Library

One is the compilation and selection of complete medical cases by renowned physicians. The selected cases must be precise and appropriate. For instance, although many cases from *Jiang Shi Lei An* (Cases Classified by Jiang) were included, they account for only thirty to forty percent of that work. From other sources, merely ten to twenty percent are selected. Additionally, from historical biographies and miscellaneous notes, those presenting new insights or establishing unique treatment methods are occasionally excerpted to broaden readers' horizons.

All selected cases must contain discussion and original insights. Cases that are mediocre, superficial, or bizarre and unfounded are generally deleted. If the disease and treatment are identical, even if recorded by two different physicians, only one record is retained. In such instances of similarity, the case of a senior predecessor is preferred; however, if a junior physician's exposition surpasses that of the predecessor, the junior's case is chosen over the senior's, adhering to no rigid rule.

The basis for treating disease lies in the pulse diagnosis. Therefore, only cases that describe both symptoms and pulse characteristics are selected. If the pulse image is not recorded, but the therapeutic efficacy is exaggerated, what value does its inclusion hold? Generally, the difficulty in treating disease lies in recognizing the disease; the difficulty in recognizing the disease lies in identifying the pulse. However, cases without pulse records are occasionally included in this collection if the syndrome differentiation is detailed and clear, or if the treatment method is novel, or if the theoretical argument is profound. They should not be discarded solely due to the absence of pulse data. A few such cases are prepared to expand knowledge.

In previous physicians' cases, any language deemed vulgar or boastful is deleted. Only the pulse, symptoms, prescriptions, and discussions are preserved as methods for future generations to recognize diseases. Wherever the text is verbose or obscure, I have presumptuously polished it, without altering the original meaning, merely smoothing the phrasing for easier reading. Those who understand me will surely not blame me.

Among recent renowned physicians, some are older than I, and some younger. Their treatments of rare diseases yielding remarkable results are recorded and appended here. These are all observations made personally during my lifetime, not hearsay. Cases obtained through hearsay are temporarily omitted to avoid propagating errors.

The arrangement of complete cases follows chronological order. Occasionally, there may be deviations because similar conditions are grouped together for ease of browsing, disregarding strict chronology. Regarding titles for predecessors, whether using their given name, courtesy name, pseudonym, or hometown, the form most easily understood by people is used, without adhering to a single uniform standard.

This compilation consists of ten volumes, divided into categories for easy reference. Although the classification into thirteen departments is not fully comprehensive, it selects only those categories where predecessors have left established cases. The number of cases per category varies. Those with insight can infer much from a little and deduce the underlying principles.

Prescriptions cited in various cases cannot be fully recorded. Some are attached within or after the cases, but to avoid excessive volume and redundancy, they are not listed in detail. Subsequent works, such as *Gu Jin Jing Yan Fang An* (Commentary on Ancient and Modern Experienced Prescriptions), will be published sequentially.

For cases containing profound meanings, detailed discussions, and appropriate prescriptions, as well as critical points regarding pulse, etiology, and symptomatology, dense dots are marked. However, I dare not place dense dots on my own commentary (*An*), awaiting correction and guidance from superior scholars.