Library

Han Yu said, "A skilled physician does not observe whether the patient is thin or fat, but only examines whether their pulse indicates disease. If the pulse is normal, even if the body is emaciated, there is no harm. If the pulse indicates disease, even if the body is obese, death will ensue." However, in the world, there are diseases such as carbuncles and back sores (Yongju Fabei). Their onset is gradual, but once erupted, they are fierce. People often ignore subtle signs and remain unaware until suddenly severe swelling erupts, leaving no time for treatment. If further misled by incompetent physicians, none escape death. In remote villages, where can one seek medicine? When strange diseases suddenly afflict, one can only sigh at being helpless. I am ashamed of my lack of medical knowledge; whenever I think of this, I cannot help but feel sorrow.

Chen Hengshan, the Salt Transport Commissioner from Guiyang, loved ancient texts and was sincere in his pursuits. He particularly enjoyed collecting precious books like those from the *Jingui* library. He once obtained an old Southern Song dynasty woodblock print in a Japanese city: a single volume of *Beiji Jiu Fa* (Emergency Moxibustion Method) written by Zhang Huan, Commander of the Tuanlian. He gave it to me saying, "This moxibustion method is rarely seen in China, likely because its transmission has been lost. People are accustomed to it without noticing and tend to overlook it. If one obtains this compilation, selects acupoints according to the diagrams, and applies moxa cones according to the methods, disasters can be eliminated before they occur, turning difficulty into ease. The prescriptions contain few ingredients yet produce rapid results; it is truly a precious raft for saving the world and rescuing people."

I have researched the Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, which was one of the thirteen departments. During the Xining and Yuanfeng eras of the Song Dynasty, special officials were appointed to teach acupuncture and moxibustion, showing that it was already trusted and practiced extensively then; its efficacy can be imagined. Upon carefully studying this volume, I feel that both men and women, young and old, children and adults, whether suffering from internal disorders or miscellaneous diseases, can all be treated. Among them, the "Bamboo Horse Moxibustion" (Qizhuma Jiufa) is excellent, surpassing discussions in other works. *Baopuzi* states: "The writings of the hundred schools of thought are consistent with the Classics, just as those who use water to extinguish fire achieve the same result regardless of the size of the vessel. Similarly, although the techniques of moxibustion may differ, their ability to cure diseases is equal. Moreover, who can revive the dead and restore life better than the miraculous and rapid effects of moxibustion?" This advice from a good friend is like the needle and stone used for correction; how dare I keep it secret? Therefore, I have had the original text and my own acquired *Zhenjiu Zeri Bian* (Selection of Days for Acupuncture and Moxibustion) printed together to facilitate wide dissemination, also to honor Mr. Hengshan's deep intention to save the world. These two books had been lost in Japan for nearly three centuries, known by almost no one. Now returning to China, may they universally awaken patients from deep illness, so that people may know that the *Guangling San* (a lost musical masterpiece symbolizing rare wisdom) still exists in the human world.

Recorded by Luo Jiajie Shaoyan of Shanghang in Yokohama, Japan, during the mid-summer of the Gengyin year of the 16th year of Guangxu (1890).