principles of Surgery*. The discussions of the ancients within contain nothing but principle. If learners imitate these principles and expand upon them, seeking the unwritten subtle meanings of the ancients, perhaps they will not harm themselves on a small scale or others on a large scale, and it may benefit the future. Having completed the compilation, I again obtained Mr. Xinpu Xue's *Mental Methods and Unfolding* to read. Observing his discussions on treatment, they were also all based on principle. I secretly rejoiced that they coincided with mine. Thus, I further adopted his theories and incorporated them, hoping to form a complete book, so that learners would have no regrets. This is the preface. On the Winter Solstice day of the eleventh month in the Xinmao winter of Jiajing, Wang Ji from Qimen recorded.
Summary of the *Siku Quanshu* (Complete Library of Four Treasuries): *Principles of Surgery*, seven volumes, with one volume of attached formulas, written by Wang Ji of the Ming Dynasty. This book was completed in the Xinmao year of Jiajing. It is divided into 147 categories, plus 7 supplementary categories, totaling 154 sections. Attached is one volume of formulas, totaling 156 prescriptions. There is a self-preface beforehand. The term "Li Li" (Principles and Examples) means that the discussions of the ancients regarding treatment are all based on principle, intending for learners to imitate the examples and expand upon them. The main idea focuses on regulating Primordial Qi, solidifying the foundation first, and not lightly using cold, cooling, purgative, or draining agents. It is further divided into three examples: abandoning the pulse to follow the symptoms, abandoning the symptoms to follow the pulse, and when treatment fails, seeking the cause elsewhere. The application of methods is flexible and different from rigid discussions. Only the language is clumsy and obscure, making it unclear at first glance, which is its shortcoming. However, for books on medical arts, one cannot demand literary excellence. It suffices to preserve it without comment. The book frequently cites *Waike Jingyao* (Essentials of Surgery) and the theories of Zhu Zhenheng. It also states that after compiling, it obtained Mr. Xinpu Xue's *Mental Methods and Unfolding*, adopting his theories and incorporating them. Examining "Xinpu" as the courtesy name of Xue Ji, whose father, Kai, served as a Grand Physician during the Hongzhi era, places him in the Hongzhi-Zhengde period. In the chapter on cane-stroke sores, it records the treatment of censors beaten by imperial cane during the reign of Emperor Wuzong. Thus, Ji was active in the Zhengde era and gained fame as a physician early on. The two were contemporaries, yet humble and willing to learn from goodness as described. Their balanced arguments were indeed justified.
[Liu Lun's Universal Salvation Surgical Experienced Complete Formulas], Vol. 1. Extant.
Preface by Fei: I have discussed that when national governance fails, one must urgently reflect and correct; when barbarians disturb China, one must urgently repel and defend. The medical arts of internal and external departments are the same. Imperial Physician Liu Zongxu has already compiled the Complete Formulas for Internal Medicine, detailed and essential. Surgery is equally relevant. The severe cases concern life and death; the mild cases concern regret and safety/danger. Xue Lizhai, Judge of the Nanjing Imperial Hospital, compiled catalogues of ancient formulas, including Lu Xuan Gong's *Collected Good Formulas*, Li Dongyuan's *Ten Books*, *Zhengzhuan of Medicine*, *Jiushi Liangfang* (Good Formulas for Saving the World), and *Wanshi Jiaochao* (Family Excerpts of the Wan Family).
Here, taking maritime alchemical formulas as the main basis, I collected from previous books everything related to surgery, accumulating enough to fill boxes. Over more than a year, I categorized them into chapters. Physicians will not miss diagnoses, diagnoses will not miss symptoms, and symptoms will not miss formulas, making subtle and doubtful matters clear. One case: illness caused by frustration and anger in adverse circumstances, or toxicity nourished by desires in favorable circumstances. One case: heat and cold stagnating internally, or wind and dew invading externally. One case: differences between the old and young, or varying constitutions by region. One case: differences in strength and weakness, or causes of labor and rest. Diagramming the images, showing upright, side, and supine positions, women's cases, children's cases, and madness cases, listed clearly with items, investigating every detail and revealing every hidden aspect. It is as if Qin Yue Ren and Lu Bian could see diseases through a wall. With this collection, it is truly the needle and砭 (stone needle) for patients, and the standard for the medical forest. The merit of blessing the people is indeed profound. Thus, one knows that healing people and governing the state share the same principle but differ in affairs. A nation produces generals and ministers, such as Pei and Guo, who manage both internal and external affairs, entrusting them with the responsibility of generating life. Then the golden jar remains secure, and external insults vanish at their萌芽 (sprout). Now (text missing below)
[Wang Boxue's Discourse on Hemorrhoids and Fistula] *Guoshi Jingjizhi*, Vol. 1. Not seen.
[Yang Dechun's Profound Theory of Sores Department] *Guoshi Jingjizhi*, Vol. 3. Not seen.
[Bai Shiwei's Midstream Pot] (One title in *Sheshantang Mulu* is *Carbuncle and Ulcer Summary*) Not seen.
Preface by Xu Zhongxing: Previously, when I was in Wuchang, I personally observed Inspector Mao developing a back carbuncle in his prime. Due to the Ze Palace examination, he did not treat it early, leading to prolonged palpitations. Bai Shiwei, Doctor of Taoyuan, was a scholar-official family from Shu. Three generations suffered from carbuncles, obtaining forbidden formulas to recover. The saying goes, "If a physician does not inherit three generations, efficacy is not achieved." Does this refer to this? The lands of Qian and Chu are naturally low and damp, often causing carbuncles. Governor Zheng of Guiyang developed a neck carbuncle critically. Summoning the doctor for treatment, efficacy was immediate. Among students and commoners, hundreds were saved. Grand Censor Ruan, serving in Chu for ten days, developed a shoulder carbuncle. Vice Censor Feng urgently sent the doctor. Just as he departed, the inquiry arrived. Feng was distressed, so he used the formula to spread it within the jurisdiction, hoping it would travel without legs to the four corners, treating remote poor people as well. What people fear are diseases; what doctors fear is the scarcity of methods. If sages could foresee the subtle, enabling good physicians to act early, what ailment would not cease? The Doctor rose from among scholars through precision and breadth. Princes and high officials all lowered themselves to respect him. Once passing through Wuling Guest Province, we talked for ten days. From military strategy and astronomy to divination and reversal calculations, nothing was missed. He was especially profound in the indications of nurturing life. He said, "Yi (Change) circulates continuously; Xun (Trust/Confucianism?) repeats. Thus Qi does not stagnate, and carbuncles naturally do not arise." Is this not what Cang and Bian referred to as "treating before illness arises, calling it Sage"? The Doctor comes close to this. My late father, Old Man Donggao, liked medical arts, rushing to help those in danger more than his own private interests. If my father were alive, distributing heroes would not lag behind. Thus, placing it in *Midstream Pot*, indicating urgency, and tearfully handing it to the woodcarvers, to fulfill his last wishes. (*Tianmu Xiansheng Ji*)
[Selected Essentials of Confucian Physicians] *Yicang Mulu*, Vol. 1. Not seen.
[Gong Tingxian's Restoring Vision Eye Formula and Surgical Miraculously Effective Complete Formulas], Vol. 6. Not seen.
[Xu Sun's Sores Department Formula Discussions], Vol. 1. Not seen.
Note: The above appears in the *Zhutang Mulu* (Bamboo Hall Catalogue).
[Shen Gongchen's Opening Mystery of Surgery], Vol. 12. Extant.
Postscript by Shen Wuchang: My elder brother Douyuan presented a compilation named *Opening Mystery of Surgery*. I, your humble younger brother, completed my studies on this compilation. There are over 120 discussions, over 230 categories of toxin manifestations, and over 1,000 formulas, divided into twelve volumes and combined into one compilation. I did not wish to hide the needle in my sleeve. I will soon have it carved by the printer to make it public for thousands of years. This aims to bring generations into the realm of longevity. His hidden virtue and kindness allow learners to use it as a dawn guide. How deep and sincere is his benevolent heart! It is not just about valuing techniques and medicines.
[Wang Kentang's Standard Scale for Surgeons], Vol. 6. Extant.
Self-preface: The *Rites of Zhou*, under the Minister of State, has physicians for illnesses and surgeons. The division between internal and external has existed for a long time. There were eight mid-level physicians for illnesses and eight lower-level physicians for surgeons. Valuing internal and devaluing external has been the case since ancient times. However, there is none who can treat the external without mastering the internal. What the physician for illnesses cannot save, one can still return whole to the parents' body. But surgeons are different. Until bones rot, muscles ulcerate, and organs are exposed, only then does it end. Thus, among diseases affecting humans, sores are the most tragic, yet the world despises them. Why? Among modern surgeons, those who understand meridians, are familiar with formulas and medicines, do not crave profit, and only aim to save lives, are one in a thousand. Their being despised is indeed appropriate. But do they not also despise their own lives? I studied the arts of Qi and Huang since childhood. In my twenties, I treated my younger sister's breast abscess and Old Man Yu's osteomyelitis, raising white bone to flesh. I never had a teacher, thinking surgery was easy. I wanted to find intelligent and ambitious people to instruct me to become a surgeon, but there were none. Thus, I collected formula discussions from famous physicians of past dynasties, integrated them with my unique insights, and created this compilation. It is incomparable to specialized books in the world that draw human figures, list formulas and medicines, and boast of secret transmissions. If one熟 (studies) and plays with it, understanding it spiritually and illuminating it, one can gain fame in the world. After returning to my hometown due to convenient recovery, I normally received salary support. Accepting it made me uneasy; refusing it made me stand out. Thus, I gave it to the printers. It was completed after the deadline. Thus, books on differential diagnosis and medication for various departments were roughly prepared. Who allowed me to steal salary in court and yet leisurely compile and publish it in the world? Is this not the gift of the Holy Sovereign? On the Double Seventh Festival, with light rain bringing coolness, in the year Wushen, the 36th year of Wanli, Wang Kentang of Jintan, under the She Lan Studio, wrote.
[Anonymous Gathering Essentials of Surgeons] *Yicang Mulu*, Vol. 2. Not seen.
[Surgical Excerpts] *Yicang Mulu*, Volume missing. Not seen.
[Surgical Formula Discussions] *Yicang Mulu*, Volume missing. Not seen.
[Chen Shigong's Orthodox Standard of Surgery] *Yicang Mulu*, Vol. 4. Extant.
Self-preface: Mr. Li Cangming of Lixia once said: The distinction of medicine into internal and external is because treating the external is more difficult than treating the internal. Why? Internal symptoms may not affect the exterior, but external symptoms must have roots in the interior. Without the correct formula for this, even skin ailments cannot be saved like diseases in the Gao and Huang (deep internal organs). Are there not few good methods and divine techniques for treating the external in ancient and modern times? Some keep them secret due to taboos; others repeat them over time, leading to errors in transmission. Even without errors, the techniques may not cover everything. Thousands of symptoms are restricted to a few formulas. Using them for common symptoms may still leave one helpless. Imagine using them for unusual symptoms...