Library

Medical books are numerous, filling warehouses and oxen with sweat (an idiom for a vast quantity), yet many are plagiarized or falsely attributed. How can one trust them? It lies in cautious discrimination. There are three methods of discrimination: examine the era to determine its historical context; savor the language to probe the depth of its meaning; and apply clinical diagnosis to verify the correctness of its statements, thereby leaving no room for truth or falsehood to hide. Using this standard to evaluate ancient and modern medical texts ensures that one errs in only one out of ten cases. Regarding the *Nanjing* (Classic of Difficult Issues) circulated in the world, Yang Xuancao stated in his preface that it was authored by Qin Yueren of Bohai, which is difficult to verify thoroughly. However, Zhang Zhongjing’s self-preface to the *Shanghan Lun* (Treatise on Cold Pathogenic Diseases) mentions "utilizing nine volumes of *Suwen* and eighty-one *Nans*" (Difficulties). This undoubtedly indicates it is a book from before the Han Dynasty, specifically the pulse book of Bian Que mentioned in Sima Qian’s *Records of the Grand Historian* (*Shiji*) under the biography of Bian Que and Cang Gong. Yet, the *Book of Sui* (*Sui Shu*), Treatise on Bibliography (*Jingji Zhi*), records "Huangdi Bayishinan" (Yellow Emperor's Eighty-One Difficulties), two volumes, which contradicts Yang’s preface. "Nan" means questioning or debating difficulties. "Jing" here refers to the text questioning and elucidating the principles of the *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon). The attribution to the Yellow Emperor may stem from an original source, but authorship by Qin Yueren seems more credible. Since antiquity, medical scholars have revered and expounded upon the *Neijing*. After the turmoil of the Western Jin Dynasty, much of the eighteen volumes of the *Neijing* were lost. In the *Suwen* (Basic Questions), nine volumes originally existed, but in Quan Yuanqi’s annotated edition recorded in Liang Dynasty’s *Qilu*, only eight remained, with the seventh and eleventh volumes missing. Wang Bing (Wang Taipu)杂乱ly compiled passages from the *Yinyang Dalun* (Great Treatise on Yin and Yang) to fill these gaps, falsely claiming they came from a secret manuscript of Master Zhang, which is hardly reliable evidence. The *Zhenjing* (Pulse Classic), nine volumes, had its fragments collected by Tang dynasty scholars who renamed it *Lingshu* (Spiritual Pivot), but this too is not the true face of the original work. Qin Yueren lived not long after ancient times; he extracted the essence of the *Neijing*, presenting comprehensive meanings and dense intentions. Although it might be a remnant book burned by Hua Tuoyuanhua (Hua Tuo) and later edited by Lü Guang, inevitably containing additions and omissions, it alone serves as a supplement to lost medical classics, achieving great merit. However, its theoretical profundity is beyond the reach of superficial learning. Consequently, there are dozens of commentators, occasionally revealing profound insights, yet failing to provide consistent, clear guidance everywhere. Thus, it cannot serve as a ferry for beginners, a fact lamented by readers. My knowledge is mediocre and shallow, unable to explore the profound mysteries. I have carefully examined the canonical text, sought its intent, gathered evidence from various works, referenced annotations by sages, and incorporated Western anatomical verification to correct its meanings. I do not dare claim to reveal hidden secrets or benefit future generations, but merely hope it facilitates reading during study sessions.
Written by Ye Lin of Yangzhou at Shilin Study Room in the first month of spring, 21st year of Guangxu, Qing Dynasty.