典藏书目

It is said: "Do not take the medicine of a physician whose family has not practiced for three generations." Why is it that medicine values hereditary practice? It is because such physicians have extensive experience; they have heard and seen with their own eyes cases that are dangerous, critical, severe, or easy to treat. Compared to those who make decisions based on speculation and trial, the difference in success and failure is many times over. Moreover, when medicine enters a doctor's hands and prescriptions are passed down from ancient times, how numerous are the ancient formulas circulating in the world? For one symptom, there may be hundreds of formulas; which one should the patient choose? The patient entrusts his life to the physician; the prescription must correspond to the pulse, and the medicine must treat the disease. This is like unlocking a door or opening a lock—resolving the issue upon contact. This is the highest level of skill. If one lacks a firm opinion and merely tries ancient formulas one by one slowly, hoping for a lucky encounter, although there is no intent to kill, many people die under such treatment. Therefore, physicians are valued for their specialization, and formulas are valued for their empirical verification. Wei Yilin from Nanfeng, whose ancestors encountered the ancient famous physician Dong Feng (Yuan), selected ancient formulas he had used previously that proved effective without error, along with those inherited from his grandfather and father through teachers. He compiled them into a book, modeled after the *Shengji Zonglu* (General Records of Holy Relief), organized according to thirteen departments, and named it *Shiyi Dexion Fang* (Family Physician's Effective Formulas). He intended to have it printed to spread its transmission widely. I observe that people in the world often hoard a formula once obtained, unwilling to show it to others, often using the *Zhouhou Beiji Fang* (Handbook of Prescriptions for Emergencies) and *Qianjin Fang* (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold) as excuses. Now, the Wei family makes public the secrets gained over five generations at once; his superiority over others is far-reaching. In the past, when Xu Shuwei was not yet prominent, someone advised him to accumulate hidden virtue. Xu thought that among the poor, only practicing medicine could accumulate virtue, so he studied medicine to save lives. Later, he eventually reached high official positions. Thus is the retribution of Heaven. However, I believe that sowing virtue with one's body is limited, while sowing virtue through books is infinite. Now that Mr. Wei can share his art with others, enabling every household to possess this book, so that people will not die prematurely, is not the virtue he sows even greater? The reward for hidden virtue lies with himself and his descendants; I know it will certainly surpass that of the Xu family.

In the fourth year of Houzhiyuan, eighth month, Wang Chongyun, Chengshi Lang (Attendant Gentleman) and Tongzhi (Co-administrator) of Yongxin Prefecture, wrote this preface.

A craftsman who wishes to do his work well must first sharpen his tools; only when the tools are sharp can the craft be refined. What serves as the foundation for treating diseases if not medical texts? Since the emergence of works such as the *Nanjing* (Classic of Difficult Issues), *Tangye Jingfa* (Scripture of Decoctions), *Lingshu* (Spiritual Pivot), and *Shanghan Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage Pathogenic Factors), nearly hundreds of physicians have engaged in medical writing. They generally provide guidance, enabling physicians to identify syndromes from diseases and select medicines based on syndromes. Their intention is indeed benevolent. I loved learning since childhood and began practicing medicine at twenty. I deeply reflect on the difficulty of transmitting skills from my ancestors. My great-great-grandfather moved from Fuzhou to Nanfeng. My great-grandfather Yunxian traveled to Tokyo for study, met Dong Jing, the twenty-fifth descendant of Dong Feng, and was taught internal medicine (Da Fangmai). Upon returning home, his medical practice flourished daily. My grand-uncle Zimei further transmitted gynecology, orthopedics, and trauma surgery (Jinzu Ke). My grandfather Biya learned minor formulae from the Zhou family. My grand-uncle Xi further studied ophthalmology and the treatment of consumption (tuberculosis). As for me, I further investigated dermatology, soreness, throat and dental conditions, as well as ancient formulas and modern famous physicians' prescriptions. From my great-grandfather to me, five generations have passed. The results were immediate and effective. However, medical texts are vast as the ocean; when a sudden need arises, one cannot read them all. Therefore, in the first year of Tianli, based on the names of the thirteen departments, referencing ancient formulas and combining them with family traditions, I worked diligently day and night. After ten years of hard study, the compilation was finally completed, consisting of nineteen volumes, named *Shiyi Dexion Fang*. It begins with discussions on pulse, disease, syndrome, and treatment, starts with internal medicine and miscellaneous diseases, and ends with dermatology. Categorized and classified, upon opening the book, the principles are clear and details are organized, moving from the broad to the concise. I dare not seek novelty compared to predecessors; I simply wish to facilitate reading. We respectfully consider that our dynasty cares for the suffering of the common people, establishing relief bureaus and educational institutions, with particular emphasis on medicine. Yet, ashamed of my humble background and limited knowledge, I fear my compilation contains many errors. I especially hope that officials and physicians in power will guide me, correct errors, and supplement biases, so that it may be printed. Then, perhaps, the benevolence of the Emperor in cherishing life can be extended infinitely. Is this not good?

On the fifteenth day of the seventh month in the Dingchou year of Zhiyuan, the junior scholar Da Zhai Wei Yilin from Jiahe, respectfully bowed and wrote.