Library

The two books, *Tuisi Ji Leifang Gezhu* (Annotations on Song-formulas of Classified Prescriptions from the Tuisi Collection) and *Yifang Zhengzhi Huibian Gejue* (Mnemonic Rhymes for the Compiled Treatments of Medical Prescriptions), were authored by Mr. Wang Xugao, a fellow townsman of mine. His given name was Tailin, courtesy name Xugao, and in his later years he adopted the pseudonym Tuisi Jushi (Retreat-and-Reflect Hermit). Liu Baozhi of Jiangyin once selected and published Mr. Wang's medical cases, praising him for his diligent study: from Huangdi and Qibo (Xuanqi, legendary founders of Chinese medicine) down to various scholars of the early Qing dynasty, he meticulously absorbed all their works. For ancient texts, he researched classical exegesis; for later works, he carefully distinguished between similar or confusing contents. His other writings included *Xixi Shuwu Yehua Lu* (Records of Night Conversations at Xixi Study), *Yifang Gejue Chuanjie* (Interconnected Explanations of Medical Formula Rhymes), and *Huanxi Caotang Yi'an* (Medical Cases from Huanxi Cottage), none of which had been printed. Currently, his medical cases have been selected and published by Fang Gengxia and Liu Baozhi, circulating widely, but the other few books remain unobtainable despite repeated searches. In the winter of the Yimao year, Mr. Hua Songyan kindly gifted me a bundle of manuscript drafts, stating they had been stored away for many years. Prior to this, a disciple of Mr. Wang living at Dongfangqiao went mad with old age and threw copied books into the water. Mr. Hua managed to retrieve only two types of formula songs, which were incomplete. One page was supplemented based on formulas from *Shanghan Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage) and *Jingui Yaolue* (Essential Prescriptions from the Golden Cabinet). A detailed examination of *Tuisi Ji Leifang* reveals it was edited and adapted from Xu Lingtai's *Shanghan Leifang* (Classified Formulas for Cold Damage), attaching formulas from *Jingui Yaolue* and later authors, classified into twenty-four categories. The *Yifang Gejue* was also composed based on general treatment formulas from *Lantai Guifan* (Standard Practices of the Imperial Clinic); thus, its annotations largely follow Xu's work while extensively drawing from other sources. Occasionally, there are new annotations by Mr. Wang himself, along with several self-made formulas appended. The selection and exclusion were quite prudent, and the annotations are extremely clear. I particularly admire that although he took Zhang Zhongjing's (Zhongsheng's) formulas as the ultimate authority, he could integrate the strengths of post-Zhongjing medical prescriptions without rigidly adhering to any single school, as evident in his treatment cases. However, this book was not yet a final edition; hence, it contains Mr. Wang's marginal notes such as "This formula should be categorized under...", "Should revise according to...", or "This formula can be deleted." For example, under Shen Shu San (Divine Operation Powder) in the Mahuang Tang (Ephedra Decoction) category, the note states: "There are also Taiwu Shen Shu San and Shuwei Shen Shu San, both compiled into the Pingwei San (Calm the Stomach Powder) category." Under Jintui Huanglian Tang (Advance-Retreat Coptis Decoction) in the Xiexin Tang (Drain the Epigastrium Decoction) category, the note says: "Cui Shi Ba Wei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill of Master Cui) is compiled into the Shenqi Wan (Kidney Qi Pill) category." These two categories no longer exist. Under Zhizi Chi Tang (Gardenia and Fermented Soybean Decoction), the annotation mentions "Further meanings see Volume 4 Miscellaneous Sayings," which has also been lost. Furthermore, under Xiao Qinglong Tang (Minor Blue Dragon Decoction), there is still a reference to *Gu Fang Yu Lun* (Remnant Discussions on Ancient Formulas), indicating there were more than the three types mentioned by Mr. Liu. This shows that the further back in time, the more missing the books become—truly regrettable! Truly regrettable! I then deliberately sought information and learned that Mr. Wang's former residence was only a few dozen paces from my home. A descendant of Mr. Wang stated: "My great-grandfather had five brothers; Xugao was the youngest, lived to a ripe old age, had no heirs, so after his death, no one continued his profession; his disciples scattered to different places, making it impossible to trace and verify. His writings have been lost over sixty years, with nothing remaining." Thus, although these two books are not complete, they are sufficient to glimpse a fraction of Mr. Wang's scholarship. During the Daoguang and Xianfeng reigns, he certainly enjoyed fame in Suzhou and Zhejiang; why did his writings fail to survive? Moreover, this version was salvaged from the water, with some characters eroded. I hurriedly arranged for its printing to facilitate wide dissemination. Additionally, having preserved volumes of Mr. Wang's compiled works from my youth—including *Xixi Shuwu Yehua Lu*, *Yifang Gekuo*, *Zengding Yifang Gejue*, and *Xue Shi Shire Lun Gejue* (Rhymes on Xue's Damp-Heat Theory)—I combined them into one volume. These are indeed essential books for medical scholars; they must not be allowed to remain fragmentary and obscure. Therefore, this publication cannot be delayed.
In the winter month of the Gengshen year, Zhou Zhen (pseudonym Xiaonong, alias Bohua) of Wuxi, respectfully recorded at Xifen Yin Studio.