Library

The path of learning must proceed from the shallow to the deep; there has never been one who does not understand the basic and proximate knowledge yet specifically seeks strange and eccentric methods. Moreover, if medical treatment is erroneous, it inevitably leads to injury and loss of life, which demands utmost caution!

What is meant by "basic and proximate" knowledge is as follows: for Wind-Cold (Wind Strike), use Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia Root) and Jingjie (Schizonepeta Spike); for Cold invasion, use Ziyeh (Perilla Leaf) and Congtou (Scallion White); for Cough, use Suzi (Perilla Seed) and Xingren (Apricot Kernel); for Food Stagnation, use Shanzha (Hawthorn Fruit) and Shenqu (Medicated Leaven); for Summerheat, use Xiangru (Elsholtzia Herb) and Guanghuoxiang (Patchouli Herb); for Malaria, modify Chaihu Tang (Bupleurum Decoction); for Dysentery, modify Huangqin Tang (Scutellaria Decoction); for Gynecological disorders, modify Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction); for Pediatric disorders, modify Yigong San (Yi Gong Powder). These are all fixed laws passed down through sages of past ages, unchangeable for millennia. As for dangerous and difficult cases, these ordinary herbs cannot cure them; one must extensively examine various prescriptions, deeply understand the Meridians, accurately identify the name of the disease, determine which ancient prescription was primarily used for it, and then modify it according to symptoms. Nowadays, people consider the methods of ancient sages to be base and unworthy of mention, fail to point out specific disease names, and instead use clichés such as Yang Deficiency, Yin Deficiency, Liver Qi Stagnation, or Kidney Weakness to generalize, exclusively employing Warm Tonification therapies. This causes external pathogens to penetrate inward, gradually leading to incurable conditions. Occasionally, some slightly cautious individuals use appropriate herbs for one or two doses at the onset of illness; when no immediate effect is seen, they switch to warm tonification. They fail to realize that recovery from an invading pathogen is necessarily gradual, and one should not change prescriptions merely due to the lack of rapid efficacy. Furthermore, the prescribed formulas may not be perfect; instead of refining the current formula by adding or subtracting ingredients, they hastily seek new methods, refusing to first use light and bland agents to probe the condition. Instead, they exclusively select potent and strong substances, completely reversing previous strategies, inevitably leading to imminent harm. This stems entirely from a lack of firm principles in their minds. One should consider that human diseases arise from External Causes: Wind, Cold, Summerheat, Dampness, Dryness, and Fire; and Internal Causes: Joy, Anger, Worry, Thought, Sorrow, Fright, and Fear. Of these thirteen causes, ask yourself: which one requires tonification?!

Generally, people either die of old age or disease. Those who die of deficiency without having been ill account for less than one in a thousand. Moreover, once the pathogen is eliminated, even a deficient person can recover; if the pathogen remains, even a robust person will perish. If Yuan Qi (Original Qi) is truly about to collapse, even immersing oneself in Ren Shen (Ginseng Root) and Fu Zi (Aconite Lateral Root) would be useless. Yet, absurdly citing the *Neijing* (Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor): "Where evil gathers, Qi must be deficient," they argue that since Qi is deficient, it must be tonified, ignoring whether the gathered evil should be expelled. If evil is retained by tonification, it will never leave; severe cases result in immediate death, while mild cases lead to prolonged complications. Or, if recovery occurs by chance, it is because the illness was mild and Yuan Qi gradually recovered, not due to the efficacy of the medicine.

In my youth, I saw visitors to sickbeds rejoicing upon hearing that doctors had administered tonics, believing the patient was cured. Now, however, when the disease trend is surging, people collectively discuss administering Ren Shen (Ginseng Root), Fu Zi (Aconite Lateral Root), and Shudi (Prepared Rehmannia Root). Is this not shocking? Initially, doctors frighten patients with talk of collapse, then flatter them with tonics. In Zhejiang, Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) and Bawei Dihuang Wan (Eight-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) are modified with Ren Shen (Ginseng Root) and Maidong (Ophiopogon Tuber); in Jiangnan, Lizhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction) is modified with Fu Zi (Aconite Lateral Root), Rougui (Cinnamon Bark), Shudi (Prepared Rehmannia Root), Lurong (Deer Antler Velvet), and Qidai (Umbilical Cord). Thus, everyone becomes accustomed to the belief that we fear deficiency death more than disease death. Consequently, those who die from taking tonics regret only that tonification was not started early enough or was not heavy enough, and even blame themselves for not taking enough Ren Shen (Ginseng Root) to save them. Doctors' warnings of collapse seem prophetic, leaving no room for doubt or regret. If one dies from other medicines, relatives and friends accuse the family of valuing wealth over life, and the deceased cannot rest peacefully. The doctor's sin is unpardonable! Therefore, when patients describe their condition to doctors, they invariably claim extreme deficiency, and bystanders echoing this description also insist on extreme deficiency, fearing that doctors might use attacking or reducing agents, leading to deterioration. Even doctors who somewhat understand the disease, pressured by such alarmist rhetoric, act cautiously, choosing the most tonifying herbs to please the patient, thereby gaining favor and avoiding criticism. This is forced by circumstances. This trend arose only thirty years ago but has intensified since; I do not know when it can be reversed?!