一是编之作，因幼科诸书，非偏寒偏热之误，便喜补喜泻之殊，予故僭而折衷之，因命曰《幼科折衷》。
一凡诸病总论，皆采《内经》要旨以为提纲，继之以历代名医可法之语，间或附以己意成篇，亦从本来，非臆说也。
一每论之首，录旧人总括四句，使后学临症时，便识其概，其向缺者予自补之。词虽鄙俚，但便诵习耳。
一论首脉法，皆采王叔和《脉经》要语，本经缺者，则于历代名医诸书，采其可法者，以附录之。其一、二岁未可
论脉，则有三关指脉形，在下卷“脉法”论内。
一论首诸方，大概某病用某药，故止录诸方，为后学设绳墨。其分量重轻，并修合服法，大略不书，欲学人随机应
变，因时制宜，决不可妄执古方，以治今病也。
一凡诸书，有可采句，论中未能尽述，俱补遗于论之首，以便参阅。
一痘疹一书，或坊刻，或家传，种种不一，然多有可采处，予另有《痘疹折衷》一集，兹不编入。
一幼科与大方症，用药原无大异，予有《内科折衷》，亦须兼看。
一此集本为幼学而设，当善藏之，不可轻传外人，反取谤詈。
一论中稍有疑难字眼，悉照海篇直音注解，以便初学人之诵读。
古医十四科，而今亡之矣。自宋元以来，止用十三脉。其十四科者，中有脾胃一科也。今亦终莫之续。
考《医政》，其一为风科，二为伤寒科，三为大方脉科，四为小方脉科，五为妇人胎产科，六为针灸科，七
为眼科，八为咽喉口齿科，九为疮疡科（即是外科），十为正骨科，十一为金镞科，十二为养生科（即今修
养家，导引按摩咽纳是也），十三为祝由科（《经》曰∶“移精变气者，可祝由而已”，即今符祝禳祷，道教是也）。
The compilation of this book was undertaken because existing pediatric texts were either biased towards cold or hot treatments, or favored tonification or purgation methods. Therefore, I ventured to synthesize and reconcile these approaches, hence naming it *Youke Zhezhong* (Pediatric Synthesis).
Regarding the general discussion of various diseases, I have extracted the essential principles from the *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) as the outline, followed by quotes from renowned physicians of past dynasties that are worthy of emulation. Occasionally, I have added my own insights to form complete sections. This adheres to the original medical tradition and is not based on speculation.
At the beginning of each discussion, I have recorded four-line summaries from previous authors so that students can grasp the general overview when facing clinical cases. Any missing content has been supplemented by myself. Although the language may be simple, it is intended for easy memorization and study.
The pulse diagnosis methods at the beginning of discussions are primarily drawn from the key passages of Wang Shuhe’s *Maijing* (Pulse Classic). Where the classic is lacking, I have appended relevant excerpts from the works of famous physicians of subsequent dynasties. For infants aged one or two years, who are too young for standard pulse diagnosis, the method involves observing the three-barrier finger vein patterns (San Guan Zhi Mai), which is discussed in detail in the "Pulse Diagnosis" section of the lower volume.
The formulas listed at the beginning of discussions generally indicate specific herbs for specific diseases. These formulas are recorded to provide a standard framework for students. However, precise dosages, processing methods, and administration instructions are largely omitted. This encourages learners to adapt flexibly to changing circumstances and tailor treatments to the time and condition, rather than rigidly applying ancient formulas to contemporary diseases.
Any valuable sentences from other books that could not be fully integrated into the main text are added as supplements at the beginning of the respective discussions for easy reference.
Texts on smallpox and chickenpox vary widely, including printed editions and family manuscripts. While many contain useful information, I have compiled them separately in another work titled *Douzhen Zhezhong* (Synthesis on Smallpox and Chickenpox), which is not included here.
The medication used for pediatric conditions is fundamentally no different from that used for adult conditions. Readers are advised to consult my *Neike Zhezhong* (Internal Medicine Synthesis) as well.
This collection is designed for beginners; it should be kept safe and not casually shared with outsiders, lest it invite criticism or ridicule.
Difficult characters within the text are annotated with direct phonetic readings according to the *Haipian*, to facilitate reading for novices.
The traditional fourteen medical specialties have now vanished. Since the Song and Yuan dynasties, only thirteen specialties have been retained. The lost specialty among the fourteen was the Spleen and Stomach department. No one has continued this specialty since.
According to the *Yizheng* (Medical Administration), the fourteen specialties were: 1. Wind Disease Department; 2. Cold Damage Department; 3. Adult Internal Medicine Department (Da Fangmai); 4. Minor Adult Internal Medicine Department (Xiao Fangmai); 5. Women’s Obstetrics and Gynecology Department; 6. Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department; 7. Ophthalmology Department; 8. Throat, Mouth, and Teeth Department; 9. Sores and Ulcers Department (i.e., Surgery); 10. Orthopedics Department; 11. Arrowhead Injury Department; 12. Health Preservation Department (equivalent to modern cultivation practices, including Daoyin, massage, and breathing exercises); 13. Zhuyou Department (as stated in the Classics: "Those who shift spirit and transform qi can be treated through Zhuyou," referring to talismanic prayers and Daoist rituals).