I am naturally dull and had not initially studied medicine. I lament that after suffering the loss of my wife twice in succession, my illnesses all originated from internal injury due to wind-cold. I sought treatment from many physicians, but their remedies were ineffective.
This led to a condition commonly referred to as "Xu Qie" (a syndrome of deficiency and timidity characterized by weak constitution and depleted vital energy), ultimately resulting in my premature death before the age of thirty. The circumstances were consistent throughout. My children suffered from "Jing Feng" (pediatric convulsions), with five dying young. The calamity and pain were miserable, leaving me feeling helpless and unsupported.
While traveling as a guest in the Huai and Chu regions, I encountered a severe drought and an epidemic raging at that time. I fell victim to this disaster, dying within two nights only to be reborn. This "rebirth" occurred because the epidemic was actually the "Hot Disease" described in the *Su Wen* (Basic Questions), which belongs to the category of Shang Han (Cold Damage).
In the Huai and Chu regions, there is a heavy emphasis on treating Shang Han, and medications are prescribed sparingly. Consequently, some patients died without medication, while others recovered spontaneously without it. I emerged emaciated, and upon recovery, my skin and hair had completely changed. Was this merely coincidental? No, it was the will of Heaven.
Reflecting on the past, regarding the relationship between drugs and disease, I initially sought the Dao (the Way) from others, but ultimately failed to encounter anyone who possessed true knowledge of the Dao. I then submitted myself to the will of Heaven, and fortunately received Heaven's blessings. Humans cannot claim credit for preserving life through the Dao alone; however, Heaven so graciously preserved me.
Thus, Heaven's desire not to let me die, but to grant me rebirth, implies that its intention in keeping me alive must have been to test and warn me, intending to entrust me with a mission here. If I fail to comprehend this from above and understand it from below, I cannot be mentioned in the same breath as those who serve Heaven well.
Therefore, I focused my mind on gathering the great synthesis of this Dao. Among those who sanctified the past and present and took methods as their ancestors, Zhang Zhongjing stands supreme. I purchased his remaining works, obtaining only the *Jin Gui Yao Lue* (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet), while the *Shang Han Zhu Bing Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases) had been neglected by the world, covered in dust like residual smoke. Upon opening and reading them, I was deeply shocked and alarmed.
The medical cases were often arduous, yet the theories were clearly impressed upon my mind. Considering that I survived after escaping death, if I were to abandon these texts and seek distant teachings elsewhere, I would not be worthy of claiming to engage in the pursuit of auspiciousness.
Hence, I dedicated myself exclusively to this field, striving with vigor and sensitivity. After enduring myriad hardships, my hair turned white before I finally attained enlightenment. In silent accord, I intuitively grasped the subtle meanings beyond the words. I regretted that previously, the secular term "Xu Qie" had misled me, causing me to wrongly interpret the "Huai Bing" (ruined diseases) in the *Shang Han Lun*, a mistake for which I felt deep shame.
I then hurriedly cleared the dust and filth, systematically analyzing and correcting the disordered and confused sections, addressing the omissions, and reorganizing them into volumes. These have been printed and circulated for years.
Since the understanding of "Jing" (spasm/stiffness) has never been uniform, it is actually a single condition addressed in both aforementioned books. What is pathogenic factor? The disease originates in the Tai Yang (Greater Yang) channel, presenting solely with "Qiang" (stiffness and rigidity).
Stiffness leads to sweating; sweating leads to dampness; dampness leads to cold; cold leads to Jing (spasm). "Han Jing" (cold-induced spasm) is a common colloquialism and a simple truth, easily understood.
Moreover, Jing is caused by excessive sweating, which in turn is caused by blood deficiency. Blood deficiency is most severe in infants, as their qi and blood are not yet fully developed. It is next most common in postpartum women, due to the postpartum state. Adults occasionally suffer from it, as their qi and blood are vigorous and prone to depletion. The elderly rarely get it, as their qi and blood have already declined.
Modern "Jing Feng" (pediatric convulsions) are generally of this nature. By examining this, it becomes quite clear.
Ignorant people fail to investigate, do not understand the meaning of the terms "Qiang" (stiffness) and "Jing" (spasm), and do not realize that Jing can lead to fatal confusion. Upon seeing stiffness, they become bewildered and panicked, leading to convulsions. When the spasm actually occurs, they cannot grasp the cause, react with baseless fear, and fail to deduce it hastily. Thus, they erroneously label it as "Jing Feng," usurping the position of Jing with a deceptive name.
This obscures natural truth, wrongfully takes lives, harms the world, damages the Dao, and creates calamities. This error has persisted for over a thousand years.
Having felt Heaven's warning and fortunate enough to perceive Heavenly principles, I was able to preserve my life to pass it on to future generations. This is achieved through my own efforts. If I were to endure silence and watch others suffer, holding back out of fear and not speaking the truth, I would be betraying myself, violating Heaven's will, and abandoning myself. Would the blame not fall upon me?
Fearing this continuation, I have compiled this essay again, printing it attached to the *Tiao Bian* (Analysis and Differentiation), to repay Heaven's mandate, to clarify ethical relations, and to unite people near and far.
Alas, is this text written for mere display? I simply enjoy reading the ancients. I have no book of my own. How dare I call it a book? Is it about literary elegance? I have no literary talent. How dare I boast with flowery language? That is incorrect.
Then what should it be called? I say: nothing special. I merely hope that through this, future grievances may be cleared, disasters extinguished, the Dao illuminated, and calamities resolved. Then I might have fulfilled my duty, awaiting the turning of Heaven's will. Or perhaps, to inspire posterity, paving the way for future generations, serving as a mirror or cautionary tale against confusing the world in dark times and defiling oneself with false accusations.
On the 16th day of the first month of autumn, in the Wuxu year of the Wanli era, Fang Youzhi wrote this preface.