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Internal and external medicine practitioners both bear the responsibility of rescuing the dying from death; a discrepancy of even a hair's breadth can determine life or death. The general public values internal medicine while neglecting external medicine, often treating Yangke (Traditional Chinese Medicine Surgery) with levity.

Practitioners of this specialty are frequently men of shallow talent and superficial learning, failing to deeply understand the distinctions in the depth, superficiality, deficiency, and excess of pulse qi, nor do they properly appreciate the appropriate roles of sovereign, minister, assistant, and envoy within herbal properties. They rigidly adhere to their techniques merely to seek approval. Alas! It is rare for them to avoid causing severe bodily destruction or death.

Mr. Gao Jinting is a distinguished disciple of Fan Shengxue and Du Yunmen in both internal and external medicine. He has devoted himself to studying the *Ling Shu* (Spiritual Pivot) and *Su Wen* (Basic Questions), exploring these texts for many years. He possesses profound insight into the internal organs, accurately identifying the crux of symptoms. His expertise in both internal and external medicine is undoubtedly grounded in personal comprehension. Moved by the harm caused by errors in Yangke, he dedicated himself to discussing it exclusively, demonstrating the heart of a benevolent gentleman. Recently, he presented his manuscript to me, titled *Xinde Ji* (Collection of Personal Insights). It illustrates various conditions and delves into their origins, assessing the patient's yin-yang balance and strength to guide treatment.

I consulted the *Rites of Zhou · Heavenly Officials*, which states that surgeons (Yangyi) manage sores and ulcers (Zhongyang), open ulcers (Youyang), metal wounds (Jinyang), and fractures (Zheyang) using "Zhu Yao" (medicinal applications) and "Sha Qi" (cauterizing/corrosive agents). Commentators explain: "Chan" refers to scraping away pus and blood; "Sha" refers to using medication to consume necrotic tissue. It further states: "In treating all sores, one attacks with five poisons, nourishes with five qi, treats with five medicines, and regulates with five flavors." The commentary notes: After the Chan and Sha have removed old necrotic tissue, one then nourishes with the five qi—likely a textual error for "five grains"—thereby gradually enhancing the medicinal efficacy. This serves as clear evidence that ancient surgical treatments combined attacking pathogens with tonifying the body.

Today's practitioners rely solely on formulas for attacking toxins, treating only the exterior while ignoring the interior, following trivial details without addressing the root cause. No wonder medical training is costly yet yields little result. With the publication of Mr. Gao's book, people will realize that one must thoroughly understand internal medicine before discussing external medicine, and cannot simply rely on established formulas to act rashly. His contribution to society is surely significant.

Sun Erzhun, written in the latter ten days of early winter, 10th year of the Jiaqing era.

1. I am naturally lazy and dull, with limited knowledge and experience. How dare I claim extensive reading of medical texts? Over the past thirty years, through clinical practice and detailed analysis, I have gained considerable insights. The discussions in this collection often reflect my humble opinions. Whether they align with ancient masters, I dare not presume; I hope those with superior wisdom will instruct me.

2. This collection discusses various conditions without following the old examples of Yangke books. Instead, it uses pairs of conditions to elucidate each other, making treatment methods clear as if uncovering a lid. There are cases where two different conditions share the same treatment, and cases where the same condition requires different treatments. For instance, Back Carbuncle (Fabei), Dajü Abscess, Flowing Deposit (Liuzhu), and Leg Carbuncle (Tuiyong), though occurring in different locations, share the same treatment method. Conversely, Breast Carbuncle (Ruyong), Breast Phlegm (Rutan), Neck Fire Phlegm (Jingxiang Huotan), and Stone Phlegm (Shitan), though occurring in the same area, require different treatments. Ultimately, differentiation is based on deficiency/excess, yin-yang, cold/heat. Practitioners must comprehend this mentally, distinguish clearly, and then prescribe medication to avoid error.

3. The arrangement of conditions in this collection follows the order of the upper, middle, and lower parts of the human body. Other conditions such as Smallpox Toxin (Doudou), Mad Sores (Fengchuang), Broad Sores (Guangchuang), and Knot Toxin (Jiedu), which appear in不定 locations and cannot be categorized into specific sections, are listed separately at the end to prevent confusion and facilitate reference.

4. This book does not include diagrams of internal meridians or detailed discussions on the flavors and properties of materia medica, as ancient texts already exist for reference and verification, making repetition unnecessary. Students who examine the past to verify the present and seek out this collection will find alignment with earlier sages, understanding that the origins of Yu Chu fiction (metaphorically referring to the roots of specialized knowledge) are well-founded.

5. Apart from excerpts from ancient sources, the rest of the collection is compiled from accumulated experiences. Occasionally, original theories are recorded, with the author's name indicated at the beginning; others are omitted due to space constraints. This is not plagiarism; knowledgeable readers will understand.

6. The decoctions, pills, powders, ointments, and elixirs mentioned in the collection vary in applicability. Listing them after every discussion would be redundant. Therefore, they are listed collectively at the end for easier reference.

7. The common folk often boast of having secret prescriptions or expensive, high-quality medicines. When illness strikes, they apply these secret remedies blindly, unaware of the medicinal properties and the root causes of sores, misjudging yin-yang and cold-heat patterns. Consequently, the medication does not match the syndrome, leading to further harm. This book thoroughly investigates etiology and avoids rigid prescribing methods. Although classified as external medicine, it essentially treats from the inside. I believe this captures the essence of ancient sages' wisdom, hence the title *Xinde* (Personal Insights).

8. In general medicine, there are four types of terminal illnesses: Wind (Feng), Consumption (Lao), Distension (Gu), and Diaphragmatic Obstruction (Ge). In Yangke, there are also four terminal illnesses: Shiying (Loss of Glory/Necrosis), Shegan (Tongue Ulcer), Ruyan (Breast Cancer), and Shenyan Fanhua (Penile Cancer/Elephantiasis). Other conditions, if their yin-yang, cold-heat, qi-blood, and root/branch relationships are understood, are treatable. However, some remain incurable, such as Brain Carbuncle (Naoju), Back Carbuncle (Fabei), and Ding Poison (Dingdu). These involve deficiency of righteous qi and excess of pathogenic factors, severe toxicity, depletion of Ying blood, and consumption of fluids. When righteous qi fails to overcome pathogens, fire-toxin sinks inward, causing coma, closure, or collapse. Similarly, Yin-type Kidney Shu Void Phlegm and Yin-Cold Bone-Attacking Cold present with thin pus, failure to heal over time, mental fatigue, stomach and spleen decline, reduced food intake, exhaustion of form and spirit, inability of qi-blood to recover, tidal fever, spontaneous sweating, or persistent day-and-night fever, eventually leading to consumptive weakness and death. These discussions are detailed in the collection; careful study will provide confidence in clinical practice.

9. All critical external sores are discussed herein. The remaining minor conditions are numerous but not exhaustively listed, not out of negligence, but because Yangke conditions in the upper part generally belong to Wind-Warmth and Wind-Heat due to the ascending nature of wind; those in the lower part belong to Damp-Fire and Damp-Heat due to the descending nature of water; and those in the middle part mostly belong to Qi Stagnation and Fire Stagnation, as qi and fire arise in the middle. Mutual transformations occur in only one or two out of ten cases. The discussions in this collection are comprehensive enough for readers to infer other conditions without further elaboration.

10. Mr. Jingyue’s *New Formulas Eight Arrays* consists entirely of his lifelong insightful and experienced prescriptions, formulated with purity and precision, supplementing what earlier sages lacked. Those practicing this profession benefit from daily immersion, gaining health and longevity. Unfortunately, no mnemonic verses were compiled for easy memorization. My teacher, Mr. Fan Shengxue, compiled chapters during his spare time from clinical experience, similar to Wang Ang’s *Decoction Mnemonics*, but it was simple and incomplete. My cousin, Wu Heshan, later expanded and refined it into a single volume. It is appended here for the enjoyment of fellow enthusiasts, serving as an aid to broadening historical knowledge.