Library

I, in my youth while studying, once heard the wise men of old say: "One who is a child must not be ignorant of medicine." Thus, whenever I encountered good medical formulas, I rejoiced in copying and recording them, accumulating dozens of volumes. Seeing those who were ill was like feeling it in my own body; I often prepared medicines to give to them. One day, my late father instructed me: "To give medicine to others is not as effective as giving medical formulas to others, for the number of people saved would be far greater." Therefore, for any formula that had proven effective, I would share it with those who loved kindness. Later, when I secluded myself outside the mundane world, I abandoned my previous studies. Moreover, after experiencing the tribulations of war, most texts were burned to ashes without exception. Only one volume of *Waike Jiyan Fang* (Collected Verified Formulas for External Diseases) remained. This was compiled and narrated by Yang Qingsou from Hechuan, who taught it to Wu Ningji. Ningji's son, Youben, passed it to Mr. Li Xian from Xiping, known for his observational skills. Mr. Li then taught it to me. The formulas were concise and brief; unfortunately, they had not been printed and circulated, so I preserved them alone.

Recently, while traveling through the blessed land of Jinjing, passing through Yudu County, my disciple Xiao Tianni (courtesy name Fenggang), originally from a prominent family in Xichang, had studied the Dao at Ziyang Temple for twenty years since childhood. Previously, he had traveled with me and possessed the ability to summon wind and rain to relieve droughts and floods. This was likely due to deep karmic connections with the Dao and his upright and rigorous practice. His junior brother, Liu Zhirou (given name Shunchuan), had suffered from painful boils and carbuncles all over his body for several years. Medications such as Jingjian Tang (Decoction of Leaves) and Baidu San (Poison-Expelling Powder) proved ineffective. I therefore transmitted an external medicine formula to him. Using Fanhun Tang (Soul-Returning Decoction), he was cured before finishing a single dose. Tianxi was delighted to donate his own funds to have the book woodblock-printed and distributed freely. Such was his compassionate intention to save and assist, which is as appropriate as prayers for rain being answered.

Although so, I had an old friend who once suffered from Guzhuifeng (a disease characterized by alternating chills and fever). He experienced alternating chills and fever for months, confined to bed, and various medications failed to cure him. Finally, a physician diagnosed him, saying: "Although this has become a chronic stubborn disease, there is still a pathogenic factor lingering in the Shaoyang channel. If you had previously taken Wuji San (Five Accumulations Powder), it would have been a mistake." Upon inquiry, this was indeed true. I therefore prescribed Xiaochaihu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) for a few doses, which instantly eliminated the chills and fever. Subsequently, using Zhuifeng Wan (Wind-Chasing Pills) and other drugs from the specialty to regulate his wind-pattern, he made a complete recovery. For miscellaneous diseases, there are specific formulas; for Shanghan (Cold Damage), there are specific methods. Mastering both constitutes the way of a good physician. If one specializes exclusively in either general internal medicine or external surgery, one fears errors may occur unknowingly, making perfection impossible. Although the arguments and prescriptions in this book on external surgery are extremely profound and superior to other formulas, practitioners with flexible wisdom should exercise particular caution during clinical application.

Preface by Zhao Yizhen, styled Yuanyangzi of Junyi, on the first day of the ninth month in the Wuwu year of the Hongwu era.

The art of medicine is ancient. Since Shennong tasted hundreds of herbs to distinguish their warm, cool, cold, and hot natures, thereby saving people from premature death, no merit could surpass this. Later, Bian Que and Hua Tuo were most skilled in technique, and their treatments were effective as if divine. Alas, their arts were not fully transmitted. Modern external surgery is merely a remnant of their legacy. Among external disease patterns, carbuncles and ulcers (Yongju) are the most severe. Because ulcers differ in Yin/Yang and Deficiency/Excess patterns, a slight error in medication can lead immediately to danger. Next in severity are furuncles (Dingchuang) and throat diseases, which are particularly prone to causing death. While there are many skilled in external surgery among the world, those who achieve mastery are rare. Zhao Lianshi (Daoist priest) of Yuanyang, Junyi, famous as a Confucian scholar, studied the teachings of Laozi. His moral conduct was high and pure, surpassing his peers. His heart was earnest in helping others. He gathered strange and excellent medical formulas he had acquired into a volume. However, due to military fires, most were lost, leaving only the external surgery formulas. In the autumn of the Wuwu year, he traveled to Jinjing with this book and stayed at Ziyang Temple in Yudu. About twenty years prior, he had transmitted Daoist methods to the eminent monk Xiao Fenggang of this temple. Now revisiting, he again cured Fenggang’s disciple Liu Shunchuan of his chronic, untreatable skin disease. Fenggang immediately wished to print it to broaden its intent of rescuing the perilous and aiding emergencies, but Yudu, a valley county, lacked skilled craftsmen. Procrastination continued until the fifth month of summer in the Renxu year, when Yuanyang passed away. His dying wish instructed his disciple Liu Yuanran to fulfill this ambition. Yuanran, respecting and fearing disobedience, compiled the secret formulas into one volume. Then, Xie Anda from Fujiang generously took charge of the project, covering all costs for craftsmen and supplies himself. His sons, Yunyuan and Yungong, followed their father’s will, praised by relatives young and old, truly commendable. Reading Yuanyang’s preface and Fenggang’s donation for printing, their intentions were deeply loyal and sincere. Yet, without Yuanran’s systematic collection, a complete book could not have been formed. Yuanran, whose mind wanders beyond the mundane, rejecting worldly distractions, is solely devoted to helping others; he is indeed virtuous. Without Anda’s effort to facilitate, even if Fenggang wished to spread it widely, it would have been impossible. Is Anda not even more virtuous? The circulation of this book can save lives in crises and aid in emergencies. If every child possesses this book, they will not fall into unfilial behavior. If every physician possesses this book, they will not descend into inhumanity. Thus, the hearts of benevolent persons and filial children reside herein. These are words from the Preface to *Bencao Danfang* (Single Herbs Materia Medica) by my elder fellow townsman, Mr. Shenqi Liu. Therefore, I recite this for Yuanran, hoping not to fail his diligent editing.

Preface by Wu Youren, courtesy name Youlanfu, from Luling, in the Yangfu month (first lunar month) of the Hongwu era.