舌者,心之苗也。五脏六腑之大主,其气通于此,其窍开于此者也。查诸脏腑图,脾、肺、肝、肾,无
不系根于心。核诸经络,考手足阴阳,无脉不通于舌,则知经络脏腑之病,不独伤寒发热,有苔可验,即凡内
外杂症,亦无一不呈其形、着其色于舌,是以验舌一法,临症者不可不讲也。何从前以医名家者俱略焉,而仅
于伤寒见诸金镜耶?余自弱冠,敬承家学,殚心医理,间尝从金镜三十六舌,逐一体验,其法殊多未合,疑而
质诸先君子。先君子曰∶东庄不有云乎,金镜三十六舌,当参其意而勿泥其法,更有三十六舌之所未及者,须
以意通之。予领先君子训,退而绎其所以其意当参,其法勿泥者,乃见东庄所云,真实获我心也。于是临症
之下,于舌必看其形、审其色、合诸脉症,而有心得其秘焉。据舌以分虚实,而虚实不爽焉;据舌以分阴阳,
而阴阳不谬焉;据舌以分脏腑、配主方,而脏腑不瘥、主方不误焉。危急疑难之顷,往往症无可参,脉无可按,
而惟以舌为凭;妇女幼稚之病,往往闻之无息,问之无声,而惟有舌可验。是以阴阳虚实,见之悉得其真;补
泻寒暄,投之辄神其应。人以见之无不真、投之无不应也,未有不称以为奇者。不知余于四诊之中,于舌更有
独得之秘也。然独得之秘,究何秘哉,不过同得之理耳。临症者诚潜心而有会焉,则分之而脏腑各一阴阳也,
阴阳各一虚实也,理周而法到,可以补金镜之所未及,而正不止三十六舌也;合之而脏腑同此阴阳也,阴阳同
此虚实也,理圆而法活,可以裁金镜之所未合,而并不必三十六舌也。分而分之,其法不出乎五行;合而合之,
其理总原于太极。准此以临症,则诸病之变现,纵使万叶千枝,而一望之神明,自可搜根拔本,尚何无者生之、
有者甚之,以干致邪失正,绝人长命之咎哉?兹将验舌诸法,备述之下,惟识者参之。
The tongue is the sprout of the Heart (Xin). It is where the Qi of the Great Master of the Zang-Fu organs (Zang-Fu) communicates and where its orifice opens. Examining the diagrams of the Zang-Fu, the Spleen (Pi), Lung (Fei), Liver (Gan), and Kidney (Shen) all have their roots in the Heart. Investigating the meridians and collaterals (Jing-Luo), and examining the Yin and Yang of the hand and foot, there is no meridian that does not connect to the tongue. Thus, it can be known that diseases of the meridians and Zang-Fu are not limited to Shanghan (Cold Damage) with fever presenting a coating for verification; even all internal and external miscellaneous diseases present their forms and colors on the tongue. Therefore, the method of inspecting the tongue cannot be neglected by clinicians. Why did previous famous physicians omit this, recording it only in *Jin Jing* (Golden Mirror) regarding Shanghan? Since my adulthood, I respectfully inherited my family's learning, dedicating myself to medical principles. I occasionally experienced the thirty-six tongues from *Jin Jing*, finding many methods unsuitable, and questioned my late father about them. My father said: "Has Dongzhuang not said that the thirty-six tongues in *Jin Jing* should be understood in spirit rather than adhered to rigidly? There are conditions beyond these thirty-six tongues that must be comprehended through insight." Following my father's instruction, I reflected on why the spirit should be grasped and the methods not rigidly followed, realizing that what Dongzhuang said truly resonated with my mind. Thus, in clinical practice, when inspecting the tongue, one must observe its form and examine its color, combining this with pulse and symptoms, thereby gaining secret insights. Based on the tongue, distinguishing between Xu (Deficiency) and Shi (Excess) ensures accuracy; based on the tongue, distinguishing Yin and Yang prevents error; based on the tongue, identifying Zang-Fu and prescribing main formulas ensures correct organ localization and formula selection. In critical and difficult cases, where symptoms offer little reference and pulses are hard to palpate, the tongue serves as the sole criterion; in diseases of women and children, where breath sounds are absent and complaints are silent, the tongue remains the only verifiable sign. Thus, Yin and Yang, Xu and Shi, are perceived truly; tonifying and draining, warming and clearing, yield miraculous responses. People see that observation is always true and treatment always effective, invariably praising it as extraordinary. Yet they do not know that among the Four Diagnostic Methods (Si Zhen), I possess a unique secret regarding tongue diagnosis. However, what is this unique secret? It is merely the shared principle. If clinicians study deeply and comprehend, then analyzing separately, each Zang-Fu has its own Yin and Yang, and each Yin and Yang has its own Xu and Shi; with complete principles and precise methods, one can supplement what *Jin Jing* omitted, extending beyond just thirty-six tongues. Synthesizing them, all Zang-Fu share this Yin and Yang, and this Yin and Yang shares this Xu and Shi; with round principles and flexible methods, one can correct what *Jin Jing* failed to fit, without being bound to thirty-six tongues. Analyzing separately, the methods do not exceed the Five Elements (Wu Xing); synthesizing together, the principle originates from the Taiji (Supreme Ultimate). Applying this to clinical practice, although disease manifestations may be as numerous as ten thousand leaves and thousand branches, a single glance with divine clarity allows one to trace the root and extract the source. How could there be creating illness where none exists, or exacerbating illness where it exists, thereby inviting pathogenic factors, losing righteous Qi, and cutting short life? Herein, I detail the various methods of tongue inspection for the reference of knowledgeable practitioners.