世人之病伤寒为多。伤寒之书仲景为圣。夫以一病而有三百九十七法。一百一十三方。详已恶乎广哉。不知仲景之
书本于内经热论。其言六经传变。非不辩且晰也。仲景复推展以成书。因是以有王叔和之增益。因是以有成无己之注解。
盖愈推则愈广焉。则余之补阙略订讹谬而为是书也。非无自矣。且夫伤寒之病。多由时气。则四时八节二十四气七十二
候不可不详释也。伤寒之病必传经络。则十二经之在手足者。不可不兼图也。伤寒之病非一证则三百九十七法。一百一
十三方不可不反复穷究而为之推衍附益也。伤寒之病。间用针刺。其法近世罕见。则热病之五十九穴。不可不备录也。
余独怪世医徒取节庵一编。无他乐其简耳。然昔人方论皆有奥义存于其间。使不深察其意尝有失之毫芒而死生顿易者矣。
余非不惮烦也。正恶夫世之乐于简。而轻视民命者。往往误而杀人也。则是书之补前人所未补。发前人所未发者。曷可
少哉其曰伤寒。非寒者。盖寒病则治以热剂热病。则治以凉剂。此自然之理也。伤寒之病名虽为寒。其所见之证皆热。
窃恐后人执伤寒之名而误投热剂。故曰伤寒非寒也。至感真寒而深入三阴者。特十之一二耳。此其所见之病皆寒。而与
热证迥异。则名之曰真寒。而别为编。
康熙庚申重九长洲汪琥苓友自序。
Diseases of Shanghan (Cold Damage) are common among people. Among the books on Shanghan, Zhang Zhongjing's work is considered the most authoritative. Although a single disease encompasses 397 methods and 113 prescriptions, making it already quite detailed, one might ask what more could be expanded. It is unknown that Zhang Zhongjing's book was based on the *Neijing* (Classic of Internal Medicine), specifically the *Re Lun* (Treatise on Heat Diseases). His discussion on the transmission of the Six Channels (Liu Jing) was indeed clear and distinct. Zhang Zhongjing further extended this into a comprehensive work; consequently, Wang Shuhe added to it, and Cheng Wuji provided annotations. Thus, the more it is expanded, the broader it becomes. Therefore, my effort to fill gaps and correct errors in this book is not without justification.
Furthermore, Shanghan diseases often arise from seasonal qi (vital energy). Therefore, the four seasons, eight solar terms, twenty-four jieqi (solar terms), and seventy-two five-day periods must be explained in detail. Since Shanghan diseases inevitably transmit through the meridians, the distribution of the Twelve Primary Meridians on the hands and feet must be illustrated. As Shanghan presents with various syndromes, the 397 methods and 113 prescriptions must be thoroughly investigated, deduced, and supplemented. Shanghan treatment occasionally involves acupuncture, a method rarely seen in recent times; thus, the 59 acupoints for heat diseases must be fully recorded.
I find it strange that contemporary physicians only rely on Li Zhongzi's (Jie'an) compilation, likely due to its simplicity. However, ancient formula discussions contain profound principles. Failing to deeply examine these meanings can lead to slight deviations resulting in life-or-death consequences. I am not afraid of trouble; rather, I detest those who prefer simplicity at the expense of patients' lives, often causing death through misdiagnosis. Thus, the value of this book in supplementing previous works and elucidating unexplored aspects cannot be overstated.
The term "Shanghan" here does not imply cold pathogenicity. Logically, cold diseases are treated with hot-natured agents, and heat diseases with cool-natured agents. Although named "Shanghan," the manifestations are predominantly heat syndromes. I fear future practitioners may mistakenly administer hot-natured drugs due to the name "Shanghan"; hence, I state that "Shanghan is not cold." Cases involving true cold pathogens penetrating deeply into the Three Yin channels account for only ten to twenty percent. In such cases, symptoms are purely cold, distinct from heat syndromes; these are termed "True Cold" and are compiled separately.
Preface by Wang Hu (Courtesy Name: Lingyou) of Changzhou, on the Double Ninth Day of the Gengshen Year of the Kangxi Reign.