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Ancient people said: "It is acceptable to study medicine with the intention of saving lives, but it is unacceptable to study medicine for the sake of profit." These are words spoken by benevolent individuals, and they are most profound and earnest. If one can savor these words and extend their application, imagine that if your parents, wife, or children were ill and hoped for a physician's rescue, what would that situation be like? By putting yourself in their place, the desire for profit will naturally fade; as the desire for profit fades, conscience will naturally emerge, allowing you to empathize with others' pain. Therefore, according to sage teachings, both moral cultivation and professional study must not be neglected. Without a conscience, one spends the whole day boasting of fame and calculating profits, leaving no time to meticulously explore the principles within this field.

Among all affairs, none is more critical than medicine; among all principles, none is more profound and difficult to comprehend than medicine. Thus, the learning of Huangdi (Yellow Emperor) and Qibo, since the *Ling Shu* (Spiritual Pivot), *Su Wen* (Basic Questions), and Bian Que, followed by figures such as Zhang Zhongjing, Liu Wansu, Li Dongyuan, Zhu Danxi, and various masters of recent times, their writings and commentaries are by no means incomplete. However, unless one has reached a deep level of attainment and comprehended them intuitively, one cannot apply them appropriately. How then could those with shallow learning and superficial understanding be qualified to discuss medicine?

Regarding conditions where the principles are not difficult to understand but are particularly crucial for life-and-death emergencies, none surpasses gynecology, obstetrics, and pediatrics. Changes in obstetrics, such as spontaneous abortion (miscarriage), metrorrhagia (uterine bleeding), and syncope due to blood loss, can lead to adverse complications. Changes in pediatrics, such as umbilical obstruction, lockjaw, abdominal distension, and neonatal tetanus, determine life or death in the blink of an eye. If residing in remote mountainous areas or being too poor to afford a physician in time, one often encounters tragic changes, which is deeply lamentable. Moreover, the causes of these diseases often stem from a lack of daily regulation and a lack of confidence during emergencies, leading to delays at critical moments. For instance, complications during childbirth often occur because the pulse has not yet left the labor meridian (indicating early labor signs), but exertion begins too early, resulting in dystocia. Furthermore, blindly listening to midwives' threats and allowing them to handle the infant roughly can lead to fatal outcomes for both mother and child, a tragedy too horrific to describe.

There are also cases where minor abortions are underestimated and neglected in care; when illness sets in, treatment is unknown, causing patients to fall into incurable states, resulting in many deaths. If the harms and benefits are not clearly explained, how can the spread of harm ever end? I, unassuming as I am, have carefully studied the commentaries and treatments of past sages regarding menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth, and infancy. I have selected the most detailed, appropriate, and empirically verified methods and compiled them into six volumes, titled *Jisheng Ji* (Collection for Saving Lives), presented to experts for correction, and further guided by their feedback. Everyone agrees that this compilation not only provides simple and effective methods for treating symptoms in remote areas without physicians but also offers households clear guidance on regulating desires and ensuring progeny. This book serves as a precious mirror for families to prevent disasters before they occur. If every household possesses a copy and discusses it regularly, one will be prepared in advance and able to consult it easily during emergencies, avoiding confusion and harm. The preservation of life achieved thereby is immeasurable.

With the financial support of gentlemen for printing, shared among enthusiasts, I hope benevolent individuals will encourage each other to print and distribute copies freely, so that mothers and infants throughout the world and future generations may attain longevity. The merit of such an act is boundless. This is the preface.

Preface respectfully written by Wang Shangda, courtesy name Chunting, in the first month of Bing Shen year, the 22nd year of Guangxu.