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1. Priority is given to the *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) to elucidate its profound mysteries. Although sores and ulcers are considered external manifestations, they must first be affected internally before appearing externally. Therefore, it is imperative to clarify and expound upon the *Ling Shu* (Spiritual Pivot) and *Su Wen* (Basic Questions) to reveal their subtle mechanisms. Moreover, the *Neijing* serves as a law that must be obeyed, containing principles that are unchangeable. The medical collections of Zhang Zhongjing, Li Dongyuan, Liu Wansu, Zhu Danxi, and various physicians of successive dynasties contain theories not previously expressed by predecessors and record cases where patients were saved from critical conditions akin to respiratory arrest. The examples cited herein often describe survival amidst death. Thus, practitioners should read extensively in their daily lives to broaden their knowledge. When encountering extremely difficult cases, if facial complexion and pulse diagnosis indicate even a slight chance of survival, one must exert all mental and physical effort to seek alternative methods for rescue. This honors the benevolent virtue of Heaven and the intent of ancient sages in establishing theories; hence, the *Neijing* is placed at the beginning.

2. Discussion on pulse diagnosis and symptom morphology aims to differentiate exterior-interior and deficiency-excess patterns, thereby determining favorable/unfavorable prognoses and life-death outcomes. Recently, surgeons have relied solely on plasters and pills, neglecting pulse theory. Upon encountering major syndromes, they instruct families to hire internal medicine physicians instead. Few physicians master both prescription-pulse differentiation and external diseases, leading to contradictions between internal and external departments: tonifying when dispersal is needed, clearing heat when internal support is required, purging when strong tonification is indicated, causing significant delays. This compilation gathers pulse methods to encourage surgeons to pay attention to pulse theory. If one can manage both internal and external aspects, patients benefit more. However, pulse theory is extremely subtle. Not only are the Three Positions and Nine Probes difficult, but even the characteristics of floating, sinking, slow, and rapid pulses are hard to convey verbally. Fathers cannot pass this to sons, nor masters to disciples. Why? It is "acquired in the mind and manifested in the hand." One must possess sharp intelligence, maintain a calm and peaceful state during clinical practice, regulate breathing evenly, and remain vigilant. For instance, when diagnosing cold syndromes, one must carefully experience the pulse: an exterior syndrome presents with one type of pulse, half-exterior/half-interior with another, interior transmission with yet another, and Shaoyin/Taiyin/Jueyin involvement with specific pulses. Through frequent clinical experience and long-term accumulation, day by day advancing, one grasps pulse characteristics and understands the profound truths of deficiency/excess and vitality/death. Without careful attention, one may never understand pulses in a lifetime; achieving ease and proficiency is not easily attained. The *Mai Jing* (Pulse Classic) must be memorized thoroughly, and after adjusting breath, one will naturally gain insight.

3. Discussion on the Five Movements and Six Qi to clarify the waxing and waning of annual climatic influences.

4. Following the meridians and acupoints in the *Tong Ren Shu Xue Zhen Jiu Tu Jing* (Illustrated Manual of Acupuncture Points on Bronze Figures), comparing needle tips allows identification of the meridian involved in the disease site and the abundance or scarcity of Qi and Blood in that meridian, preventing arbitrary application of attacking or tonifying methods.

5. Compilation of clear discussions on carbuncles and sores from various authors, every word worthy of emulation.

6. Compilation of treatment methods for carbuncles and sores from various authors, serving as a standard for later learners.

7. Discussion on carbuncles and sores presenting simultaneously with chills/fever, irritability/thirst, constipation, and diarrhea, to differentiate Yin/Yang and deficiency/excess, avoiding inappropriate attacking or tonifying.

8. Listing thirty-eight methods for early-stage carbuncles and sores: internal resolution, topical application/wrapping, acupuncture/moxibustion, washing, internal support, stone lancets/knives, post-ulceration support/tonification, and flesh regeneration/wound closure.

9. Categorizing names of carbuncles and sores by type. From the vertex of the head to Yongquan (KI-1) at the sole, each syndrome is illustrated with a diagram. First, definitive statements from famous doctors of past dynasties are cited; then, personal humble opinions are added to supplement previous omissions and fill gaps in concise compilations. Besides loading ancient formulas for adherence to standards, empirical miraculous formulas from various schools are included for temporary selection. Good formulas gifted by colleagues are published with surnames attributed, not daring to obscure their origins; secret family formulas of Gu Shicheng are fully included, seeking only to save lives, not keeping a single word private.

10. Hong Kong foot (podagra/gout-like condition) among women in the Jiangnan region differs from the Five Obstructions and damp-heat types affecting men and women in Qin/Han times; treatments differ, so it is specially added.

11. Pediatric smallpox/rubella, anciently called Heavenly Sore, is rare in pediatric texts, though the Gu family possesses *Shao Shi Mi Shu*. Here, secret smallpox texts by Mr. Nie Jiwu and Mr. Xi Taishun from Qingjiang, along with Mr. Zhu Chonggu’s definitive treatise on smallpox/rubella, are compiled into four works and added to the surgical section to protect infants and benefit the world. Physicians treating smallpox/rubella should study this volume diligently; preserving the lives of infants worldwide would yield immense merit.

12. Listing empirical treatments for emergencies involving fire, water, metal blades, falls/blows, and five types of sudden death/poisoning.

13. Listing treatments for bites/stings from tigers, dogs, snakes, scorpions, and other insects.

14. Recording treatment methods for strange diseases in ancient and modern times to broaden knowledge.

15. Winter Shanghan (Cold Damage) is most severe. Without clear differentiation of the Six Meridians, mixed treatments often occur; a slight error leads to great deviation. Incorrectly applying exterior-dispersing methods or reversing strategies leads to imminent danger. Attached to the end of the volume, it serves as a quick reference for cold syndromes.

Gu Shicheng is a commoner making a living by pulse-taking. With many dependents and heavy burdens, rising at dawn and sleeping at dusk, compiling a book during spare time was indeed difficult. Fortunately, he has never been careless or impulsive, nor applied attacking/tonifying methods arbitrarily; nor taken advantage of others' crises to deceive them for personal gain. By not failing others, his heart remains peaceful; by not seeking improperly, his dreams remain tranquil. He knows only to abide by his station, accept poverty, and focus on benevolence, concentrating on compilation until completion. As a single author, his observations are limited, and omissions are inevitable. He hopes all colleagues will forgive and correct any errors, which would be a great favor.