先师常叹：古之注《灵枢》，如史崧，马莳、张志聪、汪讱庵、黄元御等，文非不善也，理非不娴也。惜均不长于针刺灸芮（火旁）。认为针灸之道，登堂入室，非尽解《灵枢》则无以成就，并认为只谈理论，而不实际操作亦无以成就。故理论联系实际，数十年如一日地亲自操作，从不间暇。垂暮之年操作不便，也要亲自诊示，一一指点，待病人获效，心乃得安。同时，他还针对针灸中只针不药的风气说；针法亦非万全之策，当针则针，当灸则灸，为巩固疗效，还须服用中
药以补针、灸之不足。
培桃育李鞠躬尽瘁
为使祖国医药学昌明万代，造福人类，先师将毕生精力献给了中医药教育事业。
一九二九年，为与余云岫之流抗争，先师约集渝州同道三十六人，筹资九千元，于桂花街成立了重庆市国医药馆，亲任馆长职。该馆设各种门诊处、送诊处，并于楼上设住院部收治危重病员；晚上则约请医生会诊，讨论医疗方案，切磋技艺。使过去自守门户之见的医界贤达，济济一堂，开互相交流学术风气之先。继又创办国医传习所。先师任所长，邱明扬(成都中医学院教师，已逝)任主任教师。设《内经》、《难经》、《金匮要略》、《伤寒论》、《神农本草经》、《妇科学》、《国医诊断学》等课程，抗战前即毕业了男生部、女生部各一班。
抗战期间，重庆被炸，传习所迁至郊区山洞，先师又积极筹建重庆中医院，巴县国医学校。当中医院奠基时，先师挥毫题诗作贺：
中医院奠基(庚辰正月半)
太平旧岁新花朝，父子西山插秀苗。试看他年垂茂日，葡萄累累绿荫娇。
为办学校、医院，先师历尽艰辛，方筹得资金四万元之谱，建成大小楼房三座。环境适中，地势宽敞光线充足，尤为壮观。殊知学校仅办了两期，就被国民党海军部和银行巧取豪夺，强行征用。未毕业的学生只好迁至西山苗圃周宅上课。两年后，因伪政府的重重压迫而停办。先师怀着无限愤慨之情作诗记其事略：
卖母校(一九四二年壬午中秋丙夜)
抱璞陵阳类我痴，劳劳东逐又西驰。
抛将城郭远空袭，留得镃基待好时。
一室高明群鬼瞰，寸心暗淡几人知。
三年两卖母医校，何日长桑饮上池。
抗战胜利后，国民党政府不让人民休养生息，挑起内战，致使山城物价飞涨，民怨沸腾。当此之时，师欲再办学校，已非易事。乃招小部分学生，在永生堂讲学，培育人才。他曾数次向市中区七星岗警察局交涉，要求归还校舍，但次次都是碰壁而归。一九四九年春，先师曾赋诗一首，记收回校舍之艰，培养学生之难；
花朝(一九四九年春)
萦怀字水溉三巴，块垒难消问酒家。
剪剪春风生意浅，何曾桃李绿天涯。一九四九年底，山城重庆获得解放。建国初，百废待兴，千头万绪，但是共产党首先关心民生疾苦，平抑物价，使生产很快恢复，社会出现一派欣欣向荣景象。经历了两重社会的先师，怎能不无限感激党，热爱新中国呢?先师以一技之长，为国为党分忧。一九五零年经重庆市文教局批准，在和平路创办、苏生国医院，又在通远门外归元寺成立了中华医药科学讲习所。一九五一年春，该所招生，高级班、初级班各五十人，全由先师筹集资金，自编教材，为国家培养人才。是年秋，党和政府为提高中医技术而兴办了西南卫生部中医进修学校。一九五四年先师被聘为该校教师。之后，又成立重庆市第一、第二中医院，先师受委为院长。一九五五年底，出席全国政治协商会议，向毛主席献《子午流注环周图》，当时先师的心情是无比激动的，曾赋诗一首纪念：
献图碰杯礼
昔年伪政太昏昏，欲树长桑无处根。
三世医怀卞和璞，今宵一碰入京门。
会议期间，回首往事，心潮起伏，夜不能寐，特别是他听到周总理的报告，党和国家要创办四所中医学院时，更是精神振奋，表示愿为培养后代，效尽绵薄之力。
成都中医学院开办，聘先师为医经教研组教师，后委以医经教研组主任，喜看夙愿得偿，祖国医药，后继有人，乃赋诗一首，以舒胸怀：
振兴中华医药(一九五七年秋)
回思十载苦蕉窗，乐此三秋课锦江。
掘展岐黄有夙愿，不甘祖国逊他邦。
院中老李殖秾辛，池上长桑青梓桑。
混混盈科看后进，放乎四海喜洋洋。
先师在校期间，工作勤勤恳恳，任劳任怨，深受师生员工的赞扬。他感到党对自己太尊重，太爱护了，士为知己者死尚不足惜，况共产党完全是为国为民，为子孙后代谋幸福的!他决心为党的中医事业奋斗终身，乃将在渝的母亲、妹妹、儿孙等迁来成都定居，时值向党交心活动之际，他向党表示决心，服从工作需要：派我上山，采药炼丹。派我下乡，服务农庄。许我返院(重庆)，又把脉看。留我授课(学院)，绝不缺课。写毕笑道：此言吾之志也，愿在党的领导下，不论在什么地方，都全心全意为人民服务。
先师成为一代名医，与他持之以恒地刻苦学习分不开。出诊或偶得小憩，他总要随手携带一个提包，内装医书、诗文数册，以备查阅。直到老年，仍查阅典籍，温故知新。真是活到老，学到老，做到了学而不厌。
先师待人忠诚，和蔼可亲，对病人、学生、同事，娓娓而谈，百问不厌。每次向我们传道、授业、解惑，总是反复再三，犹恐不能理解。他常说：我要把所知的知识和经验全部交给下一代。课余时间，学生们到宿舍请教，他都热情接待，真正做到了诲人不倦。故有人评论先师如金铎，叩之则鸣。
但是，象先师这样博学多才，心地善良的忠厚长者，十年内乱期间，却难逃厄运，不幸于一九七六年九月含恨去世。粉碎四人帮后，成都中医学院为先师平反昭雪，推翻了强加给先师的一切诬陷不实之词，倘先师英灵有知，亦可含笑九泉了。
(本文承吴叔亮、吴迪祖，吴慎修、吴传先提供部分资料，又蒙彭宪章副教授、林森荣老师审阅，谨此致谢) 李斯炽教授治学纪要
【李斯炽小传】李斯炽(1892～1979)，成都市人，生前系成都中医学院教授、院长。二十三岁在四川高等师范作理化助教时，便立志献身于中医事业。通过刻苦自学，终于夙愿得偿。毕生矢志振兴祖国医学事业，曾对汪伪政权扼杀中医行径进行过针锋相对的斗争，并通过捐资，借贷办学，培养了不少中医人材，为四川地区造就了一批骨干力量。六十年间，结合教学和临床，对古典医藉进行了深入的研究，著有《中医内科杂病》、《医学三宇经浅释》、《运气学说管窥》、《素问玄机厚病式初探》、《实用内经选释义》、《李斯炽医案》(一、二辑)、《医学歌诀三种》等二十余种。曾先后当选为第二、三届全国人民代表大会代表，第五届全国政协委员，并曾荣获中华人民共和国卫生部颁发的金质奖章。
余曾随先父习医多年，现仅就所见所闻，简要记述如下。
矢志中医不挠不屈先父于一九一五年毕业于四川高等师范学校，随即留校作理化助手，时年二十三岁。因目睹庸医杀人，在董稚菴老师的启发下，立志以发扬国粹，改进中医药为己任。在有志者事竟成这一思想指导下，开始了他从事祖国医学研究的漫长而艰苦的岁月。
当时他首先遇到的问题是：薪俸微薄，购书困难，业余自修，时间甚少。但是他认为学习条件是可以自己创造的。他一面省吃俭用，从微薄的薪俸中抽出一些钱来，一面利用业余时间刻写钢板，领取一些补贴，用以购买中医书籍。他每天晚上都坚持在暗淡的油灯下学习古典医籍，直至夜深人静。他的跟睛虽然越来越近视，但他的祖国医学知识却越来越增长，兴趣也越来越浓厚，信心也就越来越坚定了。
接踵而来的，是极为广泛的社会压力。在旧社会，中医在知识界是被人瞧不起的，特别是他这个进过新学校而又在大学里供职的人改习中医，更是为人讥笑。在伪政府不能正确处理中西医关系的情况下，中医不科学的说法更是甚嚣尘上。但是由于他通过学习和实践，了解到中医有其精辟的理论和可靠的疗效，群众基础是极其广泛的。他认为中医不是不科学，而是一些人不了解中医。应当用易懂的道理向国人宣传：中医是国宝，是玉璞，而不是顽石。对某些不切实用的地方也是可以通过研究加以改进的。而这些研究、宣传、改进的工作，不由一些具有较新思想的知识分子去承担，又由谁来完成呢?他自信他所从事的事业是有巨大意义的。在一片冷嘲热讽声中，他毅然地从教育界转入了中医界。
他改习医业不久，一九二七年汉奸汪精卫宣布废止中医中药，一九三六年蒋介石再次下令取消中医中药，使祖国医药面临灭顶之灾。在这种情况下，是退缩转回教育界以明哲保身呢，还是为挽救祖国医学的沉沦而斗争呢?他的答复是：中医不可废，矢志哪能挠。他以誓与国医共存亡的决心，团结组织了一些有志于中医事业的同道，一面请愿呼吁，四处奔走，一面宣传中医，举办学校。一九三六年，他创办了《医药改进》月刊，兴办了四川国医学院。当时伪政府对他举办国医学校，以其非法而不予立案。他在法庭上据理力争，指出立法必须合理，非理始为非法。尽管他说破喉咙，当局也不予理睬。为了挽救中医事业，他只好与同道们采取社会筹募、自身捐款、借贷度日、义务上课的办法，以不屈不挠的意志，将四川国医学院一直渗淡经营到解放前夕，尽管他自己负债如山，也毫无追悔之意。解放后，共产党给中医事业带来了光明，他个人也获得了新的生命。
善于读书不泥于古
先父认为，学习中医当以自学为主，老师只能指路，不能代劳，故刻苦读书为学医首要关键。读书贵在明理，不应迷信古人。他的读书方法是：读书当细，思虑当深，先明其意，后析其理，然后证诸实践，才能辨其真伪，得其要领。他在阅读古典医著中，提出有四种情况值得注意：
一是注意书中的错别字句。由于古代的印刷术不发达，或刻之竹简，或辗转传抄，或毁于兵燹，背诵流传，脱漏错误之处在所难免。虽经所谓订正，然因受崇古尊经思想之束缚，特别是对经典著作，总不敢轻易妄动一字，注解者亦因之勉为其注，乃至以讹传讹。如读书不辨真伪，就会将错就错，贻害于人。如《伤寒沦》中伤寒脉浮滑，此表有热，里有寒，白虎汤主之一段，显然系有脱漏和错字。表热里寒，即真寒假热之阴寒证，阴证而反现浮滑之阳脉，寒证而反投白虎汤之凉剂，岂有这种道理。
二是注意书中的记述过简。如《伤寒论》中脉结代，心动悸，炙甘草汤主之，这是针对气阴两虚所出现之心中悸动，脉象歇止的证型而言的，原文则简而未述，其他证型亦可出现心悸动，脉歇止，若不加分别而一概用炙甘草汤则将铸成大错。如成都地区解放前一老中医，以熟读《伤寒论》自居，在治一青年女性因劳动后受热出现心悸动、脉歇止时，不加分析地投以炙甘草汤，以致造成死亡的严重事故。故先父常说；不读书不能明理，但不善于读书，则不如不读书。
三是注意书中的片面提法。如《素问·至真要大论》中谈病机问题，都以诸、皆二字统括各种病机，即凡是某一种病，其病位都肯定在五脏中的某脏，其病因绝对是六淫中的某一种病邪因子。而实际情况则不尽然，即以诸风掉眩，皆属于肝而论，眩晕病发自肝脏者，只是较为常见而已，绝不能说，所有的眩晕病都是发自肝脏。譬如临床上常见的眩晕病因，还有肾精不充、肾阳虚衰、清阳不升、营血亏耗、痰浊上蒙、瘀血凝滞、酒食中阻、水饮上干、外感风寒、表里实热等，这些大多不涉及肝脏，而仍然会导致眩晕。当然，古人因受时代限制，其立论不一定尽善尽美，但吾辈继承祖国医学，则应加以发展，力求使其全面地与客观实际相吻合。
四是应注意书中的错误之处。古代医家所著医书能流传于后世，说明其医学知识是丰富的，是有科学价值的。但智者千虑，必有一失。绝不可盲目崇拜，一概置信而必须经过临床检验，方可取用。如吴鞠通所著《温病条辨》，首方即选用桂枝汤，该条云：太阴风温、温热、温疫、冬温，初起恶寒者，桂枝汤主之。如以初起恶寒为主证而选用桂枝汤，则显系感受风寒，根本与温病无涉，怎能将此方列为温病之首方呢?究温病初起亦有微感恶风寒之症，然其病理应为温邪郁遏卫阳，而非寒邪束表，其致病因子为温热之阳邪，怎能用桂枝以热治热?况温病化热最速，伤阴尤易，保存津液之不暇，何堪再用桂枝劫其阴精?故善读书者，当于字句中深究之，临床中验证之。
广问博收精心提炼
先师常感叹：古代注释《灵枢》的人，如史崧、马莳、张志聪、汪讱庵、黄元御等，他们的文字并非不好，道理也并非不精通。可惜他们都不擅长针刺和艾灸（火旁）。他认为针灸之道，想要登堂入室，如果不完全理解《灵枢》，就无法取得成就；并且认为只谈论理论，而不进行实际操作，也无法取得成就。因此，他坚持理论与实践相结合，数十年如一日地亲自操作，从未有过闲暇。到了晚年，虽然操作不便，但他仍要亲自诊视示范，一一指点，直到病人获得疗效，心里才感到安宁。同时，他还针对针灸界只针不药的风气说：针法也不是万全之策，该用针时用针，该用灸时用灸，为了巩固疗效，还必须服用中药来弥补针、灸的不足。
培桃育李鞠躬尽瘁
为了使祖国医药学昌明万代，造福人类，先师将毕生精力献给了中医药教育事业。
一九二九年，为了与余云岫之流抗争，先师约集重庆同道三十六人，筹资九千元，在桂花街成立了重庆市国医药馆，亲任馆长职。该馆设有各种门诊处、送诊处，并在楼上设住院部收治危重病员；晚上则约请医生会诊，讨论医疗方案，切磋技艺。这使得过去自守门户之见的医界贤达，济济一堂，开了互相交流学术风气之先河。随后又创办了国医传习所。先师任所长，邱明扬（成都中医学院教师，已逝）任主任教师。开设《内经》、《难经》、《金匮要略》、《伤寒论》、《神农本草经》、《妇科学》、《国医诊断学》等课程，抗战前即毕业了男生部、女生部各一班。
抗战期间，重庆被炸，传习所迁至郊区山洞，先师又积极筹建重庆中医院、巴县国医学校。当中医院奠基时，先师挥毫题诗作贺：
中医院奠基(庚辰正月半)
太平旧岁新花朝，父子西山插秀苗。试看他年垂茂日，葡萄累累绿荫娇。
为办学校、医院，先师历尽艰辛，方筹得资金四万元之谱，建成大小楼房三座。环境适中，地势宽敞光线充足，尤为壮观。殊知学校仅办了两期，就被国民党海军部和银行巧取豪夺，强行征用。未毕业的学生只好迁至西山苗圃周宅上课。两年后，因伪政府的重重压迫而停办。先师怀着无限愤慨之情作诗记其事略：
卖母校(一九四二年壬午中秋丙夜)
抱璞陵阳类我痴，劳劳东逐又西驰。
抛将城郭远空袭，留得镃基待好时。
一室高明群鬼瞰，寸心暗淡几人知。
三年两卖母医校，何日长桑饮上池。
抗战胜利后，国民党政府不让人民休养生息，挑起内战，致使山城物价飞涨，民怨沸腾。当此之时，师欲再办学校，已非易事。乃招小部分学生，在永生堂讲学，培育人才。他曾数次向市中区七星岗警察局交涉，要求归还校舍，但次次都是碰壁而归。一九四九年春，先师曾赋诗一首，记收回校舍之艰，培养学生之难；
花朝(一九四九年春)
萦怀字水溉三巴，块垒难消问酒家。
剪剪春风生意浅，何曾桃李绿天涯。一九四九年底，山城重庆获得解放。建国初，百废待兴，千头万绪，但是共产党首先关心民生疾苦，平抑物价，使生产很快恢复，社会出现一派欣欣向荣景象。经历了两重社会的先师，怎能不无限感激党，热爱新中国呢?先师以一技之长，为国为党分忧。一九五零年经重庆市文教局批准，在和平路创办苏生国医院，又在通远门外归元寺成立了中华医药科学讲习所。一九五一年春，该所招生，高级班、初级班各五十人，全由先师筹集资金，自编教材，为国家培养人才。是年秋，党和政府为提高中医技术而兴办了西南卫生部中医进修学校。一九五四年先师被聘为该校教师。之后，又成立重庆市第一、第二中医院，先师受委为院长。一九五五年底，出席全国政治协商会议，向毛主席献《子午流注环周图》，当时先师的心情是无比激动的，曾赋诗一首纪念：
献图碰杯礼
昔年伪政太昏昏，欲树长桑无处根。
三世医怀卞和璞，今宵一碰入京门。
会议期间，回首往事，心潮起伏，夜不能寐，特别是他听到周总理的报告，党和国家要创办四所中医学院时，更是精神振奋，表示愿为培养后代，效尽绵薄之力。
成都中医学院开办，聘先师为医经教研组教师，后委以医经教研组主任，喜看夙愿得偿，祖国医药，后继有人，乃赋诗一首，以舒胸怀：
振兴中华医药(一九五七年秋)
回思十载苦蕉窗，乐此三秋课锦江。
掘展岐黄有夙愿，不甘祖国逊他邦。
院中老李殖秾辛，池上长桑青梓桑。
混混盈科看后进，放乎四海喜洋洋。
先师在校期间，工作勤勤恳恳，任劳任怨，深受师生员工的赞扬。他感到党对自己太尊重，太爱护了，士为知己者死尚不足惜，况共产党完全是为国为民，为子孙后代谋幸福的!他决心为党的中医事业奋斗终身，乃将在渝的母亲、妹妹、儿孙等迁来成都定居，时值向党交心活动之际，他向党表示决心，服从工作需要：派我上山，采药炼丹。派我下乡，服务农庄。许我返院(重庆)，又把脉看。留我授课(学院)，绝不缺课。写毕笑道：此言吾之志也，愿在党的领导下，不论在什么地方，都全心全意为人民服务。
先师成为一代名医，与他持之以恒地刻苦学习分不开。出诊或偶得小憩，他总要随手携带一个提包，内装医书、诗文数册，以备查阅。直到老年，仍查阅典籍，温故知新。真是活到老，学到老，做到了学而不厌。
先师待人忠诚，和蔼可亲，对病人、学生、同事，娓娓而谈，百问不厌。每次向我们传道、授业、解惑，总是反复再三，犹恐不能理解。他常说：我要把所知的知识和经验全部交给下一代。课余时间，学生们到宿舍请教，他都热情接待，真正做到了诲人不倦。故有人评论先师如金铎，叩之则鸣。
但是，象先师这样博学多才，心地善良的忠厚长者，十年内乱期间，却难逃厄运，不幸于一九七六年九月含恨去世。粉碎四人帮后，成都中医学院为先师平反昭雪，推翻了强加给先师的一切诬陷不实之词，倘先师英灵有知，亦可含笑九泉了。
(本文承吴叔亮、吴迪祖，吴慎修、吴传先提供部分资料，又蒙彭宪章副教授、林森荣老师审阅，谨此致谢) 李斯炽教授治学纪要
【李斯炽小传】李斯炽(1892～1979)，成都市人，生前系成都中医学院教授、院长。二十三岁在四川高等师范作理化助教时，便立志献身于中医事业。通过刻苦自学，终于夙愿得偿。毕生矢志振兴祖国医学事业，曾对汪伪政权扼杀中医行径进行过针锋相对的斗争，并通过捐资，借贷办学，培养了不少中医人材，为四川地区造就了一批骨干力量。六十年间，结合教学和临床，对古典医藉进行了深入的研究，著有《中医内科杂病》、《医学三宇经浅释》、《运气学说管窥》、《素问玄机厚病式初探》、《实用内经选释义》、《李斯炽医案》(一、二辑)、《医学歌诀三种》等二十余种。曾先后当选为第二、三届全国人民代表大会代表，第五届全国政协委员，并曾荣获中华人民共和国卫生部颁发的金质奖章。
余曾随先父习医多年，现仅就所见所闻，简要记述如下。
矢志中医不挠不屈先父于一九一五年毕业于四川高等师范学校，随即留校作理化助手，时年二十三岁。因目睹庸医杀人，在董稚菴老师的启发下，立志以发扬国粹，改进中医药为己任。在有志者事竟成这一思想指导下，开始了他从事祖国医学研究的漫长而艰苦的岁月。
当时他首先遇到的问题是：薪俸微薄，购书困难，业余自修，时间甚少。但是他认为学习条件是可以自己创造的。他一面省吃俭用，从微薄的薪俸中抽出一些钱来，一面利用业余时间刻写钢板，领取一些补贴，用以购买中医书籍。他每天晚上都坚持在暗淡的油灯下学习古典医籍，直至夜深人静。他的跟睛虽然越来越近视，但他的祖国医学知识却越来越增长，兴趣也越来越浓厚，信心也就越来越坚定了。
接踵而来的，是极为广泛的社会压力。在旧社会，中医在知识界是被人瞧不起的，特别是他这个进过新学校而又在大学里供职的人改习中医，更是为人讥笑。在伪政府不能正确处理中西医关系的情况下，中医不科学的说法更是甚嚣尘上。但是由于他通过学习和实践，了解到中医有其精辟的理论和可靠的疗效，群众基础是极其广泛的。他认为中医不是不科学，而是一些人不了解中医。应当用易懂的道理向国人宣传：中医是国宝，是玉璞，而不是顽石。对某些不切实用的地方也是可以通过研究加以改进的。而这些研究、宣传、改进的工作，不由一些具有较新思想的知识分子去承担，又由谁来完成呢?他自信他所从事的事业是有巨大意义的。在一片冷嘲热讽声中，他毅然地从教育界转入了中医界。
他改习医业不久，一九二七年汉奸汪精卫宣布废止中医中药，一九三六年蒋介石再次下令取消中医中药，使祖国医药面临灭顶之灾。在这种情况下，是退缩转回教育界以明哲保身呢，还是为挽救祖国医学的沉沦而斗争呢?他的答复是：中医不可废，矢志哪能挠。他以誓与国医共存亡的决心，团结组织了一些有志于中医事业的同道，一面请愿呼吁，四处奔走，一面宣传中医，举办学校。一九三六年，他创办了《医药改进》月刊，兴办了四川国医学院。当时伪政府对他举办国医学校，以其非法而不予立案。他在法庭上据理力争，指出立法必须合理，非理始为非法。尽管他说破喉咙，当局也不予理睬。为了挽救中医事业，他只好与同道们采取社会筹募、自身捐款、借贷度日、义务上课的办法，以不屈不挠的意志，将四川国医学院一直渗淡经营到解放前夕，尽管他自己负债如山，也毫无追悔之意。解放后，共产党给中医事业带来了光明，他个人也获得了新的生命。
善于读书不泥于古
先父认为，学习中医当以自学为主，老师只能指路，不能代劳，故刻苦读书为学医首要关键。读书贵在明理，不应迷信古人。他的读书方法是：读书当细，思虑当深，先明其意，后析其理，然后证诸实践，才能辨其真伪，得其要领。他在阅读古典医著中，提出有四种情况值得注意：
一是注意书中的错别字句。由于古代的印刷术不发达，或刻之竹简，或辗转传抄，或毁于兵燹，背诵流传，脱漏错误之处在所难免。虽经所谓订正，然因受崇古尊经思想之束缚，特别是对经典著作，总不敢轻易妄动一字，注解者亦因之勉为其注，乃至以讹传讹。如读书不辨真伪，就会将错就错，贻害于人。如《伤寒沦》中伤寒脉浮滑，此表有热，里有寒，白虎汤主之一段，显然系有脱漏和错字。表热里寒，即真寒假热之阴寒证，阴证而反现浮滑之阳脉，寒证而反投白虎汤之凉剂，岂有这种道理。
二是注意书中的记述过简。如《伤寒论》中脉结代，心动悸，炙甘草汤主之，这是针对气阴两虚所出现之心中悸动，脉象歇止的证型而言的，原文则简而未述，其他证型亦可出现心悸动，脉歇止，若不加分别而一概用炙甘草汤则将铸成大错。如成都地区解放前一老中医，以熟读《伤寒论》自居，在治一青年女性因劳动后受热出现心悸动、脉歇止时，不加分析地投以炙甘草汤，以致造成死亡的严重事故。故先父常说；不读书不能明理，但不善于读书，则不如不读书。
三是注意书中的片面提法。如《素问·至真要大论》中谈病机问题，都以诸、皆二字统括各种病机，即凡是某一种病，其病位都肯定在五脏中的某脏，其病因绝对是六淫中的某一种病邪因子。而实际情况则不尽然，即以诸风掉眩，皆属于肝而论，眩晕病发自肝脏者，只是较为常见而已，绝不能说，所有的眩晕病都是发自肝脏。譬如临床上常见的眩晕病因，还有肾精不充、肾阳虚衰、清阳不升、营血亏耗、痰浊上蒙、瘀血凝滞、酒食中阻、水饮上干、外感风寒、表里实热等，这些大多不涉及肝脏，而仍然会导致眩晕。当然，古人因受时代限制，其立论不一定尽善尽美，但吾辈继承祖国医学，则应加以发展，力求使其全面地与客观实际相吻合。
四是应注意书中的错误之处。古代医家所著医书能流传于后世，说明其医学知识是丰富的，是有科学价值的。但智者千虑，必有一失。绝不可盲目崇拜，一概置信而必须经过临床检验，方可取用。如吴鞠通所著《温病条辨》，首方即选用桂枝汤，该条云：太阴风温、温热、温疫、冬温，初起恶寒者，桂枝汤主之。如以初起恶寒为主证而选用桂枝汤，则显系感受风寒，根本与温病无涉，怎能将此方列为温病之首方呢?究温病初起亦有微感恶风寒之症，然其病理应为温邪郁遏卫阳，而非寒邪束表，其致病因子为温热之阳邪，怎能用桂枝以热治热?况温病化热最速，伤阴尤易，保存津液之不暇，何堪再用桂枝劫其阴精?故善读书者，当于字句中深究之，临床中验证之。
广问博收精心提炼
Master often sighed: Ancient commentators on the *Ling Shu* (Spiritual Pivot), such as Shi Song, Ma Shi, Zhang Zhicong, Wang Ren'an, and Huang Yuanyu, their texts were not poor, nor were their understanding of principles lacking. Alas, none of them excelled in acupuncture and moxibustion (fire-side). He believed that to master the art of acupuncture and moxibustion, one must fully comprehend the *Ling Shu*; otherwise, achievement is impossible. Furthermore, he held that merely discussing theory without practical operation would also lead to no success. Therefore, he adhered to the integration of theory and practice, personally performing operations for decades without a moment's leisure. Even in his twilight years, when physical operation was inconvenient, he still insisted on亲自 examining and demonstrating, pointing out details one by one, only feeling at peace when patients achieved therapeutic effects. Simultaneously, addressing the trend in acupuncture circles of using needles but not herbs, he stated: Acupuncture is not a panacea. When needles are indicated, use needles; when moxibustion is indicated, use moxibustion. To consolidate therapeutic efficacy, it is necessary to administer Chinese herbal medicine to supplement the insufficiencies of acupuncture and moxibustion.
Cultivating Students with Devotion
To ensure the prosperity of traditional Chinese medicine for generations and benefit humanity, Master dedicated his life's energy to TCM education.
In 1929, to resist figures like Yu Yunxiu, Master gathered thirty-six colleagues in Chongqing, raised nine thousand yuan, and established the Chongqing National Medicine Hall on Guihua Street, serving as its director. The hall featured various outpatient clinics and referral offices, and an inpatient department on the upper floor for critical cases. In the evenings, doctors were invited for consultations to discuss treatment plans and refine skills. This brought together medical experts who previously guarded their own schools of thought, pioneering a culture of academic exchange. Subsequently, he founded the National Medicine Training Institute. Master served as Director, and Qiu Mingyang (a teacher at Chengdu University of TCM, deceased) served as Chief Instructor. Courses included the *Nei Jing* (Inner Canon), *Nan Jing* (Classic of Difficult Issues), *Jin Gui Yao Lue* (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet), *Shang Han Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage), *Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), *Gynecology*, and *National Medicine Diagnostics*. Before the Anti-Japanese War, classes for both male and female students graduated their first cohorts.
During the war, as Chongqing was bombed, the institute moved to caves in the suburbs. Master actively planned the construction of the Chongqing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital and the Baxian National Medicine School. Upon the foundation-laying of the hospital, Master wrote a congratulatory poem:
Foundation-Laying of the TCM Hospital (Mid-January, Gengchen Year)
In the peaceful old year, new spring flowers bloom;
Father and son plant fine seedlings on the western hill.
Wait until the day they bear lush fruit,
And see clusters of grapes beneath tender green shade.
Through hardships, Master raised approximately forty thousand yuan to build three large and small buildings for the school and hospital. The environment was suitable, the terrain spacious with ample light, making it particularly spectacular. Unfortunately, after only two terms, the school was forcibly requisitioned by the Kuomintang Navy Department and banks through deceit and coercion. Ungraduated students had to move to the Zhou residence at the Xishan Nursery for classes. Two years later, due to heavy oppression from the puppet government, it was shut down. With infinite indignation, Master wrote a poem recording these events:
Selling the Alma Mater (Mid-Autumn Night, Bingwu Year, 1942)
Like Lingyang holding uncarved jade, I am foolishly devoted;
Laboring east and west, chasing dreams.
Abandoning the city to escape air raids far away,
Leaving the foundation waiting for better times.
A bright room watched over by ghosts,
Who knows the dimness of my heart?
Three years, twice sold mother medical school,
When shall I drink from the Shang Pool of Chang Sang?
After the victory in the Anti-Japanese War, the KMT government did not allow people to rest and recover, instead instigating civil war, causing soaring prices in the mountain city and boiling public resentment. At this time, reopening a school was difficult. He recruited a small number of students to lecture at Yongsheng Tang to cultivate talent. He negotiated several times with the Qixinggang Police Station in the Central District to return the school premises, but each time returned empty-handed. In the spring of 1949, Master wrote a poem recording the difficulty of recovering the school and cultivating students:
Spring Flowers (Spring 1949)
Mindful of the Zishui River irrigating the Three Ba lands,
Frustration hard to dispel, asking the wine shop.
The gentle spring breeze has shallow vitality,
When have peaches and plums ever turned the world green?
At the end of 1949, Chongqing was liberated. In the early days of the founding of the PRC, with everything needing reconstruction, the Communist Party prioritized people's livelihood, stabilized prices, and quickly restored production, creating a thriving social scene. Having experienced two different societies, how could Master not be infinitely grateful to the Party and love New China? Using his expertise, he shared the burden for the country and the Party. In 1950, approved by the Chongqing Cultural and Educational Bureau, he founded the Sushe National Hospital on Heping Road and established the Chinese Medicine Science Lecture Institute at Guiyuan Temple outside Tongyuan Gate. In the spring of 1951, the institute enrolled fifty senior and fifty junior students. All funds were raised by Master, who compiled textbooks to train talent for the nation. In autumn of that year, the Party and government established the Southwest Health Department TCM Advanced School to improve TCM technology. In 1954, Master was hired as a teacher there. Later, the First and Second Chongqing TCM Hospitals were established, and Master was appointed as their director. At the end of 1955, attending the National Political Consultative Conference, he presented the "Ziwu Liuzhu Ring Chart" to Chairman Mao. His mood was incredibly excited, and he wrote a commemorative poem:
Presenting the Chart and Toasting
In past years, the puppet regime was too obscure,
Desiring to plant Chang Sang but finding no roots.
Three generations of medicine hold Bian He's Jade,
Tonight, one toast enters the capital gates.
During the conference, looking back at the past, his emotions surged, sleepless at night. Especially upon hearing Premier Zhou's report that the Party and state would establish four TCM colleges, he was spiritually inspired, expressing his willingness to do his humble part in cultivating the next generation.
When Chengdu University of TCM opened, Master was hired as a teacher in the Medical Classics Teaching and Research Section, later appointed as its director. Seeing his long-cherished wish fulfilled and TCM having successors, he wrote a poem to express his feelings:
Revitalizing Chinese Medicine (Autumn 1957)
Recalling ten years of bitter study at the banana-window,
Joyfully teaching at Jinjiang for three autumns.
Digging and expanding Qi-Huang [TCM] was my lifelong wish,
Unwilling for our motherland to lag behind other nations.
Old Li in the college cultivates rich spices,
On the pool, Chang Sang grows with green mulberry and paulownia.
Watching the juniors fill the ponds,
Releasing them to the four seas brings joy.
During his tenure, Master worked diligently and bore burdens without complaint, earning high praise from teachers, students, and staff. He felt the Party respected and cared for him too much. A scholar dying for a confidant is not worth regretting, especially since the Communist Party acts entirely for the country, the people, and the happiness of future generations! He resolved to fight for the Party's TCM cause for life, moving his mother, sister, children, and grandchildren from Chongqing to settle in Chengdu. During the activity of opening hearts to the Party, he expressed his determination to obey work needs: Send me up the mountain to gather herbs and refine elixirs. Send me to the countryside to serve agricultural communes. Allow me to return to the hospital (Chongqing) to take pulses again. Keep me teaching (at the college), never missing a class. Finishing writing, he smiled: These words are my ambition. Under the leadership of the Party, wherever I am, I will serve the people wholeheartedly.
Master became a renowned doctor of his generation because of his persistent and hard study. Whether on house calls or taking a short rest, he always carried a bag containing medical books and poetry collections for reference. Even in old age, he continued to consult classics, reviewing the old to understand the new. Truly living and learning until death, achieving the state of never tiring of learning.
Master was loyal and amiable in dealing with others. He spoke gently to patients, students, and colleagues, answering hundreds of questions without weariness. Whenever imparting knowledge, teaching, and resolving doubts to us, he repeated himself many times, fearing misunderstanding. He often said: I want to hand over all my knowledge and experience to the next generation. In spare time, when students came to the dormitory for advice, he received them warmly, truly embodying tireless teaching. Thus, some commented that Master was like a golden bell: strike it, and it rings.
However, such a knowledgeable, talented, kind-hearted, and honest elder like Master could not escape misfortune during the Ten-Year Turmoil. Sadly, he passed away in September 1976 with regrets. After the fall of the Gang of Four, Chengdu University of TCM exonerated Master, overturning all false accusations imposed upon him. If Master's spirit knew this, he could smile in the underworld.
(This article partially relies on materials provided by Wu Shuliang, Wu Dizhu, Wu Shenxiu, and Wu Chuanxian, and was reviewed by Associate Professor Peng Xianzhang and Teacher Lin Senrong. Sincere thanks are extended.)
Summary of Professor Li Sichi's Academic Approach
Li Kegan
[Biography of Li Sichi] Li Sichi (1892–1979), from Chengdu City, was a professor and dean of Chengdu University of TCM before his death. At twenty-three, while working as a teaching assistant in physics and chemistry at Sichuan Higher Normal College, he vowed to dedicate himself to the TCM cause. Through hard self-study, he finally realized his dream. He committed his life to revitalizing national medicine, engaging in head-on struggles against the Wang Jingwei regime's suppression of TCM, and cultivating many TCM talents through fundraising and loans for schooling, creating a backbone force for the Sichuan region. Over sixty years, combining teaching and clinical practice, he conducted in-depth research on classical medical texts, authoring more than twenty works including *Internal Medicine of TCM*, *Explanation of Medical Three Character Classic*, *Insights into Luck Theory*, *Initial Exploration of Suwen Mystery Disease Patterns*, *Selected Explanations of Practical Nei Jing*, *Li Sichi Medical Cases* (Volumes 1 & 2), and *Three Types of Medical Verses*. He was elected as a delegate to the Second and Third National People's Congresses, a member of the Fifth National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and awarded a gold medal by the Ministry of Health of the PRC.
I studied under my father for many years. Here, I briefly record what I have seen and heard.
Determined in TCM, Unyielding
My father graduated from Sichuan Higher Normal College in 1915 and stayed on as a physics and chemistry assistant, aged twenty-three. Witnessing quacks killing people, and inspired by Teacher Dong Zhi'an, he resolved to take up the mission of promoting national essence and improving TCM. Guided by the belief that where there is a will, there is a way, he began his long and arduous years of researching national medicine.
The first problem he faced was: meager salary, difficulty buying books, little time for self-study. However, he believed learning conditions could be created by oneself. While frugally saving money from his meager salary, he used spare time to engrave stencils to earn subsidies for purchasing TCM books. Every night, he persisted in studying classical medical texts under a dim oil lamp until late at night. Although his eyesight worsened, his knowledge of national medicine grew, his interest deepened, and his confidence strengthened.
Following this was immense social pressure. In the old society, TCM was looked down upon by the intellectual circle, especially for someone who attended new schools and worked at a university switching to TCM, which was mocked. Under the puppet government's inability to correctly handle the relationship between Western and Chinese medicine, claims of TCM being unscientific were rampant. However, through study and practice, he understood that TCM had profound theories and reliable efficacy, with a broad mass base. He believed TCM was not unscientific, but misunderstood by some. It should be promoted to compatriots with understandable reasoning: TCM is a national treasure, a raw jade, not a stubborn stone. Some impractical aspects could be improved through research. Who else but intellectuals with newer ideas should undertake this research, promotion, and improvement? He was confident his cause was of great significance. Amidst cold mockery and sarcasm, he resolutely switched from the education sector to the TCM field.
Shortly after switching to medicine, traitor Wang Jingwei announced the abolition of TCM and herbs in 1927, and Chiang Kai-shek ordered their cancellation again in 1936, facing national medicine with disaster. In this situation, should he retreat to the education sector to preserve himself, or struggle to save the sinking national medicine? His answer was: TCM cannot be abolished; how can a vow be bent? With the determination to live and die with national medicine, he united and organized colleagues interested in the TCM cause. While petitioning and running around, he also promoted TCM and established schools. In 1936, he founded the monthly journal *Medical Improvement* and established the Sichuan National Medicine College. At that time, the puppet government refused to register the school, deeming it illegal. He argued logically in court, stating that legislation must be reasonable; unreasonable laws are indeed illegal. Despite pleading until his voice failed, the authorities ignored him. To save the TCM cause, he and colleagues adopted methods of social fundraising, personal donations, borrowing for daily life, and voluntary teaching. With unyielding will, he managed the Sichuan National Medicine College until the eve of liberation, despite being heavily in debt, with no regret. After liberation, the Communist Party brought light to the TCM cause, and he personally gained new life.
Good at Reading, Not Bound by Antiquity
My father believed that learning TCM should primarily rely on self-study; teachers can only point the way, not do the work for you. Thus, hard reading is the key to learning medicine. Reading values understanding principles, not blindly worshipping ancients. His method was: Read carefully, think deeply, first understand the meaning, then analyze the principles, then verify through practice to distinguish true from false and grasp the essentials. In reading classical medical works, he pointed out four situations worthy of attention:
First, pay attention to typos and errors in the text. Due to undeveloped ancient printing, carving on bamboo slips, copying errors, destruction by war, and oral transmission, omissions and errors were inevitable. Even with so-called corrections, bound by the ideology of revering antiquity and scriptures, especially classic works, no one dared to lightly change a word. Annotators also forced themselves to annotate, leading to the spread of errors. If one does not distinguish true from false while reading, one perpetuates errors, harming others. For example, in the *Shang Han Lun*, the passage "Cold damage, pulse floating and slippery, this indicates exterior heat and interior cold, Bai Hu Tang governs it," clearly has omissions and wrong characters. Exterior heat and interior cold refer to Yin-cold syndrome with true cold and false heat. A Yin syndrome showing Yang pulse of floating and slippery, and a cold syndrome receiving the cooling agent Bai Hu Tang, how could such logic exist?
Second, pay attention to overly brief descriptions. For instance, in the *Shang Han Lun*, "Pulse knotted and intermittent, palpitations, Zhi Gan Cao Tang governs it." This refers to the pattern of heart palpitations and intermittent pulse caused by Qi and Yin deficiency. The original text is brief and does not elaborate. Other patterns may also present with palpitations and intermittent pulse. If one indiscriminately uses Zhi Gan Cao Tang without differentiation, it will lead to grave errors. For example, before the liberation of Chengdu, an old TCM physician, priding himself on memorizing the *Shang Han Lun*, treated a young woman who developed palpitations and intermittent pulse after labor-induced heat exposure by administering Zhi Gan Cao Tang without analysis, resulting in a fatal accident. Thus, my father often said: Not reading prevents understanding principles, but not knowing how to read is worse than not reading at all.
Third, pay attention to one-sided statements in the text. For example, in the *Su Wen · Zhi Zhen Yao Da Lun* discussing pathogenesis, it uses the characters "all" and "every" to encompass various pathogeneses, implying that for any disease, the location is definitely in a specific Zang organ, and the cause is absolutely a specific pathogenic factor among the Six Evils. However, reality is not always so. Taking "All wind, tremors, and dizziness belong to the Liver" as an example, dizziness originating from the Liver is just relatively common; one absolutely cannot say all dizziness originates from the Liver. For instance, common clinical causes of dizziness include insufficient Kidney Essence, decline of Kidney Yang, failure of Clear Yang to ascend, depletion of Ying and Blood, turbid phlegm obscuring upwards, blood stasis stagnation, obstruction by alcohol and food, upward invasion of water-fluid retention, external contraction of Wind-Cold, and excess-heat in interior and exterior. Most of these do not involve the Liver but still lead to dizziness. Of course, due to historical limitations, the ancients' arguments may not be perfect. But we, inheriting national medicine, should develop it, striving to make it comprehensive and consistent with objective reality.
Fourth, pay attention to errors in the text. Medical books by ancient physicians that have been passed down show their medical knowledge was rich and scientifically valuable. But even a thousand wise men will make a mistake. One must not blindly worship or believe everything; it must be verified through clinical practice before adoption. For example, in Wu Jutong's *Wen Bing Tiao Bian* (Systematic Differentiation of Warm Diseases), the first formula selected is Gui Zhi Tang. The clause states: "For Taiyin Wind-Warmth, Warmth, Warm Epidemic, Winter-Warmth, if chills are present at the onset, Gui Zhi Tang governs it." If Gui Zhi Tang is chosen primarily for initial chills, it clearly indicates contraction of Wind-Cold, having nothing to do with Warm Diseases. How can this formula be listed as the primary formula for Warm Diseases? Although Warm Diseases may have slight chills and aversion to wind/cold at onset, the pathology should be Warm Evil suppressing Wei-Yang, not Cold Evil binding the exterior. The pathogenic factor is the Yang-Evil of Warmth/Heat. How can one use Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig, hot in nature) to treat Heat with Heat? Moreover, Warm Diseases transform into heat most rapidly and easily injure Yin. There is barely enough time to preserve body fluids; how can one bear to use Gui Zhi to plunder Yin essence? Therefore, good readers should investigate deeply in the words and sentences, and verify in clinical practice.
Ask Widely, Absorb Broadly, Refine Carefully