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Medicine, since ancient times, has been divided by Qibo and the Yellow Emperor into internal and external disciplines. These two are actually exterior and interior counterparts to each other, and none have practiced the medical way without benevolence (Ren, 仁). Although profound techniques such as scraping bone and opening the abdomen were not transmitted to the world, although my talent is sparse and my nature mediocre, in expounding upon sores and ulcers (Chuangyang, 疮疡), I am bringing forth secrets unexplored by former sages and revealing mysteries incomplete in previous works. Therefore, it is named *Waike Qixuan* (Surgical Enlightenment of the Mysterious). It is truly an essential book for benefiting the people and aiding all things; is this not benevolence? Is this not a compassionate heart? This "benevolence" refers to the benevolence of kindness, and this "heart" refers to the heart of compassion. It can be manifested in the present times, extending to future generations, and should be broadcast in the capital and transmitted throughout the world.

Recently, there have been many cases of sores and ulcers. Regrettably, when the disease begins, treatment is not sought; one waits until symptoms are obvious and the condition has settled before seeking medical help. The *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) states: "If medicine is administered only after the disease has formed, and governance applied only after chaos has occurred, it is like digging a well only when thirsty, or forging weapons only when battle has begun." Is this not too late? Various sores, if slightly delayed, may fear transformation into Dingju (Ding carbuncles and Ju abscesses), a situation that is no small matter. If treatment is not sought early, and bright physicians are bypassed in favor of vulgar practitioners, how can one know whether the sore condition is deficiency (Xu, 虚) or excess (Shi, 实), whether the timing is adverse (Ni, 逆) or favorable (Shun, 顺), and whether the momentum is slow or urgent? Life is often disregarded, leading to many premature deaths. What a pity! This is due to the error of hesitation.

I, ashamedly, have practiced medicine for merely decades, roaming the rivers and lakes, visiting extraordinary prescriptions and unique theories from outside the mundane world, collecting them all. Profound principles and secret recipes, how could I keep them hidden? I have cut out the superfluous and removed the redundant, focusing exclusively on the essence of essences; in decoction and processing, I earnestly seek the most verified efficacy. I have illustrated the forms and symptoms, clarified the meridians (Jingluo, 经络), observed through inspection of color and palpation of pulse (Se Mai, 色脉), distinguished between adverse and favorable courses, detailed auspicious and ominous outcomes, recognized depth and superficiality. The work is divided into twelve volumes, forming one part. Funds were gathered for printing (Jijue, 剞劂), to spread it widely and permanently, to aid the people of the world, enabling everyone to reach the realm of longevity. It is not to hope for accumulating hidden merit, but to leave behind this heart, offering a small supplement to the treatment of sores and ulcers.

Written on the morning moon day of spring in the Jia-Chen year of the Wanli era, at the Jiyin Xuan Hall.

Smallpox (Douzhen, 痘疹), sand-rash (Sha, 痧), and measles (Ma, 麻) have existed since ancient times. Even among barbarian tribes, they are unavoidable. Since Qian Yi established his theories, the discussions have been very detailed, yet the essays of various sages are complicated and do not immediately hit the mark. Although later learners are intelligent, it is difficult for them to grasp these deeply and conveniently. I ponder that ancient sages possessed supreme benevolence and virtue. Since they transmitted methods and prescriptions, considering that in the current times and world, people have different constitutions, how can ancient prescriptions perfectly fit modern symptoms? Although I am not smart, I have established several treatises. Although they are not profound or mysterious, they are truly precious for the hearts of infants and young children. I say: Smallpox toxin should be acquired through three causes, a point even Chen Wuze did not detail. The key to foreseeing smallpox was kept secret by ancients and not written down. To distinguish the adverse and favorable courses of the four seasons, the severity of locations, the forms and symptoms, the auspiciousness, danger, and reversal indicated by colors, and the treatment methods for changes involving deficiency, calmness, and excess, I have listed them item by item, amounting to a hundred sentences, for the convenience of later learners to recite. Detailed in the summary, this is indeed what predecessors left incomplete, aiming to relieve the peril of infants. Although life has its destiny, this clumsy effort by a doctor, how dare I hide it? I respectfully believe that manifesting the virtue of cherishing life is extremely important.