Library

Ode to the Enlightened Physician
The enlightened physicians of today harbor benevolence and righteousness in their hearts. They have read extensively through various books and mastered medical arts. They thoroughly understand Yin and Yang, and clearly know the laws of Five Movements and Six Qi (Wuyun Liuqi). They distinguish the warming and cooling properties of herbs, and differentiate superficial and interior patterns from pulse diagnoses. Treatments employ tonification or purgation methods; diseases are examined for deficiency or excess conditions. Formulas are crafted according to the disease, and prescriptions are administered based on symptoms. Ingenious methods reside in the mind, allowing for flexible adaptation without stagnation. They do not seek empty fame, but only aim to benefit the masses widely; they do not calculate personal merit, nor plot for profit; regardless of the patient's wealth or poverty, medication is applied equally. They can revive the dead and bring back the lifeless, with grace as vast as heaven and earth. Such renowned physicians leave a fragrant reputation for ten thousand generations.

Ode to the Quack Physician
The quack physicians of today engage in eccentric innovations, do not study classic texts, and fail to comprehend textual meanings. They arrogantly boast to deceive their contemporaries. They scramble to attend the doors of the powerful, arriving uninvited. They frequently offer bribes under the guise of asking about illnesses, while actually flattering and pandering. They display their supposed wisdom before the families of patients, offering various forms of sycophancy. Without carefully examining the condition of the sick, they treat vaguely. They do not investigate the etiology, nor distinguish between deficiency and excess; disregarding life and death, they rashly attempt treatment. Suddenly, if the condition changes, they hastily disperse to escape responsibility. They cause death by mistake, seeking only trivial profits. Such quack physicians are both laughable and detestable.

Ode to the Patient's Family
Patients' families nowadays often grudge the expenses. They refuse to seek medical attention promptly, waiting for self-healing; they do not seek skilled doctors, hoping for easy solutions; they do not examine the illness, but lightly administer drugs and try blindly. Or they pray to ghosts and gods, engaging in all sorts of superstitious acts. If one does not tread cautiously on frost, hard ice will arrive (metaphor for minor ailments worsening into major crises). Only when they invite an enlightened physician does the illness become severe. Even with miraculous pills, it may be difficult to save them. Ignorant and unaware, this is due to delay. They merely say that their fate has ended and blessings have not arrived. Such confusion is truly sigh-worthy. Such patients' families should eradicate this malpractice.

Warning to Physicians
The most weighty matter is human life; the most difficult task is being a physician. One must penetrate the source of the disease; the administration of medicines requires detailed care. One should strive for perfect efficacy, not delay for ten years. Life and death involve great relationships, known only to Heaven. I earnestly exhort my colleagues: to save the world, you must act thus.

Loss of Qi and its imbalance is called "Ji" (disease); therefore, those with biased Qi disorders are also called "Ji". Nowadays, people dislike having faults, and when others advise them, they avoid treating their illnesses; many are averse to seeing doctors. However, the essentials of being a person are nothing more than Filial Piety, Fraternal Duty, Loyalty, Trustworthiness, Propriety, Righteousness, Integrity, and Sense of Shame. In my leisure time, I selected twenty-four fine medicinal materials and established a prescription named "Qianjin Buyi Dan" (Thousand-Gold Unchanging Pill). Let people take one dose daily. Each dose should be decocted together with roof drip water and fresh Galangal Rhizome (Xin Liangjiang). The taste is profound and long-lasting, worthy of careful contemplation.
Furthermore, using these eight virtues, I composed eight quatrain poems orally. While taking the medicine, sing them to swallow them down. Chew diligently and take slowly, and those illnesses will surely heal.
Respectfully presented to the virtuous scholars of the four directions. Do not discard the bitter medicine because of its taste and refuse to take it, thereby willingly remaining in chronic illness.

Qianjin Buyi Dan (Thousand-Gold Unchanging Pill)
For fathers, use Gardenia Fruit (Zhizi);
For sons, use Cyperus Rhizome (Xiangfu);
For mothers, use Lotus Seed (Lianzi);
For filial sons, use Motherwort Herb (Zhimu);
For elder brothers, use Sanguisorba Root (Diyu);
For younger brothers, use Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizome (Fuxiong);
For ministers, use Oolite (Zhongru);
For officials, use Schizonepeta Spike (Jingjie);
For husband and wife, use Albizia Bark (Hehuanpi);
For daughters-in-law, use Colocasia Corm (Cigu);
For friends, do not use Donkey-hide Gelatin (Ejiao); [Note: Metaphorical usage]
For sisters-in-law, do not use Magnolia Flower (Xinyi); [Note: Metaphorical usage]
In conduct, be like the Gentleman Bamboo (Junzi);
In dealing with others, be like Bitter Orange Peel (Zhishi - implying sincerity/substance);
In heart/mind, be simple and honest like Chinese Mahonia Stem (Nongpu);
In planning for the future, have Far-reaching Ambition (Yuanzhi);
For neighbors, use Apricot Kernel (Liren);
In poverty, be willing to be led like Sweet Vetch Root (Gansui); [Note: Metaphorical usage]
In wealth, do not be venomous like Wolfbane Root (Yelangdu); [Note: Metaphorical usage]
When facing wealth, do not be opportunistic like Goji Berry (Gouqi); [Note: Metaphorical usage]
Regarding principles/righteousness, have Clear Vision (Jueming);
For reading/studying, follow the Official Cassia (Guangui);
Regarding past events, be calm and unhurried like Cistanche Stem (Congrong);
When encountering matters, be upright like Hollyhock Flower (Shukui).