夫前圣有作，后必有继而述之者，则其教乃得着于世矣。医之道源自炎黄，以至神之妙，始兴经方；继
而伊芳尹以元圣之才，撰成汤液，俾黎庶之疾疚，咸遂蠲除，使万代之生灵，普蒙拯济；后汉张仲景，又广汤液
为伤寒卒病论十数卷，然后医方大备，兹先圣后圣，若合符节。至晋太医令王叔和，以仲景之书，撰次成叙，
得为完秩。（医统本作“帙”）昔人以仲景方一部为众方之祖，盖能继述先圣之所作，迄今千有余年，不坠于
地者，又得王氏阐明之力也。伤寒论十卷，其言精而奥，其法简而详，非寡闻浅见所能赜究。后虽有学人，
又各自名家，未见发明。仆忝医业，自幼徂老，耽味仲景之书五十余年矣，虽粗得其门而近升乎堂，然未入于
室，常为之慊然。昨者，解后（医统本作“邂逅”）聊摄成公，议论该博，术业精通，而有家学，注成伤寒
十卷，出以示仆，其三百九十七法之内，分析异同，彰明隐奥，调陈脉理，区别阴阳，使表里以昭然，俾汗下
而灼见；百一十二方之后，通明名号之由，彰显药性之主，十剂轻重之攸分，七精制用之斯见，别气味
之所宜，明补泻之所适，又皆引内经，旁牵众说，方法之辨，莫不允当，实前贤所未言，后学所未识，是得仲
景之深意者也。昔所谓慊然者，今悉达其奥矣！亲觌其书，诚难默默，不揆荒
芜，聊序其略。
时甲子中秋日洛阳严器之序。
从前代圣贤创立学说，后世必然有人继承并阐述它，这样他们的教化才能在世间彰显。医学之道源自炎帝和黄帝，凭借神妙的智慧，开始兴起经方；接着伊尹以元圣的才华，撰写了汤液（中药汤剂），使百姓的疾病得以清除，让万代的生灵普遍得到拯救救治；后汉时期的张仲景，又将汤液扩充为《伤寒卒病论》十数卷，从此医方大为完备，这先圣与后圣的传承，如同符节相合般严密契合。到了晋朝太医令王叔和，根据张仲景的书籍，编纂整理成序次，得以成为完整的体系。（《医统正脉本》作“帙”）。古人将张仲景的方书视为众方之祖，大概是因为他能继承阐述先圣所创立的学说，至今一千多年，没有失传于地下的原因，又得益于王氏阐发阐明之力。《伤寒论》十卷，其言辞精微深奥，其方法简略而详尽，不是见闻浅陋的人所能探究明白的。后来虽有学习之人，各自标榜名家，却未见有发明创新的。我愧列医门，从幼年到老年，沉迷品味张仲景的书籍五十多年了，虽然粗略得其门径并接近登堂入室，然而尚未真正进入内室，常常对此感到遗憾不满。昨日偶然邂逅聊摄地区的成公，他议论广博，医术精通，且有家学渊源，注释完成《伤寒论》十卷，拿出来给我看，其中在三百九十七法之内，分析异同，彰明隐晦深奥之处，调和陈述脉理，区别阴阳，使表里证候昭然若揭，使汗法下法清晰可见；在一百一十二方之后，通明名称由来的原因，彰显药物性质的主旨，十种剂型轻重的区分，七种精制用法的体现，辨别气味适宜的所在，明确补泻适用的方向，又都引用《内经》，旁牵各种学说，对方法的辨析，无不恰当，实在是前贤未曾言说，后学未曾认识到的，这是深得张仲景深意的人啊。过去所谓遗憾不满的地方，现在完全通达其中的奥妙了！亲自看到他的书，实在难以沉默不语，不顾自己学识荒芜浅薄，姑且叙述其概要。
时在甲子年中秋节，洛阳严器之作序。
When the sages of old established doctrines, it was inevitable that later generations would succeed and elaborate upon them, so that their teachings could be manifested in the world. The Way of Medicine originates from Fuxi, Shennong (Divine Farmer), and Huangdi (Yellow Emperor); with divine subtlety, they initiated the use of Jingfang (Classic Prescriptions). Subsequently, Yi Yin, endowed with the talent of a Yuan Sheng (Supreme Sage), compiled the Tangye (Medicinal Decoctions), thereby enabling the diseases of the common people to be completely eliminated, allowing the living beings of ten thousand generations to universally receive salvation and relief. Later, during the Eastern Han Dynasty, Zhang Zhongjing further expanded the Tangye into the *Shanghan Zabing Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases) in more than ten volumes, after which medical prescriptions were greatly perfected. Thus, the succession from the former sages to the latter sages was as precise as matching tally sticks. In the Jin Dynasty, Wang Shuhe, the Imperial Physician, edited and arranged Zhang Zhongjing’s writings, compiling them into a complete set. (The *Yitong Zhengmai Ben* edition uses the character "Zhi" 帙 for bundle/case.) Ancients regarded Zhang Zhongjing’s collection of formulas as the ancestor of all prescriptions, precisely because he succeeded in inheriting and elaborating on the works of the former sages. That his works have not fallen into obscurity for over a thousand years is also due to the elucidating efforts of Mr. Wang. The ten volumes of *Shanghan Lun* contain words that are refined and profound, and methods that are concise yet detailed; they cannot be thoroughly investigated by those with limited knowledge and shallow insight. Although later scholars claimed their own schools of thought, none were seen to have made significant innovations. I, though shamefully engaged in the medical profession, have indulged in studying Zhang Zhongjing’s books from youth to old age for over fifty years. Although I have roughly grasped the entrance and approached the inner hall, I have not yet entered the innermost chamber, and often feel dissatisfied with this state. Yesterday, I happened to meet Master Cheng of Liaoshe, whose discussions were comprehensive and profound, whose medical skills were masterful, and who possessed a family tradition of learning. He completed his commentary on the ten volumes of *Shanghan Lun* and showed it to me. Within the three hundred and ninety-seven methods, he analyzed similarities and differences, clarified obscure and profound points, harmonized and stated pulse principles, distinguished Yin and Yang, making exterior and interior conditions clear, and rendering sweating and purging methods distinctly visible. Following the one hundred and twelve formulas, he explained the origins of their names, highlighted the primary properties of the herbs, distinguished the degrees of heaviness and lightness among the Ten Categories of Formulas, revealed the applications of the Seven Preparations, identified suitable combinations of flavors and aromas, and clarified appropriate tonification and draining methods. Furthermore, he cited the *Neijing* (Inner Canon) and drew upon various other theories; his differentiation of methods and principles was always appropriate. This is truly what former sages had not said and later learners had not recognized; it demonstrates a deep understanding of Zhang Zhongjing’s profound intent. The dissatisfaction I previously felt has now been fully resolved regarding its mysteries! Having personally seen his book, I truly find it difficult to remain silent. Not presuming upon my own barren and shallow scholarship, I briefly outline the generalities.
Prefaced by Yan Qizhi of Luoyang on the Mid-Autumn Festival of the Jiazi Year.