Library

Since I began my studies at the age of fifteen, I have cherished the medical doctrines of Qi Huang (the legendary founders of Chinese medicine). In my leisure time, I would browse through these texts. Although I made some progress and gained some insights, lacking a formal teacher-student lineage, I remained regretful for not having found the proper entry into this field. Upon reaching adulthood at twenty, I followed my uncle, Zhao Lin, to specialize in medical theory. From the *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) and *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) downwards, I memorized dozens of works and read over a hundred volumes. After immersing myself in study for more than ten years, I grasped the profound mysteries within, applying them to treat patients with a success rate of seven or eight out of ten. Yet, unable to achieve perfection, I felt secretly ashamed. Soon after, like-minded individuals established a Medical Research Institute, and I was granted an official seal by the Shanghai Dao (Prefecture) authorities to emphasize public health and medical research. However, among ancient medical practices, none is more important than acupuncture and moxibustion (Zhenjiu), yet it has nearly fallen into oblivion today, which is truly lamentable! Therefore, we established an Acupuncture and Moxibustion Training Institute within our organization, hiring instructors to teach students. I participated in this endeavor. After two years of graduation, I finally realized that this path had been greatly illuminated. Although acupuncture and herbal decoctions differ in method, their underlying principles are consistent. Indeed, the key to treating disease lies first in syndrome differentiation (Bianzheng); if differentiation is unclear, how can one choose between acupuncture and herbs? Ancient medical texts are numerous (literally "enough to fill a warehouse and pile up against oxen"), sparking endless debates where each claims unique insights. Some prioritize Yang Qi, others Yin Blood; some focus on the Spleen and Stomach, others on Warm Pathogens. The less learned become confused and swayed by these varying views, while even the wise find discrepancies in application. Thus, I recalled Mr. Ye Tianshi’s work, *Yi Heng* (Medical Balance), which collects the finest works of past sages. It elucidates pulse diagnosis and expounds on disease mechanisms, with arguments that are comprehensive and clear, serving as a model for physicians. Unfortunately, authentic copies were rare, and commercial editions contained many errors. I therefore carefully corrected my own collection: correcting mistakes and filling in omissions, then having it lithographed so that fellow students could use it as a preliminary study tool. Only after broadening one’s reading from such a foundation could one avoid being misled by heterodox theories, thereby ascending to the hall of Zhang Zhongjing and entering the chamber of Xuanyuan and Qibo, rather than merely contending with predecessors to arrive at a single truth. Thus, this compilation serves not only as a bridge to herbal decoction therapy but also as a guide for acupuncture and moxibustion.
Written by Gu Mengxiong Weichuan of Menghe at the Shanghai General Medical Research Institute, in the first month of the eleventh lunar month, in the second year of Xuantong (1910).