宣和御医戴克臣侍翰林曰,得叔和小儿脉诀印本二集,一本云∶呼吸须将六至看,一
本云∶呼吸须将八至看。遂与内台高识参详字义,审察至数,就诊五岁儿常脉,一息六
至者是,八至者非。盖因镂板之际,误去六字上一点一画,下与八字相类,致此讹传。迨
与卒以学易,作五十以学易之误是也。尝考默庵张氏《脉诀》亦云∶小儿常脉一息只多
大人二至为平,即六至也。然一呼一吸之间,六至明矣。不然,姑俟来者考之。
郑氏议古人医书,不能无失。如钱氏治慢惊用栝蒌汤,与病不相主对,是谓之失。以
愚观之,所传药性,医者之通晓,纵有前证,未必肯用,但不容不讲明耳。殊不知钱氏既
没之后,其书成于仕路,故人阎孝忠编集刊行,屡经异代。况钱氏儒医,名闻朝野,施
治之法,如珠在贯,未尝少差。郑氏所指慢惊误用栝蒌汤,然本方下明载治肺热涎盛,非
为慢惊之设,阎孝忠岂不知此。其或居官录梓之日,失于参考,讹传此剂,致有前议。今
历年已远,卒难校正,若论五脏补泻之妙,却无瑕可指,及诸杂方,有功于世,不为不多,
《直诀》一书,信不诬矣。
张氏治小儿豆疮法,若才觉是其证,盒饭疏利。又云∶若才见出时,皆不可转利,自
立两说,遂使后人多生疑惑,以何为当,此张氏之论别矣。刘茂先曰∶婴孺豆疮一证属
里,首尾无下法。若下之则里虚,毒瓦斯何由而发泄,必至传变。大要爱护,庶获全安,此
茂先之言是也。然后学不可执一而取,当择其善者而从之。亦有孩儿禀赋素实,豆疮出
见,遍体红壮光泽,饮食快顺无外证,自然效速。如俗用符水神药,皆非良法,慎勿轻信耳。
During the Xuanhe era, Imperial Physician Dai Kechen said to officials of the Hanlin Academy that he had obtained two printed copies of *Uncle Shu's Pulse Instructions for Children*. One copy stated: "In respiration, one must observe six pulsations," while the other stated: "In respiration, one must observe eight pulsations." He then consulted with Gao Shi from the Neitai (Inner Court) to examine the character meanings and pulse counts. By diagnosing the normal pulse of a five-year-old child, they confirmed that six pulsations per respiration were correct, whereas eight were incorrect. This error occurred because, during the woodblock printing process, a dot and a stroke on top of the character "six" (六) were accidentally omitted, making it resemble the character "eight" (八), leading to this erroneous transmission. This is similar to the later mistake of writing "Zu yi xue yi" instead of "Wushi yi xue yi" (referring to Confucius studying the I Ching at fifty). I have examined Zhang Shi of Mo'an's *Pulse Instructions*, which also states: "The normal pulse in children is two pulsations more than adults, which is considered peaceful," i.e., six pulsations. Thus, within one inhalation and exhalation, six pulsations are clear. If not so, let future scholars verify it.
Zheng commented on ancient medical texts, stating they inevitably contain errors. For instance, Qian Yi used Gualou Tang (Trichosanthes Decoction) to treat slow convulsion (Man Jing Feng), which did not correspond to the disease; this is called an error. In my opinion, knowledge of herb properties should be understood by physicians. Even if the aforementioned symptoms existed, they might not necessarily use the formula, but this does not preclude explaining it clearly. Little do people know that after Qian Yi passed away, his works were compiled and published by Shi Lu, specifically edited and printed by Yan Xiaozhong, surviving through multiple dynasties. Moreover, Qian Yi was a scholar-physician renowned throughout the court and common society. His treatment methods were like pearls on a string, never deviating slightly. Regarding Zheng's claim that Gualou Tang was mistakenly used for slow convulsion, the original text under this formula clearly states it treats lung heat with abundant phlegm-rheum, not for slow convulsion. Would Yan Xiaozhong not have known this? Perhaps when he was recording and printing books during his official tenure, he failed to cross-reference carefully, causing this formula to be erroneously transmitted, thus triggering the previous discussion. Now, many years have passed, making correction difficult. However, regarding the subtleties of tonifying and purging the five zang organs, there are no flaws to point out. As for various miscellaneous formulas, their benefits to the world are considerable. The book *Zhi Jue* (Direct Instructions) is indeed trustworthy.
Regarding Zhang's method for treating smallpox in children, he stated that as soon as the syndrome is identified, one should use purgative or draining methods. He also said: "When the rash first appears, purgative methods should not be used." By presenting two contradictory statements, he caused much confusion among later generations, leaving them unsure which approach to follow. This represents a discrepancy in Zhang's discourse. Liu Maoxian said: "Smallpox in infants and toddlers belongs to interior syndromes; from beginning to end, purgative methods should not be used. If purged, the interior will become deficient, and how can the toxic factors be vented? It will inevitably lead to disease progression. Generally, one must protect the child to ensure complete safety." Liu Maoxian's words are correct. However, junior practitioners should not adhere rigidly to one view but should select the better approach to follow. There are also children with robust constitutions whose smallpox rashes appear bright red and lustrous over the whole body, with smooth digestion and no exterior symptoms, leading to rapid natural recovery. Folk remedies such as talisman water and divine medicines are not good methods; one must be cautious and not easily believe them.