典藏书目

I have heard that Confucian scholars regard the people and all things as one body, just like their own physical selves. Although medicine is considered a craft or art, it is a path that benevolent persons must traverse to promote the moral achievements of sages and worthies, and to thoroughly penetrate the profound mysteries of life and nature.

However, both physicians and medical texts are equally important and neither should be neglected. Those in the world who entrust their lives solely to physicians without studying medical books commit errors not infrequently. Ancient masters of medicine believed that while an individual's lifespan is finite, the knowledge contained in books is infinite. Therefore, they recorded their insights in writing, precisely so that people throughout the ages might read them, thereby jointly escaping the extreme perils of severe diseases and attaining the blessings of longevity and health. This purpose was certainly not limited to instructing those engaged in the medical profession. The problem is that books often have complex and numerous threads, making them difficult to grasp hastily. Occasional compilations frequently suffer from omissions. Some lack comprehensive categorization; some list prescriptions without explaining the etiology of diseases or analyzing the similarities and differences in causes; some lack clinical verification; and some discussions on prescriptions do not fully align with ancient standards. All these shortcomings leave regrets in the endeavor to save the world.

My father, Mr. Guiyan, once intended to compile and publish a refined medical text. His aim was not only to help physicians distill broad knowledge into concise principles but also to consider those traveling for official duties or commerce, or living in remote areas and poverty. In cases where sudden illness strikes and immediate medical assistance is unavailable, leaving them helpless and distressed, he hoped they could refer to the book for self-rescue, effectively benefiting from the skills of a good physician. His intentions were earnest, yet he did not live to complete this task.

I, Sun Zhihong, studied for the imperial examinations in my youth and devoted myself to medicine in adulthood. For over fifty years now, I have treated patients' ailments with solemn caution, guided by my father's teachings and my own verified experiences. I dare not rely on subjective speculation nor conform to vulgar practices, but strictly emulate the established methods of the ancients. Thus, I resolved to continue this work, fulfill his long-cherished wish, and search through ancient and modern texts. After repeated comparison and deduction, spanning many years, I finally completed this collection.

The volume begins with sixteen chapters covering essential topics on cultivating virtue, respecting life, and exercising caution regarding illness, as well as the critical guidelines on the merits and defects of medicine and treatment. Subsequently, prescriptions are categorized systematically. Each entry traces the etiology of the disease, analyzes its similarities and differences, and provides reliable evidence. It follows ancient precedents without arbitrary innovation and draws broadly without adhering rigidly to single sources. The goal is to propagate the sincere intention of my ancestors to save lives, making it evident in the minds of readers. Even for content I am familiar with from extensive reading, if I have gained insights beyond existing records that can supplement what previous sages had not expounded, I will make them public, daring not keep them secret. The book is comprehensive yet not redundant, concise yet not lacking, with clear categories and accessible meanings understandable to everyone. Just as archery requires a specific range (gou), I named this work *Jianming Yigou* (Concise Medical Bow Range). Everyone should keep a copy, reading it morning and evening as a preventive measure against future illness. If illness occurs, one can use it to consult with a physician; if no physician is available, one can rely on it to mitigate the crisis. This prevents errors caused by shallow views and allows for tacit understanding with expert techniques. It offers the benefit of simplicity leading to breadth, serving as a stepping stone to erudition, benefiting both oneself and others. Is it not a precious manual for travelers far from home and a spiritual scale for domestic hygiene? How can one say, "My illness is the responsibility of the doctor," and neglect reading such books? What then of the ancient teaching that children must know these things?

Opening a book yields benefits; if this applies even to non-medical practitioners, how much more so for physicians! Alas, only by not deceiving oneself can one gain trust in the world; only by being cautious can one benefit others. In my childhood, reciting Confucius, I understood the principle of treating others as oneself. Later, upon embracing Buddhism, I felt even more profoundly the intimacy of shared existence. The joys, sorrows, and pains of all beings—how could I bear to let my parents endure them alone? Regarding this medical path, I dare not claim to have reached the deepest subtleties, but I assure you that I have never been careless enough to deceive the world. The divine and illuminating power resides within the individual. To inherit past endeavors and add splendor awaits the gentlemen of future generations.

Preface by Sun Zhihong of Wulin, on the birthday of the first month of the Yang Month, in the Jisi Year of the Chongzhen Era.