典藏书目

Discussion states: To regulate infants and young children, there were no specific treatises in the ancient times of the Yellow Emperor. Gui Yuqu (Ghost Yuqu) once said, "Pediatrics is a specialized field," therefore it was not included in the *Suwen* (Plain Questions), but rather originated from the chapters of the *Luxin Jing* (Cranial Fontanelle Classic) by shamans. Since then, wise men have successively elaborated on it, inheriting the strengths of various schools passed down from later generations, presenting concise and essential principles that align with diagnostic standards. There are eighty-one such works. In recent times, the Zhou residence in Tanzhou, Hunan, extensively collected these texts and compiled them into a collection titled *Youyou Xinshu* (New Book for Infants and Children), consisting of forty volumes, totaling only hundreds of thousands of characters. Listing famous prescriptions seems overly detailed and fragmented, akin to a general wishing to disperse an ambush force, attempting to defeat an army with a single arrow. Thus, during peacetime, they sought to select one skilled archer, eager to stand out among millions, where everyone drew their bows and arrows waiting to compare superiority and inferiority. Facing the enemy's formation in battle, it is impossible to employ unconventional strategies. The interplay of orthodox and unorthodox tactics causes the hidden enemy to hesitate repeatedly; is this not the mark of a good general? Reviewing and examining at the last moment, assessing feasibility and verifying efficacy, is like digging a well only when thirsty or forging weapons only when fighting; is it not too late? Medical practitioners who do not thoroughly understand the principles within their minds, and fail to act decisively like the *Zhouhou Beiji Fang* (Handbook of Prescriptions for Emergencies) to rescue those in danger, but instead adopt a hasty and slow approach, lacking sufficient wisdom and insight, will hesitate for a long time before finally resorting to arbitrary treatments out of desperation. They would not only be unaware of their shame but even more ashamed. It is like Zhao Kuo, son of Ma Fu Jun, who fought strongly but lacked strategy. Sun Tzu said, "The highest form of generalship is to balk the enemy's plans," which can be compared to how a good doctor uses medicine, just as a good general uses troops. A doctor without wisdom cannot practice; a general without strategy cannot be considered a Daoist practitioner. This is like speaking profound truths to dogs or horses; how can one know the Way? As for civil and military affairs, medicine, divination, agriculture, industry, commerce, and trade, acting according to propriety and focusing on fundamentals, those who explore their ways will achieve mastery. Practitioners of medicine who do not understand this principle, acting recklessly and simplistically, will inevitably bring harm and benefit. This refers to the "fringe" (marginal) school. Being warm and respectful without flattery, upright and principled, constitutes the medical profession. One must clarify the Dao and manifest it in action; being clever yet ignoring reason is like closing one's door. Only through diligent study can one open their intelligence; opening intelligence requires discussion; understanding through discussion leads to sincerity; sincerity leads to proficiency; proficiency leads to clarity; clarity allows for proper application, conforming to nature. It is said that the snake of Changshan, when struck in the middle, responds with both head and tail. Similarly, a doctor's application should be balanced and harmonious with rhythm. This is what is meant by clarifying the Dao; thus, one should thoroughly investigate it.