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China has long been known as a nation of propriety and ethics, where the distinction between men and women is strictly observed. Women reside quietly in the inner quarters, ignorant of social intercourse; thus, they are extremely reticent regarding the genital organs.
Consequently, diseases originating from the genital organs are also kept secret and not disclosed, whether to family members or to physicians. For a physician to accurately diagnose the specific disease within the small area covered by three fingers, it is indeed exceedingly difficult. Hence, there is an old saying: "It is better to treat ten men than one woman." An examination of ancient texts, such as *Neijing* (The Inner Canon), *Nanjing* (The Classic of Difficult Issues), and *Jingui Yaolue* (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet), reveals that anatomical, physiological, and pathological descriptions of female genitalia are mostly vague. Scholars could neither understand the physiology and pathology of the genital organs from these records nor verify them through post-mortem dissection. Relying solely on personal conjecture about internal organs, various theories emerged without consensus, leaving readers bewildered as if lost in a dense fog. Recently, with the influx of Western culture and the opening of social interactions, the atmosphere of conservatism has changed, and engaging female physicians has become less difficult than in the past. However, except for those Chinese gynecological books that elaborate on theories based on Qi transformation—which remain precise—those dealing with physical structures are largely speculative and hard to trust. If someone were to use Western physiology and pathology to verify ancient Chinese texts, exposing the ambiguities that have persisted for thousands of years, treatment methods would then follow standard principles. This would be not only a great contribution to medicine but also a significant blessing for women. This book collects extensively and selects concisely, achieving a balanced and appropriate synthesis. It has been authenticated by Zhe Gong Lao Ren (an honorary title of Xiao Wu Gong in his later years) at the beginning and annotated by Yong Yan Xian Sheng at the end, making it perfect and admirable. Although there are some instances of inherited errors regarding physical structures, this is due to the limitations of the times; the responsibility for correction lies with future generations, so one should not harshly demand perfection from the author.
Written respectfully by Shen Xiongzhang, styled Zhonggui, a humble scholar, in August of the 13th Year of the Republic of China, at Feifei Studio.