典藏书目

Since the unparalleled physicians Lu (Bian Que) and Qin Yue were no longer born, those skilled in health preservation mostly adhered to the theory of "using no medicine if not ill." However, one must be cautious before illness occurs to achieve a success rate of nearly 100%.

In my past time in the capital, I saw people from Anhui province coming north to perform variolation. Inquiring about their vaccine source, I learned it came from Jiangnan, with high efficacy, which surprised me. Upon returning to my hometown, I met Mr. Qiu Haochuan from Nanhai, whose method was even more rapid. He stated that in the early years of the Jiaqing era, foreign doctors experimented on infants' arms. Following acupoint methods, they pricked the skin until a membrane appeared, then used a thin knife to apply cowpox lymph. Within a few days, several pustules would appear, scabbing over as expected, providing permanent immunity against smallpox. Subsequently, transmission from person to person spread like fire passing through kindling, with every case succeeding. In the tenth year of Jiaqing, crossing the ocean to Guangdong, they sought to transmit this technique. Initially disbelieved by the public, only Mr. Qiu inquired into the details, verified its efficacy, and thus transmitted the method, saving countless lives. The Provincial Administrator Zeng and the Education Commissioner Fu subsequently invited him to their offices, where his results were miraculous. The Administrator selected the four characters "Wu Yao You Xi" (No Medicine Brings Joy) from the *I Ching* (Book of Changes) to inscribe on a plaque for him; the Commissioner also composed poems to honor him. Contemporary literati wrote numerous commendations.

Observing the *Bencao Gangmu* (Compendium of Materia Medica), I noted a formula for reducing smallpox severity using white cattle lice. These lice attach to cows, feed, and fall off naturally. Their ability to reduce smallpox severity is attributed to containing bovine blood. If cattle lice can mitigate smallpox, then cowpox certainly can. Using its lymph for inoculation should yield perfect results, which is logically consistent and not surprising. This indicates that while Chinese people initiated the practice, foreigners focused intently and extended the application, demonstrating their expertise. Thus, by following nature without relying on drugs, regardless of age, fear is eliminated. Is this not supplementing the shortcomings of famous physicians, offering a miraculous technique for saving infants, and achieving near-perfect safety? Appreciating Mr. Qiu's dedication, I recorded this in detail to inform future generations. Written by Wen Rushi of Shunde in mid-winter of the Dingchou year of Jiaqing.

It is easy to follow the Creator's generation, but difficult to remedy Heaven's deficiencies. Infants contracting smallpox suffer losses of two or three out of ten; severe cases may have survival rates below five or six out of ten. Ancient physicians could only treat after the toxin had erupted. Since the Song Dynasty, a method of inserting smallpox matter into the nostrils emerged. Later generations imitated this, showing great adaptability, with swift actions and significant merits. Yet, losses still occurred in one or two out of every hundred, failing to guarantee complete safety. Our Holy Dynasty's virtue permeates Confucian values, elevating people to benevolence and longevity, attracting submission from within and beyond the seas. In the first year of Jiaqing, foreign doctors, pitying the sudden calamity befalling infants in their country, diligently researched and discovered the cowpox method. Before the toxin erupted, they induced it beforehand, without selecting auspicious times, without tedious taboos, without needing doctors, and without medication. This spread to neighboring countries rapidly. By the fourth month of the tenth year of Jiaqing, via ships from Luzon (Philippines), infant carriers transmitted the seed to Macau. At that time, I was trading in Macau. Hearing of the method's speed and effectiveness without labor, I tested it on myself, and it proved accurate. When applied to family and friends, it was equally effective. Consequently, benevolent merchants in the foreign firms, knowing my proficiency, asked me to manage this exclusively at the guild hall. Over ten winters and summers, countless seekers arrived, numbering in the thousands, with no losses.

That all infants develop pox is destiny. That treatment yields varying results is human effort. Having respectfully read the *Yuzuan Yizong Jinjian* (Imperially Compiled Golden Mirror of Medicine), it states: "Regular smallpox arises after infection, whereas variolation is administered before illness. Regular smallpox is treated when disease forms, whereas variolation regulates health when well." Since no other symptoms interfere, and good prescriptions guide externally, the principle of cowpox is inherently included in variolation methods. Although techniques differ, the guidance by beneficial prescriptions remains the same. I am untrained in medicine and never sought profit from this. My motivation for promoting it stems from the fact that smallpox is a common affliction, and compassion for children is a universal sentiment. If we can avoid danger and seek safety, offering even slight help to others, how dare I slacken? Considering I have never left the country or my hometown, yet smallpox hazards exist everywhere, and since I obtained this method earliest and practiced it without error, why not write it down? Thus, I selected verified methods to describe item by item and drew diagrams to consult with the world. Benevolent gentlemen, knowing this method, please explain and disseminate it widely, so infants may escape the smallpox calamity and play freely under the bright sun. Would this not bring joy to all who cherish children? Recorded by Qiu Xihaochuan of Nanhai on the first day of mid-winter in the Dingchou year of Jiaqing.