学用结合，反复精思「不读《内》、《难》、《伤寒》，不可言医」。这种说法是有道理的。我学《伤寒论》是先从原文开始的。惜乎条文古奥，错简晦涩之处，实在不懂。还是经叔祖父指点，以《伤寒来苏集》、《伤寒贯珠集》与仲景原文相互参证，读而思，思而再读，反复多遍之后，感到见效确要快些。据我的学习体会，学《伤寒论》和《金匮要略》有两把入门的钥匙：就是陈修园着的《长沙方歌括》和《金匮方歌括》两本书。陈氏方歌铿锵顺口，或概括重点条文，或列治法原则；既有药味组合，又详份量加减，对于理解和熟记条文、方药，皆有帮助。至今，这些方歌我都牢记未忘，我觉得这是一条学习仲景著作的快捷方式。
还是如上述方法，我从《内经知要》开始学习《内经》。同时又以张、马所注《内经》和张氏《类经》互勘互学。当时，长辈并没有要求我在短期内把《内经》学深、学精(事实上也不可能)，只是力求从概念上了解中医基本理论，为今后深入学习而奠定基础。
十年私塾之后，我即随叔祖父临证写方，并没有因家学必传后代而稍有懈怠。白天诊病，夜晚就恭候叔祖父身边，从临证病案所记，常究疑难于叔祖，必得晓畅理法而后可；而他老人家则是有问必答，更使我心悦诚服，获益良多。如此，学用结合将近两年时间。
悬壶知医难：疏忽与失误，难忘的病例
一九二0年，我开始在锢粱、凉水、侣俸等乡镇行医。假先辈声誉，尚未因初出茅庐而坐冷板凳。随着求治者日众，困难更增多。由于学未精深，临证往往缺乏定见，以致认证不准、方药失当者有之，迟疑不决、贻误病机者有之，反正失败的教训很多。那段时期，有几个病例给我留下很深的印象。
乙卯年除夕之际，母亲患头痛甚剧，痛位偏重巅顶，手足逆冷，胸口冷痛，时欲作呕，脉微几不应指，我认定是吴莱萸汤证，乃放胆原方书之。殊料药后病增而吐剧。惶然不解，求教于叔祖父。叔祖父日：「辨证无谋，方亦对路，而药后病剧者，吴萸之量过重耳。汝母素弱，得大剂辛烈之吴萸，故格拒不入，我寻常用吴萸恒嘱病家泡淡入煎，汝正疏忽于细微之处。现仍以原方，吴萸量减其半，泡淡，并加黄连五分以制之、导之，汝母之疾可一剂而安。」我遵嘱处理，果药到病疰。
我有一婶娘，孀居有年，素患饮疾，时感外邪，其证恶寒无汗，头身疼痛，胸闷咳喘，脉浮，既不缓亦不紧。再三思之，辨证为外感风寒、内停水饮，开了一张小青龙汤原方。那知药采尽剂即大汗出，胸闷咳喘加重。正祖父闻讯来诊，急投大剂真武汤救之。我当时还不明白错在什么地方。叔祖父说：「误在诊断不详，虚宴实未分。汝婶素多带下，阴精暗耗，兼足中脉微，证属气阴两虚，凡见此证此脉断不可汗，仲景早有明示。小青龙汤虽有芍药、五味之缓，亦难任麻、桂、细辛之峻，加之药量过重，错上加错。程锺龄有云，『当汗不可汗，而又不可以不汗，汗之不得其遭阻误人者』，正此之谓也。汝虽读《医学心悟》，却未彻悟。初诊若能以扶正解表、理气豁痰之参苏饮治之，倒颇为合拍。」我回答说：「婶娘是老辈，不便询其经带，尺中脉微，并未细切，既然初治药量已嫌过重，为何真武又须大剂?」叔祖正言斥曰：「胸中易了，指下难明，切脉不真倒未可厚非。但是，『妇人尤必问经期，迟速闭崩难意断』。《十问歌》忘记了吗?老辈子就该舍去问诊吗?治病岂能分亲疏,汝婶初治以重剂辛温解表，是犯虚虚之戒；药后大汗出，已有亡阳之兆，必得重剂真武救逆而冀安，所谓『无粮之师，贵在速战』。用药的轻重，当权衡病之浅深、虚实及传变而慎所从违。『谨守病机，各司其属』，经旨昭昭。看来，汝读书不求甚解，只知其然，未追思其所以然，今后须下点苦功夫才行。」他老人家语重心长，历今六十载，言犹在耳。
放眼百家，广开学路，博采众长
疾病总是千变万化的，同一种疾病可因时、因地、因人而证相径庭。徒执古人有限之方，以临夸人无限之病，实践证明是不可能的。所谓「经方」．．「时方」之争，实际上乃伤寒与温病两大学派之对垒，这是阻碍学术研究的一种偏见。我临证以来，逐渐认识到了这一点。
记得正是开业的第二年，家乡温病流行。我接治的第一个患者是一位青年农民，其证壮热恶寒，口渴心烦，周身疼痛，咽喉肿痛，溲黄便秘，苔腻脉数。先投银翘散，继以白虎、承气，病势不衰。次日午后，旋即喉肿欲闭，水难下咽，证情恶变，我技已穷，不知所措，急请叔祖父会诊。叔祖父诊后，嘱开升降散加味煎服，外用家传吹喉散，很快痊愈其病。那时，我还没有读过杨栗山《寒温条辨》，也不知道升降散方竟有如此神效。、
一次，邻里一行商患泄泻腹痛有日，我以理中汤治之不中，乃执案求教于叔祖父。他告诉我；「再详审脉证，究明其属中焦虚寒，还是中气下陷,既然理中未效，或可升提为商。」果然，投补中益气汤加减而泻止痛安。当然，此侧失误在辨证不确，选方失当，非理中汤之无功。不过，也说明了补中益气汤治疗中气下陷所致之泄泻确有着效。此方并非「经方」，但是，根据「内经》「清气在下，则生飧泄」的病理变化，东垣制升阳举陷的补中益气汤不也是和仲景一样，源本(《内经》并发展《内经》而独具匠心吗?
实践告诉我。只有广开学路才能迅速提高医疗水平。程锺龄有两句话我很赞赏；「知其浅而不知其深，犹未知也.知其偏而不知其全，犹未知也。」从其言，首先在思想上屏弃「经」、「时」两派的陈观，以临床疗效为标志，对各家理论求实择善采之。中年以后，乃悟各家学说皆源同流异而已。从而认识到：对各家学说合读则金，分读则偏』去粗取精，扬长避短则可，盲从偏见，顾此失彼刚非。临床上断不可因麻桂治伤寒着效，而毁荆防银翘轻描淡写如儿戏；决不因补中益气汤之「甘温除热」就日「古方不能治今病」，而取代小建中汤。凡如斯者，皆宜共存以取长补短。
学问并非尽载名家论著。广采博搜，不嫌点滴琐碎，「处处留心皆学问」。举两个例子
同乡有李姓草医，祖传疳积秘方，以其简便验廉，远近求治者不少。该医视为枕中之秘。为学习伊之长处，乃与其结交至好，并于医道共相切磋，久之情深，伊知我乃方脉医，非卖药谋生，渐去戒心，偶于醉后遭出真言，日：「一味鸡矢藤研末即是。」事虽小而启发大。鸡矢藤一药，我儿十年来屡用于肝胆脾胃诸病，证实其有健脾消食，行气止痛，利水消胀的良好效果。
《金匮》治肺病、肠痈皆用冬瓜子，而冬瓜乃瓜果菜食之物，其子何能有此效?常见冬瓜子抛入猪粪坑中而不腐烂，次年凡施用猪粪之处可自然生长冬瓜。于秽浊中生长的冬瓜，其味甘淡，甚为爽口。我注意观察了这一现象，从而省悟此物极善浊中生清，其子抗生力强，更属清轻之品。根据冬瓜子升清降浊，轻可去实的特点，用治咳喘脓痰、肺痈、肠痈、妇女带下以及湿热病过程中出现的浊湿阻滞上焦和中焦的症状都有显著疗效。
由于理论的渐次提高，经验点滴积累，临证就踏实得多，治有疑难复杂痪病，一计不成，亦有他计可施，处方用药也自然灵活了。于是，愈信秦越人「人之所病，病疾多；而医之所病，病道少」之言，淘不我欺也。
学贵沉潜，融汇贯通，执简驭繁
一九三八年我来到重庆行医。时值抗日战争期间，各地名医先后避难到后方，一时间，重庆医界，高手云集，这对我来说无疑是一个很好的学习机会。
如全国知名中医张筒斋在渝期间，我常从病人处研究其处方，发现张老极善轻灵，药虽一钱几分，每起沉疴。当时，我正盲目崇拜重荆，自谓「胆大」，对照张老经验，深有触动。我初到重庆，人地两疏，无名小卒较之诸名家，诊务清淡；正因为清淡，又造成了重新学习的环境。条件允许我每治一个病人都详细立案，反复推敲，病家服药后，必询疗效，甚至登门随访以察究竟。临证遇难，遍检医书以求答案,读书有悟，践之临床以期印正。如斯者约有三、心年光景，使我在学术上长进了很大一步。
我在青年时代就背熟了几百首成方，满身皆是法宝，有时治一个较复杂的病，前后往往用上十余首方。表面上似炫广博，实际上胸无定见，杂乱无章。
晚年来，情况发生了很大的变化：只要诊断一经明确，治则一经拟定，并不需要考虑许多成方，甚至依法选择几味药，同样愈病。如治肝病，历代治肝成方总有数十之众，内容固属丰富，但毕竟嫌其博杂难以择采。我曾用「四逆散」为疏肝、解郁、行气之主方，「四物汤」为补肝、养血、活血之主方，「当归四逆汤」为温肝散寒之主方，然后在主方的基础上各随兼证而加减，收到了执简驭繁、「异病同治」的效果。不过，「异病同治」或「同病异治」都只能在辨证论治法则内实现，脱离了这个法则，就不能由博返约，更淡不上执简驭繁了。
有些青年中医总感觉老中医手中似乎有什么诀窍。我常常用两句话回答这一问题；「活泼圆通医家诀，不离不泥是津梁」。通过熟悉和掌握辨证论治的法则，从而步入「谨守病机，各司其属」的境界。诀窍，也许就在这里。
有一同道之孙女，年仅两岁，患腹泻。先以渗湿分刺无效，继投温中健脾，泻仍不止，乃邀会诊：视患儿形瘦，面色无华，汗多烦躁，常夜啼惊醒，指纹青淡，日泻七，八次，食油泻甚。我根据《灵枢》「阴阳俱不足，补阳则阴竭，污阴则阳脱，如是者可将以甘药，不可饮以至剂」的原则，权借《金匮》治妇人脏躁之甘麦大枣汤，假其至平至甘之性，调治「明阳形气俱不足」之疾，并于方中酌加蝉蜕、仙鹤草、楂炭，处方共享六味药，服二剂而泻止神安。
大约是在一九五六年六月，当时我在中医直属门诊部妇科应诊。一妇女以白带多而就诊。自述心烦、心慌、胸闷呃逆，常坐卧不安，失眠多梦。并云脾胃素弱，近来便溏，带下特别多，医治月余无效。诊其脉细中稍有数象，舌质淡而苔微黄。追询病史，知月前曾患外感风热。综观脉证，我认为患者虽属虚体，而现证余热未清，补之无益；倘若徒清其热，又恐虚虚其体。思之再三，乃从《伤寒论》栀予豉汤立法。但义考虑到便溏非苦寒之栀子所宜，时值栀予花盛开的季节，不妨来个「偷梁换柱」之法，爰拟一方：栀子花7朵，香豉9克，腊梅花12克，佛手花6克，远志4克，甘草3克，另以冬瓜子60克单煎代水。诸药先浸泡半小时，微煎数沸，分次温服。患者接过处方，颇为不悦。认为慕名求诊，不料处方只见几味市售观赏之花，莫非敷衍塞责?我向她耐心作了解释，劝其姑且试服，以观疗效。三天后，患者高兴地来门诊部致歉，谓服药后顿觉心胸开朗，烦闷若失，眠食亦香，带下随之而愈。
另有一妇人患崩证，血大下不止。察其脉证，寒热皆无明显之征，惟询得血下时阴中觉热，我根据平素审苗窍诊断疾病性质所积累的经验：血下阴中觉热，必属血热致崩。乃出方：地榆120克，米醋同煎，单刀直入，期冀速效。患者昼夜连服二剂而血止。事后，跟随我同床的西医同志问我：「老师治病，用方极其平常，且少执全方，选药亦属平淡，剂量轻重不定，为何收效同样显著?。我回答道：「遣方不以罕见邀功，用药不以量重取胜，关键在于辨证准确，立法吻合病机，方药切中病情，虽四两之力，可拔千斤之重，神奇往往寓于平淡之中。」我常常对学生讲：「智欲圆而行欲方，胆欲大而心欲小」，孙思邈这两句话，言简意深，临证者当镂刻铭记。
中医宝库包罗万象，不可小视草药单方
人们常以「浩如烟海」一词来形容中医药宝库内容丰富。广阔的海洋总是由火川涓流汇集而成。祖国医学体系也正是由各家学派，中药、草药，甚至散在民间的单方、验方、秘方等各个部份所组成。不能一谈到继承就只想到几部经典著作。就连清代崇古遵经的医家徐大椿都承认：单方、验方，「病各有宜，缺一不可」。他在《医学源流论·单方论》中提出了颇有见地的主张。我个人数十年来，每治疑难险证，常在辨证论治法则指导下，选择适宜之单方、验方以辅助主方，「且为急救之备」、衰其标邪，「或为专攻之法」、顿挫病势，收效显著。例如，治疗膨胀、积聚、癃闭等证，凡在虚不任攻，虚不任下，而又不能不攻，不能不下的情况下，我往往用新鲜马蹄草冲绒，合以白酒炒热包肚脐。可收攻而不伤正气，下而不损阴液之效。再如《济生》乌梅丸，书载治疗便血淋漓。我早年试用于西医诊断的肠息内(其症表现为便血)获效，因此，进一步深究该方殭蚕、乌梅、蜂蜜三药组合之义，始知该方合于《素问》「热淫于内，治以咸寒，佐以甘苦，阻酸收之，以苦发之」，「燥者润之……坚者软之……结者散之，留者攻之」的理论。继而推之以广，用浩多种息肉及干宫肌瘤等，皆历验不爽。诸如此类之单、验、秘方，不仅需要继承和发掘，更应该通过科学实验，复经临床验证，由此及彼，逐步摸索出一条使专病治有专方的路子，这对发展祖国医学是很有意义的。
“将学习与临床应用相结合，反复深入思考。”常言道：“不读《黄帝内经》、《难经》和《伤寒论》，就不能称为医生。”这种说法是有道理的。我学习《伤寒论》是从研读原文开始的。可惜条文古奥深涩，其中错简（竹简顺序错乱导致文意不通）晦涩难懂的地方，我实在无法理解。后来经过叔祖父指点，我将《伤寒来苏集》、《伤寒贯珠集》与张仲景的原文相互参照印证，通过读后思考、思考后再读，反复多遍之后，感到学习效果确实快了许多。根据我的学习体会，学习《伤寒论》和《金匮要略》有两把入门的钥匙：就是陈修园所著的《长沙方歌括》和《金匮方歌括》这两本书。陈氏的方剂歌诀铿锵顺口，有的概括重点条文，有的列出治法原则；既包含药物组合，又详细说明剂量加减，对于理解和熟记条文、方药都有帮助。至今，这些方歌我都牢记不忘，我觉得这是学习仲景著作的一条捷径。
还是采用上述方法，我从《内经知要》开始学习《黄帝内经》。同时以张介宾、马莳所注的《黄帝内经》和张介宾的《类经》互相勘校、互相学习。当时，长辈并没有要求我在短期内把《黄帝内经》学深、学精（事实上也不可能），只是力求从概念上了解中医基本理论，为今后深入学习奠定基础。
十年私塾教育之后，我便跟随叔祖父临证写方，并没有因为家学必传后代而稍有懈怠。白天诊病，夜晚就恭候在叔祖父身边，从临证病案记录中，经常向叔祖父请教疑难问题，必须弄通医理法则后才罢休；而他老人家则是有问必答，更使我心悦诚服，获益良多。如此，学与用结合将近两年时间。
悬壶济世，深知行医之难：疏忽与失误，难忘的病例
一九二〇年，我开始在锢粱、凉水、侣俸等乡镇行医。凭借先辈的名声，尚未因初出茅庐而无人问津。随着求治者日益增多，困难也更多了。由于学识不够精深，临证往往缺乏主见，以致出现辨证不准、方药不当的情况，也有迟疑不决、贻误病机的情况，总之失败的教训很多。那段时期，有几个病例给我留下了很深的印象。
乙卯年除夕之际，母亲患剧烈头痛，痛位偏重于头顶，手足逆冷，胸口冷痛，时常想呕吐，脉象微弱几乎摸不到。我认定是吴茱萸汤证，于是大胆地按原方开具。没想到服药后病情加重且呕吐剧烈。我惶恐不解，向叔祖父求教。叔祖父说：“辨证没有谋略，方子也对路，但服药后病情加剧，是因为吴茱萸的用量过重。你母亲平时体质虚弱，承受不了大剂量的辛烈之品吴茱萸，所以产生格拒（排斥反应）而不入药。我平时常用吴茱萸时，总是嘱咐病人将其泡淡后再煎煮，你正是疏忽于细微之处。现在仍用原方，吴茱萸的量减半，泡淡，并加入五分黄连以制约其燥性、引导药力，你母亲的病可以一剂而安。”我遵照嘱咐处理，果然药到病除。
我有一位婶娘，守寡多年，素有痰饮病，时常感受外邪，症状表现为恶寒无汗，头身疼痛，胸闷咳喘，脉浮，既不缓也不紧。我反复思考，辨证为外感风寒、内停水饮，开了一张小青龙汤的原方。谁知药采齐后服用，即大汗出，胸闷咳喘加重。叔祖父闻讯赶来诊治，急投大剂量真武汤进行救治。我当时还不明白错在哪里。叔祖父说：“错误在于诊断不详，虚实未分清楚。你婶娘平时带下多，阴精暗中耗损，加上尺中脉微，证属气阴两虚。凡见此证此脉，断不可发汗，张仲景早有明示。小青龙汤虽有芍药、五味子的缓和作用，也难以承受麻黄、桂枝、细辛的峻烈，加之药量过重，错上加错。程钟龄曾说：‘应当发汗却不可发汗，或者不可以不发汗，发汗不得法而阻碍病机误人的’，正是说的这种情况。你虽然读了《医学心悟》，却没有彻底领悟。初诊如果能用扶正解表、理气豁痰的参苏饮治疗，倒颇为合适。”我回答说：“婶娘是老辈人，不便询问她的月经带下情况，尺中脉微，我也没有仔细切诊。既然初治药量已嫌过重，为什么真武汤又要用大剂量呢？”叔祖父严肃斥责道：“心中容易明了，指下切脉难以准确，切脉不真切倒还可以宽恕。但是，《十问歌》忘了吗？‘妇人尤必问经期，迟速闭崩难意断’。老辈子就该舍弃问诊吗？治病岂能分亲疏？你婶娘初治用重剂辛温解表，是犯了‘虚虚’（使虚者更虚）的戒律；服药后大汗出，已有亡阳的征兆，必须用重剂真武汤救逆以求平安，所谓‘无粮之师，贵在速战’。用药的轻重，应当权衡病情的浅深、虚实及传变而慎重选择。‘谨守病机，各司其属’，经典旨意昭然若揭。看来，你读书不求甚解，只知其然，未追思其所以然，今后须下点苦功夫才行。”他老人家语重心长，历经六十载，言犹在耳。
放眼百家，广开学路，博采众长
疾病总是千变万化的，同一种疾病可因时、因地、因人而证候相径庭。单纯拘执古人有限的方剂，来应对病人无限的病情，实践证明是不可能的。所谓“经方”与“时方”之争，实际上是伤寒学派与温病学派两大流派的对垒，这是阻碍学术研究的一种偏见。我临证以来，逐渐认识到了这一点。
记得正是开业的第二年，家乡温病流行。我接治的第一个患者是一位青年农民，症状表现为壮热恶寒，口渴心烦，周身疼痛，咽喉肿痛，小便黄，便秘，苔腻脉数。我先投银翘散，继以白虎汤、承气汤，病势未减。次日午后，随即喉肿欲闭，水难下咽，证情恶化，我已技穷，不知所措，急忙请叔祖父会诊。叔祖父诊后，嘱开升降散加味煎服，外用家传吹喉散，很快痊愈。那时，我还没有读过杨栗山的《寒温条辨》，也不知道升降散方竟有如此神效。
一次，邻里的一个商人患泄泻腹痛多日，我用理中汤治疗无效，便拿着病历向叔祖父求教。他告诉我：“再详细审察脉证，究明其属于中焦虚寒，还是中气下陷。既然理中汤未见效，或许可以用升提的方法。”果然，投补中益气汤加减后，泻止痛安。当然，此例失误在于辨证不确，选方失当，并非理中汤无功。不过，这也说明了补中益气汤治疗中气下陷所致之泄泻确有疗效。此方并非“经方”，但是，根据《内经》“清气在下，则生飧泄”的病理变化，李东垣制定升阳举陷的补中益气汤，不也是和张仲景一样，源于《内经》并发展《内经》而独具匠心吗？
实践告诉我，只有广开学路才能迅速提高医疗水平。程钟龄有两句话我很赞赏：“知其浅而不知其深，犹未知也；知其偏而不知其全，犹未知也。”遵循他的话，首先在思想上摒弃“经”、“时”两派的成见，以临床疗效为标准，对各家理论求实择善采之。中年以后，才悟出各家学说皆源同流异而已。从而认识到：对各家学说合读则全面，分读则偏颇；去粗取精，扬长避短则可以，盲从偏见，顾此失彼则不行。临床上绝不可因麻黄、桂枝治伤寒有效，而贬低荆芥、防风、银翘散轻描淡写如儿戏；决不因补中益气汤的“甘温除热”就说“古方不能治今病”，从而取代小建中汤。凡是像这样的情况，都宜共存以取长补短。
学问并非尽载名家论著。广采博搜，不嫌点滴琐碎，“处处留心皆学问”。举两个例子。
同乡有一位姓李的草医，祖传疳积秘方，以其简便验廉，远近求治者不少。该医视为枕中之秘。为了学习他的长处，便与其结交至好，并于医道共相切磋，久之情深，他知道我是方脉医（内科医生），非卖药谋生，渐去戒心，偶于醉后道出真言，说：“一味鸡矢藤研末即是。”事虽小而启发大。鸡矢藤这一味药，我这十年来屡用于肝胆脾胃诸病，证实其有健脾消食，行气止痛，利水消胀的良好效果。
《金匮要略》治肺病、肠痈皆用冬瓜子，而冬瓜乃瓜果菜食之物，其子何能有此效？常见冬瓜子抛入猪粪坑中而不腐烂，次年凡施用猪粪之处可自然生长冬瓜。于秽浊中生长的冬瓜，其味甘淡，甚为爽口。我注意观察了这一现象，从而省悟此物极善浊中生清，其子抗生力强，更属清轻之品。根据冬瓜子升清降浊，轻可去实的特点，用治咳喘脓痰、肺痈、肠痈、妇女带下以及湿热病过程中出现的浊湿阻滞上焦和中焦的症状都有显著疗效。
由于理论的渐次提高，经验点滴积累，临证就踏实得多，治疗疑难复杂疾病，一计不成，亦有他计可施，处方用药也自然灵活了。于是，更加相信秦越人（扁鹊）“人之所病，病疾多；而医之所病，病道少”之言，确实不欺我。
学贵沉潜，融汇贯通，执简驭繁
一九三八年我来到重庆行医。时值抗日战争期间，各地名医先后避难到后方，一时间，重庆医界，高手云集，这对我来说无疑是一个很好的学习机会。
如全国知名中医张筒斋在渝期间，我常从病人处研究其处方，发现张老极善轻灵，药虽一钱几分，每起沉疴。当时，我正盲目崇拜重剂，自谓“胆大”，对照张老经验，深有触动。我初到重庆，人地两疏，无名小卒较之诸名家，诊务清淡；正因为清淡，又造成了重新学习的环境。条件允许我每治一个病人都详细立案，反复推敲，病家服药后，必询疗效，甚至登门随访以察究竟。临证遇难，遍检医书以求答案；读书有悟，践之临床以期印证。如斯者约有三、四年光景，使我在学术上长进了很大一步。
我在青年时代就背熟了几百首成方，满身皆是法宝，有时治一个较复杂的病，前后往往用上十余首方。表面上似炫广博，实际上胸无定见，杂乱无章。
晚年来，情况发生了很大的变化：只要诊断一经明确，治则一经拟定，并不需要考虑许多成方，甚至依法选择几味药，同样愈病。如治肝病，历代治肝成方总有数十之众，内容固属丰富，但毕竟嫌其博杂难以择采。我曾用“四逆散”为疏肝、解郁、行气之主方，“四物汤”为补肝、养血、活血之主方，“当归四逆汤”为温肝散寒之主方，然后在主方的基础上各随兼证而加减，收到了执简驭繁、“异病同治”的效果。不过，“异病同治”或“同病异治”都只能在辨证论治法则内实现，脱离了这个法则，就不能由博返约，更谈不上执简驭繁了。
有些青年中医总感觉老中医手中似乎有什么诀窍。我常常用两句话回答这一问题：“活泼圆通医家诀，不离不泥是津梁”。通过熟悉和掌握辨证论治的法则，从而步入“谨守病机，各司其属”的境界。诀窍，也许就在这里。
有一同道之孙女，年仅两岁，患腹泻。先以渗湿分利无效，继投温中健脾，泻仍不止，乃邀会诊：视患儿形瘦，面色无华，汗多烦躁，常夜啼惊醒，指纹青淡，日泻七八次，食油泻甚。我根据《灵枢》“阴阳俱不足，补阳则阴竭，泻阴则阳脱，如是者可将以甘药，不可饮以至剂”的原则，权借《金匮要略》治妇人脏躁之甘麦大枣汤，假其至平至甘之性，调治“阴阳形气俱不足”之疾，并于方中酌加蝉蜕、仙鹤草、楂炭，处方共用六味药，服二剂而泻止神安。
大约是在一九五六年六月，当时我在中医直属门诊部妇科应诊。一妇女以白带多而就诊。自述心烦、心慌、胸闷呃逆，常坐卧不安，失眠多梦。并云脾胃素弱，近来便溏，带下特别多，医治月余无效。诊其脉细中稍有数象，舌质淡而苔微黄。追询病史，知月前曾患外感风热。综观脉证，我认为患者虽属虚体，而现证余热未清，补之无益；倘若徒清其热，又恐虚虚其体。思之再三，乃从《伤寒论》栀子豉汤立法。但又考虑到便溏非苦寒之栀子所宜，时值栀子花盛开的季节，不妨来个“偷梁换柱”之法，爰拟一方：栀子花7朵，香豉9克，腊梅花12克，佛手花6克，远志4克，甘草3克，另以冬瓜子60克单煎代水。诸药先浸泡半小时，微煎数沸，分次温服。患者接过处方，颇为不悦。认为慕名求诊，不料处方只见几味市售观赏之花，莫非敷衍塞责？我向她耐心作了解释，劝其姑且试服，以观疗效。三天后，患者高兴地来门诊部致歉，谓服药后顿觉心胸开朗，烦闷若失，眠食亦香，带下随之而愈。
另有一妇人患崩证，血大下不止。察其脉证，寒热皆无明显之征，惟询得血下时阴中觉热，我根据平素审苗窍诊断疾病性质所积累的经验：血下阴中觉热，必属血热致崩。乃出方：地榆120克，米醋同煎，单刀直入，期冀速效。患者昼夜连服二剂而血止。事后，跟随我同床的西医同志问我：“老师治病，用方极其平常，且少执全方，选药亦属平淡，剂量轻重不定，为何收效同样显著？”我回答道：“遣方不以罕见邀功，用药不以量重取胜，关键在于辨证准确，立法吻合病机，方药切中病情，虽四两之力，可拔千斤之重，神奇往往寓于平淡之中。”我常常对学生讲：“智欲圆而行欲方，胆欲大而心欲小”，孙思邈这两句话，言简意深，临证者当镂刻铭记。
中医宝库包罗万象，不可小视草药单方
人们常以“浩如烟海”一词来形容中医药宝库内容丰富。广阔的海洋总是由百川涓流汇集而成。祖国医学体系也正是由各家学派，中药、草药，甚至散在民间的单方、验方、秘方等各个部份所组成。不能一谈到继承就只想到几部经典著作。就连清代崇古遵经的医家徐大椿都承认：单方、验方，“病各有宜，缺一不可”。他在《医学源流论·单方论》中提出了颇有见地的主张。我个人数十年来，每治疑难险证，常在辨证论治法则指导下，选择适宜之单方、验方以辅助主方，“且为急救之备”，衰其标邪，“或为专攻之法”，顿挫病势，收效显著。例如，治疗膨胀、积聚、癃闭等证，凡在虚不任攻，虚不任下，而又不能不攻，不能不下的情况下，我往往用新鲜马蹄草冲绒，合以白酒炒热包肚脐。可收攻而不伤正气，下而不损阴液之效。再如《济生》乌梅丸，书载治疗便血淋漓。我早年试用于西医诊断的肠息肉（其症表现为便血）获效，因此，进一步深究该方僵蚕、乌梅、蜂蜜三药组合之义，始知该方合于《素问》“热淫于内，治以咸寒，佐以甘苦，酸收之，以苦发之”，“燥者润之……坚者软之……结者散之，留者攻之”的理论。继而推之以广，用治多种息肉及子宫肌瘤等，皆历验不爽。诸如此类之单、验、秘方，不仅需要继承和发掘，更应该通过科学实验，复经临床验证，由此及彼，逐步摸索出一条使专病治有专方的路子，这对发展祖国医学是很有意义的。
"Combine learning with clinical application, and think repeatedly and deeply." It is often said: "One cannot be called a doctor without studying the *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon), *Nanjing* (Classic of Difficult Issues), and *Shanghan Lun* (Treatise on Cold Pathogenic Diseases). This statement is reasonable. When I studied the *Shanghan Lun*, I started by reading the original text. Unfortunately, the clauses are ancient and obscure, and there are places where the bamboo slips were misplaced (cuojian), making the meaning unclear, which I truly could not understand. Later, under the guidance of my great-uncle, I cross-referenced the *Shanghan Laisu Ji* (Collection of Commentary on Shanghan) and *Shanghan Guanzhu Ji* (Collection of Pearl Strings through Shanghan) with Zhang Zhongjing's original text. By reading then thinking, and thinking then reading again, repeating this process many times, I felt that the learning effect was indeed faster. Based on my learning experience, there are two keys to entering the study of the *Shanghan Lun* and *Jingui Yaolue* (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet): these are the two books written by Chen Xiuyuan, namely *Changsha Fangge Kuo* (Summary of Song Verses for Changsha Formulas) and *Jingui Fangge Kuo* (Summary of Song Verses for Jingui Formulas). Mr. Chen's formula songs are rhythmic and smooth; some summarize key clauses, while others list treatment principles; they contain both drug combinations and detailed dosage adjustments, which are helpful for understanding and memorizing clauses and formulas. To this day, I have firmly remembered these formula songs without forgetting any, and I believe this is a shortcut to studying Mr. Zhongjing's works.
Using the aforementioned method, I began studying the *Huangdi Neijing* starting from *Neijing Zhiyao* (Essentials of the Inner Canon). At the same time, I cross-checked and learned mutually using the *Huangdi Neijing* annotated by Zhang Jiebin and Ma Shi, and Zhang Jiebin's *Leijing* (Classified Classic). At that time, my elders did not require me to study the *Huangdi Neijing* deeply and precisely in a short period (in fact, it was impossible); they only sought to ensure I understood the basic theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) conceptually, laying a foundation for future in-depth study.
After ten years of private school education, I followed my great-uncle in clinical practice and writing prescriptions, without slackening even slightly because family knowledge must be passed down to descendants. During the day, I diagnosed patients; at night, I waited respectfully beside my great-uncle. From the records of clinical cases, I often consulted him on difficult problems, only stopping once I had thoroughly understood the medical principles and methods; he answered every question, which made me convinced and benefited greatly. Thus, the combination of learning and application lasted for nearly two years.
Practicing medicine reveals its difficulties: Negligence and mistakes, unforgettable cases.
In 1920, I began practicing medicine in towns and townships such as Guliang, Liangshui, and Lvfeng. Relying on my ancestors' reputation, I did not face neglect due to being a newcomer. As the number of seekers increased, so did the difficulties. Due to insufficient depth of knowledge, I often lacked firm opinions during clinical practice, leading to inaccurate syndrome differentiation and inappropriate prescriptions, or hesitation and missed opportunities for treatment. In short, there were many lessons from failures. During that period, several cases left a deep impression on me.
On New Year's Eve of the Yimao year, my mother suffered from severe headache, with pain concentrated on the vertex, cold hands and feet, cold pain in the chest, frequent urge to vomit, and a faint pulse barely palpable. I determined it was a Wuzhuyu Tang (Evodia Decoction) syndrome, so I boldly prescribed the original formula. Unexpectedly, after taking the medicine, her condition worsened and vomiting became severe. Panicked and confused, I sought advice from my great-uncle. He said: "Your syndrome differentiation lacked strategy, although the prescription was correct. The reason the condition worsened after medication is that the dosage of Evodia (Wuzhuyu) was too heavy. Your mother has always been weak constitutionally and cannot tolerate large doses of the pungent and hot Evodia, causing rejection (gewu) preventing the medicine from entering. Usually, when I use Evodia, I always instruct patients to soak it in water to reduce its strength before decocting. You neglected this detail. Now, use the original formula again, but halve the dosage of Evodia, soak it to reduce strength, and add five fen of Coptis (Huanglian) to restrain its dryness and guide the medicinal action. Your mother's illness can be cured in one dose." I followed his instructions, and indeed, the medicine worked immediately.
I had an aunt who had been widowed for years and suffered from phlegm-fluid retention (yinji), often contracting external pathogens. Her symptoms included aversion to cold, absence of sweating, headache and body pain, chest tightness, coughing, and wheezing, with a floating pulse that was neither slow nor tight. After careful consideration, I differentiated the syndrome as external contraction of wind-cold and internal retention of water-fluids, and prescribed the original formula of Xiao Qinglong Tang (Minor Blue Dragon Decoction). Who knew that after collecting the herbs and taking them, she sweated profusely, and her chest tightness, coughing, and wheezing worsened. My great-uncle came to diagnose upon hearing this and urgently administered a large dose of Zhenwu Tang (True Warrior Decoction) to rescue her. I did not understand where the mistake lay at that time. My great-uncle said: "The error lies in incomplete diagnosis and failure to distinguish deficiency from excess. Your aunt usually has excessive leukorrhea, secretly consuming yin essence, combined with a faint pulse at the chi position, indicating a syndrome of qi and yin deficiency. For such a syndrome and pulse, sweating must absolutely be avoided, as Zhang Zhongjing clearly stated. Although Xiao Qinglong Tang contains Paeonia (Shaoyao) and Schisandra (Wuweizi) to moderate its effects, it still cannot withstand the harsh nature of Ephedra (Mahuang), Cinnamon Twig (Guizhi), and Asarum (Xixin), especially with an excessive dosage, compounding the error. Cheng Zhongling said, 'When sweating should not be induced but must be, or when it must not be induced but should be, inducing sweat improperly obstructs the disease mechanism and harms the patient.' This is exactly what he meant. Although you read *Yixue Xinyu* (Heart Insights into Medicine), you did not fully comprehend it. If you had used Shen Su Yin (Ginseng and Perilla Decoction) to support the healthy qi and release the exterior, resolve qi stagnation, and eliminate phlegm in the initial diagnosis, it would have been quite appropriate." I replied: "My aunt is an elder, so it was inconvenient to ask about her menstruation and leukorrhea. I did not carefully palpate the faint pulse at the chi position. Since the initial dosage was already considered too heavy, why was a large dose of Zhenwu Tang necessary?" My great-uncle sternly reprimanded: "It is easy to understand in theory, but difficult to perceive accurately with the fingers. Imprecise pulse diagnosis is forgivable. However, have you forgotten the *Ten Questions Song*? 'For women, one must definitely ask about the menstrual cycle; delays, rapidity, amenorrhea, and flooding are hard to judge.' Should elders be excluded from questioning? How can treatment distinguish between relatives and strangers? Your aunt's initial treatment with heavy pungent-warm exterior-releasing agents violated the prohibition against 'making deficiency more deficient' (xuxu). Profuse sweating after medication indicated signs of yang collapse (wangyang). A heavy dose of Zhenwu Tang was necessary to rescue the rebellion and hope for peace, as the saying goes, 'An army without provisions values speed in battle.' The heaviness or lightness of medication should be weighed according to the depth, deficiency/excess, and progression of the disease, and choices made cautiously. 'Closely observe the disease mechanism, and assign each to its category,' the classic teachings are clear. It seems you do not seek thorough understanding in your reading, knowing only the 'what' but not the 'why.' You must work hard in the future." His words were earnest and profound. Sixty years have passed, yet they ring in my ears.
Looking broadly at various schools, opening wide learning paths, and absorbing strengths from all sides.
Diseases are always changing. The same disease can present differently depending on time, place, and individual. Relying solely on the limited formulas of ancients to treat the infinite variations of patients' conditions is proven impossible by practice. The so-called debate between "Jingfang" (Classic Formulas) and "Shifang" (Contemporary Formulas) is essentially a confrontation between the Shanghan School and the Wenbing (Warm Disease) School, which is a prejudice hindering academic research. Through my clinical practice, I gradually realized this.
I remember it was the second year of my practice when warm diseases prevailed in my hometown. The first patient I treated was a young farmer with symptoms of high fever and aversion to cold, thirst, irritability, whole-body pain, sore throat, yellow urine, constipation, greasy coating, and rapid pulse. I first administered Yinqiao San (Honeysuckle and Forsythia Powder), followed by Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction) and Chengqi Tang (Descending Qi Decoction), but the disease trend did not subside. The next afternoon, his throat swelled almost closing up, making it difficult to swallow water, and the condition worsened. I had exhausted my skills and didn't know what to do, so I urgently asked my great-uncle to consult. After diagnosis, he instructed to prescribe Shengjiang San (Ascending and Descending Powder) with modifications for decoction, and externally apply a family-prescribed throat powder. The disease healed quickly. At that time, I had not yet read Yang Lishan's *Hanwen Tiaobian* (Differentiation of Cold and Warm Diseases), nor did I know that Shengjiang San had such miraculous effects.
Once, a merchant neighbor suffered from diarrhea and abdominal pain for several days. I treated him with Lizhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction) without success, so I took the case record to consult my great-uncle. He told me: "Re-examine the pulse and symptoms carefully to determine if it belongs to middle jiao deficiency-cold or sinking of middle qi. Since Lizhong Tang was ineffective, perhaps lifting methods could be tried." Indeed, after administering Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Decoction to Supplement the Middle and Augment the Qi) with modifications, the diarrhea stopped and pain subsided. Of course, the error in this case was inaccurate differentiation and inappropriate formula selection, not inefficacy of Lizhong Tang. However, it also illustrates that Buzhong Yiqi Tang is indeed effective for diarrhea caused by sinking of middle qi. This formula is not a "Jingfang," but based on the pathological change described in the *Neijing*: "Clear qi sinking below generates undigested stool in diarrhea," Li Dongyuan's formulation of Buzhong Yiqi Tang to raise yang and lift sinking qi, is no less ingenious than Zhang Zhongjing's, originating from and developing the *Neijing*.
Practice taught me that only by broadening learning paths can medical levels be rapidly improved. I highly appreciate two sentences by Cheng Zhongling: "Knowing the shallow but not the deep is still not knowing; knowing the partial but not the whole is still not knowing." Following his words, I first discarded prejudices between the "Jing" and "Shi" schools in my mind, using clinical efficacy as the standard, seeking truth and selecting goodness from various theories. In middle age, I realized that all schools of thought share the same source but different streams. I thus recognized: Reading various schools together leads to comprehensiveness, reading them separately leads to bias; discarding the coarse and retaining the refined, maximizing strengths and avoiding weaknesses is acceptable, but blind obedience to prejudice and losing sight of the whole is not. Clinically, one must never disparage Jingjie, Fangfeng, Jinnyinhua, and Lonicera (Yinqiao) as trivial just because Ephedra and Cinnamon Twig are effective for Shanghan; nor should one claim "ancient formulas cannot treat modern diseases" and replace Xiaojianzhong Tang simply because Buzhong Yiqi Tang's "sweet-warm removes heat" works. All such situations should coexist to complement each other's strengths.
Knowledge is not entirely contained in famous masters' writings. Broad collection and search, not disdaining trivial details, "everywhere one pays attention is learning." Let me give two examples.
A fellow villager, a herbalist surnamed Li, possessed an ancestral secret recipe for infantile malnutrition (ganji). Due to its simplicity, effectiveness, and low cost, many sought treatment from afar. He kept it as a secret treasure. To learn his strengths, I befriended him and exchanged medical insights. Over time, our bond deepened. Knowing I was an internal medicine practitioner and not selling drugs for a living, he gradually lowered his guard. Once, while drunk, he revealed the truth: "Just one herb, Paederia scandens (Jishiteng), ground into powder." Though small, the inspiration was great. For ten years, I have frequently used Paederia scandens for liver, gallbladder, spleen, and stomach diseases, confirming its good effects in strengthening the spleen, promoting digestion, moving qi, relieving pain, and promoting urination to reduce distension.
The *Jingui Yaolue* uses Benincasa hispida seed (Dongguazi) for lung diseases and intestinal abscesses. Benincasa hispida is a fruit/vegetable, so how can its seed have such effects? I often see Benincasa hispida seeds thrown into pig manure pits without rotting; the following year, wherever pig manure is applied, Benincasa hispida grows naturally. Growing in filth, the Benincasa hispida is sweet and bland, very refreshing. I observed this phenomenon and realized this substance excels at generating clarity from turbidity. Its seeds have strong antibacterial properties and belong to light and pure substances. Based on the characteristics of Benincasa hispida seed to ascend clear and descend turbid, and lightness removing excess, it has significant curative effects for coughing with purulent sputum, lung abscess, intestinal abscess, female leukorrhea, and symptoms of turbid-dampness obstructing the upper and middle jiao during damp-heat diseases.
With gradual improvement in theory and accumulation of experience, clinical practice became more solid. For difficult and complex diseases, if one plan fails, another can be employed, making prescription and medication naturally flexible. Thus, I believed more firmly in Bian Que's words: "What people suffer from is having many diseases; what doctors suffer from is having few methods." Indeed, he did not deceive me.
Learning values immersion, integration, and mastering complexity with simplicity.
In 1938, I came to Chongqing to practice medicine. During the Anti-Japanese War, famous doctors from various places fled to the rear area. Suddenly, Chongqing's medical circle was filled with experts, which was undoubtedly a good learning opportunity for me.
During the time Zhang Tongzhai, a nationally renowned TCM doctor, was in Chongqing, I often studied his prescriptions through patients. I found that Master Zhang was extremely adept at using light and agile methods; although the dosage was only one qian or a few fen, it often cured chronic illnesses. At that time, I blindly admired heavy dosages, considering myself "bold." Comparing with Master Zhang's experience, I was deeply moved. When I first arrived in Chongqing, unfamiliar with the place and unknown, my clinic was quiet compared to other famous doctors. Precisely because it was quiet, it created an environment for relearning. Conditions allowed me to keep detailed records for every patient, pondering repeatedly. After patients took the medicine, I inquired about efficacy, even visiting their homes to follow up. When encountering difficulties clinically, I searched medical books for answers; when gaining insights from reading, I tested them clinically to verify. Such practices lasted about three or four years, advancing my academics significantly.
In my youth, I memorized hundreds of established formulas, carrying a arsenal of magic weapons. Sometimes, treating a complex disease, I used over ten formulas sequentially. Superficially appearing erudite, actually lacking firm opinion and order.
In my later years, the situation changed greatly: Once the diagnosis was clear and treatment principles established, there was no need to consider many established formulas; even selecting a few herbs according to the principle could cure the disease. For example, treating liver diseases, there have always been dozens of established formulas for the liver throughout history. Although rich in content, they are too numerous and mixed to choose from easily. I used Sini San (Four Reversal Powder) as the main formula for soothing the liver, resolving depression, and moving qi; Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) as the main formula for tonifying the liver, nourishing blood, and invigorating blood; and Danggui Sini Tang (Angelica Decoction for Cold-Reversal of Extremities) as the main formula for warming the liver and dispelling cold. Then, based on the main formula, I added or subtracted herbs according to accompanying syndromes, achieving the effect of mastering complexity with simplicity and "treating different diseases with the same method." However, "treating different diseases with the same method" or "treating the same disease with different methods" can only be realized within the framework of syndrome differentiation and treatment. Detached from this framework, one cannot return from complexity to simplicity, let alone master complexity with simplicity.
Some young TCM practitioners feel that old doctors seem to possess some secret trick. I often answer this question with two sentences: "The secret of a flexible and adaptable doctor lies in adhering to principles without being rigid." By familiarizing oneself with and mastering the principles of syndrome differentiation and treatment, one enters the realm of "closely observing the disease mechanism and assigning each to its category." The secret may lie here.
A colleague's granddaughter, only two years old, suffered from diarrhea. Initial treatment with damp-draining and separating methods failed, followed by warming the middle and strengthening the spleen, but diarrhea continued. A consultation was invited: The child was thin, complexion dull, sweating excessively, irritable, often crying and waking at night, finger vein blue and pale, defecating seven or eight times a day, worse after eating oil. Based on the principle from *Lingshu*: "When both yin and yang are deficient, tonifying yang exhausts yin, draining yin causes yang to escape; in such cases, sweet medicines can be used, but not extreme agents," I temporarily borrowed Ganmai Dazao Tang (Licorice, Wheat, and Jujube Decoction) from *Jingui Yaolue* for treating zang anxiety in women. Leveraging its extremely mild and sweet nature, I treated the disease of "deficiency of yin, yang, form, and qi," adding Cicada Slough (Chantui), Agrimony (Xianhecao), and Charred Hawthorn Seed (Zha Tan) to the formula. The prescription contained six herbs in total. After two doses, the diarrhea stopped and the spirit calmed.
Around June 1956, I was seeing patients in the gynecology department of the Directly Affiliated TCM Outpatient Clinic. A woman presented with excessive leukorrhea. She reported irritability, palpitations, chest tightness, hiccuping, restlessness, insomnia, and vivid dreams. She stated her spleen and stomach were inherently weak, recently suffering from loose stools, and particularly heavy leukorrhea, with no improvement after a month of treatment. Her pulse was fine with a slight rapid quality, tongue pale with a slight yellow coating. Tracing the medical history, I learned she had contracted wind-heat exogenous pathogen a month prior. Synthesizing pulse and symptoms, I believed that although the patient was constitutionally deficient, the current residual heat was not cleared; tonifying would be useless; merely clearing heat might further weaken her deficiency. After much thought, I adopted the principle of Zhizi Chi Tang (Gardenia and Fermented Soybean Decoction) from *Shanghan Lun*. But considering loose stools were unsuitable for bitter-cold Gardenia (Zhizi), and it was the season when Gardenia flowers bloomed, I decided to use a "substitution" method. Thus, I formulated: 7 Gardenia Flowers, 9g Fermented Soybeans (Xiangchi), 12g Winter Sweet Flowers (Lameihua), 6g Finger Citron Flowers (Foshouhua), 4g Polygala Root (Yuanzhi), 3g Licorice (Gancao), plus 60g Benincasa hispida seeds decocted separately to replace water. All herbs soaked for half an hour, lightly boiled a few times, taken warm in divided doses. The patient received the prescription with displeasure. Thinking she sought treatment from a renowned doctor, she was surprised to see only commercially available ornamental flowers, wondering if I was perfunctory. I patiently explained and advised her to try it to observe the effect. Three days later, the patient happily came to the clinic to apologize, stating that after taking the medicine, she felt her chest open up, worry vanished, sleep and appetite improved, and leukorrhea healed accordingly.
Another woman suffered from metrorrhagia (bengzheng), with heavy bleeding continuing non-stop. Examining her pulse and symptoms, there were no obvious signs of cold or heat. Only upon inquiry did I learn she felt heat in the vagina during bleeding. Based on my accumulated experience in diagnosing disease nature by examining orifices: Heat in the vagina during bleeding indicates blood-heat causing metrorrhagia. Thus, I prescribed: 120g Sanguisorba Officinalis Radix (Diyu), decocted with rice vinegar, aiming for direct and rapid effect. The patient took two doses continuously day and night, and the bleeding stopped. Afterwards, a Western medicine colleague who accompanied me asked: "Teacher, your prescriptions are extremely ordinary, rarely using complete formulas, selecting plain herbs, with uncertain dosages, why is the efficacy equally significant?" I replied: "Prescribing does not seek merit through rarity, medication does not win by heavy dosage. The key lies in accurate syndrome differentiation, legislation matching the disease mechanism, and formulas/medications hitting the condition accurately. With the strength of four taels, one can lift a thousand catties; miracles often reside in ordinariness." I often tell students: "Wisdom desires roundness, conduct desires squareness; courage desires largeness, heart desires smallness." These two sentences by Sun Simiao are concise and profound; clinicians should engrave them in their minds.
The TCM treasury is all-encompassing; herbal single prescriptions should not be underestimated.
People often use the phrase "vast as the sea" to describe the rich content of the TCM treasury. The vast ocean is always gathered from countless streams. The system of Chinese medicine is composed of various schools, Chinese herbs, herbal medicines, and even scattered single prescriptions, verified prescriptions, and secret recipes among the folk. One cannot think only of a few classic texts when talking about inheritance. Even Xu Dachun, a Qing dynasty physician who revered classics, admitted that single and verified prescriptions, "each disease has its suitability, none can be omitted." In *Yixue Yuanliu Lun · Danfang Lun* (Discussion on Medical Origins · On Single Prescriptions), he proposed insightful views. Personally, for decades, whenever treating difficult and dangerous cases, under the guidance of syndrome differentiation and treatment principles, I have chosen suitable single or verified prescriptions to assist the main formula, "as preparation for emergency," to reduce marked pathogens, "or as specific attacking methods," to curb the disease trend, achieving significant effects. For example, treating distension, accumulation, and strangury, when the patient is too deficient to endure attacking or purging, yet cannot avoid attacking or purging, I often use fresh Cyperus rotundus (Mati Cao) mashed into pulp, mixed with white wine, heated, and applied to the umbilicus. This achieves attacking without damaging healthy qi, and purging without injuring yin fluids. Again, Wu Mei Wan (Mume Pill) from *Jisheng Fang*, recorded for treating dripping hematochezia. I tried it early on for Western-diagnosed intestinal polyps (symptomatically presenting as bloody stool) with success. Therefore, I further explored the meaning of the combination of Bombyx Batryticatus (Jiangcan), Fructus Mume (Wumei), and Honey. I realized this formula aligns with the *Suwen* theory: "For heat rampant inside, treat with salty-cold, assist with sweet-bitter, gather with sour, emit with bitter," "For dryness, moisten... For hardness, soften... For knotting, scatter... For retention, attack..." Expanding on this, I used it for various polyps and uterine fibroids, with consistent verification. Such single, verified, and secret prescriptions not only need inheritance and excavation but should also be scientifically experimented and clinically verified. Step by step, exploring a path where specific diseases have specific prescriptions is very meaningful for the development of Chinese medicine.