医学人命所关,故《周礼》医师之属,掌于冢宰,岁终必稽其事而制其食。至宋神宗时
,设
内外医学,置教授及诸生,皆分科考察升补。元亦仿而行之。其考试之文,皆有程序,未知
当时得人何如?然其慎重医道之意,未尝异也。故当时立方治病,犹有法度。后世医者,大
概皆读书不就,商贾无资,不得已而为衣食之计。或偶涉猎肆中,剿袭医书,或托名近地时
医门下。始则欲以欺人,久之亦自以医术不过如此。其误相仍,其害无尽,岐黄之精义几绝
矣!若欲斟酌古今考试之法,必访求世之实有师承,学问渊博,品行端方之医。如宋之教授
,令其严考诸医,取其许挂牌行道。既行之后,亦复每月严课,或有学问荒疏,治法廖误者
,小则撤牌读书,大则饬使改业。教授以上,亦如《周礼》医师之有等。其有学问出众,治
效神妙者,候补教授。其考试之法,分为六科。曰针灸,曰大方,曰妇科,曰幼科兼痘科,
曰眼科,曰外科。其能诸科皆通者,曰全科。通一二科者,曰兼科。通一科者,曰专科。其
试题之体有三∶一曰论题,出《灵枢》、《素问》,发明经络脏腑、五运六气、寒热虚实、
补泻逆从之理。二曰解题,出《神农本草》、《伤寒论》、《金匮要略》,考订药性,病变
制方之法。三曰案,自述平日治病之验否,及其所以用此方,治此病之意。如此考察,自然
言必本于圣经,治必遵乎古法,学有渊源,而师承不绝矣。岂可听涉猎杜撰,全无根柢之人
,以人命为儿戏乎!
Medicine is closely related to human life; therefore, in the *Rites of Zhou* (Zhou Li), physicians and their subordinates were under the jurisdiction of the Minister of State (Zhongzai). At the end of each year, their performance was reviewed to determine their salary. During the reign of Emperor Shenzong of Song, internal and external medical schools were established, with positions for professors and students, all undergoing examination by specialty for promotion or appointment. The Yuan Dynasty also followed this practice. The examination essays had fixed formats and procedures; it is unknown how successful the selection of talent was at that time. However, the intention to treat the medical profession with caution remained unchanged. Consequently, the formulation of prescriptions and treatment of diseases during that period still adhered to standards. In later generations, most physicians were those who failed in scholarly pursuits, lacked capital for commerce, and resorted to medicine as a means of livelihood. Some casually browsed books in markets, plagiarizing medical texts; others falsely claimed apprenticeship under local renowned doctors. Initially intending to deceive others, they eventually came to believe their own medical skills were mediocre. This error became entrenched, causing endless harm, and the profound essence of Qibo and Huangdi (the legendary founders of Traditional Chinese Medicine) was nearly lost! If one wishes to deliberate upon ancient and modern examination methods, it is essential to seek out physicians who genuinely possess lineage transmission, extensive learning, and upright character. Similar to the Song Dynasty's professors, they should strictly examine other physicians, selecting only those permitted to hang up a sign and practice. Once practicing, monthly rigorous assessments should be conducted. Those whose knowledge becomes dilapidated or whose treatment methods are erroneous shall, in minor cases, have their signs removed to study again, and in major cases, be ordered to change professions. Positions above professor, like the hierarchy of physicians in the *Rites of Zhou*, should have distinct ranks. Those with outstanding scholarship and miraculous therapeutic effects may serve as reserve professors. The examination method is divided into six specialties: Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Internal Medicine (Da Fang), Gynecology, Pediatrics including Smallpox, Ophthalmology, and Surgery. Those proficient in all specialties are called Generalists (Quan Ke); those proficient in one or two are called Dualists (Jian Ke); and those proficient in only one are called Specialists (Zhuan Ke). There are three types of examination questions: First, theoretical topics drawn from the *Ling Shu* (Spiritual Pivot) and *Su Wen* (Basic Questions), aiming to elucidate the principles of meridians and zang-fu organs, the Five Movements and Six Qi, cold and heat, deficiency and excess, tonification and sedation, and reversal and compliance. Second, explanatory topics drawn from the *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), *Shanghan Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage), and *Jingui Yaolue* (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet), testing knowledge of drug properties, disease variations, and prescription formulation. Third, case reports, where candidates describe the efficacy of their usual treatments and the rationale behind using specific prescriptions for specific diseases. Through such examinations, it is natural that speech will be based on sacred classics, treatment will follow ancient methods, learning will have a source, and lineage transmission will continue. How can we allow those who dabble superficially, fabricate without basis, and lack any foundation to treat human life as a game?