昔祖龙氏焚弃诗书，首存医籍，而史迁又为卢、扁立传，汉、魏、唐、宋，医之一途綦重矣！
我国家，取医学群书与六经、诸史并镌，内府尊之、信之，先民是征，后贤式从。体圣祖远意，若谓生生
之原寄于掌，故郡县并设医师，符同胶序，秩视广文，俾其徒日繁，以跻斯世于寿域，此帝王之仁覆天下也。
薄海内外，雅不乏人，而千里之间，博综淹贯者，仅得一、二，何能济八方之老幼？即曰医籍在也，卷帙浩淼，
贫者弗遑市；意理渊微，愚者未及察；庸夫竖贾，手录成方，漫夸里肆，以为∶“吾医矣”！而医之义何居？
往者，云洲皇甫翁，以三世良医，具普利心，发大愿力，着为《明医指掌》。若歌、若赋、若笺，而系以
诊脉，赘以形方，展卷便于吟呻，辨证按其标本。“指掌”云者，即吾夫子示斯之说，所谓道在目前，凝眸即
是，转盼则非，难言之矣！虽然隐而显，至理赅焉！
善哉，行甫邵君之订补是书也，酌异同之辞，明详略之故。人生五行，运为六气，六气还归六脉，阴阳刚
柔，高下燥湿，行甫悉定于手腕之际，而无念不灵，无境不彻。即此盈尺之书，凡人道之生机，天道之化机，
毕在是矣！大人识想，赤子知能，内难外攻，病情药性，丝丝绾合，种种圆通，纤指欲飞，金针得度。行甫年
未逾壮，胡遂爽然于撰述？尝闻其尊人念山翁，少承家学，负志青云，数奇不售，而隐于医，筑室葑溪之上，
扶杖临门，沉 立起，全活以百万计。
而雅情澹莫，不浓责人以金钱，瓢笠萧然，琴书目适。行甫之专精艺术，其渊源固有自夫！
余少多病，颇习越人氏之言。今旅居京毂，不暇尽携故箧，新甫独以新编见寄，快题数语，付之劂氏。因
慨世之共号医王者必曰∶家藏秘籍，千金享之，不以示人。生死大故，岂以家秘私夭寿乎？指其掌遇之也，行
甫之业高，行甫之志广矣！
龙飞天启壬戌菊月朔旦 赐同进土出身翰林院庶吉士 苏郡许士柔书于硕宽堂
过去秦始皇焚烧并抛弃诗书，唯独保存了医书，而史学家司马迁又为扁鹊和卢医立传，从汉、魏、唐到宋，医学这一途径变得极其重要！
我们国家，将医学群书与《六经》、各史书一同刊刻印刷，内府（宫廷）尊重它、信任它，以前贤为榜样，后辈贤人效法跟随。体察圣祖的深远用意，似乎认为生生不息的本源寄托于手掌之中，因此郡县都设立医师，其待遇如同胶序（古代学校）中的教师，品秩视同广文（学官），使他们的徒弟日益繁多，以此让世人达到长寿的境界，这是帝王仁爱覆盖天下的表现。
普天之下，高雅之士不乏其人，但在千里之间，能够博览精通、融会贯通的，仅得一二人，怎么能救济八方地区的老少百姓呢？即使说医籍存在，但卷帙浩繁，贫穷的人来不及购买；其中的意理深奥微妙，愚笨的人来不及察觉；平庸之辈和奸商，手抄成方，随意夸耀于街市，自以为：“我是医生了！”然而医学的真义何在呢？
从前，云洲皇甫老先生，凭借三世良医的家世，具备普救众生的心愿，发下宏大誓愿，撰写了《明医指掌》。书中包含歌诀、赋文、笺注等形式，并辅以诊脉，附加形体与方剂的内容，展开书卷便于吟诵学习，辨证时依据标本原则。“指掌”二字的意思，就是孔子展示给斯（子斯，孔子的学生）的说法，所谓“道就在眼前”，凝神注视即是，转眼即逝，难以言表啊！虽然隐晦却显明，至高的道理都包含在其中了！
好啊，邵行甫君对这本书进行修订补充，斟酌异同的言辞，阐明详略的原因。人生受五行支配，运化为六气，六气又回归反映在六脉之上，阴阳刚柔，高下燥湿，行甫都能定夺于手腕切脉之际，没有不灵验的念头，没有不通彻的境界。就这盈尺大小的书本，凡人的生机，天道的化机，全都包含在这里了！大人拥有高远的识见，婴儿拥有本能的知识，内难外攻，病情与药性，丝丝紧扣，种种圆融通达，纤细的手指仿佛要飞起，金针般的医术得以传授。行甫年纪还未到壮年，为何就能如此豁然开朗地从事著述？曾听说他的父亲念山翁，年轻时继承家学，志向高远如青云，但命运多舛未能仕途顺利，于是隐居行医，在葑溪之上建造房屋，拄着拐杖上门诊治，使沉疴患者起身康复，保全性命者以百万计。
而他雅致的性情淡泊宁静，不苛求病人支付金钱，生活简朴，以琴书为乐。行甫对医术的专精，其渊源自然是有来历的！
我年少时多病，颇熟悉扁鹊（越人氏）的言论。如今旅居京城，没空带完所有的旧书箱，新甫独自将新书寄给我，我高兴地题写了几句话，交给刻工出版。因而感慨世上共同号称“医王”的人一定说：“家里藏着秘籍，千金不换，不拿给别人看。”生死是大事，难道因为家传秘密就私自决定人的夭折或长寿吗？（这种态度）是指着手掌给人看的机会都没有啊！行甫的医术高明，行甫的志向广阔啊！
龙飞天启壬戌年九月朔日（初一），赐同进士出身、翰林院庶吉士、苏州郡许士柔在硕宽堂书写。
In the past, Qin Shi Huang (the First Emperor of Qin) burned and discarded the *Book of Songs* and other classics, preserving only medical texts. Sima Qian, the historian, then wrote biographies for Bian Que and Lu Yi. From the Han, Wei, Tang, to Song dynasties, the path of medicine became extremely important!
Our dynasty has had medical books printed alongside the *Six Classics* and various histories. The Imperial Court respects and trusts them, using ancient sages as models and later worthies following suit. Embodying the profound intent of the founding emperors, it seems that the source of life is entrusted to the palm; thus, physicians are established in every commandery and county, their status comparable to teachers in ancient schools (*Jiaoxu*), with ranks similar to academic officials (*Guangwen*). This allows their disciples to multiply daily, bringing the world into an era of longevity. This is the benevolence of emperors covering the whole world.
Within the seas, refined individuals are not scarce, yet within a thousand *li*, those who can extensively study and thoroughly master the art number only one or two. How can they save the old and young across the eight directions? Even if medical texts exist, their volumes are vast and numerous; the poor cannot afford to buy them. Their principles are profound and subtle; the ignorant cannot comprehend them. Mediocre men and petty merchants copy prescriptions by hand, boasting in marketplaces, claiming: "I am a physician!" But where lies the true meaning of medicine?
Previously, Master Huangfu of Yunzhou, a third-generation excellent physician, possessed a heart dedicated to benefiting all beings and made great vows. He authored *Mingyi Zhizhang* (Clear Physician's Guide at the Fingertips). The book contains songs, odes, and annotations, supplemented by pulse diagnosis and discussions on physical forms and formulas. It is convenient for recitation upon opening, and syndrome differentiation follows the principles of root and branch. The term "Zhizhang" (Fingertips/Palm) refers to the teaching shown by Confucius to Zisi, saying: "The Dao is right before your eyes; focus your gaze and it is there, but look away and it is gone." It is hard to describe! Although hidden, it is manifest; the supreme truth is contained therein!
Excellent is Mr. Shao Xingfu's revision and supplementation of this book, where he weighs differences in wording and clarifies reasons for detail or brevity. Human life is governed by the Five Elements (*Wuxing*) and transformed by the Six Qi (*Liuqi*). The Six Qi return to manifest in the six pulses. Yin and Yang, rigidity and flexibility, height and depth, dryness and dampness—all are determined by Xingfu at the wrist during pulse taking. No thought is not effective, no situation is not thoroughly understood. In this small book, the vitality of human life and the transformative power of heaven and earth are fully contained. Great scholars possess profound insight, infants possess innate knowledge. Internal difficulties and external attacks, disease conditions and drug properties, are tightly interwoven and comprehensively integrated. Delicate fingers seem ready to fly, and golden needles (acupuncture techniques) are passed on. Xingfu is not yet in his prime, yet how has he become so enlightened in his writing? I once heard that his father, Master Nianshan, inherited family learning in his youth, harboring high ambitions like the blue clouds, but due to ill fortune failed in official career, so he retired to practice medicine. He built a house above Fengxi Creek, visited patients with a cane, raised the critically ill, and saved millions.
His elegant temperament was indifferent and calm, not demanding money from patients. His lifestyle was simple, finding joy in lute and books. Xingfu's specialization in the art naturally has its origins!
I was often sick in my youth and was quite familiar with the words of Yue Ren Shi (Bian Que). Now residing in the capital, I have no time to bring all my old books. Xinpu alone sent me his new compilation. Happily, I inscribed a few words and gave them to the engraver. Thus, I sigh at those in the world who claim to be "Kings of Medicine," saying: "We possess secret manuals, priceless, not shown to others." Life and death are major events; how can one privately decide longevity or premature death based on family secrets? Such people do not even show you the palm (of guidance)! Xingfu's profession is noble, and Xingfu's ambition is broad!
On the first day of the ninth month of the Renxu year of Tianqi, Xu Shirou, a *Tong Jinshi Chushen* (Equivalent to Jinshi Degree) and *Shujishi* (Junior Scholar) of the Hanlin Academy, from Suzhou, wrote this at Shokuan Hall.