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*Shenji Chuyan* (Cautious Words on Illness) consists of one volume and nineteen chapters, authored by Mr. Xu Lingtai. Mr. Xu was originally named Dachun, later changed his name to Daye, and in his late years styled himself Huixi. He was from Wujiang and possessed extraordinary natural endowment. Initially, he studied for the imperial examinations and became a *shengyuan* (degree holder) in the county school, but he disdained this path and left to study the Confucian classics. He also enjoyed reading Daoist works such as those of Huangdi (Yellow Emperor), Laozi, and the *Yinfu Jing* (Book of the Hidden Talisman). His interests were broad; he thoroughly investigated astrology, geography, the Nine Palaces method, music theory, sword and spear martial arts, and ancient military strategies (such as the methods of Gou, Zu, Ying, and Yue), producing writings on each. However, his understanding of medical principles was particularly profound. His prescription of herbs and formulation of remedies often differed from others.

When a scholar named Zuo Yunlong fell ill, refusing to speak or eat for six days, Mr. Xu examined him and said, "This is a syndrome of Yin and Yang struggling against each other." He administered a dose of medicine, and shortly after, having the patient drink herbal decoction caused him to jump up energetically. When Zhang Yu gave birth to a child lacking skin, he was terrified and wished to abandon the infant. Mr. Xu instructed that glutinous rice be ground into powder and sprinkled over the infant's body, which was then wrapped in silk and buried in the soil with only the head exposed. After two days and nights of breastfeeding, skin had regenerated. A woman surnamed Ren suffered from Fengbi (Wind-Bi syndrome, characterized by pain and numbness); her thighs felt like they were being pierced by needles. Mr. Xu ordered a strong decoction to be prepared and had robust elderly women support her, allowing her to fall, thrash, and cry out until she sweated profusely, at which point they stopped. She recovered without taking any further medication. A martial artist in the market who prided himself on strength was injured in a contest and lost consciousness. Mr. Xu had him lie prone and struck his buttocks three times with his fist; the man suddenly vomited several sheng (a unit of volume) of dark blood and regained consciousness. Mr. Xu could determine lifespan and fortune through pulse diagnosis, and subsequent events proved his accuracy.

In the Gengchen year of the Qianlong reign, an edict sought famous physicians throughout the empire. Mr. Xu was recommended, and Emperor Gaozong (Qianlong) wished to grant him an official position, but he firmly declined and returned home. In the Xinmao year, he was summoned again to the capital. He was seventy-nine years old and passed away in the capital that winter. An edict bestowed white gold upon him, and he was posthumously awarded the title of Wenlin Lang. Mr. Xu had a unique character, enjoying dancing with spears and wielding halberds, possessing an air of looking down upon the world. In his later years, he became even more unrestrained, inscribing his own tomb gate: "Mountains full of spiritual herbs and immortal medicines, a path of green pines marks the hermit's grave." His medical books, including *Nanjing Jingshi* (Explanation of the Classic of Difficult Issues), *Shennong Bencao Baizhong Lu* (Record of Hundred Kinds of Shennong's Materia Medica), *Yixue Yuanliu Lun* (Discourse on the Origins and Development of Medicine), and *Shanghan Leifang* (Classification of Formulas for Cold Damage), among others, are all circulated in the world.

The purpose of this book was likely to address the errors of mediocre physicians, to remedy their deficiencies and fill gaps in knowledge. Through ten thousand words of repeated exhortations, he cried out loudly, hoping to startle people into awakening and sudden enlightenment. Alas! His intention was truly utmost! The treatment of disease by good physicians means that for every additional good physician, many more are saved; and for every mediocre physician removed, even more are saved. Mr. Xu's book can transform mediocre physicians into good ones and bring joy by avoiding unnecessary medication. How great must be his contribution to his time? Vice Minister Peng Yong'e, while supervising education in Fujian, had already printed and distributed this book, mailing copies to the capital, and entrusted me to re-engrave them for wider dissemination. I consulted the local gazetteers to learn the details of Mr. Xu's life and thus wrote this postscript at the end of the volume, so that readers may know the general outline.

Mid-Autumn Month, September of the 28th Year of Daoguang, Pan Zengwei of Wu County