Library

Raw Chrysanthemum Indicum (Gan Ju) [crushed with roots, 1-2 liang], Honeysuckle Flower (Jin Yin Hua) [5-6 qian], Violet Herb (Zi Hua Di Ding), Rehmannia Root (Sheng Di), Rubia Root (Qian Cao), Licorice Root Nodes (Gan Cao Jie) [each 3-5 qian], Forsythia Fruit (Lian Qiao), Burdock Fruit (Niu Bang Zi), Fritillaria Bulb (Bei Mu), Trichosanthes Root (Hua Fen) [each 2-3 qian], Bletilla Rhizome (Bai Ji), Angelica Dahurica (Bai Zhi) [each 1-2 qian], Prunella Spike (Xia Ku Cao) [5-6 qian]. Decoct in water to serve as a decoction base. Such herbs as Gleditsia Sinensis Spine (Zao Jiao Ci), Pangolin Scales (Chuan Shan Jia), Fresh Polygonum Multiflorum Root (Xian Shou Wu), Red Peony Root (Chi Shao), Achyranthes Root (Niu Xi), Sanguisorba Root (Di Yu), and Rhinoceros Horn (Xi Jiao) may also be adopted. After ulceration, add Astragalus Root (Huang Qi) [stir-fried with salt water], Coix Seed (Yi Yi Ren) [5 qian to 1 liang], Chinese Yam (Shan Yao), White Peony Root (Bai Shao) [each 3-5 qian], Ophiopogon Tuber (Mai Dong) [5-6 qian], Schisandra Berry (Wu Wei Zi) [approx. 1 qian]. For deficiency patterns, add Ginseng Root (Ren Shen) [5 qian to 3 liang].

This formula cools the blood and dissipates stasis, clears heat and detoxifies, scatters nodules and reduces swelling. I have used this formula with modifications to treat all external surgical conditions of various sizes. For those not yet ulcerated, it promotes resolution; for those already ulcerated, it promotes healing. Large doses yield rapid effects, while small doses yield gradual but steady effects.

"Yi Jing" (Medical Mirror) is a work compiled by my father, Mr. Song Yuan, after thirty years of exploration. He studied, imitated, verified through clinical practice, adjusted medications according to seasonal changes, and determined prescriptions based on symptom observation. Having gained insights, he repeatedly revised and deleted content, striving for purity and orthodoxy, avoiding eccentric or biased views that might invite ridicule from students of medicine. This reflects his dedication in completing the book. My father had two half-brothers; I am the eldest son, and my younger brother is the second son, both sons of Mr. Xi Hou. When my father was ten years old, due to difficulties in having offspring and suffering from severe illness, he was adopted into the secondary branch family. He was graciously raised, tutored, and married, treated no differently than a biological son. My grandfather was famous in the academic circles during his youth and participated in the provincial examinations twice. Later, due to illness, despite medical consultations, treatments were largely ineffective. Consequently, he abandoned the imperial examination path and devoted himself to studying the principles of medicine. He traveled to the capital, took the examination for the Imperial Academy, and served in the Imperial Hospital. Thus, he spent years collating and verifying texts such as the *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon). He also sought out renowned experts in the capital to refine his understanding of medical theory, achieving sudden clarity and insight. Physicians hold life and death in their hands. At that time, many medication errors occurred due to unexamined pulse diagnosis, often leading to death. Generally, this stemmed from a lack of independent judgment and being constrained by established formulas. Just as certain scholars blindly followed ancient texts like the *Shangshu* or *Rites of Zhou*, causing harm to the state and people, so too does rigid adherence to dogma harm patients in medicine. The ancients said: "The superior physician treats the state; the next level treats individuals." Ultimately, saving lives and restoring health is a merit comparable to governing a nation. This motivated my father to study hard for twenty years, working day and night under cold lamps and snowy desks, constantly reading. He always ordered me, Yuan Zai, to copy and compile these notes day and night. As the manuscript neared completion, he would revise it again, doing so dozens of times. Only I, Yuan Zai, witnessed and understood this painstaking effort.

At that time, my step-sister's husband, Jian Zhong, passed the Renwu examination and was appointed as the Prefect of Shandong. His courtesy name was Yike. He and I shared gratitude towards Mr. Song Yuan. He deeply admired my father's book, recognizing its benefit to future generations, and we collaborated on verifying the text. We privately discussed that physicians today who claim to be skilled often attribute half their success to accumulating hidden merits and the other half to lifestyle management. However, dividing one's focus between spiritual accumulation and daily life may not fully align with the demands of medical practice. Moreover, the "hidden merits" they speak of are rarely achieved through diligent study of ancient classics and hard work. I, Yuan Zai, was listed among the military students, which distracted me from internal and external examinations, preventing me from learning my father's profound secrets of transforming one's constitution. Nevertheless, my father's lifelong diligence was solely focused on saving people and benefiting the world, striving to correct the biases of mediocre physicians, seemingly disregarding personal wealth. Through copying and compiling his works over the years, I deeply understood his singular and extreme dedication. Mr. Yike, who revered this book, frequently wrote to urge its publication and sent copies to official residences, hoping that contemporary kind-hearted individuals would assist in printing it to save lives and aid governance. This would honor Mr. Song Yuan's guidance for future learners and his mission to inherit the past and open up the future, fulfilling his grand aspirations. I, Yuan Zai, am clumsy and unlearned, unable to expound new theories in medicine or fully recount my step-father's legacy, nor can I adequately describe his expertise in formulas. Therefore, I bow respectfully and write this postscript.

On the first day of the twelfth lunar month, in the 58th year of the Kangxi reign.