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*Fa Bei Dui Kou Zhi Jue* (Treatment Principles for Back Carbuncles and Opposite Neck Abscesses) was authored by my grandfather, Sui Qiao Gong. My grandfather possessed a keen and intuitive nature, loved reading, and often held the relief of the world in his heart. He studied diligently without slackening, yet repeatedly encountered frustration in the imperial examinations. Only after my elder uncle, Xiang Bo Gong, passed the provincial examination did he lose interest in pursuing official advancement. He devoted himself to reading for self-amusement and, in his leisure time, delved into *Qi Huang* (Traditional Chinese Medicine). He said, "If a scholar cannot achieve success in politics, this [medicine] is also one way to benefit the world." He was proficient in both internal and external medicine and elucidated many medical principles. Whenever treating patients, he was always cautious and solemn. When invited from all directions, he would travel even long distances; he declined monetary gifts but instead provided medicinal herbs to the poor. Once, when treating conditions such as back carbuncles (*Fa Bei*) and opposite neck abscesses (*Dui Kou*), he found that applying methods from ancient texts yielded little effect. He pondered deeply and reasoned, "Is it that the ancients deceived us? It is merely that I have not mastered their flexibility." The formation of any disease must have a specific site where the pathogenic factor is predominant. By examining this predominance and treating it specifically, efficacy can be seen immediately. From then on, whenever treating these conditions, he would distinguish the location (left/right, upper/lower), the color (red/white, deep/shallow), and the pulse (floating/sinking, slow/fast) to ascertain the involvement of meridians, zang-fu organs, and acupoints, as well as the attribution of yin-yang deficiency-excess, excessive stagnation, dryness, and dampness. He would further reference climatic conditions and geographical suitability to apply the principles of the generation and restriction of the Five Elements. By adopting ancient methods and modifying them through addition and subtraction to adapt to the situation, every case he treated achieved success. Later, my uncle brought my grandfather to reside in the official quarters at Qinjiang. With ample free time, he took out medical cases from previous years, compiled and edited several volumes of *Fa Bei Dui Kou Zhi Jue*, appended several volumes of experienced prescriptions, and handed them down upon returning home. My father stated, "Do not show this book to others casually; do not underestimate it! Although the art is minor, it is sufficient to benefit the world." My father, Dong Huan Gong, and my younger uncle, Dong Kui Gong, were both versed in medical theory through their Confucian studies. My father had long taken the metropolitan examinations without having the opportunity to fully practice, whereas my younger uncle practiced medicine using this knowledge. Our family has generations of adept users of my grandfather's legacy methods, so the treatments were often remarkable and accurate. Now that my father and younger uncle have passed away in succession, my younger brothers and I are of inferior talent and unable to master even one art form. The books of our ancestors remain, yet they are left unused. This means the ancestors' ambition to benefit the world is being belittled and cut off prematurely. Mr. Yang Zijiyi had long heard of this book and encouraged me to have it printed. I gladly complied. It is hoped that the legacy techniques of our ancestors will spread throughout the land, and that learned individuals may examine and adopt them, which might not fail to benefit the world. Although I have not recorded the deeds of my predecessors, I still preserve their aspirations.
Respectfully preface by Grandson Yi Wei, on the seventh day of the second month of the 20th year of Daoguang.