Library

Medical records kept by physicians, as recorded in historical biographies and appended to the works of various schools of thought, serve to document clinical efficacy and highlight academic achievements. In later times, there have been many specialized printed editions, such as those by Yu Jiayan (Yu Chang), Xu Huixi (Xu Dachun), and Wang Mengying (Wang Shizhong), who all summarized key points to form their judgments. Among these, only Ye Tianshi's *Linzheng Zhinan Yian* (Guide to Clinical Practice) presents complete treatment plans for publication. Ye possessed natural intelligence and acute perception, with a transcendent understanding; his clinical cases are largely worth adopting. However, some are superficial and formulaic, inadvertently opening the door for later mediocre practitioners to seek convenience. Those who rely on hearsay treat them as pearls in hand or secrets hidden in pillows. In recent years, evaluations of the Ye school have been mixed, with both praise and criticism. Mr. Zhang purchased this book three times and burned it three times, revealing his noble aspirations and high moral standards. Thus, publishing medical records was not Mr. Zhang's original intention? I say: no. Mr. Zhang devoted his life to treating patients, often wishing to retire in old age to focus on writing based on his lifelong experience. Heaven did not grant him longevity, so his ambition remained unfulfilled, and his writings were lacking. He was busy practicing medicine but had no time to elucidate its principles, which is indeed a regret. However, when diagnosing patients, Mr. Zhang would first clear his mind and concentrate his thoughts before writing down his cases. Thus, he expressed his insights based on classical theories. In subtle and complex aspects, he truly uncovered what predecessors had missed and articulated what others could not say. His arguments were precise, and his prescriptions even more accurate. His discussion of diseases and herbs was consistent throughout. Here lies the practice of the Way, and here lies the elucidation of the Way. Such work cannot be compared to plagiarized, perfunctory, or repetitive records. How can we allow it to remain obscure and untransmitted? I, Wu Wenhan, studied under Mr. Zhang while carrying my books, still in Xiyi (Wuxi). After two winters and summers, although personal instruction was limited, I retained several volumes of his case records and discussions. Later, Mr. Shao Zhengmeng studied under Mr. Zhang in Shanghai, copied a large volume, and brought it back to show me. Reading it, I was overjoyed, believing that the manuscript suitable for transmission was found here. Over the course of several years, Mr. Shao passed away, and the manuscript was entrusted to Mr. Guo Ji for safekeeping. In the autumn of Bingchen year, Mr. Guo and I discussed making it public. Mr. Guo gladly produced the manuscript. We re-examined it, classified and arranged it, completing the task after two years, and submitted it for printing. Any shortcomings are humbly requested to be corrected by learned colleagues. Respectfully recorded by student Wu Wenhan in the autumn of Wuwu year (1918), the 7th year of the Republic of China.

In the height of summer during the Wuwu year, as the typesetting of *Zhang's Medical Cases* was nearing completion, recalling the beginning of the copying and editing process and its eventual success, I could not help but feel emotional. In my youth, I attended to my father while he read. My father often discussed medicine with others, repeatedly praising Mr. Yuqing's precision in diagnosis and appropriateness in prescription. Since people from our hometown sought treatment from Mr. Zhang, I had the opportunity to see his cases. In the Jiawu year, my father passed away, leaving instructions for my uncle, Anjia, to study medicine. He frequently wished to collect Mr. Zhang's cases but failed to do so. Soon after, Mr. Shao Zhengmeng from our locality enrolled as a student under Mr. Zhang. He wrote to fellow students to collect cases for compilation, gathering an extensive collection. Unexpectedly, in the spring of Bingwu year, Mr. Shao died, and the matter was shelved. The manuscripts were entrusted to me for storage. Mr. Ye Li'an, a scholar who loved medicine, stayed at the Shao residence and personally copied this manuscript, advising me to publish it when appropriate. Due to worldly obligations, I had no free time. Ten years later, in the Bingchen year, I visited Mr. Yu Chun in Changshu to discuss publishing the cases. He mentioned a prior agreement with Mr. Shao to publish them but lacked supporters. Hearing this, I was delighted and urged him to produce the original manuscript. Mr. Wu carefully edited and organized it, while I took responsibility for transcription. Fearing the stored manuscript was incomplete, I sent letters far and wide to borrow and supplement materials, hoping to create a complete edition. Respondents included Mr. Jingcheng Bao and Mr. Shaozeng Zhang. Through correspondence with Mr. Wu over two years, the project finally succeeded. This spring, Mr. Wu handled the printing and publication, bearing all difficulties alone. His enthusiasm and perseverance are truly rare today. Looking back, more than ten years have passed since the editing began, and another three or four years since we planned to print the book. The delay has been long, prompting reflections on how many similar situations exist in the world. As for the exquisite editorial skill and unique approach of this compilation, they have been detailed in the preface, so I will not repeat them here.

Respectfully postscripted by junior scholar Guo Huitai of Jiangyin.