Library

I, Gu Cheng, was born in an era of Yao and Shun [ideal sage-kings], and am a commoner in times of peace. I often reflect on the Holy Emperor's day-and-night diligence, fearing that there might be even the slightest suffering among the people of the four seas. At the beginning of his reign, he issued an edict to collect medical prescriptions, compiling them into the *Yuzuan Yizong Jinjian* (Imperially Compiled Golden Mirror of the Medical Tradition), which was distributed throughout the empire. This enabled remote villages, wherever there was pain or illness, to consult prescriptions for treatment, allowing those with chronic conditions to recover immediately. Furthermore, high-ranking officials in each province, further embodying the Emperor's benevolence, annually donated their clean salaries to establish medicine bureaus to aid the poor and sick. Their love for the people as if they were their own children can be described as extremely thorough and complete.

I am originally a commoner, with a rigid and clumsy nature, having not fully studied the books of the sages. I practiced medicine to support myself, remaining mediocre and unknown. Reflecting that our bodies, hair, skin, and flesh are received from our parents, and that living in peace and pursuing one's occupation is entirely due to imperial grace, yet having no way to repay the kindness of the Sovereign-Father, I took it upon myself during my spare time from clinical practice. Not sparing my spirit and physical energy, I collected the definitive theories of famous doctors from ancient and modern times. I first highlighted the principles of the *Neijing* (Inner Canon), elucidated the subtleties of pulse diagnosis, detailed the meridians and acupoints, and compiled syndromes and physical manifestations of the internal organs, covering from the vertex of the head down to Yongquan (KI1, Springing Well). For all conditions involving external diseases, I drew illustrations and provided explanations, formulated prescriptions according to syndromes, including burns from fire or boiling water, knife or axe wounds, injuries from judicial beatings, falls and fractures, animal bites, insect stings, accidental ingestion of medicinal stones or toxic substances, and methods for rescuing cases of five types of apparent death. Beyond existing ancient and modern formulas, I added empirical formulas from the family collections of my ancestor, Mr. Ninghua, and my late father, Mr. Qingyan. Categorized and classified, these comprise forty volumes, named *Yangyi Daquan* (Comprehensive Collection for Surgeons). This aims to ensure that patients know that sores have specific names and doctors have specific methods; by following the diagrams for treatment, the meridians become clear. In the initial stage, hope is placed on their resolution; when formed, ease of suppuration is expected; once ulcerated, rapid healing is sought. Thus, the danger of perforation and leakage is avoided in the world, and the hazard of developing carbuncles is further prevented. Moreover, the prepared formulas all possess the functions of nourishing righteousness and verifying expelling pathogenic factors, regulating the defensive qi and harmonizing the nutritive qi. Although this may be considered a minor art, its benefit and relief are not insignificant.

The compilation and editing of this book spanned thirty years. Due to empty pockets, it could not be printed. Now, thanks to the generous donations from colleagues in Lianghuai, it has finally been engraved on woodblocks and published, fulfilling this aspiration. Therefore, I state the original reasons for the compilation and place this preface at the beginning of the book, to show that its completion was by no means accidental.

Written by Gu Cheng of Jingzhai, Lianjiang, in the early summer of the Gengchen year, the 25th year of Qianlong.