查《本草纲目》，有瘴疟寒热，用常山、革果治疗之记载，又访得民闻有类似验方，用治本病，尚有·定作用。综合各方面情况，余拟订四昧药之处方(田茶，乌梅、草果、常山)，随证略加一、二味，果然收到理想效果。一般服药二、三剂告愈，治验颇多。从而受到启发，中医所论疟疾，是依据临床症候诊断，并非依据疟原虫之病原诊断，故类其证者，可酌用其方。
一九六四年，余参与中医治疗「甲亢」和「急性菌痢」的科研工作。此二病，就西医学来说，有确定的诊断标准及特效疗法，而采用中医治疗，能与比肩否，是个严肃问题，必须认真对待。其中「甲亢」病组，共系统观察十五例，先由西医明确诊断，详细记录各项客观指针，后由中医辨证治疗。据其病机，主要由于五志过急，肝失调达，风木化火，上而震撼心包，下而消灼阳明，旁及少阳经脉，致经气郁结，津液凝结为痰。故舒郁平肝，清降相火，软坚消痰，养阴滋燥，是其主治之法。自拟「舒肝消瘿饮」(柴胡、生地玄参、知母、花粉、当归、白芍、昆布、海藻、牡蛎、黄药子、香附、柏子仁)为基本方。服至症状消失，基础代谢及甲状腺吸z3l碘率正常后，改服消摩丸(昆布、海藻、荔枝核、川楝、玄参、香附、浙贝、柴胡、黄药子、牡蛎、桔核、皂角刺)，以巩固疗效。十五倒中有十四例服药后七至十五天内出现疗效，症状逐渐减轻，基础代谢率开始下降。一般在二至三月内症状全部消失。体重平均增加四公斤，最高达九公斤。基础代谢率有十例降至正常，一例接近正常，二侧改善。服药后有十二例作吸，钉碘率对比测定，其中九例恢复正常，三例无明显改善。
「急性菌痢」组系统观察一百例。全部根据一九五九年全国传染病学术会议拟订标准进行诊断。中医辨证属湿热蕴结者三十七倒，主方为当归、白芍、黄连、黄芩、槟榔、枳壳、木香；湿热兼表者三十六倒，主方为葛根、黄芩、黄连、银花、连翘、焦植、厚朴，术香；湿热挟滞者十八例，主方为藿香、：苏叶、法半夏、竹茹、枳壳、黄连、焦棱、神曲、大腹皮、茯苓}湿热化风者九例，主方为银花、连翘、黄芩、黄连、钩藤、茯神、鲜荷叶、木香。治愈率87．87％，进步3％，未愈lO％。一百僦中，大便培养阳性者九十二倒，治疗后三次培养阴转率为78．26％。从以上两组病例之疗效来看，不亚于西药治疗结果，在某些方面甚至有所优胜。
一九六六年武汉地区「流脑」大流行，严重威胁人民身体健康。余受组织派遣，参加中医治疗流脑工作，共收治二百八十七例(多属轻型、普通型，亦有少数重型)。入院时，多有明显的发热、恶寒、头痛，或鼻塞流涕，或兼咳嗽等表证。但因其传变迅速，甚至发热伊始而斑疹显露，恶寒未罢而神昏痉厥已成，若循「卫之后，方言气，营之后，方言血」之常规论治，必延误病机，甚则奠救。余师愚云，温疫病「颇类伤寒」，是说明温疫初起，有类似伤寒表证者，「误用辛凉表散，燔灼火焰，必转闷证」。因此必须严格把握疫毒深入营血之病理特性，不论表证有无，概以大剂清热解毒，凉血化斑，或兼熄风，或兼开窍为治，竞能收里和表自解之效。自拟「流脑】号方」(银花、连翘、生地、丹皮、赤芍、大青叶、生石膏、知母、殭蚕、蝉衣、黄芩、菊花、玄参，芦根)，「流啮号方」(银花、连翘、生地，花粉，钩藤、生石膏、地龙、殭蚕、玄参、丹皮、黄芩、蝉衣、大青叶)，必要时配合安宫牛黄丸、至宝丹、紫雪丹之类。通过四个月左右的悉心治疗治愈率达78．41％(其余病人转西医治疗)。工作中发现病者呕吐严重，服药困难，影响疗效，因而积极赞助中药剂型改革。余拟订「流脑注射液」之处方(十味中药组成)，当时制成肌肉注射液，在少数病人中试用，初见疗效。一九六七年「文化大革命」进入高潮，余被迫停止工作。而「流脑注射液」之研制任务，及临床观察，在许多同志努力下，得以继续进行，并制成300％之静脉注射液。通过几年临床实践，治疗各型流脑(配合西药对症处理)，大大提高了疗效，同时用于多种感染性疾病，亦有满意效果。
余虽未能参加其后之工作，但看到此项课题有所进展，亦以自慰。
十年浩劫中，余被贬入深山数年，除随身衣物外，书无一卷，文具尚且困难，自知钻研医学理论无望，而以医疗实际，补其不足之想犹存。故不畏山高水险，走村串户，为群众防病治病，从中学到不少草药知识。如熊黄连之治湿热、温热，朱砂莲之治胃痛，景天三七之治血小板减少等等。当地干部群众不因余之被贬见疑，使余看到献身中医事业之希望。
现在党为每个科技工作者创造了优越条件，开拓了光明前最，余虽老朽，但觉」满目青山夕照明」。故愿竭尽愚诚，与后学诸君共同奋斗，携手前进。
中医学术应当发展提高
首都医院中医科主任．副研究员祝谌予
【作者简分】祝谌予(1914～)，北京市人。早年师事名医施今；墨先生，深得其传；一九三七年曾开业于天津。毕生力倡中西医结合，擅长中医内科、妇科，并潜心研究糖屎病的中医疗法。解放后，历任中国医学科学院首都医院中医科主任、中国医学；科学院学术委员会委员、中华全国中医学会理事、中华全国中西医结合研究要著作有《祝选施今墨医案》、《施今墨临床经验集》等。
我既学过中医，又学过西医，从事临床与教学四十余载，切身感到中国医药学确是一个伟大宝库，有待于我们努力挖掘，更有待于我们运用现代科学技术来整理提高，发扬光大，从而建树具有我国特点的新医药学。兹就我数十年学医、行医、治学的经历，粗浅地谈一下在这方面的体会认识。
发愤学医勤钻博采
古来不少医家，其学医著书之动机，或因自己质弱多病、求医至准，或因家人婴疾遭厄而为庸医所误，于是究心医道，恨世著书，以拯疾扶弱，疔己活人。如张仲景感宗族之丧，勤求古训，博采众方，撰成《伤寒杂病论》，后人尊之为医圣}孙思邈幼遭风冷，屡造医门，汤药之资，罄尽家产，于是悉心歧黄，精勤不倦而着《备急千金要方》，集晋唐验方之大成，李东垣痛悼母病死于医者盲治，投业于易水，独刨脾胃论，开「补土派」之先河……凡此等等，旧时社会条件与某些医者医疗态度略见一斑，故古人有言：「为人父子者，不可以不知医。」「不为良相，愿为良医。」
一九一四年冬，我出生于北京的一个大家族中。相传我家原是米商，闺族百余人居一宅中，然无人业医。我十九岁那年，母亲不幸卧病于榻，壮热神昏，狂躁谵语，遍请北京中西名医救治，皆无效验。惟有后服施今墨先生的中药方见转机，但因不久施先生即去南京等地出诊，重延他医，其征增剧，以致无救而逝。我哀痛万分，深感家中无人知医，殊为不便。所以，我在汇文中学毕业后，即笃志医学，开始了医林生涯。
学医有中西之分。我看到为母亲治病的某些医生，态度傲慢，诊费昂贵，尽管诊断极为明确，道理无可非议，但一提治疗则面面相觑，一筹莫展。只有在施今墨先生的治疗期间有效。因此，我就拜投施先生为师，学习中医。
施先生当时为北京四大名医之一，博学多闻，医术精湛，且医疗态度端正，不问病者贵贱贫富，皆极力救治，故每日求治者充塞门庭，延诊者接踵而至，极为繁忙。最初，我与师兄弟李介鸣、张遂初、张宗毅四人上午在华北国医学院侍诊于先生，抄写方书，每日接诊百余人。下午随他外出诊病，约有七、八家。晚间，先生聘请了一位中医理论造诣较深的周介人老先生为我们讲授《黄帝内经》、《难经》、《伤寒》、《金匮》等经典著作。风雨鸡鸣，寒暑六载，从未间断。同时，在施先生指导下，我们自己先后涉猎了《千金要方》、《千金翼方》，《外台秘要》、《肘后方》，(《赤水玄珠》、《景岳全书》、《医贯》、「张氏医通》、《医林改错》、《中西汇通》等历代名著。
在这些书籍中，《内经》与《难经》是中医理论之渊源，不可不读。但其侧重于理论阐发，而备方药甚少(如《内经》仅备十三方，后世并不常用。《难经》则一方未备)且篇幅错见杂出，文字晦滞难明，注家各执己见。我学习仅取其重点，提纲挈领，作为奠定中医基础之用。我最推崇的是后汉张仲景所著《伤寒论》与《金匮要略》二书。其书理法方药完备，临床价值甚高；其方用之得当，往往覆杯而愈。至于他书，作为一般泛览，贝宜各取所长，择善从之。如《千金》，《外台》集验方宏富，足补仲景方之不逮；赵献可命门说议论精辟，独具一格；王清任辨气血及所制血瘀诸方，发前人之未发；唐宗海论脏腑，张锡纯治气陷等，均能启迪后学。
施先生反对把中医分为「温补派」、「寒凉派」等门派，治学务求实效，临床治病能淹众家之长，结合己见，创立新说，这一思想对我影响极深。我随师边临床实践，边学习理论，相互结合，初步为自己独立应诊打下了基础。
中医学内容丰富多采，若欲全面精通，非朝夕易事。一方面要有坚韧不拔、刻苦钻研的毅力，另一方面要有孜孜不倦，争分夺秒的精神。是时每日除三餐之外，我们几乎全是随师门诊、出诊。诊务繁忙之际，甚至在出诊汽车途中进餐，故学习理论、整理医案只能在晚间。古人云，「一寸光阴一寸金」，并以「自驹过隙」形容时间之宝贵。我的中医理论大部分是在晚间学习的，每晚必待夜深人静，方始就寝。实际上，昼日看病，夜晚读书，我觉得对理论结合实践犬有好处。
我不主张在读书时不假思索、囫囵吞枣地死记硬背，认为重点应在理解原文的精神实质，并付诸临床，学会在实践中如何运用。某些人尽管能把一部分经典著作或中医书籍背得滚瓜烂熟，甚或倒背如流，但临证反而无所适从，疗效不高，这只能算是纸上谈兵的空头理论家。我执教于北京中医学院时，也曾看到有个别学生能背数百方剂，但临床实习一见病人，反而开不出方子来。这说明对方剂的主治与适应症根本没有理解，所以也就不知如何施用。有些人即使能开出方来，也只是按图索骥、刻舟求剑地套用，并不会灵活加减变通。医生的职责是救死扶伤，判断一个医生水平高低，是以治疗效果为标准的，理论再高，治不好病，就没有说服力。所以我认为学习中医理论，必须在理解的基础上加强记忆，且在实践中反复施用，寻谋得失，方能逐渐达到得心应手、左右逢源的境界。
系统学习中医理论是必要的，这需一个循序渐进、登堂入室的过程，但也不能忽视平时对知识的零积碎累。每次读书勿求于多而求于精，也就是有目的地学习，尤其不懂之处要勤问。我随师侍诊之暇，自备一本「零金碎玉」手册，凡看到施先生治病时，自己不理解之处，如，为何辨为某证?为何使用某方、某药?辄问于师，并将老师言传口授录之于册，日久天长，风毛麟角，积少成多，不但保存了老师宝贵的临床经验，而且对我增长阅历，体会先生的学术思想，裨益颇大。施先生制方遣药，不拘一格，往往双药并书，或是互为补佐、增强原有药效，或是互为制其所偏、产生新的药效，组成新方，饶有特色。后来，我曾搜集了数百个双药并书范例，辑之成册为《施今墨药对》，介绍给学生们，很受欢迎，至今流传甚广。
一九三七年「七七事变」后，我随施先生前往天津，开始单独悬壶业诊，病家渐次增多。那时我治病，都是套用先生的经验方剂，尽管有效，也只知其然而不知其所以然，不能满足我求知的欲望。
施先生在学术上一向提倡革新中医，中西医结合，并素以西医诊断、中医辨证互相左证为其主张。因此，先生要求我读一些西医的解剖、生理、病理等书籍。我阅读之后，对人体的生理功能、发病机制都了解梗概，于是想再学西医，以求究竟。一九三九年，遇到一／卜机会，我即东渡日本，入金泽医科大学医学专门部，系统地学习西医知识。四年后回国，虽以西医姿态开业，但多数情况下，我仍是采用西医诊断、中医辨证施治来治病的。
辨证辨病扬长抑短
采用中西医理互相左证，认识和治疗疾病，使我眼界扩大，思路展开，方法亦较多。因此我深感中西医必须结合，方能创造出新的医学理论体系。但是在解放前那种社会制度之下，得不到政府的支持，群众的力量也只能是施派传人，独立钻研，毫无成就。特别是国民党反动派还要废止中医，当然就更谈不到中西医结合的问题了。只有在解放后，党的中医政策贯彻落实，中西医结合工作的进行才有了保证。
目前，医学界对中西医结合持有不同的见解。或以为中医不科学，中医学太神秘，乃「经验医学」，或以为中医完美无缺，愈古愈好，主张走「纯中医」之路。我认为这些想法和看法都还有待于实践来检验。
中医学科学与否?实践乃检验真理之唯一标准。
Consulting the *Bencao Gangmu* (Compendium of Materia Medica), there are records of using Changshan (Dichroa Root) and Caoguo (Black Cardamom Fruit) to treat Zhangmalaria (Malaria with severe chills and fever). I also learned that folk remedies similar to these exist for treating this disease, which still have a certain effect. Synthesizing information from various aspects, I formulated a prescription consisting of four herbs: Tiancha (Camellia Oleifera Leaf), Wumei (Chinese Plum Fruit), Caoguo (Black Cardamom Fruit), and Changshan (Dichroa Root). Depending on the syndrome, I added one or two additional herbs, and indeed achieved ideal results. Generally, patients recovered after taking two or three doses, with many successful cases. This inspired me: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) diagnoses malaria based on clinical symptoms, not on the pathogenic diagnosis of Plasmodium (the malaria parasite). Therefore, for conditions with similar syndromes, one may酌情 (discretionarily) use malaria prescriptions.
In 1964, I participated in scientific research on the TCM treatment of "Hyperthyroidism" (Jia Kang) and "Acute Bacillary Dysentery" (Jixing Junli). From a Western medical perspective, these two diseases have definitive diagnostic criteria and specific effective therapies. Whether TCM treatment can compete with them is a serious issue that must be taken seriously. The "Hyperthyroidism" group consisted of fifteen systematically observed cases. First, Western medicine provided a clear diagnosis and detailed records of all objective indicators, followed by TCM syndrome differentiation and treatment. According to its pathogenesis, it is mainly caused by excessive emotional stress leading to Liver Qi stagnation and failure of free flow. Wind-Wood transforms into fire, shaking the Pericardium upwards, consuming Stomach-Yin downwards, and affecting the Shaoyang meridians laterally, resulting in Qi stagnation and fluid condensation into Phlegm. Thus, soothing the Liver to relieve stagnation, clearing and descending Ministerial Fire, softening hardness and resolving phlegm, and nourishing Yin to moisten dryness are the main treatment principles. I self-prescribed "Shugan Xiaoying Decoction" (Chaihu, Shengdi, Xuanshen, Zhimu, Huafen, Danggui, Baishao, Kunbu, Haizao, Muli, Huangyaozi, Xiangfu, Baiziren) as the basic formula. After symptoms disappeared and basal metabolic rate and thyroid radioactive iodine uptake rates returned to normal, patients switched to Xiaoying Wan (Kunbu, Haizao, Lizhihe, Chuanlian, Xuanshen, Xiangfu, Zhebei, Chaihu, Huangyaozi, Muli, Juhe, Zaojiaoci) to consolidate efficacy. Fourteen out of fifteen cases showed efficacy within seven to fifteen days of medication, with gradual symptom reduction and decreasing basal metabolic rate. Symptoms generally disappeared completely within two to three months. Body weight increased by an average of four kilograms, with a maximum of nine kilograms. Basal metabolic rate normalized in ten cases, approached normal in one, and improved in two. Twelve cases underwent comparative radioactive iodine uptake tests after medication; nine returned to normal, and three showed no significant improvement.
The "Acute Bacillary Dysentery" group systematically observed one hundred cases. All were diagnosed according to standards established at the 1959 National Infectious Disease Academic Conference. In TCM syndrome differentiation, thirty-seven cases belonged to Damp-Heat Accumulation, with the main formula containing Danggui, Baishao, Huanglian, Huangqin, Binglang, Zhike, and Muxiang; thirty-six cases had Damp-Heat with Exterior Syndrome, treated with Gegen, Huangqin, Huanglian, Yinhua, Lianqiao, Jiaoshanzha, Houpo, and Muxiang; eighteen cases had Damp-Heat with Food Stagnation, treated with Huoxiang, Ziye, Fabanxia, Zhuru, Zhike, Huanglian, Jiaoshenqu, Shenqu, Dafupi, and Fuling; nine cases had Damp-Heat transforming into Wind, treated with Yinhua, Lianqiao, Huangqin, Huanglian, Gouteng, Fushen, Xianheye, and Muxiang. The cure rate was 87.87%, improvement 3%, and non-cure 10%. Among the one hundred cases, ninety-two had positive stool cultures; the negative conversion rate after three post-treatment cultures was 78.26%. Comparing the efficacy of these two groups, it was no inferior to Western medicine results, and even superior in some aspects.
In 1966, a severe epidemic of "Epidemic Cerebrospinal Meningitis" (Liunao) broke out in Wuhan, severely threatening public health. Dispatched by the organization, I participated in TCM treatment for meningitis, admitting 287 cases (mostly mild and ordinary types, with a few severe ones). Upon admission, most patients exhibited obvious exterior syndromes such as fever, aversion to cold, headache, nasal congestion with runny nose, or cough accompanied by sneezing. However, due to rapid progression, rashes could appear at the onset of fever, and coma and convulsions could develop before aversion to cold subsided. If treated according to the conventional sequence of "after Wei (Defensive) comes Qi, after Ying (Nutritive) comes Blood," the pathogenesis would inevitably be delayed, potentially leading to untreatable conditions. My teacher, Wu Youke, stated that warm epidemics are "similar to Cold Damage." This indicates that although early-stage warm epidemics present with exterior syndromes similar to Cold Damage, "misusing acrid-cool diaphoretics will cause blazing fire, inevitably turning into internal constraint syndromes." Therefore, one must strictly grasp the pathological characteristic of epidemic toxins penetrating deeply into Ying and Blood levels. Regardless of the presence of exterior syndromes, large doses of heat-clearing and detoxifying herbs, blood-cooling and macule-resolving herbs, combined with wind-extinguishing or orifice-opening herbs if necessary, should be used. This approach successfully achieved resolution of interior disorders, leading to spontaneous resolution of exterior symptoms. I self-prescribed "Liunao Formula No. 1" (Yinhua, Lianqiao, Shengdi, Danpi, Chishao, Daqingye, Sheng Shigao, Zhimu, Jiangcan, Chenyi, Huangqin, Juhua, Xuanshen, Lugeng) and "Liunao Formula No. 2" (Yinhua, Lianqiao, Shengdi, Huafen, Gouteng, Sheng Shigao, Dilong, Jiangcan, Xuanshen, Danpi, Huangqin, Chenyi, Daqingye). An Gong Niu Huang Wan, Zhi Bao Dan, and Zi Xue Dan were used when necessary. Through about four months of careful treatment, the cure rate reached 78.41% (remaining patients transferred to Western medicine). During treatment, I found that severe vomiting in patients made oral medication difficult, affecting efficacy. Therefore, I actively supported the reform of TCM dosage forms. I formulated a prescription for "Liunao Injection" (composed of ten Chinese herbs), which was initially prepared as an intramuscular injection and trialed on a few patients, showing initial efficacy. In 1967, during the height of the Cultural Revolution, I was forced to stop work. However, under the efforts of many colleagues, the development of "Liunao Injection" and clinical observations continued, eventually resulting in a 30% intravenous injection. Through several years of clinical practice, treating various types of meningitis (combined with symptomatic Western medicine) greatly improved efficacy. It was also applied to various infectious diseases with satisfactory results.
Although I did not participate in subsequent work, seeing progress in this project brought me comfort.
During the Ten Years of Turmoil, I was exiled to deep mountains for several years. With only my clothes and lacking books and even writing materials, I knew that studying medical theory was hopeless, but the desire to supplement theoretical deficiencies through practical medical work remained. Thus, fearing neither high mountains nor dangerous waters, I visited villages and households to prevent and treat diseases for the masses, learning much herbal knowledge along the way. For example, Xionghuanglian (Berberis Vulgaris Root) treats damp-heat and warm-heat; Zhushalian (Sinomenium Acutum Rhizome) treats stomach pain; Jingtian Sanqi (Sedum Acre) treats thrombocytopenia. The local cadres and masses did not suspect me due to my exile, giving me hope to dedicate myself to the TCM cause.
Now, the Party has created favorable conditions for every scientific worker, opening up a bright future. Although I am old, I feel "green mountains fill the view in the evening glow." Therefore, I wish to devote my sincere efforts, struggle together with younger scholars, and advance hand in hand.
TCM Academic Theory Should Develop and Improve
Zhu Chenyu
Director of TCM Department, Capital Hospital
Associate Researcher
[Author Biography] Zhu Chenyu (1914–), from Beijing. Studied under the famous doctor Shi Jinmo in his early years, inheriting his teachings deeply; practiced independently in Tianjin in 1937. He advocated integrating Chinese and Western medicine throughout his life, specializing in TCM Internal Medicine and Gynecology, and devoted himself to researching TCM treatments for diabetes. After liberation, he served as Director of the TCM Department at Capital Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Member of the Academic Committee of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Director of the Chinese Medical Association; and Director of the Chinese Association for Integrative Medicine. His works include *Selected Cases of Shi Jinmo* and *Clinical Experience Collection of Shi Jinmo*.
Having studied both TCM and Western medicine, and engaged in clinical practice and teaching for over forty years, I personally feel that Chinese medicine is indeed a great treasure house waiting for our diligent excavation. More importantly, it awaits our use of modern science and technology to organize, improve, carry forward, and establish a new medical system with Chinese characteristics. Based on my decades of experience in studying, practicing, and researching medicine, I will briefly share my insights in this regard.
Studying Medicine with Determination, Diligence, and Broad Collection
Many ancient physicians were motivated to study medicine and write books because they themselves were weak and sick, seeking accurate cures, or because family members suffered due to quack doctors. Consequently, they devoted themselves to medical arts, regretting the world's state, and wrote books to save the sick and strengthen the weak, curing themselves and others. For instance, Zhang Zhongjing, moved by the death of his clan members, diligently sought ancient teachings and collected numerous prescriptions, compiling the *Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases*, revered by later generations as the Sage of Medicine. Sun Simiao suffered from wind-cold in childhood, frequently visiting doctors until his family fortune was exhausted. He then devoted himself to Qi-Huang (Yellow Emperor and Shennong) studies, working tirelessly without fatigue, and authored the *Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold for Emergencies*, collecting the best formulas of the Jin and Tang dynasties. Li Dongyuan mourned his mother's death due to blind medical treatment, studied under Yi Shui, and uniquely created the Spleen-Stomach Theory, pioneering the "Earth-Supplementing School"... These examples reveal the social conditions of the time and the attitudes of some physicians. Hence, ancients said: "Those who are fathers and sons cannot but know medicine." "If not a good prime minister, I wish to be a good doctor."
In the winter of 1914, I was born into a large family in Beijing. Legend has it that my ancestors were rice merchants, with over a hundred relatives living in one mansion, yet none practiced medicine. When I was nineteen, my mother fell ill in bed, suffering from high fever, confusion, mania, and delirium. We invited many famous Chinese and Western doctors in Beijing for treatment, but none were effective. Only after taking herbal prescriptions from Mr. Shi Jinmo did her condition show signs of improvement. However, shortly thereafter, Mr. Shi left for Nanjing and other places for consultations. We hired other doctors, but her symptoms worsened, leading to her untimely death. I was heartbroken and deeply felt the inconvenience of having no one in the family knowledgeable in medicine. Therefore, after graduating from Huiwen Middle School, I dedicated myself to medicine, beginning my career in the medical field.
There is a distinction between studying Chinese and Western medicine. I noticed that some doctors treating my mother had arrogant attitudes and high fees. Although their diagnoses were clear and reasoning sound, they were at a loss when it came to treatment. Only during Mr. Shi Jinmo's treatment was there effectiveness. Thus, I became his disciple to study TCM.
At that time, Mr. Shi was one of the Four Famous Doctors in Beijing. He was erudite, skilled in medicine, and had a correct medical attitude. Regardless of whether patients were rich or poor, he spared no effort to save them. Consequently, his door was crowded with seekers of treatment daily, and those requesting consultations followed endlessly, making him extremely busy. Initially, I, along with my fellow students Li Jieming, Zhang Suichu, and Zhang Zongyi, attended his clinic at North China College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the mornings, copying prescriptions and seeing over a hundred patients daily. In the afternoons, we accompanied him on house calls to about seven or eight families. In the evenings, Mr. Shi invited Mr. Zhou Jieren, a senior figure with profound TCM theoretical attainment, to teach us classic works such as the *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon), *Nanjing* (Classic of Difficult Issues), *Shanghan Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage), and *Jingui Yaolue* (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet). Through wind and rain, morning and night, for six years without interruption. Meanwhile, under Mr. Shi's guidance, we successively studied classics like *Qianjin Yaofang* (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold), *Qianjin Yifang* (Supplement to Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold), *Waitai Miyao* (Secret Essentials from the Outer Cabinet), *Zhouhou Beiji Fang* (Handbook of Prescriptions Ke Ready for Emergencies), *Chishui Xuanzhu* (Purple Pearl of Chishui), *Jingyue Quanshu* (Complete Works of Jingyue), *Yiguan* (Medical Canon), *Zhangshi Yitong* (Integration of Zhang's Medicine), *Yilin Gaicuo* (Correction of Errors in Medical Forest), and *Zhongxi Huitong* (Integration of Chinese and Western Medicine).
Among these books, the *Neijing* and *Nanjing* are the sources of TCM theory and must be read. However, they focus on theoretical elaboration and contain few prescriptions (e.g., the *Neijing* contains only thirteen prescriptions, rarely used later; the *Nanjing* contains none). Their content is scattered, language obscure, and commentators hold differing views. In my study, I only took key points, grasping the outline, to lay a foundation for TCM basics. What I admire most are the *Shanghan Lun* and *Jingui Yaolue* by Zhang Zhongjing of the Later Han Dynasty. These books have complete theory, methods, prescriptions, and herbs, with high clinical value; when used correctly, they often bring immediate recovery ("cured upon overturning the cup"). As for other books, for general reading, one should take strengths from each and choose what is good. For example, *Qianjin* and *Waitai* collect abundant verified prescriptions, sufficient to supplement Zhang Zhongjing's formulas; Zhao Xianke's theory of Mingmen (Gate of Life) is insightful and unique; Wang Qingren's analysis of Qi and Blood and his blood-stasis formulas revealed what predecessors had not; Tang Zonghai's discussion of Zang-Fu organs and Zhang Xichun's treatment of Qi sinking all inspire later learners.
Mr. Shi opposed dividing TCM into schools like "Warm-Tonifying" or "Cold-Cooling," emphasizing practical effects in scholarship. Clinically, he absorbed the strengths of various schools, combined them with his own views, and created new theories. This thought influenced me deeply. Accompanying my teacher, I combined clinical practice with theoretical study, laying a preliminary foundation for independent consultation.
TCM is rich and colorful. To master it comprehensively is not easy in a short time. On one hand, one needs perseverance and diligence; on the other, tireless spirit and seizing every minute. At that time, besides three meals a day, we almost exclusively followed the teacher for outpatient and house visits. During busy times, we even ate in the car during house calls, so studying theory and organizing case histories could only happen in the evenings. Ancients said, "An inch of time is worth an inch of gold," describing time's preciousness as "a white pony passing a crevice." Most of my TCM theory study happened in the evenings, sleeping only after midnight. Actually, seeing patients by day and reading by night, I felt it was very beneficial for combining theory with practice.
I do not advocate rote memorization without thinking while reading. I believe the focus should be on understanding the spiritual essence of the original text and applying it clinically, learning how to use it in practice. Some people may recite classic works or TCM books fluently, even backwards, but when facing patients, they are at a loss and have low efficacy. This is merely empty theorizing on paper. While teaching at Beijing College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, I saw individual students who could recite hundreds of prescriptions but couldn't prescribe anything when seeing patients during clinical internships. This shows they didn't understand the indications and indications of the prescriptions, hence didn't know how to apply them. Even if some could prescribe, they merely copied blindly without flexible modification. A doctor's duty is to save lives. Judging a doctor's level depends on therapeutic effect; no matter how high the theory, if it doesn't cure disease, it lacks persuasiveness. Therefore, I believe studying TCM theory requires strengthening memory based on understanding, repeatedly applying it in practice, seeking gains and losses, to gradually reach a state of proficiency and versatility.
Systematic study of TCM theory is necessary, requiring a step-by-step process, but one cannot ignore accumulating knowledge bit by bit. Reading should seek precision rather than quantity, i.e., purposeful study, especially asking questions about unclear points. During spare time attending the clinic with my teacher, I kept a "Scattered Gold and Jade" notebook. Whenever I saw Mr. Shi treating patients, if I didn't understand something, such as why a certain syndrome was differentiated or why a specific prescription or herb was used, I asked him and recorded his verbal instructions. Over time, fragment by fragment, accumulating little to become much, not only preserving my teacher's valuable clinical experience but also greatly benefiting my growth in experience and understanding of his academic thoughts. Mr. Shi's prescription formulation was unconventional, often pairing two herbs. They either complemented each other to enhance original efficacy or counteracted biases to produce new effects, forming new prescriptions with distinctive features. Later, I collected hundreds of examples of paired herbs, compiled them into *Shi Jinmo Herb Pairs*, introduced them to students, and they were well-received and widely circulated to this day.
After the "July 7th Incident" in 1937, I followed Mr. Shi to Tianjin and began practicing independently. Patients gradually increased. At that time, I treated diseases by copying Mr. Shi's empirical prescriptions. Although effective, I only knew the "how" but not the "why," failing to satisfy my thirst for knowledge.
Mr. Shi always advocated innovating TCM and integrating Chinese and Western medicine, believing in mutual verification between Western diagnosis and TCM syndrome differentiation. Therefore, he required me to read Western anatomy, physiology, and pathology books. After reading, I understood the general outline of human physiological functions and pathogenesis mechanisms, so I wanted to learn Western medicine thoroughly. In 1939, seizing an opportunity, I went to Japan to study Western medicine systematically at Kanazawa Medical University. Four years later, upon returning, although I opened a practice presenting myself as a Western doctor, in most cases, I still used Western diagnosis combined with TCM syndrome differentiation for treatment.
Differentiating Syndromes and Diseases to Maximize Strengths and Minimize Weaknesses
Using mutual verification of Chinese and Western medical theories to recognize and treat diseases broadened my horizons, expanded my thinking, and provided more methods. Thus, I deeply felt that integrating Chinese and Western medicine is essential to create a new medical theoretical system. However, under the pre-liberation social system, lacking government support, the power of the masses could only be Shi-style inheritors studying independently, achieving nothing. Especially since the Kuomintang reactionaries wanted to abolish TCM, discussing integration was out of the question. Only after liberation, with the implementation of the Party's TCM policies, was there a guarantee for carrying out integration work.
Currently, the medical community holds different views on integration. Some think TCM is unscientific, too mysterious, merely "empirical medicine"; others think TCM is perfect, the older the better, advocating a "pure TCM" path. I believe these ideas and views still need testing by practice.
Is TCM scientific? Practice is the sole criterion for testing truth.