Library

What is the origin of the medical way? The Creator endows humans with Zhengqi (Vital Qi, 正气) for survival, but cannot prevent disasters such as premature death and epidemics. Therefore, it utilizes the mutual assistance and constraint of the properties of all things as a remedy; and entrusts authority to physicians, so that those destined for early death may live long, the weak may become strong, the sick may recover, and the distressed may rise again. Physicians are indeed acting on behalf of Heaven to nurture life, participating in the work of creation and balancing its regrets. Tracing back to Shennong (Divine Farmer), who initiated the practice by distinguishing herbs to establish their properties; followed by Huangdi (Yellow Emperor) and Qibo, who clarified Yin and Yang to compose the *Neijing* (Inner Canon). By the late Han Dynasty, Master Zhang Zhongjing was born. He inherited the theories of Shennong and Huangdi, composing the *Shanghan Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage) and *Jingui Yaolue* (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet, referring to miscellaneous diseases). Both works advocated and elucidated orthodox learning to pass down the lineage of medicine. After Master Zhongjing passed away, the transmission of canonical theories was lost. Errors became numerous and chaotic without limit. Some even established their own books and schools of thought independently. Consequently, the world's reliance on physicians proved less beneficial than having no physicians at all. I often read extensively and privately lamented this state. My teacher, Mr. Shizong (Gao Bingjun), possessed unique spiritual insight and outstanding scholarship. Having annotated the classics to clarify the Great Way and correct its transmission, he gathered disciples in his leisure time for reciprocal debate. Under his instruction, students recorded these teachings by hand, titling the collection *Yixue Zhenzhuan* (True Transmission of Medicine). Within it, theories regarding Yin-Yang, Blood and Qi, Zang-Fu organs, and Meridians, as well as the principles of Five Movements and Six Qi, were exhaustively elucidated—everything previously contained but unanalyzed by sages, and everything insufficiently covered in other texts. This truly serves to benefit humanity and merit the Creator; how significant can its impact be? We compiled this into volumes, extracted the essentials, and had them printed for publication, so that everyone knows the true transmission of medicine exists, ensuring study is not false. This is indeed my teacher’s ambition to uphold this path! Dated Spring of Ji-Mao Year, Kangxi Era, inscribed by Wang Jiasi, son of Wang Jia, from Qiantang.

Since ancient times, when Heaven cherished life and Huangdi and Qibo responded to destiny, their words and theories served as tokens to bless people and prolong life. Addressing difficulties and devising wonders, every technique aimed at reviving the dying. Since then, authors have appeared generation after generation, such as Chunyu Yi, Zhang Zhongjing, Zhu Danxi, and Li Dongyuan. None failed to trace the sources and penetrate the depths of the viscera. Their prescription and medication were always apt and precise, serving as a compassionate boat crossing the sea of suffering and a precious raft saving the times. However, since the orthodox teaching was lost and medical lineage lacked foundation, judgments on Yin-Yang and Deficiency-Excess were often based on speculation, and investigations into Exterior-Interior and Cold-Heat rarely stemmed from pulse diagnosis. This is like driving south while wanting to go north, or walking backward while seeking to advance; hoping for success is indeed difficult. Mr. Gao Shizong’s book *Yixue Zhenzhuan* from our Hangzhou deeply searched and silently comprehended, eliminating obscurities and extracting subtleties. Its intent honors former sages, speaking what they did not say, and its theory bases on ancestors, developing what they did not reveal. It distinguishes between doubtful and similar conditions without minute errors, clarifies the obscure with comprehensive accuracy. It has entered the inner chambers of profound knowledge, far beyond the reach of those who merely glimpse the fence. I myself did not specialize in medicine. Last year, my young son suffered from measles, which was a mild condition curable by harmonization. Several pediatricians, renowned at the time, were invited. Initially, they used excessive attacking and dispersing methods, causing phlegm and wheezing. Subsequently, they over-administered cold-natured medicines and prohibited food intake, leading to his death. Only upon reading the section on measles in *Zhenzhuan* did I sigh, realizing that the attacking/dispersing methods caused the illness, and the cold medicines hastened death. Moreover, measles differs from smallpox; treating it is not difficult. Yet, confusion persisted during clinical practice. Thus, I know that within the muscle-surface Ying-Wei (Nutritive and Defensive Qi) and inside the Zang-Fu and meridians, there are diseases ten times harder to treat than measles. Can one guarantee being error-free in one hundred cases? Alas! Medical errors harming people are not only experienced by me personally. In the world, many ignorant individuals treat human lives as experiments without reading this book. Therefore, I solemnly reprinted this book to spread it widely, hoping thereby to look up to the intentions of Chunyu Yi, Zhang Zhongjing, and others. Thus, this book is indeed the compass of medicine! Dated Mid-Spring Month of Geng-Yin Year, Kangxi Era, inscribed by Yao Yuanshenggong from Qiantang.