Library

1. Medical practice is but a secondary pursuit for Confucian scholars; it can be used to benefit all things and protect oneself in times of hardship. The ancients said, "Cultivate the Dao." One must absolutely not act arbitrarily based on subjective assumptions or force interpretations. When treating others, causing death by error will not only bring disaster upon oneself but also curse nine generations of ancestors. One should take the heart of saving lives as one's own heart, acting in accordance with what benefits the people. In this way, vitality will naturally arise, and disasters will naturally cease.

2. My lineage has been a prominent family of officials for generations. My father, Mr. Juquan, first learned this art from Zhu Yanshou (Zhu Danxi). He truly benefited from it during times of hardship. I further sought correction from several gentlemen, elders of our township: Feng Tinggan, Xu Zonglu, and Qiu Kerong. Only then did my understanding of the principles become clear and my skills refined. However, due to my empty reputation, I suffered much criticism and harassment from powerful figures. For my descendants, if they encounter times when the Dao is practiced and opportunities are favorable, they may still adhere to their Confucian profession.

3. This collection seeks to explore the methods of treatment used by the ancients, making them as clear as pointing at one's palm. It allows one to see the infinite variations in therapeutic principles and the diverse mechanisms of disease manifestations. It earnestly urges deep investigation. Keep it as a family treasure. Do not show it to others, nor pass it to those who are unprincipled and unjust.

4. Regarding the syndromes of Shanghan (Cold Damage), one should familiarize oneself with *Shanghan Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage), *Mingli Lun* (Treatise on Explaining Principles), *Baizheng* (Hundred Syndromes), and *Wu Mengzhai Zhizhang Tu* (Diagram of Finger and Palm by Wu Mengzhai). Generally, the crucial points lie in the concepts of Exterior/Interior (Biao-Li), Deficiency/Excess (Xu-Shi), and Cold/Heat (Han-Re). Moreover, a single syndrome may have concurrent syndromes; one must attend to the critical aspects first. For example, in Jie Xiong (Chest Binding), where body heat and jaundice appear simultaneously, and the pulse is deep and excess, one should urgently use Xiaoxiong Tang (Chest-Draining Decoction) combined with Yinchen Hao Tang (Artemisia Capillaris Decoction) to purge downward, followed by sequential regulation. Therefore, one must not adhere rigidly to a single approach but should constrain judgment according to the syndrome patterns.

5. For miscellaneous diseases, if the physical constitution and Qi are robust, treat using the methods of Liu Wansu and Zhang Congzheng. If the physical constitution and Qi are deficient, the pulse is weak, or the patient is an old person, child, emaciated individual, or suffering from depletion of Jing (Essence), treat using the methods of Li Dongyuan. The medications should not be too mixed. Thus, Danxi stated: "Whenever I treat diseases, I use medicines from Dongyuan [Li Dongyuan] and follow the prescription style of Zhongjing [Zhang Zhongjing], so that the number of ingredients is small, and the medicinal power is concentrated and specialized." He also said: Use a certain herb to treat a certain disease; use a certain herb to supervise another herb; use a certain herb as a guiding herb (Yin Jing Yao). This is the secret method that wins people's hearts.