Library

Tao Hongjing said: I have dwelled in the secluded mountains for nearly ten years. Although I frequently cultivated virtue and performed charitable acts, these were mostly temporary measures. Nothing can spread fragrance to future generations as effectively as writing books. Therefore, during my spare time from cultivating the Dao, I compiled three works: *Yao Zong Jue* (General Principles of Materia Medica), *Zhou Hou Fang* (Prescriptions Kept in the Sleeve), and *Ben Cao* (Materia Medica). This is precisely what Sima Ziwei of the Tang Dynasty described as "illuminating hidden secrets for the past, and enlightening later students." Since the Flame Emperor tasted herbs and the Yellow Emperor composed medical classics, every subsequent dynasty has had its own medical texts. Thus, people have been able to receive treatment, and the populace has avoided premature death or violent demise. Hence, illuminating secrets and enlightening students indeed relies on compilation and writing. Without transmitted books, even if one were as skilled at pulse diagnosis as Yu Fu, or as adept at prescribing formulas as Tong Jun, one could only boast of one's own skills. How could such knowledge be widely disseminated to collectively benefit all living beings? Mr. Li Xing of Shanghai, with agile intellect and refined insight, applied his broader scholarly pursuits to study medicine extensively. His pulse diagnoses and prescriptions were verified and excellent. He extensively collected various books from the era of the Yellow Emperor and Qibo, organizing them logically and analyzing them clearly, highlighting unique points and essential summaries, compiling them into a single volume titled *Zheng Zhi Hui Bu* (Compendium of Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment). I read it and praised it, believing that although miraculous figures like Bian Que (Qin Yueren) and Chunyu Yi are hard to encounter today, their wisdom can now be accessed by consulting books in one's pillow case or library. The *Biography of Bian Que* states: "What patients fear is the multitude of diseases; what doctors fear is the scarcity of methods." "Multitude of diseases" refers to the complexity of symptoms; "scarcity of methods" refers to the limited therapeutic approaches. Incompetent practitioners are rigid and fail to adapt flexibly, hence their methods are few. This book is divided into eight categories, governed by ten main topics, intricately interwoven, capable of infinite adaptation to changes. Why worry about a scarcity of methods? Musical tuning is subtle; ancients compared it to syndrome differentiation and pulse diagnosis. Military strategy is highly variable; ancients compared it to formulating prescriptions and using herbs. This book begins with etiology and ends with formulas within its ten topics. When treating clinical cases, the principles become clear in mind and eye. Why worry about subtlety and variability? Mr. Xing's benevolence is broad, and his merit is great. Su Shi said: There is a proverb in Shu: "Fei Zhi" (implying the risk of harming oneself/others through improper medical practice). Chunyu Yi, when answering the Emperor's inquiries, said: "My understanding of pulses is not precise enough; I often make mistakes and cannot be entirely accurate." Chunyu Yi was a sage in medicine, reaching a divine level. Even with occasional lack of focus, he made errors; how much more so for contemporary physicians? I hope those who read this book will apply themselves with precision, not chase fame, nor be swayed by profit. Only after mastering the knowledge thoroughly should they apply it. Otherwise, they will inevitably harm people. Should one not be fearful? Written by Xu Bingyi, younger brother from Kunshan, in the seventh month of the Xinwei year of the Kangxi reign.