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The "Rites of Zhou · Heavenly Offices" records: The physician for sores (Yang Yi) is in charge of the incantation therapies and the application of medicated pastes and cauterizing agents for tumid sores (Zhong Yang), ulcerated sores (Kui Yang), and fracture-related sores (Zhe Yang). The commentary states: "Scraping" refers to scraping away pus and blood; "killing" refers to using medicinal agents to cauterize and remove necrotic flesh. It further states: In treating all sores, five toxic medicines are used to attack the pathogen. The commentary explains: Current medical formulas contain five toxic drugs, which are combined with lead oxide (Huang Dan), lithargium (Shi Dan), cinnabar (Dan Sha), realgar (Xiong Huang), alum (Fan Shi), and magnetite (Ci Shi), and burned for three days and nights. The smoke produced adheres to surfaces; this residue is swept up with a chicken feather and applied to the sore, causing necrotic flesh and bone to be expelled completely. It also states: Nourish it with the five Qi, treat it with five categories of medicines, and regulate diet with the five flavors. The commentary notes: After the old necrotic flesh has been attacked and cleared out, nourishment can then proceed. "Five Qi" is likely a textual error for "Five Grains." This indicates that ancient surgical medications employed both attacking and tonifying methods simultaneously, with no definitive evidence of exclusive use of aggressive attacking agents.

I have often lamented that extant comprehensive medical texts are nearly equal in number to those of Buddhism and Daoism. Among surgical texts, only those recorded in bibliographies such as Li Xun's *Ji Yan Bei Ju Fang* (Collected Proven Formulas for Back Carbuncles) from the Song Dynasty, Dou Hanqing's *Chuang Yang Jing Quan Shu* (Complete Book of Experience in Sores and Ulcers), and Qi Dezhi's *Wai Ke Jing Yi* (Essentials of Surgery) from the Yuan Dynasty are considered close to ancient traditions. However, Mr. Wang Hongxu of our dynasty authored the *Quan Sheng Ji* (Complete Collection for Preserving Life), whose theories are particularly perfect. This book focuses on investigating the etiology and distinguishing the strength or weakness of Yin and Yang with precise accuracy, earning its reputation as an excellent edition among the public.

Mr. Ma Peizhi of Wujin mastered the essential principles of medicine, akin to holding the key to a lock or the treasure within a fortress. His family practiced medicine for three generations, inheriting virtue with increasing devotion. Consequently, his fame spread throughout Jiangnan, and visitors seeking remedies came in continuous succession. Through observation of facial complexion and eyebrows (inspection), he thoroughly understood even deep-seated diseases. He was later summoned to the capital by imperial decree, where his prestige grew even greater. Broadening his horizons, his treatments were invariably effective, like ascending a spring terrace to view scenery or drinking water from the upper pool.

In the following year, upon retiring to his home and living in seclusion in the forest, during his leisure time, he extensively studied secret pharmacopeias, intending to compose commentaries to instruct later learners. Because Mr. Wang heavily utilized yang-warming agents and his statements were overly radical, deviating from the intent of ancient renowned physicians like Huan Wei, Mr. Ma applied his own insights to eliminate flaws and highlight merits. He clarified the usage of decoctions, correcting errors item by item, and added marginal notes. The work was completed in just one month and entrusted to the Wu family in Hangzhou for printing and publication.

Diseases such as yin abscesses (Yin Ju) and flowing deposits (Liu Zhu) determine life and death in the span of a breath. Quack doctors, plagiarizing one or two secret formulas, recklessly apply needles and stones, which certainly can kill patients. Even highly skilled practitioners, if rigidly adhering to Mr. Wang’s school of thought, becoming arrogant and aloof, while ignoring the fundamental causes of disease, the clinical manifestations, the trends of Yin and Yang, the regulation of medication, and appropriate contraindications, commit acts of harming heavenly harmony and destroying human lives, differing little from murder with a blade. Now, with Mr. Ma's commentary, medical practitioners will have a standard criterion, avoiding blind groping in the dark. The merit of this is immense. Moreover, how can the merit of Mr. Ma, who preserves life through self-cultivation, be measured? Having completed the engraving, I hereby narrate the origin of this work.

Written respectfully by Tang Jishang of Xiaoshan in the third month of early spring, in the ninth year of Guangxu.