Library

Various prescriptions for bruises and fractures were kept secret by martial artists since ancient times, and few were passed down to the world. However, the fear of being in a precarious situation (like walking on thin ice) is something people often experience. Once an unexpected incident occurs, if treated without proper methods, life hangs by a thread. My friend, Mr. Zhao Lanting, traveled briefly through the regions of Wu and Chu, collecting excellent prescriptions widely. Initially, he did not intend to keep them private but wished to use them to benefit the world. My relative, Huang Yunhai, wrote a preface for his book, naming it *Jiushang Mizhi* (Secret Principles for Saving Injuries). I took on the responsibility of funding its printing, hoping that every household would possess this book to achieve practical results in treating injuries. Later, Lanting showed me another booklet titled *Diesun Fang* (Prescriptions for Bruises and Fractures). Upon reading it, I found it was likely a version printed and circulated by the Sun family of Gaoyou. The volume categorizes conditions and treatments separately. Its transmission is very old and secretive; it is indeed a rare book. However, Gaoyou is far from the Sanjiang region, over a thousand *li* from my hometown. Although printed copies exist, how could one obtain many? Now, I am having both printed together to broaden their circulation. This aligns with the original intent of publishing Mr. Zhao's *Jiushang Mizhi*.
Written at the Rice Boat Pavilion by Guan Songsheng Gengtang of Huangyan, three days before the Mid-Autumn Festival in the year Renzi of the Xianfeng 2nd Reign.

Gentlemen dare not damage their bodies, hair, and skin, which refers to ordinary circumstances. If they go to the battlefield for royal duties, where arrows and blades cross and forces are evenly matched, who would worry about injury! Yet, those who govern a state prosper when they have capable people and perish when they lose them. During battle, even wise and brave generals cannot guarantee they will remain unharmed. If injured, lack of treatment leads to death, while proper treatment leads to survival. Survival means reliance by the state; death means demoralization of the army. Thus, we know that medical skills must be studied in detail. Furthermore, among neighbors engaged in fights due to momentary anger, whether injuring others or being injured, lack of treatment leads to death, while proper treatment leads to survival. Survival can resolve disputes; death leaves resentment in the victim and requires compensation from the aggressor. Thus, we further realize that medical skills must be studied in detail. My friend, Mr. Zhao Lanting of Tiantai, is a kind-hearted man. He once traveled upriver to Wuchang to learn the Western method of variolation (smallpox inoculation), and upon returning, propagated it so that children would not die from smallpox. He also extensively collected medical prescriptions and applied them appropriately. He particularly pitied those injured who lacked good prescriptions. Martial artists often kept such knowledge secret; if bribes were insufficient, they refused treatment, causing many injured people to die. In his youth, Mr. Zhao loved valor and traveled widely. Whenever he met skilled martial artists, he stopped to ask for instruction. Thus, he alone acquired detailed knowledge, compiled it into a manuscript, and stored it in silk book covers. He had previously accepted no remuneration yet revived those with bone fractures. Coming to Huangyan for variolation, I and Mr. Guan Gengtang became friends. Mr. Zhao then showed us his copied prescriptions. Reading them, they were all unknown to the world but truly capable of saving lives from injuries. Hence, they were named *Jiushang Mizhi*. Gengtang funded their publication to spread them to distant places. From now on, the techniques for treating injuries can be known in detail. Will they not become excellent remedies for healing the nation? However, I especially wish for people to avoid injury.
Written by Huang, younger brother-in-arms of Cangxi, in the first month of early summer of the Xianfeng 1st Reign.