伤寒例论曰∶易称天地变化,各正性命,然则变化之迹无方,性命之功难测,故有炎凉寒燠,风雨晦冥,水旱
妖灾,虫蝗怪异,四时八节,种种施化不同,七十二候,日月营运各别,终其晷,度得成年,是谓岁功毕矣。天
地尚且如此,然在人安可无事?故人生天地之间,命有遭际,时有否泰,吉凶悔吝,苦乐安危,喜怒爱憎,存亡忧
畏,关心之虑,日有千条,谋身之道,时生万计,乃度一日,是故天无一岁不寒暑,人无一日不忧喜,故有天行温
疫病者,即天地变化之一气也。斯盖造化必然之理,不得无之,故圣人虽有补天之极之德,而不能废之,虽不能废
之,而能以道御之。其次有贤人,善于摄生,能知撙节,与时推移,亦得保全。天地有斯瘴疠,还以天地所生之物
以防备之,命曰知方,则病无所侵矣。然此病也,俗人谓之横病,多不解治,皆曰日满自差,以此致枉者,天下太
半。凡始觉不佳,即须救疗,迄至于病愈,汤食兢进,折其毒势,自然而差,必不可令病气自在,恣意攻人,拱手
待命,斯为误矣。
按∶真人此论,从天人合基处发脉,义理源头上起澜,而议论苍古,浑浑灏灏,真与南华并传,虽论寒哉,而
温与暑之秘皆兼之矣。敬录置之座右,以为玄宗之一助,医道待其余耳。
The "Treatise on the Examples of Cold Damage" states: The *I Ching* (Book of Changes) mentions that heaven and earth undergo changes, each establishing the nature and destiny of all things. However, the traces of change are boundless, and the efficacy of nature and destiny is difficult to fathom. Therefore, there are variations in heat and cold, wind and rain, darkness and clarity, water and drought disasters, insect plagues, and strange phenomena. The four seasons and eight solar terms manifest diverse transformations; the seventy-two pentads differ in the operation of the sun and moon. Only when the shadow measurement completes a year is it said that the work of the year is finished. If heaven and earth are thus, how can humans remain idle within them? Thus, humans live between heaven and earth; fate encounters opportunities, and times experience adversity or prosperity. There are auspiciousness, misfortune, regret, and hesitation; suffering, joy, safety, and danger; anger, joy, love, and hatred; existence, death, worry, and fear. Concerns arise with thousands of threads daily; strategies for survival generate ten thousand plans at any time, merely to pass one day. Therefore, heaven does not have a year without cold and heat alternation, nor does a human have a day without worry and joy. Hence, epidemic febrile diseases (epidemic warm diseases) occurring through heavenly transmission are but one aspect of the qi transformation of heaven and earth. This is a necessary principle of creation, which cannot be absent. Thus, although the Sage possesses the supreme virtue of mending the sky, he cannot abolish it; yet, though he cannot abolish it, he can govern it through the Dao. Secondly, there are worthy men who are skilled in preserving life, knowing moderation, and shifting with the times, thereby achieving preservation. Since heaven and earth have such pestilences and miasmas, they provide objects born of heaven and earth to guard against them. This is called "knowing the method" (Zhi Fang), so that disease cannot invade. However, this illness is commonly referred to by laypeople as "Heng Bing" (sudden/severe illness leading to premature death). Many do not understand how to treat it, claiming it will resolve itself after a set period, resulting in premature deaths for more than half of the world's population. Whenever one feels unwell initially, immediate treatment is required. Until recovery, decoctions and foods should be eagerly administered to reduce the toxic force of the pathogen, allowing natural resolution. One must never allow the pathogenic qi to roam freely and attack the body indiscriminately, nor sit idle awaiting death; doing so is an error.
Commentary: This treatise by Master Sun originates from the foundation of the unity of heaven and humanity, raising waves from the source of principles. Its arguments are ancient and vigorous, profound and vast, truly capable of being transmitted alongside the *Nanhua Jing* (Zhuangzi). Although it discusses cold damage, the secrets of warm diseases and summerheat diseases are also included. I respectfully copy this text and place it beside my seat as an aid to studying the profound Dao, while the medical way awaits further exploration.