医之为道古来有言也言自轩歧始未有方也方自仲景始方出而道滋弊焉然非方之能弊道也言之
或能尽令乎道病之不能尽合乎方泥而庸之道其不滋弊耶吾侄子惧弊道而讹人也搜辑于见
闻之
真详拟于心思之极察其风土辨其气候审其年叙抡其方之可传者定为司南以不用之者存乎通焉
其用心亦良矣承既板之后言于简末人也辛无俾吾侄子之踵其弊尤哉
嘉靖甲子春王正月哉生明新安左竹山子吴敖谨跋
万历戊子冬十一月木后山房重刊
The Way of Medicine has been spoken of since ancient times. It originated with Huangdi and Qibo (Emperor Xuanyuan and Qi Bo), at which time there were no prescriptions; prescriptions originated with Zhang Zhongjing. Once prescriptions emerged, the Way of Medicine began to suffer from degeneration. However, it is not the prescriptions themselves that cause this degeneration, but rather that words may fail to fully elucidate the Way, and diseases may not entirely conform to prescriptions. If one adheres rigidly to forms and becomes mediocre, would not the Way of Medicine degenerate further? My nephew, Wu Zhenglun, fearing the degeneration of the Way and its misleading of people, collected and compiled authentic and detailed accounts from his personal observations and experiences. Through extreme mental scrutiny, he distinguished local customs and climates, examined age-related factors, and selected prescriptions worthy of transmission, establishing them as a guide (Sinan). Prescriptions not adopted were retained to demonstrate flexibility and adaptation. His intention was indeed commendable. Following the completion of the printing blocks, I write these words at the end of the book, hoping that people will exert themselves diligently so that my nephew does not follow in the footsteps of those who corrupted the medical Way. This is truly remarkable!
In the first month of spring in the Jiazi year of the Jiajing era (1564 AD), when the moon begins to wax, Wu Ao, styled Zuo Zhushanzi of Xin'an, respectfully wrote this postscript.
Reprinted in the eleventh month of winter in the Wuzi year of the Wanli era (1648 AD) at Mu Hou Shan Fang.