医道至微，盖难言喻矣！天有六淫之感，人有七情之扰。人在气交之中，好恶动于内，
利欲
夺于外，曷能免是？则百病从此出矣。病之由轻而致愈，由重而致殆，其生死之权，医操之
也。得医而良，则病可免，得医而庸，则夭枉不可胜数矣。然而为医者，莫不喜良而恶庸，
脱庸者，亦必自诩为良，此人之情也。无如明理者少，而悖理者多。一为资质所限，一为师
心自用，遂致流于庸者一途而不自知也。苟欲明理，非博考方书，研究病情不可。然自轩岐
而下，方书汗牛弃栋，高明者，好为穿凿，或失之泛。固陋者，苟守绳墨，即失之隘。诚欲
一编简明详尽理畅辞达者，而不可得，学人病之。我朝叶天士先生，以天纵之才，秉颖敏之
质，又复潜心好学，孳孳不倦，想因诊事忙碌，未遑有所着述。然此《医衡》一书，乃生生
裒集先贤精论名言，其中论脉论症论治，靡不详且备焉。吾知是编一出， 学人庶得有所遵循，
而无多歧之感矣。愿君渭川，才广学
之不齐，南北方土之异宜，人身经络之支别，营卫营运之离合，以及脏腑脉理病情变化，莫
不穷源竟委，洞烛机宜，以余之愚，犹复虚衷辱问，虽土壤细流，无裨大益。然其胸怀过人
处，有非平常所可几及者。今以重刊《医衡》，以便同志探讨，索序于余，余即以平日所言
者铨次之，用敢质诸先生，先生其有以教我乎！
宣统二年十一月下浣元和绎声金文钟识于海上寄庐
医学之道极其精微，大概难以用言语完全表达啊！天有风、寒、暑、湿、燥、火六淫（六种外感病邪）的侵袭，人有喜、怒、忧、思、悲、恐、惊七情（七种情志活动）的干扰。人生活在天地气交之中，内心的喜好厌恶被激发，外在的名利欲望所争夺，怎么能避免这些呢？于是百病就由此产生了。疾病由轻而痊愈，由重而危殆，其生死的决定权，掌握在医生手中。遇到良医，病就可以免除；遇到庸医，夭折枉死的人不可胜数。然而做医生的，没有不喜欢自己为良医而厌恶自己是庸医的，即使是庸医，也必定自夸为良医，这是人之常情。无奈明白医理的人少，违背医理的人多。一是受资质所限制，一是凭师心自用（固执己见，自以为是），于是流于庸医一途而自己却不知道。如果想要明理，不广泛考证方书，深入研究病情是不可能的。然而自从黄帝、岐伯以来，方书多得汗牛充栋（形容书籍极多），高明的人，喜欢穿凿附会，有的失之空泛。固陋的人，拘泥守旧，有的失之狭隘。确实想要有一本简明详尽、理畅辞达的书，却不可得，学习的人为此感到苦恼。我朝叶天士先生，凭借天生的才华，秉赋聪颖敏捷的资质，又潜心好学，孜孜不倦，想必因为诊务忙碌，没有闲暇有所著述。然而这部《医衡》一书，是生生（指叶天士或其传人/编者自称或尊称，此处指代本书编纂者）收集先贤的精论名言，其中论述脉象、症状、治疗，无不详细完备。我知道这本书一出，学习者或许能得到遵循，而没有多歧路的困惑了。愿君渭川（指金文钟，字渭川），才广学之不齐，南北方水土之异宜（适宜性不同），人身经络的支别，营卫（营气和卫气）运行的离合，以及脏腑脉理病情的变化，无不穷究本源，洞察机理。以我的愚钝，还虚心承蒙询问，虽然像土壤细流那样微不足道，无补于大益。然而他胸怀过人之处，有不是平常人可以企及的。现在重新刊印《医衡》，以便同道探讨，向我索求序言，我就把平日所说的话整理编排，用以向先生请教，先生是否有教导我的地方呢！
宣统二年十一月下旬 元和绎声金文钟识于海上寄庐
The Way of Medicine is extremely subtle, and indeed difficult to express in words! Heaven has the influence of the Six Excesses (Liu Yin, six pathogenic factors: wind, cold, summer-heat, dampness, dryness, fire), and humans have the disturbance of the Seven Emotions (Qi Qing, seven emotional states: joy, anger, worry, thought, grief, fear, fright). Humans exist within the intersection of Qi between Heaven and Earth; their likes and dislikes are stirred internally, while desires for profit and advantage are seized externally. How can one avoid these? Thus, a hundred diseases arise from this. Diseases may progress from mild to recovery, or from severe to peril; the power over life and death lies with the physician. If one encounters a good physician, the disease can be avoided; if one encounters an mediocre physician, the number of those who die prematurely and unjustly is countless. However, no physician does not prefer to be good and dislike being mediocre. Even mediocres will inevitably boast that they are good; this is human nature. Alas, few understand the principles, while many violate them. One is limited by innate endowment, and the other relies on self-will and subjective judgment, thus flowing into the path of mediocrity without realizing it. If one wishes to understand the principles, it is impossible without extensively examining medical texts and researching pathological conditions. However, since the time of Huangdi (Yellow Emperor) and Qibo, medical texts have become so numerous that they fill the ox-carts and pile up against the walls. The brilliant ones tend to make forced interpretations, sometimes losing themselves in vagueness. The rigid and narrow-minded ones stick strictly to established rules, sometimes losing themselves in narrowness. Indeed, it is hard to find a single volume that is concise yet comprehensive, clear in reasoning and eloquent in expression, which causes distress to learners. In our dynasty, Mr. Ye Tianshi possessed innate talent and an agile mind, was deeply devoted to learning, and worked tirelessly. Presumably due to his busy clinical practice, he had no leisure to write. However, this book *Yi Heng* (Medical Balance) was compiled by Shensheng, gathering the refined arguments and famous sayings of former sages. Its discussions on pulse diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment are all detailed and complete. I know that once this volume is published, learners will have something to follow and will not feel confused by too many divergent paths. May Jun Weichuan (Jin Wenzhong, courtesy name Weichuan), whose knowledge varies widely and whose learning is uneven, considering the different suitability of northern and southern regions, the branches of meridians and collaterals in the human body, the convergence and divergence of Ying (Nutrient) and Wei (Defensive) Qi circulation, as well as the changes in Zang-Fu organ theory, pulse patterns, and pathological conditions, thoroughly investigate their origins and comprehend their mechanisms. Despite my own dullness, I have humbly accepted your inquiry. Although my contribution is like dust and a small stream, offering little benefit, his superior mindset is beyond what ordinary people can reach. Now, re-publishing *Yi Heng* for the exploration of colleagues, you requested a preface from me. I have therefore organized my usual remarks to present to you, Sir, and dare to ask if you have any instructions for me!
Late November, Second Year of Xuantong [1910], Jin Wenzhong, styled Yisheng, recorded at Jishu Residence in Shanghai.