Library

I studied medicine since childhood. Regarding any works that could serve as wings to assist Master Zhongjing's *Treatise on Cold Damage* (*Shanghan Lun*), I spared no effort in studying them. At that time, I knew of three gentlemen from the Song Dynasty: Chang Qizhi, Pang Anchang, and Guo Baiyun. The books by Mr. Chang have no extant editions in the world.
The printed editions by Mr. Pang are already rare. The manuscript copies kept in my family also contain many omissions and errors. The original was kept by the Yuan family in Jiangcun, later passing to Gu Baochong. After Baochong's death, it went to the Huang family of Yuanqiao. Recently, it is about to be printed to benefit the world. As for Mr. Guo's *Supplement to Lost Chapters* (*Buwang Lun*), my family had an old manuscript copy. I read it thoroughly and analyzed it carefully for many years. This book was reprinted in the late Ming Dynasty. Reading the preface written by Lord Liu of Qingtian, I learned that at that time it was on the verge of being lost. If it had not been reprinted, it would have long vanished into oblivion by now. I am over sixty years old, facing the twilight of life with a hurried existence. Therefore, I instructed my disciples and sons to carefully collate and verify the text, and have it carved onto woodblocks for printing, eager to disseminate it widely. Thus, the painstaking efforts of the ancients to assist Master Zhongjing will not vanish today; this is indeed a blessing for our medical tradition. All details are found in the General Examples. With the carving completed, I complied with the request of my disciples and added a few words at the beginning of the volume. I wish to discuss these with like-minded scholars. This is the preface.
Recorded by Xu Jin, junior scholar from Changzhou, on the Winter Solstice day of the Xin-Si year (1821) of the Daoguang era.

Humans are born endowed with the Qi of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements, yet their bodies are injured by cold and heat, as well as the Seven Emotions. Ultimately, they cannot avoid premature death, failing to preserve what Heaven has bestowed. When Sages appeared, they pitied this situation. They tasted hundreds of herbs to establish treatments and authored classics such as the *Ling Shu* (Spiritual Pivot) and *Su Wen* (Basic Questions) to elucidate medical principles. Subsequently, masters such as Cang Gong, Hua Tuo, Bian Que, and Zhongjing successively wrote treatises to clarify therapeutic methods. Through this, the Way became increasingly clear, and techniques increasingly refined. People suffering from diseases could rely on these to preserve their lives. However, due to the passage of time, figures were forgotten, and books were lost. Readers often lamented that the textual logic was disjointed and profound meanings were obscured. In the previous Song Dynasty, there was a man named Guo Baiyun from Zhongzhou, a renowned physician along with his brother. He exhaustively explored classical texts and thoroughly understood pathological conditions. Every time he reread Zhongjing's works, he sighed at their losses. He further elucidated their mysteries and subtleties, writing the *Supplement to Lost Chapters* (*Buwang Lun*) to complete their meaning. His discussions on *Lianggan* (Double Exposure), *Yin Yang Jiao* (Yin-Yang Intercourse), *Yin Yang Yi* (Yin-Yang Exchange), and *Jing* (Stiffness/Spasm) are particularly detailed, accurate, profound, and extensive. It can truly be said that he uncovered insights previously unexplored by predecessors, bringing clarity to readers' minds and sufficiently supplementing the gaps in Zhongjing's work. Nevertheless, the Song dynasty printed edition, when transmitted to the Yuan era, suffered loss during wars and fires, specifically losing dozens of entries from Volume 16. The exquisite theories and profound arguments within were completely lost and irretrievable. It is truly a pity. The remaining nineteen-plus volumes, if not preserved through printing, how can we ensure they do not perish again? How can the people suffering from pain and disease rely on anything to avoid premature death and preserve what Heaven has bestowed? This printing effort shares the same intention as that of Shennong and the Yellow Emperor's Qi Bo. This is the preface.
Inscribed by Liu Shiyan, Marquis of Chengyi (Zhitian), Successor to the Founding of the State, Defender of the Righteous Way, Grand Master of Benevolence, Former Imperial Commissioner for Naval Affairs, Former Administrator of Nanjing Military Commands, Guard and Protector of the Army, in the Mid-Spring of the Ji-Xu year (1634) of the Wanli era of the Great Ming.