史称扁鹊饮上池水,故能洞见脏腑,其所治病无不立起,毋待切脉而后知者也。然扁鹊常
有,而上池水不常有,则凡号为医者,脉之名义,可不讲之有素乎!夫经络府俞,阴阳会通,玄
冥幽微,变化极难。上古神农、黄帝、岐伯、鬼臾区等,神明天纵,何可几及。降至叔世,即有人焉
才高识妙,可以仰窥圣域,亦须精求典籍,上发金匮玉函之藏,下集专家授受之旨;学以博
而渐通,心以疑而启悟。如此则借证有资,力省功倍。所谓将登泰岱,舍径奚从;欲诣扶桑,非
舟莫适。今者各承家伎,不事读书;附会臆见;展转相迷。初学则但知《难经》、《脉诀》,泛滥则
空谈刘、李、张、朱。不知《难经》时与《灵素》相左,《脉诀》明系入室操戈。仲景专法《内经》,余
者不无出入。知而不能读,读而不能解,解而不能通,其中肯綮,固非浅识所能窥测。乃如王
叔和。晋之名医也。所撰《脉经》,欲以发灵兰之秘,建后学之准,斯亦勤矣。而移易穴道,误决
死期,开妄人之簧鼓,遭后来之指摘,况其下焉者乎!近者高阳生之伪诀盛行,比于鸩毒,而
家弦户诵,略不可解。幸蔡西山、戴同父辈,大声疾呼,明正其罪。乃世犹充耳,奉若典谟。盖以
师承既谬,先入为主;封己自限,忠告难施。将使五脏六腑之盈虚,血脉营卫之通塞。触涂成
滞,胥天下而趋邪说者,岂非寡学之故,不自登于大道乎?嗟乎!使学人而志虑渊微,机颖明
发,溯流穷源,旁收曲采,善读古今之书,扶绝学于将坠,虽为执鞭。亦所欣慕。曾何待上池之
水,侈为异闻也哉!
Historical records state that Bian Que drank "upper pool water" (a legendary substance granting medical insight), thereby enabling him to see through and understand the internal organs, so that diseases he treated were cured immediately without needing pulse diagnosis to know the condition. However, while figures like Bian Que may appear occasionally, "upper pool water" is not common; therefore, must not those who claim to be physicians have thoroughly studied the principles and significance of pulse diagnosis beforehand! The meridians, collaterals, fu-organs, shu-points, and the intersection and communication of yin and yang are profound, obscure, subtle, and their changes are extremely difficult to grasp. In ancient times, Shennong, the Yellow Emperor, Qibo, and Guiyuzhou possessed divine wisdom innate to them, which is hardly attainable by later generations. Descending to degenerate eras, even if there are individuals with high talent and exquisite insight capable of glimpsing the realm of sages, they must still meticulously seek out classics: excavating upwards from the treasures of the *Jinkui Yuhan* (Golden Cabinet Jade Chest) and collecting downwards the essential teachings transmitted among experts. Learning becomes gradually thorough through breadth, and understanding is awakened through doubt. In this way, one has reference for verifying symptoms, achieving twice the result with half the effort. This is like wanting to ascend Mount Tai: without a path, how can one proceed? Like wishing to reach Fusang (the land of sunrise): without a boat, where does one go? Nowadays, each person inherits family techniques but neglects reading books; they attach themselves to subjective speculations and become mutually confused in transmission. Beginners only know the *Nan Jing* (Classic of Difficult Issues) and the *Mai Jue* (Pulse Secrets); when spreading widely, they merely talk empty words about Liu [Wansu], Li [Dongyuan], Zhang [Congzheng], and Zhu [Danxi]. They do not know that the *Nan Jing* often contradicts the *Ling Shu* and *Su Wen*; the *Mai Jue* is clearly an instance of "fighting within the house" (using erroneous texts to mislead). Zhang Zhongjing exclusively followed the *Nei Jing* (Inner Canon), while others inevitably had deviations. To know but not read, to read but not comprehend, to comprehend but not integrate—the key points therein are indeed beyond the speculation of shallow knowledge. Take Wang Shuhe, a famous physician of the Jin Dynasty, as an example. His compiled *Mai Jing* (Pulse Classic) aimed to reveal the secrets of the Linglan Pavilion and establish standards for future learners; this was indeed diligent. Yet, he displaced acupoints and incorrectly predicted death dates, opening the mouth of charlatans and inviting criticism from later generations—how much more so for those inferior to him! Recently, Gao Yangsheng's fake *Mai Jue* has prevailed, acting like poison, yet it is sung in every home and recited in every household, which is utterly incomprehensible. Fortunately, Cai Xishan (Cai Yuanding) and Dai Tongfu (Dai Qizong) cried out loudly and clearly corrected its errors. Nevertheless, the world remains deaf to these warnings, treating the false text as sacred canon. This is likely because the lineage transmission was already wrong, leading to preconceived notions; people confine themselves to their own views, making sincere advice difficult to accept. This will cause the fullness or emptiness of the five zang and six fu organs, and the obstruction or flow of blood vessels, ying-nutrient, and wei-defensive qi, to become stagnant everywhere, driving the whole world toward heretical theories. Is this not due to lack of learning, failing to ascend the Great Way oneself? Alas! If scholars possess profound thoughts and subtle intentions, sharp and bright intellects, trace back to the source and exhaust the origin, gather insights from various directions, and skillfully read books of past and present, supporting a dying unique learning tradition, then even serving as a humble follower (holding the whip for a sage) would be a joy to admire. Why wait for "upper pool water" and boast of it as a miraculous tale!