理通太元者莫如医,而医责十全者尤在目。盖目为人身至宝,匪明则无以作哲,古立专科有以也。今人以外
症易识,往往枵腹从事村学究间,及之狃于小道贱役,薄不经意,故书无佳本,授受不得其人。余时命不犹,因
先子见背,明欲丧,学殖顿荒。先儒谓∶虚度岁月,无恩泽及人,直造化中赘物。乃广购方书,凡涉眼症者,考
特力自治、治人,功效倍于老宿,遂藉此为修德补过也。然内障、头风,针砭未窥其秘,不免缺而不全之讥。或
言∶培风山人工是术,所许治无弗瘥,有心人愿见之乎?亟恳为介绍,速而来。洎至,风仪肃整,伟然一丈夫也。
与语益异,即日请受业焉。夫培风固江夏旧家,道高望重,口不言钱,相与客次名区,携囊挥洒殆尽,是假游艺
而游侠者。夙夜谨事,无敢怠山人。度得其心法,坚辞南归,爰治具郊饯。时山叶翳红,江涛飞白, 欷起吟曰∶
马耳批风进八闽,星霜三易鬓垂银。命续之,余曰∶知君到处留青眼,长恐江湖断送人。语冷而隽,山人以为知
言,大笑策马而去。呜呼!以庭镜之才,未为驽下,顾一事之微,用心如此,费资斧如此,恭以礼人又如此,而
其技始克进。孰谓太元之理,医不通儒而十全之?责目不当严于他病乎。博古尚论,实有不容已者。岁辛酉,春
雨洽旬,检所笔乘症治,分汇成卷,署名《目经大成》,燕石自藏,无敢问世。冢宰魏大人一见悦服,曰∶此有
用之书,愿与天下共之,为序趣付梓。冢宰,钜乡大儒,言论不苟。伏乞当代高贤雌黄损益,以教教不逮。
濉川不尘子黄庭镜自序
Among those who comprehend the Great Origin (Taiyuan, the fundamental principle of the universe), none surpasses medicine; and among medical disciplines, ophthalmology is particularly held to the standard of "Shiquan" (Perfection/Complete Cure). This is because the eyes are the most precious treasures of the human body; without clarity, one cannot exercise wisdom. Hence, the establishment of a specialized department for the eyes in ancient times was justified. Nowadays, people consider external eye conditions easy to recognize and often engage in this practice with superficial knowledge. Once involved in what is regarded as a minor art or lowly trade, they tend to slight it and pay little attention to it. Consequently, there are no excellent books on the subject, and transmission of knowledge does not reach suitable individuals. My fortune was unfavorable; coinciding with the passing of my father, my vision began to fail, and my scholarly pursuits fell into disarray. As the Confucians of old stated: "To waste years without bestowing favors upon others is merely an excrescence within Creation." Therefore, I extensively purchased medical texts, scrutinizing all that pertained to eye conditions. Through self-treatment and treating others, my efficacy doubled that of veteran physicians, thereby using this endeavor to cultivate virtue and remedy past faults. However, regarding internal cataracts and head wind disorders, I had not yet penetrated the secrets of acupuncture and moxibustion, inevitably inviting criticism for incompleteness. Someone remarked: "There is a master at Peifeng Mountain who excels in this technique; he promises that no case he accepts remains uncured. Would any sincere person wish to see him?" I urgently requested an introduction and asked him to come quickly. Upon his arrival, his demeanor was solemn and upright, a magnificent man. Our conversation revealed his extraordinary nature, and I requested to become his student immediately. Master Peifeng was originally from an old prestigious family in Jiangxia, possessing high moral character and great prestige. He never spoke of money; while socializing with guests in scenic areas, he would spend his purse freely. He was essentially a knight-errant disguised as an artist. I served him diligently day and night, daring not to slacken. After grasping his core methods, I firmly declined further stay and returned south. We held a farewell banquet in the suburbs. At that time, mountain leaves were red like clouds, and river waves flew white. Sighing, I recited: "Entering Min region through Ma'er Pass with the wind, three cycles of stars and frost have turned my temples silver." He continued: "Knowing you leave a favorable glance everywhere, I long fear the rivers and lakes will ruin you." His words were crisp and profound. The master considered me a true confidant, laughed heartily, and rode away. Alas! With my talent, Huang Tingjing was not inferior or dull. Yet for such a minute matter, I devoted myself so intensely, spent so much capital, and treated others with such reverence, only then could my skill advance. Who says that one who understands the principles of the Great Origin can achieve perfection in medicine without being versed in Confucian learning? Shouldn't the demands on ophthalmology be stricter than on other diseases? Reflecting on antiquity and discussing matters, I felt compelled to speak. In the year Xinyou, during spring, rain persisted for ten days. I reviewed my notes on symptoms and treatments, compiled them into volumes by category, titled *Mujing Dacheng* (The Complete Canon of Eye Classics), kept it hidden like a worthless stone, and dared not publish it. Minister Wei, a Grand Secretary, saw it once and was deeply impressed, saying: "This is a useful book; I wish to share it with the world," and wrote a preface urging its publication. Minister Wei was a great scholar from a prominent region, known for his rigorous discourse. I humbly request contemporary sages to critique and amend it, to instruct one as inadequate as I am. Preface by Huang Tingjing, pseudonym Bu Chenzi of Suichuan.