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Yu Chang said: Medicine is a benevolent art. A person of benevolence and virtue must have deep affection for others. With deep affection, one treats patients as oneself, inquires about their suffering, and thus leaves no aspect unexamined. The ancients would close doors and windows, attend to the patient closely, ask repeatedly about their condition, and follow their wishes, truly to win their trust. In this way, the examiner does not feel weary, nor does the patient feel disgusted; only then can one thoroughly investigate the root and branch of the disease, ensuring that treatment is error-free. For instance, those who were once noble but became lowly suffer from a disease named "Tuo Ying" (Depletion of Essence); those who were once rich but became poor suffer from "Shi Jing" (Loss of Vital Spirit). Furthermore, physical and mental states of hardship or joy differ; even if diseases are similar, treatments vary. Dietary habits and daily routines may violate seasonal norms; sorrow and fear may dissipate will and scatter the soul; preferences and aversions involve distinct flavors and properties; what is suitable or taboo varies greatly according to individual constitution. Without inquiry, how can one prescribe formulas tailored to the specific situation? Therefore, when entering a country, one asks about customs; when entering a home, one asks about taboos; when ascending the hall, one asks about etiquette; when facing a patient, one asks about their preferences. "Preferences" refer to inquiries about their living environment, activity levels, suitability regarding Yin-Yang, cold-heat, and temperament. For example, if one asks whether they suffer from a heat disease, it is appropriate to use cold-natured medicines; if they suffer from a cold disease, it is appropriate to use hot-natured medicines. This is what is meant by "following the condition and applying treatment accordingly." Many people are stubborn and adhere to their own views; opposing them causes resistance, while complying with them may worsen the illness, leaving one at a loss. However, if one asks with sincerity and clearly explains that doing so leads to success while doing otherwise leads to failure, who would choose death rather than humble themselves to comply? As for the myriad manifestations of disease conditions, they are too numerous to exhaust. For instance, if a patient has intense thirst at the onset of illness but a neutral mouth sensation after a long duration, treating them all with standard methods without inquiry would surely harm them. If a patient previously had "Pi Yue" (constipation due to spleen deficiency) but suddenly experiences diarrhea upon falling ill, prescribing treatment based solely on the number of days without inquiry would surely harm them. If a patient already had entrenched chronic diseases before falling ill, and now suffers from new ailments, adhering rigidly to established formulas without inquiry would surely harm them. In cases of difficult and complex syndromes, one must focus on detailed questioning; if the true condition is not obtained, it may be revealed inadvertently during casual conversation about other matters. Failing to inquire carefully and hastily administering medication without basis would surely harm the patient. The *Bing Xing Pian* (Chapter on Disease Manifestations) states: "Inquiring about the disease and knowing its location is called 'Gong' (a skilled physician)." Today, those called "Gong" do not ask the right questions. Flattery and sycophancy intervene, and patients gladly comply. When the illness worsens and they change doctors, the same occurs. They wander between medical practitioners, and even when encountering a competent doctor, they remain unreceptive. One should guide them tactfully and gently, as if addressing a sovereign or father, and not dismissively distance oneself. Even more astonishing are ignorant relatives and friends who visit to inquire; forgetting their own ignorance, they forcibly display their supposed expertise, speaking falsely yet plausibly, misidentifying fire syndromes as phlegm syndromes. Who knows that they speak lightly because they bear no responsibility? This allows blind conformity to prevail, creating a detrimental trend without end, which is truly lamentable. My disciples should wisely discipline themselves and move others with sincerity, striving together to turn back the tide.

[Rule One]
Whenever treating a disease, if one does not ascertain the patient's preferences and fails to understand the true condition, rashly concludes the diagnosis, and prescribes medication without evidence, resulting in significant harm, this is the fault of the physician.