Library

I have examined the ancient times, when there was no specialized medicine prior to Confucianism. It seems that Heaven gave birth to the people, and before Houji taught agriculture, and the Duke of Zhou and Confucius promoted education, there first existed Huangdi (Yellow Emperor), Shennong (Divine Farmer), and Qibo, who tasted hundreds of herbs to treat diseases. Indeed, it is because people were saved from premature death that the population could flourish; once the population was abundant, then agriculture was taught to enrich them, and learning was promoted to educate them. Thus, we know that medicine is the root of saving lives, farming is the source of sustaining life, and teaching is the way of human ethics. In this sense, protecting the people begins with treating their illnesses, followed by enriching and educating them. Therefore, I have paid attention to medical studies and frequently engaged in deep exploration.

My ancestral home is Fengtian. My father served as a Censor in the capital, so we resided under the imperial carriage (in Beijing). Medical practitioners from all over gathered in the capital's residences. Consequently, I heard that renowned physicians hailed from Songjiang. However, most of them lived in high reclusion and did not come to the capital, so I had not yet met them personally for study. In the spring of the Xinmao year, upon my transfer to Wuchang (Suzhou), I obtained the book *Zheng Yin Mai Zhi* (Diagnosis, Etiology, Pulse, and Treatment) by Mr. Qin Huangshi from Yunjian, which was printed by the brothers Shi Yuzhan. The book categorizes symptoms into external contraction and internal injury, and treatments into meridians and interior-exterior relationships. It examines etiology based on symptoms, and pulse and treatment based on etiology. I sighed, recalling that I had previously heard many renowned physicians were in Songjiang; this book indeed serves to benefit the world. However, since I was stationed far away at Yushan, and Mr. Qin kept his door closed to visitors, I could not consult him daily.

In the Gui Si year, while overseeing the dredging of the Dong River, which was not yet completed, various officials jointly reported to the higher authorities, leading to an inspection of Songjiang. As Mr. Qin, the author, resided by the river, I engaged in discussions with him for ten days. During leisure time after official duties, resting at his home, I saw *Shanghan Da Bai* (Great Clarity of Cold Damage) and *Nüke Qieyao* (Essentials of Gynecology) on his shelves. The language was clear and distinct, and the treatments hit the mark precisely—truly "Da Bai" (great clarity) and "Qieyao" (essential). This represents the fruits of his investigation of things and knowledge, along with his late-life enlightenment, combined with his unwavering mind and unremitting efforts, allowing him to achieve such results. The following year, the Chen Jingfu brothers from Xin'an donated funds to print the book and requested me to write a preface. I reflect that Mr. Qin's works are truly great merits, capable of bringing the dead back to life and preventing premature death. Mr. Chen's donation for printing is no small virtue; it is akin to the Shi brothers' protection of the people and relief of the masses. Therefore, I am pleased to write this preface.

Preface by Gao Shishi (Zhonan), Fellow Student and Current Tongzhi (Assistant Prefect) Supervising the Suzhou-Songjiang Naval Fleet, Ship Administration, and Coastal Defense, Summer of Jiawu Year in the Kangxi Reign.