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The public's evaluation of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Western medicine often holds that Western medicine excels in surgery, while TCM is proficient in internal diseases. However, according to actual practice, although Western medicine indeed has many advantages over TCM in treating internal diseases, does TCM not have effective prescriptions with rapid results for surgical conditions? Measuring the superiority of TCM and Western medicine based on their treatment of internal and surgical diseases is truly an unfounded claim. Now, based on records in books, I briefly narrate a few cases to demonstrate that TCM indeed possesses empirical and effective prescriptions for curing external lesions.

"Cold Cottage Medical Conversations" (Lenglu Yihua), Volume 5, states: "Mr. Zheng Zhuoyan, a learned scholar from my hometown, liked collecting single-herb prescriptions. He said his most effective experiences included four cases. In the Renyin year of the Daoguang reign (1842), he served as a tutor at the residence of Military Commander Wang in Leping. One day, a hard lump appeared in front of his anus and behind his scrotum, gradually becoming painful, accompanied by intermittent deficiency-cold or deficiency-heat symptoms. On his desk was a book titled 'Tongshou Lu'. He consulted a prescription there which stated: 'For early-stage Kuama Yong (Horse-Riding Carbuncle), use five qian of Gancao (Licorice Root), decocted with one bowl of water and one bowl of wine.' After taking it as prescribed, the lump gradually softened. The next day, some clear fluid oozed out slightly. Within a few days, he recovered completely." (Note by Gui: Kuama Yong is synonymous with Xuanyong [Carbuncle between the anus and scrotum]. Xida Chunxiangcheng also considered Fen Gancao Gao [Powdered Licorice Ointment] as a good remedy for this condition.)

In Mao Dake's "Bianyi Jingyan Ji" (Collection of Convenient Empirical Experiences), under the section "Secret Prescription for Chanhou Feng (Choked Throat Wind)," it is recorded: "The Chanhou Feng medicine passed down by the Zhao family in Changshu was very effective, but the prescription was kept extremely secret. One day, Mr. Zhao's son was drinking with his friend Zhang Gan. When asked about the prescription, he did not answer. After several rounds of drinks, Mr. Zhao's throat became unbearably painful, so he shouted loudly, 'Go get Zhiya Zaojiao (Gleditsia Sinensis Fruit with Spines)!'" Upon arrival, it was finely pounded, mixed with vinegar, and five spoons were poured into the throat. This induced coughing up of large amounts of phlegm, and the pain stopped immediately. The remaining medicine was applied to the neck, replaced when dry. His Ru'e (Tonsillitis) also ruptured and healed. Later, Zhang Gan taught this method to many people." (Note by Gui: Zaojiao treats Houfeng; Li Shizhen's "Bencao Gangmu" also highly praises its efficacy.)

In the preface to Mei Shi's "Yanfang Xinbian" (New Compilation of Verified Prescriptions), Tianxu Wosheng wrote: "My mother used to soak Furonghua (Hibiscus Flower) in salt every year. By the following summer, if children suffered from Chuangjie (sores/nodules), applying this would cure them instantly. She also soaked newborn rats in Caixiang (Rapeseed Oil); for burns or scalds, applying this stopped the pain immediately. During the Plum Rain season, she caught Yan'you (mayflies) and pickled them with Meizi (Plums). For throat disorders, it worked promptly. I have personally experimented with all these methods."

Bao Hengcun, in the fifth issue of the Nanjing Medical Journal, stated: "In the 11th year of Xianfeng (1861) and the 2nd year of Tongzhi (1863), my father practiced medicine in Hong Kong. At that time, the port was undeveloped, residents were scarce, customs were fierce, laws were disregarded, and people loved eating Hechong (Rice Worms). Consequently, people from the lower classes often suffered from Dingdu (Carbuncles/Furuncles). Once infected, they refused to avoid meat, leading to frequent occurrences of Zouhuang (Spreading Poison/Internal Collapse). My father often used Bajiaogen (Banana Root) crushed into juice, letting patients drink it chilled. Even in cases of widespread Zouhuang throughout the body, none failed to recover."

Although the severity of the diseases in the above four examples differed, the speed of their effectiveness was consistent. Moreover, what I have described are merely four cases. If one extensively consults medical texts, such records and excellent prescriptions are too numerous to count. Are the records in medical books entirely fictitious? Therefore, I believe that in TCM surgical treatment, apart from instruments, disinfection, and surgery, the remaining herbal prescriptions are no inferior to Western medical techniques.

Shen Zhonggui studied Internal Medicine under Master Wang Xiangyan in his youth. During his spare time from reading, he copied books such as "Fangwai Qifang" (Extraordinary Prescriptions Outside the Canon), "Linglin Ling Fang," and "Yixue Tiyong." These works had already been compiled by Mr. Jisheng and published in the "Sanyan Yishu" (Three Three Medical Books). Recently, Shanghai World Book Bureau edited and printed the "Zhenben Yishu Jicheng" (Integrated Collection of Precious Medical Books) to promote national essence, which is truly admirable. Having immersed myself in this field for nearly twenty years, I firmly believe that effective TCM prescriptions and miraculous medicines will not be abandoned. Thus, on the occasion of this book's reprint, I express my humble opinions again to seek correction from worthy scholars.

Late April, 25th Year of the Republic of China (1936). Shen Zhonggui, written at Liangdaoshan, Hangzhou.