这段功非小。悯孩提惺惺救世。许多头脑。药当通神原有据。此意须人探讨。寿群生几
行
头眼底。谁人分晓。痘疹痧麻童稚劫。只是沉冤不少。是书成金针度了。斯世斯人如梦觉。
便晨钟那抵斯编好。保赤子。长生道。（调寄金缕曲）
赐福谨题。
一幼科古称哑科。以其言语不通病情难测。故谚云。宁治十男子。不治一妇人。宁治十
妇人。不治一小儿。盖甚言其难也如此。然果能扼其要领。则亦何难之有。是书所列。虽似限
于篇幅。然深得提纲之妙。读者幸毋忽焉。
一小儿医自仲阳而下。代不乏人。然可传可守者。仅数家而已。是书所集。颇多采录。
诚以理之所在。有不容另措一词者。读者慎毋以剿袭陈言见诮。
一治病莫要于辨寒热虚实。而小儿之病。亦只惟表里二症而已。果能于表里症中辨出寒
热虚实。则自是高手。学人熟玩此书。自有会悟处。
一惊风一症。前人凿空而谈。遂成千古疑
城。千篇一律。比比皆然。虽间有辟之者。又未足以大破其惑。故遗祸至今。无有底止。是
书辨列。实具苦心阅者慎毋漠视。
一近世谓有病宜饿。传讹袭谬。大率皆出自庸医妇人之口。自此说行。因饿而死者不知
予甚伤之。因述不可饿论。然所援引。悉本圣经贤论。非予臆见。宜为医所共知。世有贤者
。果能同予矫得此偏。则积德不浅矣。予尤于此有浓望焉。
一痘疮果能不事寒凉攻下。则失手处自少。自痘疹正宗出。而死者更多。
非至愚者。必不宗其说。予于论内。尤殷殷致意焉。
一种痘。诚为避危就安。万全良法。有力之家。固知早种。而单寒之子。欲种弗能。今
堂举行此法。广为贫家儿女种痘。悉奏全功。良堪嘉尚。一切章程。载在论中。吾愿有力仁
人。在在行之。则造福不小矣。
一是书旁稽远核。言简意该。化出成书。参以心得。故能出
深入浅。法密方纯。虽多引陈言。然发前人所未发者。正复不少。读者其亦细心而体玩之
This effort is no small matter. Pitying the innocence of infants and children, one saves the world with many insights. The efficacy of medicines as if communicating with spirits has its basis; this meaning requires people to explore and investigate. To save the lives of the multitude, only a few lines are insufficient.
In the subtle details (literally: between eyebrows and eyes), who can fully understand? Smallpox, sand-rash, and measles are tribulations for children, yet there are not a few cases of unjust death. This book passes on the secret like a golden needle; the world and its people awaken from a dream. How can the morning bell compare to the goodness of this compilation? Protecting the infant is the Way of longevity. (Tune: Jin Lü Qu)
Bestowing blessings, I respectfully write the preface.
Firstly, pediatrics was anciently called the "Mute Department" because patients cannot speak, making the condition difficult to assess. Hence the proverb says: "Better treat ten men than one woman; better treat ten women than one child." This exaggerates the difficulty so greatly. However, if one can grasp the essentials, what difficulty is there? Although the content listed in this book seems limited by space, it deeply captures the essence of outlining key points. Readers should not neglect this.
Secondly, since Qian Zhongyang (Qian Yi), pediatric medicine has had talents in every generation, but those truly worth transmitting and preserving are only a few families. The content collected in this book is largely adopted. It is indeed because the principles are such that no additional words are needed. Readers should not reproach me for plagiarizing old remarks.
Thirdly, nothing is more important in treating diseases than distinguishing cold, heat, deficiency, and excess. Pediatric diseases are limited to exterior and interior syndromes. If one can distinguish cold, heat, deficiency, and excess within these exterior and interior syndromes, one is naturally a master. Students who study this book carefully will have their own insights.
Fourthly, the syndrome of "Jing Feng" (Convulsion/Wind-stroke) was discussed by predecessors out of thin air, becoming a千古疑城 (city of eternal doubt). It is monotonous and ubiquitous. Although some have refuted it, they were insufficient to break the confusion. Thus, the disaster has persisted without end. This book distinguishes and lists it with great care; readers must not ignore it.
Fifthly, in recent times, it is said that fasting is suitable when ill. This is a transmission of error and imitation of falsehood, mostly coming from the mouths of mediocre doctors and women. Since this theory spread, countless have died due to starvation, which grieves me deeply. Therefore, I state the argument against fasting. All citations are based on classic scriptures and wise discourses, not my subjective opinion. It should be known by all physicians. If there are virtuous people in the world who can correct this bias with me, the accumulated virtue will be immense. I have high hopes for this.
Sixthly, if smallpox is treated without using cold-natured purgatives, mistakes will naturally be fewer. Since the publication of *Dou Zhen Zheng Zong* (The Orthodox Standard of Smallpox and Rashes), the number of deaths has increased. Only the extremely foolish would follow this theory. In my discussion, I emphasize this point earnestly.
Seventhly, variolation (inoculation) is indeed a method to avoid danger and seek safety, a perfect good practice. Wealthy families know to inoculate early, while poor children cannot afford it. Now, our hall practices this method, widely inoculating children of poor families, achieving complete success. This is worthy of praise. All regulations are recorded in the discussion. I wish benevolent people with means to practice this everywhere, thereby creating great merit.
Eighthly, this book draws extensively from distant sources and verifies closely, with concise language and comprehensive meaning. It transforms into a book incorporating personal insights, thus achieving profound explanations of simple concepts, strict methods, and pure prescriptions. Although it cites many old remarks, it also expresses much that predecessors did not say. Readers should carefully contemplate and appreciate it.