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Traditional Chinese Medicine is divided into five disciplines: namely, Pulse Diagnosis (Mài Zhěn), Etiology (Yīn Guó), Disease (Bìng), Symptoms (Zhèng), and Treatment (Zhì). Master Zhu Danxi combined "Disease" and "Symptoms" into one category; thus, he used these four characters to encompass them, compiling a volume titled *Mai Yin Zheng Zhi* (Pulse, Etiology, Symptom, and Treatment). This is indeed a book intended to benefit the world. Alas, later sages did not practice or study this work, leading to its gradual dispersal and obscurity, which I deeply regret. However, upon careful reflection, I found that there are aspects difficult to strictly follow. Generally, relying solely on pulse diagnosis to seek etiology and symptoms requires considerable mental effort and speculation at any given time. It is preferable to start with Symptoms (Zhèng), then investigate the origin of the Etiology (Yīn Guó), observe the characteristics of the Pulse (Mài), and determine the appropriate Treatment (Zhì). In this way, the true nature of the disease will not be concealed, and medications will not be misused. Therefore, ancient practitioners prioritized Observation (Wàng), Auscultation and Olfaction (Wén), and Inquiry (Wèn), placing Palpation (Qiē) last. Presuming my own inadequacy, I dared to compile the remaining insights from Master Danxi into a single volume, renaming it *Zheng Yin Mai Zhi* (Symptom, Etiology, Pulse, and Treatment). We first differentiate the Symptoms (Zhèng), then clarify the Etiology (Yīn Guó), followed by palpating the Pulse (Mài), and finally applying treatment based on the symptom, etiology, and pulse. Hopefully, each step will be verifiable, and therapeutic methods will not be applied erroneously, thereby incurring no fault for future generations. However, due to my advanced age and declining vitality, I fear there may be many flaws and omissions. Thus, I dare not have it printed and passed down, but rather wait for future sages to review and refine it before implementation.

Preface by Guangye Daoren of Danxiang Hall, Qin Jingming, in the twelfth lunar month of the Xin Si year of the Chongzhen era.

Qin Huangshi was fond of learning and possessed diverse talents. From childhood, he had a broad understanding of the Classics and History. As he grew older, his reputation spread among the literati, yet he lamented his lack of opportunity to serve effectively. The ancients believed that when advancing in career, one should save the people; when retreating, one should cultivate oneself. For someone like Qin, maintaining personal integrity would suffice. However, Qin’s heart for benefiting others and aiding all things could not bear to abandon himself. He reasoned that without official rank, the only path to realize his ambitions was through medicine. Thus, he selected the essential teachings of Qi Bo and Huang Di (the Yellow Emperor), dedicating thirty years to profound study. His medical principles became very clear, and he practiced them in the world, saving countless lives. Regardless of whether patients were rich or poor, he worked tirelessly day and night, focusing solely on saving lives without regard for profit. His techniques were skillful and specialized, unique yet orthodox, making him an outstanding figure of his time. Qin considered that given the vastness of the land and the length of history, individual efforts were insufficient. He sought a method that could be grand and enduring, capable of spreading throughout the world and transmitting to posterity. He unearthed the secret teachings passed down from his ancestor, Mr. Jingming, specifically the work *Zheng Yin Mai Zhi*. He further searched extensively, elucidated, and revised it for publication. This allows practitioners to examine the pulse according to symptoms, ensuring the pulse diagnosis is not baseless, and to prescribe medication according to the pulse, ensuring drugs are not administered recklessly. Would this not confer great and lasting merit upon the world? I previously felt pity for Qin’s inability to serve officially, but now I congratulate him. If Qin had obtained an official position, he would not merely have secured safety for a single village or county; could he not have raised the elderly, young, strong, and weak across the nine provinces and thousands of years, preserving their harmonious vitality (Taihe) within an era of peace? In the winter of the Gui Wei year, I returned home due to illness, and this book was just completed. Mr. Shi Yuzhan and his brothers Bao Wen, Wen Shi, and Xiang San, who excel in promoting specific schools of thought, wished to elevate the common people to a realm of benevolence and longevity. They donated funds to print the book. I could not help but clap my hands in approval and wrote this preface.

Written by Shen Zongjing, a Jinshi degree holder by imperial grace, currently serving as Compiler in the Hanlin Academy, from the same province, at the Zuihua Residence, ten days after the Duanwu Festival in the 43rd year of the Kangxi reign.