自来学医者。多讲求伤寒。而杂病则略之。盖伤寒分经论证。蹊径了然。非若杂病之门类繁赜。博
综为难也。不思仲景氏祖经方而集其大成。伤寒论中一百十三方。皆自杂病方中检入。故无不可
以治杂病。其专治杂病之方。则惟金匮要略一书。神而明之。足以推阐无余。顾伤寒论。自成无己、
韩和、庞安时以来。注释论辨。代不乏人。厥后吾吴周君禹载。汇为三注。学人益有所钻仰尚已。
金匮有国朝徐彬论注。虽云明显。要未若宋赵以德之明且详也。乃周禹载又为之补其未备。畅
其欲言。名曰补注。合衍义而成书。为金匮玉函经二注。嘉惠后学可谓仲圣之功臣。惜其书风行未广。
原版旋毁于火。致使学人不能家置一编。良足慨矣。今春余友春泉。见余案头叶氏医案存真。及
马元仪方案。怂恿付梓。因论及此。为叹息者久之。访购抄本。苦多鲁鱼之讹。复为遍求初印原本。
相与昕夕校雠。醵资重刊。公诸当世。医林不朽之业也。功岂在周氏下哉。既已药观厥成。而积思
顿释。故志其简端如此。
道光十二年壬辰仲冬既望长洲叶万青。
汉、张仲景医理最精。以伤寒一门。为病中最要。既为伤寒论以明治法。复为金匮
玉函经以为治杂症之矩 。岐伯、秦越人后一人而已。后之注者。以宋赵君以德衍义为最精。国朝
周扬后又为之补注于本书。益加融贯仲景之书。如四子六经。而两君之注。则高密之训诂。紫阳
之集义也。康熙二十六年。楚抚丁思孔。梓于楚南。迄今百四十余年。世鲜传本。吴门李君清俊。
名医也。于古人载籍。无所不窥。治症神效。即得此本。思以公诸当世。因为重付诸剞劂。余之识君也。
在嘉庆丙子。适病后左足短二寸。不能着地。君治之两月而痊。至今将二十年。步履如少壮。道光
戊子。余扶病重至汉上。邀君同行。君为人施诊。应手立愈。为余制药施人。亦皆灵验。汉上人
至今称之。盖君之造诣渊微。立心诚笃所致。今刊此书。犹前志也。昔余弟鸿庆。亦深于医。与君
最契。重刊伤寒活人书。未竟而殂。君议为竟之。俾与此书并行于朋友之际。所云笃矣。余素不
习医。近以学道。从事三尼。医世功诀。读金碧龙虎灵宝毕法诸书。稍知养生之理。因兼读素问难经伤寒论及是书以相
印证。
知医家之要。尽此四书之中。君尝谓是书医可通仙。并谓余因学仙而通医理。余谓医与仙皆非
余所及。其理则固能言之矣。赵君不着里籍。金匮要略又云明人。君因欲去序中宋字。余谓旧本
不宜轻改。且其文笔醇浓。语多非近儒明人所及。朴学之士。潜德隐曜。不必以史乘失载为疑也。
若夫道家之书。如心印经云。上药三品。神与气精。胎息经云。若欲长生。神气相注。南华经云。
无视无听。抱神以静。神将守形。乃可以长生。黄庭经云。寸田尺宅可治生。闭子精门可长活。
皆身心性命之圭旨。苟能守而行之。风湿寒暑。皆不能侵。留形住世不难。又何杂病之足虑乎。
以质李君。知余言之不诬也。
道光癸巳八月钱塘陈文述序于吴门妙香天室
Since ancient times, those who study medicine have mostly focused on *Shanghan Lun* (Treatise on Cold Pathogenic Diseases), while neglecting miscellaneous diseases. This is because *Shanghan Lun* categorizes syndromes by meridians, making the pathways clear and straightforward, unlike miscellaneous diseases, which involve numerous categories and complexities that are difficult to master comprehensively. They fail to consider that Master Zhang Zhongjing (Zhang Ji) built upon ancient classical prescriptions and achieved their greatest synthesis. The one hundred and thirteen formulas in *Shanghan Lun* were all selected from formulas used for treating miscellaneous diseases; therefore, none of them cannot be used to treat miscellaneous diseases. The formulas specifically designed for treating miscellaneous diseases are found exclusively in the book *Jingui Yaolue* (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet). If one can divine and elucidate its principles, it is sufficient to expound upon them without omission.
However, since the Song Dynasty scholars Cheng Wuji, Han Zhihe, and Pang Anshi, there have been countless commentators annotating and analyzing *Shanghan Lun*. Later, Mr. Zhou Yuzai from our region of Wu compiled three annotations, providing learners with even more subjects for study and admiration. Regarding *Jingui Yaolue*, during the Qing Dynasty, Xu Bin provided commentary notes. Although his explanations were clear and explicit, they were not as lucid and detailed as those of Zhao Yi-de (Zhao Liang) from the Song Dynasty. Thus, Zhou Yuzai supplemented what was lacking and elaborated on what remained unexpressed, naming it *Supplementary Annotations* (Buzhu). Combined with the *Yanyi* (Expanded Meaning), it formed a book titled *Jingui Yuhan Jing Erzhu* (Two Annotations on the Jade Box Classic). This benefit to future generations is considerable, making him a meritorious servant of Saint Zhang. Unfortunately, this book did not circulate widely, and the original blocks were soon destroyed by fire, preventing learners from owning a copy in every household, which is truly lamentable.
This spring, my friend Chunquan saw Ye Shi's *Medical Cases Preserved in Truth* and Ma Yuanyi's case records on my desk and urged me to publish them. We discussed this matter and sighed for a long time. We sought out manuscript copies but encountered many errors (such as miswritten characters like 'Lu' and 'Yu'). We then searched extensively for the original early prints and proofread them day and night, pooling funds to republish them for the world. This is an immortal achievement in the medical field; would not this merit be no less than that of Mr. Zhou? Now that I see the completion of this work, my accumulated worries are instantly relieved, so I record these brief remarks here.
Preface by Ye Wanqing of Changzhou, on the 16th day of the second month of winter in the Renchen year of the 12th year of Daoguang.
In the Han Dynasty, Zhang Zhongjing's medical theory was the most profound. He considered the category of cold damage (*Shanghan*) to be the most critical among diseases. Having written *Shanghan Lun* to clarify treatment methods, he also wrote *Jingui Yuhan Jing* as the standard for treating miscellaneous symptoms. He is the only figure since Qibo and Qin Yueren (Bian Que). Among later commentators, the Song Dynasty scholar Zhao Yi-de's *Yanyi* (Expanded Meaning) is the most exquisite. In the Qing Dynasty, Zhou Yangjun further supplemented the original text, integrating the understanding of Zhang Zhongjing's works as thoroughly as combining the Four Books and Six Classics. The annotations of these two gentlemen are akin to the exegesis of Zheng Xuan from Gaomi and the collected interpretations of Zhu Xi from Ziyang. In the 26th year of Kangxi, Ding Sikong, the Governor-General of Huguang, had the book printed in southern Chu. It has been over 140 years since then, and few copies exist in the world. Mr. Li Qingjun of Suzhou is a famous physician who has studied ancient texts exhaustively and treats diseases with miraculous efficacy. Upon obtaining this edition, he wished to make it public and thus commissioned its re-engraving. I first met Mr. Li in the Bingzi year of the Jiaqing era. At that time, I suffered from an illness where my left leg appeared two inches shorter, making it impossible to touch the ground. Mr. Li treated me for two months until I recovered. Nearly twenty years later, I still walk as briskly as a youth. In the Wuzi year of Daoguang, I traveled again to the banks of the Han River while ill and invited Mr. Li to accompany me. Mr. Li treated patients, curing them immediately upon administration of medicine; he also prepared medicines for me to distribute to others, all of which proved effective. People in the Han River region still praise him today. This is undoubtedly due to his profound medical attainment and sincere dedication. Publishing this book now continues his previous aspiration.
My younger brother, Hongqing, was also deeply versed in medicine and was closest to Mr. Li. He had begun reprinting *Shanghan Huoren Shu* (Living People Book on Cold Damage) but passed away before completing it. Mr. Li proposed to finish it so that it could circulate among friends alongside this book, demonstrating great loyalty and friendship. I have never practiced medicine, but recently, having engaged in Daoist cultivation involving the "Three Nis" (referring to the cultivation of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity), and studying texts such as *Jinbi Longhu Lingbao Bifa*, I have gained some knowledge of health preservation principles. Therefore, I read *Suwen* (Basic Questions), *Nanjing* (Classic of Difficult Issues), *Shanghan Lun*, and this book to cross-verify them.
I know that the essentials of medicine are contained within these four books. Mr. Li once said that this book allows physicians to attain immortality, and he suggested that I understood medical principles through my study of immortality arts. I replied that neither medicine nor immortality arts are within my reach, though I can certainly explain their principles. Mr. Zhao Yi-de's birthplace is unknown, and *Jingui Yaolue* is sometimes attributed to Ming Dynasty authors. Consequently, Mr. Li wished to remove the character "Song" from the preface. I argued that old editions should not be lightly altered, and moreover, the writing style is rich and profound, surpassing what typical Neo-Confucian scholars or Ming authors could achieve. Scholars of pure learning often hide their virtue and brilliance; one need not doubt their existence simply because historical records omit them.
Regarding Daoist texts, *Xinyin Jing* (Heart Seal Sutra) states: "The supreme drugs are three in number: Spirit, Qi, and Essence." *Taixi Jing* (Sutra of Fetal Breathing) states: "If you wish to live long, let Spirit and Qi merge." *Nanhua Jing* (Zhuangzi) states: "Do not look, do not listen; embrace Spirit in tranquility. When Spirit guards the Form, one may attain longevity." *Huangting Jing* (Yellow Court Sutra) states: "The inch-field and foot-house can nurture life; closing the gates of essence allows for long life." These are the fundamental guidelines for body, mind, and nature. If one adheres to and practices them, wind, dampness, cold, and heat cannot invade. Retaining one's form and prolonging life is not difficult; why worry about miscellaneous diseases? I asked Mr. Li about this, and he confirmed that my words were not false.
Preface by Chen Wenshu of Qiantang, in the eighth month of the Guisi year of Daoguang, at Miaoxiang Tian Studio in Suzhou.