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Spring signifies "stirring into motion." At this time, Yang Qi (vital energy) rises and purifies, grass and trees sprout, stirring into movement. Ancient sages stated that during spring, the vital Qi of the human body resides in the head; when illness occurs, it is appropriate to use emesis (inducing vomiting). It is also said: In the general principles of treating Cold Damage (Shanghan), spring is suitable for emesis. The character "Xuan" (宣) means to raise or spread; thus, the method of emesis refers to expelling pathogens from above. Nowadays, among common people, there are often those suffering from sores and ulcers, chest and diaphragm fullness, or intestinal parasites. They believe that without using toxic drugs to purge and disperse during spring, the disease cannot be cured. Consequently, physicians prepare pills using Qian Niu Zi (Pharbitis Seed), Ba Dou (Croton Seed), Da Huang (Rhubarb Root and Rhizome), Zhi Ke (Aurantium Fruit), Fang Feng (Saposhnikovia Root), etc., naming them Chun Xuan Wan (Spring Dispersal Pill). These are taken in February and March until diarrhea ensues.

At the onset of the initial purgation, the zang-fu organs become unblocked, providing temporary relief and a sense of lightness. However, they fail to realize that as Qi rises to the upper part, the Yin (substance/cooling aspect) below becomes extremely weak. Using purgative drugs to damage this Yin—what could be more harmful? Moreover, Zhang Zhongjing only used purgatives like Chengqi Tang (Gut-Draining Decoction) when there was significant fullness, solidity, and hardness, accompanied by dry feces, passing of flatus, tenesmus, and an absence of exterior syndrome patterns. If the indications for purgation are not fully present, one must wait. How can purgative medicines be tried lightly?

My uncle had a fat body but thin bones, with a heavy taste preference and a沉 (deep/still) temperament. At fifty years old, he轻信ed others and suddenly took one dose of Chun Xuan Wan in mid-March, resulting in two or three bowel movements. He made this a yearly habit. By age fifty-three, in early July, amidst extreme heat, he died suddenly without prior illness. Was this not a disaster caused by mistakenly believing Chun Xuan Wan to be a simple purgative?

"Xuan" implies calling down from above; the meaning of "Xuan" is clearly emesis. Zhang Hezi has discussed this in detail. How could ancient sages speak falsely? (Zhu Danxi)

I have long heard of Mr. Zhou Hanqing from Songyang, renowned for his medical skills. One day, my son-in-law Zheng Shufu came to the Qingluo Mountains to recount details, saying: Mr. Zhou's medical expertise is profound. While I cannot comment on other matters, let us discuss what scholars and gentlemen often praise.

Jiang Zhongliang from Kuocang had his left eye kicked by a horse, causing the eyeball to protrude, hanging like a peach. Other practitioners looked at each other and said, "The connecting tissues are damaged; according to medical principles, blindness is inevitable." Mr. Zhou smiled and did not answer. He applied Shen Gao (Divine Ointment) to seal the area. After three days, the eye returned to normal.

Chen Mingliao from Huachuan suffered from cataracts for ten years. Various medicines were tried repeatedly without effect, leading him to consider himself disabled. Mr. Zhou examined him and said, "Although the opacity is internal, it is still treatable." He inserted a needle through the back of the eye, covering the opacity beneath the pupil. Immediately, the patient could distinguish five colors. Chen considered this miraculous.

A man from Wucheng suffered from unbearable stomach pain, grinding his teeth loudly. He thrashed about, begging for death, but could not die. Other physicians' strong purgative and diaphoretic decoctions had no effect. Mr. Zhou placed medicine into the nasal cavity. Soon after, the patient vomited profusely, expelling a red worm over a chi (approx. 33 cm) long, complete with mouth and eyes. The pain ceased immediately.

A woman from Dongbai Ma family had been pregnant for fourteen months without delivery, and her complexion turned black. Mr. Zhou palpated the pulse and said, "This is not pregnancy; it is invasion by demonic qi." He administered medicine to induce expulsion. A object resembling a golden fish was discharged, and the illness resolved instantly.

An infant named Ying from Yongkang suffered from abdominal disease, walking constantly with inability to straighten the waist. Mr. Zhou undressed the child and observed two masses of Qi rising in the abdomen, each as large as an arm. Mr. Zhou punctured one mass; it emitted a loud pop. He punctured the second similarly. After slight massage, the Qi dissipated completely, and the child walked normally without limping.

An elderly woman surnamed Xu from Changshan suffered from a fright-induced disorder. Upon onset, her hands and feet trembled, she stripped off her clothes, ran wildly, sang, cried, or was pulled around like a puppet. Crude physicians fled in terror, attributing it to demonic possession. Mr. Zhou alone pricked the tips of her ten fingers to bleed. Subsequently, she calmed down.

A girl from the Huang family in Hulin developed scrofula (Luo Li) encircling her neck and armpits, with nineteen open sores oozing white pus. Her right hand was spasmodic and immobile, and her body felt hot. Her family worried greatly and hurriedly ordered coffins and shrouds. Mr. Zhou excised the root of the sores, about two cun long, and cauterized the rest with fire in sequence. Within days, scabs formed and fell off, leaving her skin normal.

Old Man Yang from Yuyue had warts on his neck, as large as melons. Due to drunkenness, he fell down the steps, rupturing a wart which bled continuously. Whenever a wart ruptures and bleeds incessantly, it is fatal. Other physicians refused treatment. Mr. Zhou applied medicinal powder to the acupoint, and the bleeding stopped immediately.

A son of the Chen family in Wushang had a lump in his abdomen that rose隐隐 (hidden/subtly), feeling like a jar upon palpation. Some thought it was Ben Tun (running piglet qi), others a Zheng Jia (mass). Mr. Zhou said, "The pulse is洪 (surging) and 芤 (hollow); this is an abscess developing in the intestines." He immediately used a burning needle (Fan Zhen) to pierce three-plus cun deep. Pus shot out with the needle, flowing audibly, and the patient recovered.

A young man named Huang from Zhuji suffered from a curved back, requiring a cane to walk. People treated him for wind-pathogens. Mr. Zhou said, "This is not wind; it is blood stasis and obstruction." He punctured the Kunlun (BL60) acupoints on both feet. In a moment, he threw away his cane and left.

Mr. Zhou's medical skill is thus exquisite. Scholars and officials should commend and promote him. I dare to request a preface. I recall that ancient divine physicians could see the response to disease with a single touch, utilizing the Shu points of the five zang organs. They would cut skin, separate muscle, sever vessels, tie sinews, manipulate marrow, remove waste, and claw membranes to treat disease—this is called refining essence and transforming form. Who knows this today? Next best are decoctions, sweet wines, stone therapy, qigong exercises, and massage methods for toxic stagnation. These methods are largely lost. Those remaining in existence are often misused or applied incorrectly, leading to premature death and injury.

Physicians hold the lives of the people in their hands. Between administering a pill or inserting a needle, life and death are decided. How can one not be cautious? Sima Qian established the "Biographies of Cang Gong," detailing over ten cases from the Minister of Ceremonies of Qi downwards. Although verbose, he did not omit details because he saw the importance herein. I borrow this principle, compiling Mr. Zheng Shufu's account into this text for Mr. Zhou. Who knows if future historians will not cite my words? I am old and suffer from spleen pathology, spitting two to three sheng of saliva daily, persisting for nearly four years. Will Mr. Zheng invite Mr. Zhou to cure me?