余奉命视学江左，按临苏属，苏属人文渊薮，校士之暇，留心博访。震泽吴生金寿，以
《三家医案》，请序于余。三家者，叶天士、薛生曰、缪宜亭三先生也。三先生皆吴中往哲
，素闻其治病之神，如磁引针，如鼓应桴。今阅其方案，灵机活泼，议论精醇，诚非学有根
源，不克臻此超诣。然非吴生拾遗补缺，汇萃成编，则当日斟今酌古，殊途同归之理，何由
观其会通?余故心折三先生而并以此多吴生也。吴生博学好古，诗善六法，兼通医理，为吴
郡张容庭入室弟子。容庭者，继三家而起者也，生于医固无俟于余言，而余窃有一言为生进
者，盖医之道，下流为艺，上通于儒。轩岐以来，《内经》、《素问》尚矣。而后贤辈出，
代有成书，要其旨，虚实以质异，情性以因感，风气以变生。所谓穷阴阳升降之微，悉运会
转移之故。五行尽其变，五土异其宜，实足与天地权生息之机，为国家培太平之本，医之学
不亦大哉!余望吴生能近守师承，远宗前哲，功深养到，实至名归。有以传三先生之书，必
有以传三先生之学，则此集其 矢焉耳。故于请序也，书以勖之，并嘱其持云容庭，其不以
使者之言为河汉否。
道光纪元岁次辛巳十月既望，赐进士及第诰授光禄大夫南书房行走户部左侍郎提督汇苏
全省学政加三级归安姚文田撰
我奉命巡视江左地区的教育事务，来到苏州属地。苏州是人文荟萃之地，我在考核士子的闲暇之余，留心广泛探访。震泽县的吴金寿先生，拿着《三家医案》，请求我为其作序。所谓的“三家”，是指叶天士、薛生白、缪宜亭三位先生。这三位先生都是苏州地区的前代哲人，我素闻他们治病的神奇，就像磁石吸引铁针一样自然，又像鼓声响起鼓槌随即击打那样应和迅速。如今阅读他们的医案，思路灵活生动，议论精当纯正，确实如果不是学问有深厚的根基，是无法达到这种高超境界的。然而，如果不是吴先生拾取遗漏、补充缺失，汇集编纂成书，那么当日斟酌古今、殊途同归的道理，又从哪里能够观察到它们的融会贯通呢？所以我内心折服于三位先生，同时也因此称赞吴先生。吴先生博学且喜好古学，诗歌擅长六法，兼通医学原理，是苏州郡人张容庭的亲传弟子。张容庭先生，是继这三家之后兴起的名医，他生于医学世家，本不需要我来多言，但我私下里有一句劝勉的话要对吴先生说：大概医学之道，向下看属于技艺，向上则通达儒家学问。自从轩辕黄帝和岐伯以来，《内经》、《素问》等经典已经非常古老了。而后世的贤才辈出，代代都有著作问世，总结其宗旨，虚实是根据体质不同而区分的，情性是因感受外邪而异的，风气是因变化而产生的。所谓穷尽阴阳升降的精微，详尽了解时运转移的缘故。五行穷尽了它的变化，五土（五脏对应的地理属性）各有其适宜之处，实在足以与天地权衡生命生息的机理，为国家培养太平盛世的基础，医学的学问难道不宏大吗！我希望吴先生能近守师承，远宗前代哲人，功夫深厚修养到位，名实相符。如果有能力传承三位先生的书籍，就一定有能力传承三位先生的学问，那么这部文集就是见证啊。所以在接受请序的请求时，我写下这些话来勉励他，并嘱咐他秉持张容庭先生的教诲，希望他不会把我的话当作空话吧。
道光元年岁次辛巳十月十六日，赐进士及第、诰授光禄大夫、南书房行走、户部左侍郎、提督江苏全省学政、加三级、归安人姚文田撰写
I was commissioned to inspect the educational affairs in the Jiangzuo region and arrived in the Suzhou jurisdiction. Suzhou is a hub of culture and talent; during my spare time from examining scholars, I paid attention to extensive inquiries. Mr. Wu Jinshou from Zhenze presented the *Three Families' Medical Cases* (*Sanjia Yi'an*) to me, requesting a preface. The "Three Families" refer to Master Ye Tianshi, Master Xue Shengbai, and Master Miao Yiting. These three masters were all revered predecessors in the Wuzhong (Suzhou) area. I had long heard of their miraculous healing abilities, which were as natural as a magnet attracting an iron needle, and as responsive as a drumbeat immediately followed by the strike of the drumstick. Now, having read their medical cases, their clinical thinking is flexible and vivid, and their discussions are precise and pure. Indeed, without a solid foundation in learning, it would be impossible to reach such a transcendent level. However, if Mr. Wu had not collected omissions, filled gaps, and compiled these into a volume, how could one observe the convergence of principles where different paths lead to the same goal, balancing ancient and modern approaches? Therefore, while I am deeply impressed by the three masters, I also commend Mr. Wu for this effort. Mr. Wu is erudite and fond of antiquity, skilled in poetry (specifically the six methods), and proficient in medical theory. He is the direct disciple of Zhang Rongting of Suzhou Commandery. Master Zhang Rongting rose to prominence following the era of the Three Families. Being born into a family of physicians, he hardly needs my words, but I have a private word of encouragement for Mr. Wu: The way of medicine, viewed from below, is an art; viewed from above, it connects with Confucian scholarship. Since the times of Xuanyuan (Yellow Emperor) and Qibo, classics such as the *Neijing* (Inner Canon) and *Suwen* (Basic Questions) have been esteemed. Later generations of sages emerged, producing works in each dynasty. Summarizing their purport: deficiency and excess are distinguished by constitution; emotional natures vary according to etiology; wind and qi arise from changes. One must exhaust the subtleties of the ascent and descent of Yin and Yang, and fully understand the causes of the shifts in cosmic fortune. The Five Elements exhaust their transformations; the Five Earths (corresponding to the five viscera) have their respective appropriateness. This truly allows one to weigh the mechanisms of life and growth alongside Heaven and Earth, and to cultivate the foundation of peace for the state. Is not the study of medicine grand! I hope that Mr. Wu will adhere closely to his master's lineage and revere the former sages from afar. With profound skill and cultivated virtue, fame will follow reality. If he can transmit the books of the Three Families, he will surely transmit their learning. Thus, this collection serves as the witness. Therefore, in response to the request for a preface, I write these words to exhort him, and urge him to uphold the teachings of Master Rongting, hoping he will not regard my words as empty talk.
Written by Yao Wentian of Gui'an, who held the titles of Jinshi of the First Rank (Jinshi Jidi), Guanglu Daifu (Grand Master of Ceremonies) conferred by imperial decree, Member of the Nanshu Fang (Southern Study), Left Vice Minister of Revenue, Inspector-General of Education for the Entire Province of Jiangsu, with three additional ranks, in the tenth month of the year Xinsi, the first year of the Daoguang era.