一介之士，苟存心于利物于人，必有所济，矧更择一艺以自居者，其为功于世可胜言哉！卜氏有言曰∶
虽小道必有可观论者，谓如农圃医卜之属。四者之中精其业，匀足以济世。然而农圃为圣人所弗道，
卜筮之学，君平而后鲜得其传。则夫士大夫从博览之余，一分其聪明才力以寄其爱人利物之心者，要莫如
医之一途为雅驯而功溥。虽然，难言之矣。盖人禀阴阳五行之气，以生命于天者，既不无浓薄之殊，而其继
也，或伤于寒暑，或纵于嗜欲，或苦于抑郁劳瘁，与夫一切戕生拂性之端，种种相攻，求疾病之不起也，
得乎？苟非有挟岐黄之术者以调剂
其间，则斯人贸贸，亦大觉可哀。故诸家之中，唯医道为难；而医道之中，惟治胎产为更难也。余同寅
友阎君文侯，器宇宏深，善气迎人，且于书无所不窥，于艺无所不通，而尤留心医学。每谓妇人胎产所关
非小，诚以受胎之后调养有法，临产之际保护有方，既产之时调理有术，稍一弗慎，则存亡判于俄顷，生死
关乎两人。尝见庸医多误，辄为嗟叹不置，爰及诸名家所论说，而折衷之以己意，着为胎产一书，颜
曰"心法"。余于共事之暇，得阅其概，因取而读之。其于药性脉理，辨析于毫芒；征验引据，融会乎古今。
诚业斯道者之津梁也。良由阎君居心仁恕，常怀利物，故即一艺之微，而亦必笔之于书，以觉世而训俗。
今方特膺圣天子简命监使西粤，固将拴是心，以措之经纶，
设施行见事业烂然，有以上报圣主特达之知，下慰寮友期望之雅，则其溥利苍生，正无穷也，岂特肘后丹
方徒令人向。阎君多种杏树哉！然是书亦急宜付之梨枣，以功业医者。竣后幸寄一卷示予，勿相
忘也。是为序。
赐进士出身楚竟陵年家眷同寅
弟龚健扬拜书于燕台客舍。时雍正三年秋八月
一个普通的读书人，如果存心于有利于万物、有益于他人，必定会有所成就，更何况是选择一门技艺来安身立命的人，他对社会的贡献怎能说得尽呢！卜氏说过：“即使是小技艺也一定有值得称道的地方”，指的是像农业、园艺、医学、占卜这类行业。在这四者之中，精通其业务，足以用来救济世人。然而农业和园艺是圣人不去多谈论的，占卜之学，自严君平之后很少有人能继承其真传。那么士大夫们在博览群书之余，分出一点聪明才智来寄托他们爱护他人、利于万物的初心，最重要的莫过于医学这一途径，既高雅规范又功德广博。虽然如此，这也是一件难以言说的事啊。大概人禀受阴阳五行的气，由上天赋予生命，既然没有不浓淡厚薄的差异，而在其后天的生活中，有的受寒暑伤害，有的放纵嗜欲，有的因抑郁劳累而痛苦，以及一切损害生命、违背性情的因素，种种相互攻伐，想要疾病不发生，可能吗？如果不是有掌握岐黄之术的人在其中进行调理，那么这些人糊里糊涂地活着，也实在让人觉得悲哀。所以在各家学说中，唯独医道最难；而在医道之中，唯独治疗胎产更难。我的同僚好友阎文侯先生，气度宏大深沉，以和气待人，并且对于书籍无所不读，对于技艺无所不通，尤其留心医学。他常说妇人怀孕生产关系重大，确实因为受孕之后调养有法，临产之际保护有方，产后之时调理有术，稍微一不慎，生死就在顷刻之间决定，关系到两个人的性命。曾经看到庸医多有误诊，总是叹息不停，于是搜集各位名家的论述，结合自己的见解加以折衷，撰写成《胎产》一书，题名为“心法”。我在共事之余，得以阅读其概要，于是拿来研读。书中对于药性和脉理，在毫厘之间进行辨析；对征验和引据，融会贯通古今。这确实是从事这门学问者的渡河桥梁。良由阎先生居心仁爱宽恕，常怀利于万物之心，所以即使是一门微小的技艺，也一定要记录在书上，以觉悟世人、训导习俗。如今他正特别承受圣天子任命，担任西粤（广西）的监使，本来就将秉持这颗仁心，将其用于经世济民的治理，实施起来必将事业辉煌，上有报答圣主知遇之恩，下有慰藉同僚朋友期望的高雅情怀，那么他广泛利益苍生的功德，正是无穷无尽的，哪里只是像《肘后备急方》里的丹方那样只让人向往，或者像杨布多种杏树那样留名后世呢！但是这本书也急需刻印出版，以造福医者。刊刻完成后，希望寄给我一卷示下，不要互相忘记。这就是序言。
赐进士出身、楚竟陵籍、年家眷生、同僚弟龚健扬拜书于燕台客舍。时间：雍正三年秋八月。
An ordinary scholar, if he harbors a mind dedicated to benefiting all things and helping others, will surely achieve something; how much more so for one who chooses a specific skill to establish himself? His contribution to the world is beyond measure! As Bu Shi said: "Even minor arts have their merits," referring to fields such as agriculture, horticulture, medicine, and divination. Among these four, mastering one's profession sufficiently allows one to aid the world. However, agriculture and horticulture are not frequently discussed by sages, and the art of divination has rarely been passed down since Yan Junping. Therefore, among scholars who, after extensive reading, dedicate a portion of their intellect and energy to nurturing their original intention of loving others and benefiting all things, nothing is more elegant and universally beneficial than the path of medicine. Nevertheless, this is difficult to discuss. Generally speaking, humans are endowed with the Qi of Yin and Yang and the Five Elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) by Heaven. Since there are inevitably differences in the density and thinness of this endowment, and subsequently, people may be harmed by cold and heat, indulge in desires, suffer from depression and exhaustion, or encounter various factors that damage life and contradict their nature, attacking each other internally. Is it possible to avoid disease under such circumstances? If there were no practitioners of the Qi-Huang (Qihuang, traditional Chinese medical theory attributed to the Yellow Emperor and Shennong) arts to regulate and adjust these conditions, these people would live in ignorance, which is truly pitiable. Thus, among all disciplines, only the Way of Medicine is difficult; and within the Way of Medicine, treating pregnancy and childbirth is even more difficult.
My colleague and friend, Mr. Wenhou Yan, possessed a profound and broad demeanor, greeted people with benevolence, was well-read in all books, proficient in all arts, and particularly attentive to medicine. He often stated that the matters concerning women's pregnancy and childbirth are of great significance. Indeed, after conception, proper nourishment and care are essential; at the time of delivery, appropriate protection is required; and postpartum, skilled regulation is necessary. A slight negligence can determine life or death in an instant, affecting two lives. Having witnessed many errors made by mediocre physicians, he sighed repeatedly. Consequently, he collected discussions from various famous experts, synthesized them with his own insights, and wrote a book on pregnancy and childbirth, titled *Xinfa* (Heart Method/Core Principles). During my spare time while working together, I had the opportunity to read its outline and then studied it thoroughly. The book analyzes drug properties and pulse principles with precision down to the finest details, integrating ancient and modern evidence and citations. It is indeed a bridge for those engaged in this profession. This is largely due to Mr. Yan’s benevolent and forgiving heart, always seeking to benefit all things; thus, even regarding a minor skill, he felt compelled to record it in writing to awaken the world and instruct the common people.
Now, he has specially received the appointment from the Holy Son of Heaven to serve as an Inspector in Western Yue (Guangxi). He intends to apply this benevolent mind to statecraft and governance. His implementation will undoubtedly lead to brilliant achievements, repaying the sovereign's special recognition above and comforting the high expectations of colleagues below. Thus, his widespread benefit to the common people will be infinite. Will it be merely like the prescriptions in the *Zhouhou Beiji Fang* (Emergency Prescriptions Kept Up the Sleeve), causing only admiration, or like Yang Bu planting apricot trees, leaving only a name behind? However, this book urgently needs to be printed on pear and jujube wood blocks to benefit medical practitioners. After completion, please send me a copy to show me; let us not forget each other. This is the preface.
Gong Jianyang, younger brother, fellow graduate (Jinshi), from Jingling in Chu, family connection (Nianjia), and colleague, respectfully inscribed at the Guest House in Yantai. Time: Autumn, Eighth Month, third year of Yongzheng.