陈老行医六十余载，对每一病案，必坚持理法方药完整，严谨不苟。用药洗练，以经方为主，兼及各家；时方常用《条辨》方，很少杜撰自制，每方必有来源，加减必有依据。这是因为他一生以诊治坏症、逆症著称，其中有不少是因误治所致。他目击病人之苦，深惋医道之淹没，所以非常严格地要求自己。为了自勉，为了育人，他把自己的诊所命名为是知堂，取《论语》知之为知之，不知为不知，是知也的含义。对此陈老一生，身体力行，自成一家医风。
在学术上，陈老推崇经方，可谓经方派，然亦赞赏汉以后的医家成就。虽极喜《伤寒杂病论》，但亦肯定温病学说，认为病无定体，千状万态，当用何方，各依情势而定，不可按图索骥。世上哪有照着书本条文去害病的道理呢?
三十年代，我初学医时，有唐瑞成者，男性，年五旬，体丰嗜酒。一日闲坐茶馆，忽四肢痿软，不能自收持(弛缓性瘫痪)而仆地，精神清爽，言语流畅，诸医诊之不知为何病。陈老诊之曰：此名风痱，中风四大证之一，治宜《金匮要略方论》附《古今录验》续命汤。投方一剂，次日即能行动，后屡见先师用此方效如桴鼓，活人甚多。后我运用此方治疗多例现代医学所称之脊髓炎、多发性神经炎、氯化钡中毒等疾病，效果良好，有时称之效如桴鼓并不为过。如雷xx，男，十八岁，四川蛾眉县xx社工人，住院号18472，入院日期一九六五年八月二日。患者于入院前二天晨起床时，突然颈椎发响，旋觉右上下肢麻木，活动障碍。一，二小时后全身麻木，并气紧，心悸，呼吸困难，尿闭。即送当地公社医院治疗二日无效，又转送县医院抢救，经抗感染及对症治疗仍无效后转来我院。经西医诊断为急性脊髓炎、上行性麻痹，收住内科病房。当时患者除上下肢麻木、不完全瘫痪外，最急迫的症状是呼吸、吞咽十分困难。除给予抗感染，输液及维生素等治疗外，还不断注射洛贝林、樟脑水和吸氧进行抢救。然患者仍反复出现阵发性呼吸困难，呈吞咽式呼吸，时而瞳孔反射、全身探浅反射均消失，昏迷。如此一日数发者六日，救治罔效，危象毕露，家属已再三电告家乡准备后事。为遂病人家属要求，乃于八月九日上午邀中医会诊。我诊时，见危象过后患者神志清晰，语言无障碍，自觉咽喉及胸部有紧束感，呼吸、吞咽十分困难，全身麻木，左上肢不遂，咽干，舌质红，苔黄薄，脉洪弦而数。断为风痱，治以《古今录验》续命汤；干姜3克，生石膏12克，当归9克，潞党参12克，桂枝4．5克，甘草3克，麻黄6克，川芎3克，杏仁6克。并针刺风府、大椎、肺俞、内关，留针十五分钟。第二天(八月十日)，服上方一剂后，左上肢已能活动，口麻、全身麻木减轻，吞咽、呼吸已不甚困难，停止了西医的抢救措施和药物。守方再服一剂，左上肢已较灵活，左手能握物，口、全身麻木消失，呼吸、吞咽通畅，能食饼干。唯胸部尚有紧束感。续以原方随症加减，连服四剂，诸证消除，继以调理气血收功，于八月二十三日痊愈出院。
我又曾目睹老师用十枣汤、控涎丹治疗顽固性全身严重水肿，大量腹水，小便极少，经多方医治无效者，先健运脾气，待胃纳正常时，配合十枣汤或控涎丹以攻逐，服后并不呈现恶心呕吐及泻下逐水作用，而是尿量骤增，浮肿腹水迅速消退。我在西医的配合下，运用先师的经验，对表现为顽固性的严重水肿、大量腹水的慢性肾炎或肾病综合征患者，每能起到较好的利尿作用，肾功能亦随之改善。这方面的体会，我在《河南中医》一九八一年第六期《对肾病综合征用十枣汤、控涎丹利尿消肿的经验》一文中已做了介绍，此处不赘述。
陈老虽以识精胆大、善用经方名噪遐迩，但却绝少门户偏见，对各家有效方剂亦常能得心应手地加以运用。如一九三四年，先母患大头瘟，头面焮肿，灼痛难忍，皮极光亮，眼不能睁。卧床旬日，在本地治疗无效。其时我正随陈老学医，家中来信，嘱请陈老诊治。陈老至，疏方为：银花、菊花各30克，鲜地丁120克，生甘草15克(名三花饮)。一剂显效，三剂而痊。我因素体尪羸，十余岁时，偶患感冒。咳嗽，胁部牵制疼痛，如翻身、转侧、深呼吸时牵引作痛，寒热往来，一日几十度发，每次数分钟或十数分钟不等。发时背心如冷水泼之，顷刻又如火燎之。服小柴胡汤加减无效，卧床不起，饮食不进，先师诊后，用《温病条辨》香附旋复花汤，服后则呕吐，吐出粘涎碗许，越半日，寒热、胁痛即除矣。后又曾外感，咳嗽痰多，胸部牵制作痛，用六安煎不效，改服香附旋复花汤亦不效，又数次更方，皆不中窽，病益剧。呼吸活动均牵制胸部作痛，仰卧于床，不可稍动；气喘痰鸣，痰稠粘如饴糖之筋丝状，咯至口边而不出，需以手捞之。七日之间，精神萎顿，势近垂危。先师诊之，谓此乃痰热伤津，燥痰壅塞气道，正唐容川所谓上焦血虚火盛，则炼结津液，凝聚成痰，肺为之枯，咳逆发热，稠粘滞塞，此由血虚不能养心，则心火亢盛，克制肺金，津液不得散布，因凝结而为痰也，豁痰丸治之。乃用豁痰丸为煎剂，因深夜无竹沥，权用莱菔汁代之，连尝两煎，病无进退。天亮后，急备竹沥几汤碗，仍煎豁痰丸，以药汁与竹沥各半兑服；下午三时服头煎，黄昏服二煎，至夜半，觉痰减少，气喘胸痛减轻，竟可翻身。又服三煎，次晨诸症大减。胸中之痰涎，既未吐，亦未下，无形中竟消失矣，并能知饥欲食。守方再进一剂，便可扶床行动，二日后即可出门。改用气阴两补合调理脾胃方药，病竟霍然。我根据先师经验，对急性支气肾炎、慢性支气管炎急性发作、支气管哮喘，肺炎，特别是腹腔内各种手术后引起肺部感染而出现咳逆上气，咽喉不利，痰涎稠粘，咯吐不爽，胸闷气喘，口干欲饮，入水则呛，舌红而干，苔黄腻，脉滑数无力者，用豁痰丸治之，效果颇佳。(具体内容可参考《河南中医》一九八二年第二期《陈鼎三、江尔逊用豁痰丸抢救痰热伤津壅塞气道危症的经验》文)
耳闻不如目见目见不如足践
先师带徒临证实践时，非常注重理、法、方、药的一线贯通。尤其可贵者，诊后必于当晚与学生们一起回忆总结,解释疑难。先师每引经据典，结合实际，尽吐心得，对于自己几十年甘苦所得，俗话所谓过经过脉的临床经验，绝无保守,并且唯恐学生们学不到手。每遇疑难怪症，他总要通过师徒共议的形式来启发和提高学生的辨证论治能力。先师强闻博记,善于运用实际病例去讲解经文，以加强学生对经文的理解和记忆，先师通过活生生的临床去应证经文，每能使学生对干巴巴的理论产生浓厚的兴趣。
西汉刘向在《说苑·政理》中说到：耳闻之不如目见之，目见之不如足践之。先师授徒，以此为轴心，常常通过临床的实际病例使学生在理论上上升到柳暗花明又一村的境界。这点不仅给他的学生，而且给与之相处过的同道和后学们留下了深刻的印象。比如现夹江县医药卫生学会副会长、当地名中医陈泽芳老先生，就是其中之一。夹江县周xx患温病，起病急骤，高热汗出两天后，突然下利不止，四肢厥逆，大汗如珠，昏愦，面颊泛红，时而躁扰，两目暝瞑，气息微弱，家人悲痛欲绝，一面备办后事，一面急请先师。诊得六脉俱无，断为元阳衰微，命火将绝，急与大剂回阳救逆(白通汤加猪胆汁汤，附片用至两许)，一剂阳回利止，脉出肢温。次日气喘、咳嗽、痰多、舌苔白滑、胸闷，乃用苏子降气汤合三子养亲汤。此方一出，颇令人奇怪，因为白通汤用于温阳救逆已很难为时方派所接受，既然服后有效，就该守方再服，何以又改为降气化痰平喘之苏于降气汤呢?此方服后咳喘平，又见小便淋漓刺痛、口渴、心烦、舌质红、苔薄黄等症，又处以仲景猪苓汤。最后因口干舌燥、舌质光红，少苔、泛恶，纳呆，脉细数等症，用竹叶石膏汤收功。此病经先师诊治前后十天，易方四次，而疗效卓著，当地医生皆赞口不绝，但亦有不解之处。陈泽芳先生因问其故，先师解释说，中医治病必讲天时、地势、体质、病邪，并需将几者综合进行权衡，然后定出轻重缓急。周某高年肾虚，平素喜食厚味肥甘之品，乃是一肾虚脾湿之体。外感温邪，来势迅猛，壮火食气于此体尤烈，故立见亡阳。斯时用白通汤就不是治病，而是救逆了。当阳气略复，中上焦之痰湿又动，故用苏于降气汤平喘、化寒痰、温肾阳。由于病邪毕竟为温邪，所以痰湿去后，就渐渐现出水热互结、内热伤阴之猪苓汤证。此证的出现，反证了肾阳的恢复和水湿之松动，故服药后疗效颇佳，且病情迅即转归为许多热病后期常见的竹叶石膏汤证，用此方终于收功，也就说明了这个问题。陈泽芳老先生至今回忆起来，亦觉先师音容宛在面前，不甚感慨唏嘘。
以德统才方为良医
先师高尚的医德更为人所称道，他一生尘视名利，疏于家务，唯孜孜不倦地治病、读书、育人。虽至八十高龄，犹出诊奔忙，有求必应，从不计较报酬之多寡。每至贫家，往往不收诊费，且常备方药相赠。先师之子，已退休的老中医陈鸣锵先生，讲到其父有两认真和两不认真；读书看病最认真。在任何时候，任何情况下，只要有空就看书，真可谓嗜书如命，直至年逾八旬，虽视力极差(1，500余度近视)，犹手不释卷。只是临终前两年，因双目失明，始无可奈何放下书本。对于诊费的多少有无，对于饮食的好坏和家务事情，最不认真，从不过问。
先师一生，最痛恨那些只顾渔利的药商和江湖骗子，讨厌那些术士们唯以脉诊是重，并以此呓人。他精于脉诊，颇有造诣，但仍然坚持望、闻，问、切的程序，并特别注意问诊，把切诊放在最后。他常叹息不少人把切诊仅理解为切脉。先师每用食指摸舌苔之燥润涩滑，以补其望诊之不足；并爱用手摸皮肤之厚薄粗细，尺肤冷热，虚里盛衰，按胸腹也是他常用的切诊方式。他尝打趣说；心肝脾肺肾，到处无人问;心肝脾肺贤，到处卖银元。意在批评江湖术士欺诈病家，以及一些医生医疗道德之不高。因此，每到一处诊病，总念念不忘宣传卫生知识，普及医学道理。他在《中国医学常识·自序》上写道；须使人人皆有医学之常识，庶几积极可以保持人生健康，消极可以恢复病后安全。他一生为普及医学知识做了大量的工作。在这个过程中，他接受新鲜事物很快，如一九五二年乐山地区开始打预防针，很多群众不接受，他带头注射，用行动进行宣传，在群众中产生了积极的影响。
先师一生非常注重医德，认为医德与医术都关系到治疗的质量和效果，就二者的关系而言，应当是以德统才方为良医。他非常赞同清代名医吴鞠通的一句话：天下万事，莫不成于才，莫不统于德。无才固不足以成德，无德以统才，则才为跋扈之才，实足以败，断无可成。他认为这句话十分精辟地阐明了医术与医德之间的关系。每遇重危疾病，先师常引孙思邈的话：不得瞻前顾后，自虑吉凶，护身惜命。见彼苦恼，若己有之，深知凄怆，勿避险巇，昼夜寒暑，饥渴疲劳，一心赴救，无作功夫形迹之心，如此可为苍生大医，反此则是含灵巨贼。他以此告诫学生和勉励自己。先师是这样说的，也是这样做的。他一生之中很少坐堂，总以出诊为主，在峨眉山、西康等地，都留下了他的足迹。
先师有感于他所出诊者多为误治之坏证、逆证，故将临证读书有得，勤于著书立说，广送同道和病家，一以医病，二以医医。为此，他著有《医学探源》一书，共六卷，取由博返约、见病知源之义。抗日战争时期，郭老沫若回乐山，亲笔为此书署面，提扉付梓。此书又为先师授徒之课本。除此以外，还著有《中国医学常识》、《心腹诸痛论》、《柴胡集解》等书，至今各县中医亦珍藏不少。
曹炳章先生治学侧记
陈天样曹幼华
【曹炳章小传】曹炳章(1878～1956)，字赤电，又名彬章、琳笙，浙江绍兴人(原藉浙江鄞县)。曾先后问业于名医方晓安、何廉臣两老夫子，但主要靠自学成才。治学严谨，造诣精深。毕生在忙于诊务的同时，勤于著述，计编著、校注、增补、重订的著作达四百种以上，在中医界有一定的影响。生前曾担任过中央国医馆名誉理事，浙江国医分馆董事，神州医药全绍兴支会主席以及新加坡、泰国等国中医师公会名誉理事，并兼任国内外二十亲家中医期刊的名誉编辑和特约撰稿人。解放以后，曾任绍兴市政协委员、《浙江中医月刊》总编辑等。
曹炳章先生自幼沉静好学，勤奋过人，但因家境清寒，仅断断续续地读过二年私塾。十四岁时(1892)，即随父显卿公旅绍谋生，进药铺学业，从而开始了他的医药生涯。
一生爱书如宝自谓书富家贫
先生进药铺学徒时，正是少年好学阶段，日间忙于撮药结帐，夜间则是他读书的大好辰光。四年中间，对《神农本草经》、《本草纲目》、《新修本草》，《本草从新》等本草专著无不精读强记，并常到野外对药物进行实地考察。
陈老行医六十多年，对每一个病案，都坚持理、法、方、药完整统一，严谨认真，一丝不苟。用药精炼简洁，以经方为主，同时也参考各家学说；时方常用《伤寒论条辨》中的方剂，很少凭空杜撰自制，每一方必有来源依据，加减变化必有道理。这是因为他一生以诊治误治导致的坏症、逆症而闻名，其中有不少病例是因误治所致。他亲眼目睹病人的痛苦，深深惋惜医学正道的淹没，所以非常严格地要求自己。为了自勉，也为了教育后人，他把自己的诊所命名为“是知堂”，取自《论语》中“知之为知之，不知为不知，是知也”的含义。对此，陈老一生身体力行，形成了自己独特的医风。
在学术上，陈老推崇经方，可谓经方派，但也赞赏汉代以后医家的成就。虽然极喜爱《伤寒杂病论》，但也肯定温病学说，认为疾病没有固定的形态，千变万化，应当使用哪一方，要根据具体情况而定，不可机械地照搬书本条文。世上哪有照着书本条文去治病害人的道理呢？
二十世纪三十年代，我刚学医时，有一位叫唐瑞成的患者，男性，五十岁左右，体型肥胖，嗜好饮酒。一天在茶馆闲坐时，突然四肢痿软无力，不能自主控制（弛缓性瘫痪）而跌倒在地，但精神清爽，言语流畅，其他医生诊断不出是什么病。陈老诊断后说：这叫风痱，是中风的四大证之一，治疗宜用《金匮要略方论》附《古今录验》续命汤。服用一剂药后，第二天就能行动了。后来多次见到先师用此方效果极好，救活了许多人。后来我运用此方治疗多例现代医学所称的脊髓炎、多发性神经炎、氯化钡中毒等疾病，效果良好，有时称其效如桴鼓并不为过。例如雷某某，男，十八岁，四川峨嵋县某社工人，住院号18472，入院日期一九六五年八月二日。患者在入院前两天早晨起床时，突然颈椎发响，随即感觉右上下肢麻木，活动障碍。一至二小时后全身麻木，并伴有气紧、心悸、呼吸困难、尿闭。立即送往当地公社医院治疗两天无效，又转送县医院抢救，经抗感染及对症治疗仍无效后转来我院。经西医诊断为急性脊髓炎、上行性麻痹，收住内科病房。当时患者除上下肢麻木、不完全瘫痪外，最急迫的症状是呼吸、吞咽十分困难。除给予抗感染、输液及维生素等治疗外，还不断注射洛贝林、樟脑水和吸氧进行抢救。然而患者仍反复出现阵发性呼吸困难，呈吞咽式呼吸，时而瞳孔反射、全身浅反射均消失，昏迷。如此一日数发者达六天，救治无效，危象毕露，家属已再三电告家乡准备后事。为满足病人家属要求，乃于八月九日上午邀请中医会诊。我诊察时，见危象过后患者神志清晰，语言无障碍，自觉咽喉及胸部有紧束感，呼吸、吞咽十分困难，全身麻木，左上肢不遂，咽干，舌质红，苔黄薄，脉洪弦而数。断为风痱，治以《古今录验》续命汤：干姜3克，生石膏12克，当归9克，潞党参12克，桂枝4.5克，甘草3克，麻黄6克，川芎3克，杏仁6克。并针刺风府、大椎、肺俞、内关穴，留针十五分钟。第二天（八月十日），服上方一剂后，左上肢已能活动，口麻、全身麻木减轻，吞咽、呼吸已不甚困难，停止了西医的抢救措施和药物。守方再服一剂，左上肢已较灵活，左手能握物，口、全身麻木消失，呼吸、吞咽通畅，能食饼干。唯胸部尚有紧束感。续以原方随症加减，连服四剂，诸证消除，继以调理气血收功，于八月二十三日痊愈出院。
我又曾目睹老师用十枣汤、控涎丹治疗顽固性全身严重水肿，大量腹水，小便极少，经多方医治无效者，先健运脾气，待胃纳正常时，配合十枣汤或控涎丹以攻逐，服后并不呈现恶心呕吐及泻下逐水作用，而是尿量骤增，浮肿腹水迅速消退。我在西医的配合下，运用先师的经验，对表现为顽固性的严重水肿、大量腹水的慢性肾炎或肾病综合征患者，每能起到较好的利尿作用，肾功能亦随之改善。这方面的体会，我在《河南中医》一九八一年第六期《对肾病综合征用十枣汤、控涎丹利尿消肿的经验》一文中已做了介绍，此处不赘述。
陈老虽以识精胆大、善用经方名噪遐迩，但却绝少门户偏见，对各家有效方剂亦常能得心应手地加以运用。如一九三四年，先母患大头瘟，头面焮肿，灼痛难忍，皮极光亮，眼不能睁。卧床旬日，在本地治疗无效。其时我正随陈老学医，家中来信，嘱请陈老诊治。陈老至，疏方为：银花、菊花各30克，鲜地丁120克，生甘草15克（名三花饮）。一剂显效，三剂而痊。我因素体尪羸，十余岁时，偶患感冒。咳嗽，胁部牵制疼痛，如翻身、转侧、深呼吸时牵引作痛，寒热往来，一日几十度发，每次数分钟或十数分钟不等。发时背心如冷水泼之，顷刻又如火燎之。服小柴胡汤加减无效，卧床不起，饮食不进，先师诊后，用《温病条辨》香附旋复花汤，服后则呕吐，吐出粘涎碗许，越半日，寒热、胁痛即除矣。后又曾外感，咳嗽痰多，胸部牵制作痛，用六安煎不效，改服香附旋复花汤亦不效，又数次更方，皆不中窽，病益剧。呼吸活动均牵制胸部作痛，仰卧于床，不可稍动；气喘痰鸣，痰稠粘如饴糖之筋丝状，咯至口边而不出，需以手捞之。七日之间，精神萎顿，势近垂危。先师诊之，谓此乃痰热伤津，燥痰壅塞气道，正唐容川所谓上焦血虚火盛，则炼结津液，凝聚成痰，肺为之枯，咳逆发热，稠粘滞塞，此由血虚不能养心，则心火亢盛，克制肺金，津液不得散布，因凝结而为痰也，豁痰丸治之。乃用豁痰丸为煎剂，因深夜无竹沥，权用莱菔汁代之，连尝两煎，病无进退。天亮后，急备竹沥几汤碗，仍煎豁痰丸，以药汁与竹沥各半兑服；下午三时服头煎，黄昏服二煎，至夜半，觉痰减少，气喘胸痛减轻，竟可翻身。又服三煎，次晨诸症大减。胸中之痰涎，既未吐，亦未下，无形中竟消失矣，并能知饥欲食。守方再进一剂，便可扶床行动，二日后即可出门。改用气阴两补合调理脾胃方药，病竟霍然。我根据先师经验，对急性支气肾炎、慢性支气管炎急性发作、支气管哮喘，肺炎，特别是腹腔内各种手术后引起肺部感染而出现咳逆上气，咽喉不利，痰涎稠粘，咯吐不爽，胸闷气喘，口干欲饮，入水则呛，舌红而干，苔黄腻，脉滑数无力者，用豁痰丸治之，效果颇佳。（具体内容可参考《河南中医》一九八二年第二期《陈鼎三、江尔逊用豁痰丸抢救痰热伤津壅塞气道危症的经验》文）
耳闻不如目见，目见不如足践。
先师带徒临证实践时，非常注重理、法、方、药的一线贯通。尤其可贵者，诊后必于当晚与学生们一起回忆总结，解释疑难。先师每引经据典，结合实际，尽吐心得，对于自己几十年甘苦所得，俗话所谓过经过脉的临床经验，绝无保守，并且唯恐学生们学不到手。每遇疑难怪症，他总要通过师徒共议的形式来启发和提高学生的辨证论治能力。先师强闻博记，善于运用实际病例去讲解经文，以加强学生对经文的理解和记忆，先师通过活生生的临床去应证经文，每能使学生对干巴巴的理论产生浓厚的兴趣。
西汉刘向在《说苑·政理》中说到：耳闻之不如目见之，目见之不如足践之。先师授徒，以此为轴心，常常通过临床的实际病例使学生在理论上上升到柳暗花明又一村的境界。这点不仅给他的学生，而且给与之相处过的同道和后学们留下了深刻的印象。比如现夹江县医药卫生学会副会长、当地名中医陈泽芳老先生，就是其中之一。夹江县周某某患温病，起病急骤，高热汗出两天后，突然下利不止，四肢厥逆，大汗如珠，昏愦，面颊泛红，时而躁扰，两目暝瞑，气息微弱，家人悲痛欲绝，一面备办后事，一面急请先师。诊得六脉俱无，断为元阳衰微，命火将绝，急与大剂回阳救逆（白通汤加猪胆汁汤，附片用至两许），一剂阳回利止，脉出肢温。次日气喘、咳嗽、痰多、舌苔白滑、胸闷，乃用苏子降气汤合三子养亲汤。此方一出，颇令人奇怪，因为白通汤用于温阳救逆已很难为时方派所接受，既然服后有效，就该守方再服，何以又改为降气化痰平喘之苏子降气汤呢？此方服后咳喘平，又见小便淋漓刺痛、口渴、心烦、舌质红、苔薄黄等症，又处以仲景猪苓汤。最后因口干舌燥、舌质光红，少苔、泛恶，纳呆，脉细数等症，用竹叶石膏汤收功。此病经先师诊治前后十天，易方四次，而疗效卓著，当地医生皆赞口不绝，但亦有不解之处。陈泽芳先生因问其故，先师解释说，中医治病必讲天时、地势、体质、病邪，并需将几者综合进行权衡，然后定出轻重缓急。周某高年肾虚，平素喜食厚味肥甘之品，乃是一肾虚脾湿之体。外感温邪，来势迅猛，壮火食气于此体尤烈，故立见亡阳。斯时用白通汤就不是治病，而是救逆了。当阳气略复，中上焦之痰湿又动，故用苏子降气汤平喘、化寒痰、温肾阳。由于病邪毕竟为温邪，所以痰湿去后，就渐渐现出水热互结、内热伤阴之猪苓汤证。此证的出现，反证了肾阳的恢复和水湿之松动，故服药后疗效颇佳，且病情迅即转归为许多热病后期常见的竹叶石膏汤证，用此方终于收功，也就说明了这个问题。陈泽芳老先生至今回忆起来，亦觉先师音容宛在面前，不胜感慨唏嘘。
以德统才方为良医。
先师高尚的医德更为人所称道，他一生轻视名利，疏于家务，唯孜孜不倦地治病、读书、育人。虽至八十高龄，犹出诊奔忙，有求必应，从不计较报酬之多寡。每至贫家，往往不收诊费，且常备方药相赠。先师之子，已退休的老中医陈鸣锵先生，讲到其父有两认真和两不认真：读书看病最认真。在任何时候，任何情况下，只要有空就看书，真可谓嗜书如命，直至年逾八旬，虽视力极差（一千五百余度近视），犹手不释卷。只是临终前两年，因双目失明，始无可奈何放下书本。对于诊费的多少有无，对于饮食的好坏和家务事情，最不认真，从不过问。
先师一生，最痛恨那些只顾渔利的药商和江湖骗子，讨厌那些术士们唯以脉诊是重，并以此呓人。他精于脉诊，颇有造诣，但仍然坚持望、闻、问、切的程序，并特别注意问诊，把切诊放在最后。他常叹息不少人把切诊仅理解为切脉。先师每用食指摸舌苔之燥润涩滑，以补其望诊之不足；并爱用手摸皮肤之厚薄粗细，尺肤冷热，虚里盛衰，按胸腹也是他常用的切诊方式。他尝打趣说：心肝脾肺肾，到处无人问；心肝脾肺贤，到处卖银元。意在批评江湖术士欺诈病家，以及一些医生医疗道德之不高。因此，每到一处诊病，总念念不忘宣传卫生知识，普及医学道理。他在《中国医学常识·自序》上写道：须使人人皆有医学之常识，庶几积极可以保持人生健康，消极可以恢复病后安全。他一生为普及医学知识做了大量的工作。在这个过程中，他接受新鲜事物很快，如一九五二年乐山地区开始打预防针，很多群众不接受，他带头注射，用行动进行宣传，在群众中产生了积极的影响。
先师一生非常注重医德，认为医德与医术都关系到治疗的质量和效果，就二者的关系而言，应当是以德统才方为良医。他非常赞同清代名医吴鞠通的一句话：天下万事，莫不成于才，莫不统于德。无才固不足以成德，无德以统才，则才为跋扈之才，实足以败，断无可成。他认为这句话十分精辟地阐明了医术与医德之间的关系。每遇重危疾病，先师常引孙思邈的话：不得瞻前顾后，自虑吉凶，护身惜命。见彼苦恼，若己有之，深知凄怆，勿避险巇，昼夜寒暑，饥渴疲劳，一心赴救，无作功夫形迹之心，如此可为苍生大医，反此则是含灵巨贼。他以此告诫学生和勉励自己。先师是这样说的，也是这样做的。他一生之中很少坐堂，总以出诊为主，在峨眉山、西康等地，都留下了他的足迹。
先师有感于他所出诊者多为误治之坏证、逆证，故将临证读书有得，勤于著书立说，广送同道和病家，一以医病，二以医医。为此，他著有《医学探源》一书，共六卷，取由博返约、见病知源之义。抗日战争时期，郭老沫若回乐山，亲笔为此书署面，提扉付梓。此书又为先师授徒之课本。除此以外，还著有《中国医学常识》、《心腹诸痛论》、《柴胡集解》等书，至今各县中医亦珍藏不少。
曹炳章先生治学侧记
陈天样 曹幼华
【曹炳章小传】曹炳章（1878～1956），字赤电，又名彬章、琳笙，浙江绍兴人（原籍浙江鄞县）。曾先后问业于名医方晓安、何廉臣两老夫子，但主要靠自学成才。治学严谨，造诣精深。毕生在忙于诊务的同时，勤于著述，计编著、校注、增补、重订的著作达四百种以上，在中医界有一定的影响。生前曾担任过中央国医馆名誉理事，浙江国医分馆董事，神州医药全绍兴支会主席以及新加坡、泰国等国中医师公会名誉理事，并兼任国内外二十余家中医期刊的名誉编辑和特约撰稿人。解放以后，曾任绍兴市政协委员、《浙江中医月刊》总编辑等。
曹炳章先生自幼沉静好学，勤奋过人，但因家境清寒，仅断断续续地读过二年私塾。十四岁时（1892），即随父显卿公旅绍谋生，进药铺学业，从而开始了他的医药生涯。
一生爱书如宝，自谓书富家贫。
先生进药铺学徒时，正是少年好学阶段，日间忙于撮药结帐，夜间则是他读书的大好辰光。四年中间，对《神农本草经》、《本草纲目》、《新修本草》、《本草从新》等本草专著无不精读强记，并常到野外对药物进行实地考察。
Old Master Chen practiced medicine for over sixty years. For every medical case, he insisted on the integrity of theory, principles, formulas, and herbs, being rigorous and meticulous in his approach. His medication was concise and refined, primarily based on classical formulas (Jingfang), while also incorporating insights from various schools; for contemporary formulas (Shifang), he frequently used those from *Tiaobian* (Annotations on Treatise on Cold Damage), rarely fabricating or creating new ones arbitrarily. Every formula had a source, and every modification had a rationale. This was because he was renowned throughout his life for diagnosing and treating severe complications (Huai Zheng) and adverse conditions (Ni Zheng) caused by misdiagnosis or mistreatment, many of which resulted from prior errors. Witnessing the suffering of patients firsthand and deeply lamenting the obscuring of the true path of medicine, he held himself to extremely high standards. To encourage himself and educate others, he named his clinic "Shizhi Tang" (Hall of True Knowledge), deriving its meaning from the *Analects*: "To know what you know and know what you do not know—that is true knowledge." Old Master Chen embodied this philosophy throughout his life, establishing a unique medical style.
Academically, Old Master Chen advocated for classical formulas (Jingfang), identifying as a proponent of the Jingfang school, yet he also appreciated the achievements of physicians after the Han Dynasty. Although he greatly admired the *Shanghan Zabing Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases), he also affirmed the theory of warm diseases (Wenbing). He believed that diseases have no fixed form but present in myriad ways; thus, the choice of formula should depend on the specific situation rather than mechanically following textual descriptions. How could one harm patients by blindly adhering to bookish条文 (textual clauses)?
In the 1930s, when I first began studying medicine, there was a patient named Tang Ruicheng, a male in his fifties, who was obese and fond of alcohol. One day, while sitting idly in a teahouse, he suddenly suffered flaccid paralysis (Chi Huan Xing Tan Huan - flaccid paralysis) in all four limbs, collapsing to the ground. However, his spirit was clear, and his speech was fluent. Other physicians could not diagnose the condition. Old Master Chen diagnosed it as Feng Fei (Wind Paralysis), one of the four major syndromes of stroke, and prescribed the Xuming Decoction (Xuming Tang) from *Jinkui Yaolue Fanglun* appended with *Gujin Luyan*. After one dose, he could walk the next day. Later, I frequently observed my late master using this formula with excellent results, saving many lives. I subsequently applied this formula to treat several cases of modern medical diagnoses such as myelitis, polyneuritis, and barium chloride poisoning, achieving good effects. Sometimes describing it as "effective as a drumstick striking a drum" is not an exaggeration. For example, Lei XX, male, eighteen years old, a worker from a commune in Emei County, Sichuan, hospital number 18472, admitted on August 2, 1965. Two days before admission, upon waking up in the morning, he suddenly heard a cracking sound in his cervical spine, followed by numbness and motor impairment in the right upper and lower limbs. Within one to two hours, numbness spread to the whole body, accompanied by shortness of breath, palpitations, dyspnea, and urinary retention. He was immediately sent to the local commune hospital for two days without improvement, then transferred to the county hospital for rescue. After anti-infection and symptomatic treatments failed, he was transferred to our hospital. Western medicine diagnosed him with acute myelitis and ascending paralysis, admitting him to the internal medicine ward. At that time, besides numbness and incomplete paralysis of the limbs, the most urgent symptoms were severe difficulty in breathing and swallowing. In addition to anti-infection therapy, intravenous fluids, and vitamins, Lobeline, camphor water, and oxygen inhalation were continuously administered for rescue. However, the patient still experienced recurrent paroxysmal dyspnea, adopting a swallowing-type respiration, with occasional loss of pupillary reflexes and superficial reflexes throughout the body, leading to coma. This occurred multiple times a day for six days. Rescue efforts were futile, and critical signs were fully manifested. The family had repeatedly telegraphed their hometown to prepare for funeral arrangements. To meet the family's request, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) consultation was invited on the morning of August 9. Upon examination, after the crisis passed, the patient was conscious, had no language barriers, felt a tight sensation in the throat and chest, had severe difficulty breathing and swallowing, whole-body numbness, left upper limb paralysis, dry throat, red tongue body, thin yellow coating, and a surging, wiry, and rapid pulse. The diagnosis was Feng Fei (Wind Paralysis), treated with *Gujin Luyan* Xuming Decoction: Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) 3g, Sheng Shigao (Raw Gypsum Fibrosum) 12g, Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) 9g, Lu Dangshen (Codonopsis Radix) 12g, Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig) 4.5g, Gancao (Licorice Root) 3g, Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba) 6g, Chuanxiong (Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizoma) 3g, Xingren (Prunus Armeniaca Semen) 6g. Acupuncture points Fengfu (GV16), Dazhui (GV14), Feishu (BL13), and Neiguan (PC6) were needled, retaining needles for fifteen minutes. On the second day (August 10), after one dose of the above prescription, movement in the left upper limb returned, oral and whole-body numbness decreased, and breathing and swallowing became less difficult. Western rescue measures and medications were discontinued. Continuing with the same formula, after another dose, the left upper limb became more flexible, the left hand could grasp objects, oral and whole-body numbness disappeared, breathing and swallowing were smooth, and he could eat biscuits. Only a tight sensation remained in the chest. The original formula was continued with modifications based on symptoms for four doses, eliminating all symptoms. Subsequently, regulation of Qi and Blood concluded the treatment, and he was discharged cured on August 23.
I also witnessed my teacher using Shizao Tang (Ten Jujube Decoction) and Kongxian Dan (Phlegm-Draining Pill) to treat stubborn, severe generalized edema, massive ascites, and very little urine, cases where multiple treatments had failed. First, he strengthened Spleen Qi transport. When gastric appetite normalized, he combined Shizao Tang or Kongxian Dan to attack and drain. After administration, nausea, vomiting, and purgative water-draining effects did not appear; instead, urine volume increased sharply, and edema and ascites subsided rapidly. With the cooperation of Western medicine, applying my late master's experience, I found that for chronic nephritis or nephrotic syndrome patients presenting with stubborn severe edema and massive ascites, this approach often achieved good diuretic effects, and renal function improved accordingly. I have introduced these experiences in my article "Experience in Using Shizao Tang and Kongxian Dan for Diuresis and Reducing Edema in Nephrotic Syndrome," published in *Henan TCM*, Issue 6, 1981, so I will not elaborate here.
Although Old Master Chen was famous for his precise insight, courage, and adept use of classical formulas (Jingfang), he harbored almost no sectarian prejudice and could skillfully apply effective formulas from various schools. For instance, in 1934, my late mother suffered from Datou Wen (Big Head Plague), characterized by swelling and burning pain in the head and face, unbearable discomfort, shiny skin, and inability to open her eyes. She lay in bed for ten days, and local treatments were ineffective. At that time, I was studying under Old Master Chen. A letter from home requested his consultation. Upon arrival, Old Master Chen prescribed: Yinhua (Flos Lonicerae Japonicae) and Juhua (Flos Chrysanthemi Indici) 30g each, Xian Dideng (Viola Herba cum Radice) 120g, Sheng Gancao (Raw Licorice Root) 15g (named Sanhua Yin / Three-Flower Drink). One dose showed significant effect, and three doses led to recovery. Due to my inherent frailty, when I was in my teens, I occasionally caught a cold. Symptoms included coughing, pulling pain in the hypochondrium exacerbated by turning, twisting, or deep breathing, alternating chills and fever occurring dozens of times a day, each episode lasting minutes. During attacks, my back felt like cold water was poured on it, instantly followed by a burning sensation. Modifications of Xiaochaihu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) were ineffective. Bedridden and unable to eat, my late master diagnosed me and prescribed Xiangfu Xuanshenhua Tang (Cyperi Rhizoma and Inula Flower Decoction) from *Wenbing Tiaobian* (Systematic Differentiation of Warm Diseases). After taking it, I vomited about a bowl of sticky saliva. Half a day later, the chills, fever, and hypochondriac pain disappeared. Later, I contracted another external pathogen with cough and profuse sputum, causing pulling pain in the chest. Liu'an Jian (Six-An Decoction) was ineffective. Switching to Xiangfu Xuanshenhua Tang also failed. Several subsequent formula changes were unsuccessful, and the illness worsened. Breathing and movement pulled at the chest causing pain; lying supine, I could not move slightly. Panting and wheezing were present, with thick, sticky sputum resembling syrup strands, stuck at the mouth requiring manual removal. Within seven days, my spirit was exhausted, nearing death. My late master diagnosed this as Phlegm-Heat injuring Body Fluids, with Dry Phlegm obstructing the airway. This aligns with Tang Rongchuan's statement: "When Upper Jiao Blood deficiency and Fire excess occur, Body Fluids are refined and condensed into Phlegm, causing the Lung to wither, leading to cough, reverse Qi, fever, and thick, sticky obstruction. This occurs because Blood deficiency fails to nourish the Heart, causing Heart Fire to flourish and suppress Lung Metal, preventing Body Fluids from dispersing, thus condensing into Phlegm." It should be treated with Huotan Wan (Phlegm-Expelling Pill). He prepared Huotan Wan as a decoction. Since Bamboo Juice (Zhuli) was unavailable late at night, Radish Juice (Laifu Zhi) was used temporarily. After two doses, there was no progress. After dawn, several bowls of Bamboo Juice were prepared. Huotan Wan was decocted again, mixed half with herbal juice and half with Bamboo Juice. The first dose was taken at 3 PM, the second at dusk. By midnight, phlegm decreased, panting and chest pain lessened, and I could turn over. After the third dose, symptoms significantly reduced the next morning. The phlegm in the chest disappeared invisibly, neither vomited nor purged, and hunger returned. Continuing the formula for one more dose allowed me to stand holding the bed; two days later, I could go out. Switching to formulas tonifying both Qi and Yin and regulating the Spleen and Stomach led to complete recovery. Based on my late master's experience, I use Huotan Wan to treat acute bronchitis, acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, pneumonia, especially pulmonary infections following abdominal surgeries presenting with cough, reverse Qi, throat discomfort, thick sticky sputum, difficult expectoration, chest tightness, panting, dry mouth wanting to drink, choking on water, red dry tongue, yellow greasy coating, and slippery rapid weak pulse, achieving good results. (For details, refer to "Experience of Chen Dingsan and Jiang Erxun in Using Huotan Wan to Rescue Critical Cases of Phlegm-Heat Injury to Fluids and Airway Obstruction," *Henan TCM*, Issue 2, 1982.)
Hearing is inferior to seeing; seeing is inferior to doing.
When my late master mentored apprentices in clinical practice, he emphasized the integration of theory, principles, formulas, and herbs. Most valuable was his habit of reviewing and summarizing with students the same evening after consultations, explaining difficulties. He frequently cited classics, combined them with reality, shared his insights, and never hoarded his decades of hard-won clinical experience ("passing through and touching pulses"). He feared students would not learn enough. Whenever encountering difficult or strange cases, he always used joint master-apprentice discussions to inspire and improve students' ability in pattern differentiation and treatment. My late master had a strong memory and excelled at using actual cases to explain classics, strengthening students' understanding and memorization. Through vivid clinical verification of classics, he often sparked intense interest in otherwise dry theories among students.
Liu Xiang of the Western Han Dynasty stated in *Shuo Yuan · Zhengli*: "Hearing is inferior to seeing; seeing is inferior to practicing." My late master centered his teaching on this principle, often elevating students' theoretical understanding to a breakthrough level through actual clinical cases. This left a profound impression not only on his students but also on colleagues and junior scholars who interacted with him. Mr. Chen Zefang, Vice President of the Jiajiang County Medical and Health Association and a renowned local TCM physician, is one such example. Mr. Zhou XX in Jiajiang County suffered from a Warm Disease. Onset was sudden; after two days of high fever and sweating, he suddenly developed incessant diarrhea, cold limbs, profuse sweating like pearls, confusion, flushed cheeks, occasional restlessness, closed eyes, and weak breathing. Family members were devastated, preparing for funerals while urgently requesting my late master. Pulse was undetectable in all six positions. Diagnosis: Decline of Primordial Yang, Life Fire about to extinguish. Emergency large-dose Yang-returning and rescue prescription (Baitong Tang added with Pig Bile Soup, Fupian/Aconite processed lateral root used up to one tael). After one dose, Yang returned, diarrhea stopped, pulse appeared, and limbs warmed. The next day, panting, cough, profuse sputum, white slippery tongue coating, and chest fullness appeared. Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang (Perilla Fruit Descending Qi Decoction) combined with Sanzi Yang Qin Tang (Three Seeds Nourishing Parents Decoction) was prescribed. This combination seemed strange because Baitong Tang for warming Yang and rescuing collapse is hard for the Shifang school to accept. If effective, why change to a Qi-descending, Phlegm-resolving, pantle-relieving formula? After this formula, cough and panting subsided. Then, dribbling painful urination, thirst, irritability, red tongue body, thin yellow coating appeared. Zhongjing's Zhu Ling Tang (Polyporus Decoction) was prescribed. Finally, due to dry mouth and tongue, bright red tongue body, scant coating, nausea, poor appetite, and fine rapid pulse, Zhuye Shigao Tang (Leaf and Gypsum Decoction) was used to conclude treatment. This disease lasted ten days under my late master's care, with four formula changes, yielding remarkable efficacy. Local doctors praised it endlessly but were puzzled. Mr. Chen Zefang asked for the reason. My late master explained: TCM treatment must consider Heaven's timing, Earth's geography, Constitution, and Pathogenic Factors, weighing them comprehensively to determine priority. Mr. Zhou was elderly with Kidney deficiency, accustomed to rich, greasy foods, constituting a Kidney-deficient and Spleen-dampness type. External Warm Pathogen attacked swiftly; vigorous Fire consumed Qi severely in this constitution, leading immediately to Yang collapse. Thus, Baitong Tang was not treating the disease but rescuing the collapse. When Yang slightly recovered, Phlegm-Dampness in Middle and Upper Jiao moved, so Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang was used to relieve panting, resolve Cold Phlegm, and warm Kidney Yang. Since the pathogen was ultimately Warm, once Phlegm-Dampness cleared, Water-Heat intermingling and Internal Heat injuring Yin patterns of Zhu Ling Tang emerged. This pattern confirmed the recovery of Kidney Yang and loosening of Water-Dampness, hence good efficacy. The condition quickly shifted to the common late-stage Warm Disease pattern of Zhuye Shigao Tang, concluding the cure. Mr. Chen Zefang still recalls my late master's voice and presence vividly, feeling deep emotion.
Only with Virtue Governing Talent Can One Be a Good Physician.
My late master's noble medical ethics were widely praised. He despised fame and profit, neglected household affairs, and devoted himself tirelessly to curing diseases, reading, and educating. Even at eighty, he rushed on house calls, responding to all requests regardless of remuneration. Visiting poor families, he often waived fees and gifted medicines. His son, retired senior TCM physician Mr. Chen Mingqiang, spoke of his father's "two attentions and two inattentions": Reading and treating patients were most attended to. Whenever free, he read, loving books like life until past eighty, despite severe myopia (over 1500 degrees), never putting down a book. Only two years before death, blinded, did he reluctantly put books aside. Regarding fee amounts, food quality, and household matters, he was least attentive, never worrying about them.
Throughout his life, my late master detested drug merchants seeking profit and quacks who relied solely on pulse diagnosis to deceive people. Although skilled in pulse diagnosis, he insisted on the sequence of Inspection, Auscultation/Olfaction, Inquiry, and Palpation, paying special attention to Inquiry, placing Palpation last. He sighed that many misunderstood Palpation as merely pulse-taking. He often used his index finger to touch the dryness, moisture, roughness, or slipperiness of the tongue coating to supplement Inspection; he loved feeling the thickness, roughness, temperature of the skin and Chi region, the strength of the Xuli area, and pressing the chest and abdomen as common Palpation methods. He jokingly said: "Heart, Liver, Spleen, Lung, Kidney—no one asks everywhere; Heart, Liver, Spleen, Lung, Ren (Kidney)—selling silver coins everywhere." Critiquing quackery and low medical ethics. Therefore, wherever he diagnosed, he promoted health knowledge and popularized medical principles. In the preface of *Chinese Medical Common Sense*, he wrote: "Everyone must have medical common sense, so positively one can maintain health, and negatively recover safety after illness." He did extensive work popularizing medical knowledge. Accepting new things quickly, for example, in 1952, when vaccination started in Leshan, many masses refused. He led by injecting himself, influencing the public positively.
My late master highly valued medical ethics, believing both ethics and skills affect treatment quality and outcome. Their relationship should be virtue governing talent. He agreed with Qing dynasty famous physician Wu Jutong: "All things in the world succeed through talent but are governed by virtue. Without talent, virtue cannot be formed; without virtue to govern talent, talent becomes arrogant and destructive, failing completely." He believed this brilliantly elucidated the relationship between skill and ethics. Facing critical illnesses, he often quoted Sun Simiao: "Do not look forward or backward, worry about fortune or misfortune, protect oneself or cherish life. Seeing others' suffering as your own, deeply empathizing, do not avoid danger, weather, or fatigue. Save them wholeheartedly, without calculating effort or appearance. Only thus can one be a Great Physician for the People; otherwise, one is a great thief of living beings." He used this to admonish students and encourage himself. He spoke and acted accordingly. Rarely sitting in a clinic, he mostly made house calls, leaving footprints in Emei Mountain, Xikang, etc.
Sensing that most patients he visited suffered from bad conditions (Huai Zheng) and adverse states (Ni Zheng) due to mistreatment, he wrote diligently based on clinical insights, distributing works to colleagues and patients to cure both patients and physicians. He authored *Yixue Tanyuan* (Exploring the Source of Medicine), six volumes, meaning returning to simplicity from complexity and knowing the source of disease. During the Anti-Japanese War, Guo Moruo returned to Leshan and personally inscribed the title for this book. It served as a textbook for his apprentices. Additionally, he wrote *Chinese Medical Common Sense*, *Discussion on Abdominal and Epigastric Pain*, *Chaihu Jijie* (Collected Explanations of Bupleurum), etc., still cherished by TCM practitioners in various counties.
Side Notes on Cao Bingzhang's Scholarly Approach
Chen Tianyang, Cao Youhua
[Biography of Cao Bingzhang] Cao Bingzhang (1878–1956), courtesy name Chidian, also known as Binzhang, Linsheng, from Shaoxing, Zhejiang (originally Yinxian, Zhejiang). Studied under famous physicians Fang Xiaoan and He Lianchen, but mainly self-taught. Rigorous scholarship, profound attainments. Busy with clinical duties, he diligently compiled, annotated, supplemented, and revised over 400 works, influencing the TCM community. Served as Honorary Director of Central National Medical Hall, Director of Zhejiang National Medical Branch, Chairman of Shenzhou Medical Quanzhao Branch, and Honorary Director of Physicians Guilds in Singapore, Thailand, etc. Concurrently honorary editor and contributor to over twenty domestic and international TCM journals. After liberation, served as CPPCC member of Shaoxing City, Editor-in-Chief of *Zhejiang TCM Monthly*, etc.
Mr. Cao was quiet and studious since childhood, diligent beyond measure, but due to poverty, attended private school intermittently for only two years. At fourteen (1892), he traveled to Shaoxing with his father Xianqing to make a living, entering a pharmacy to study, beginning his medical career.
Loving books like treasure all his life, claiming "Rich in Books, Poor in Home."
When entering the pharmacy as an apprentice, he was in his youth, eager to learn. Daytime busy dispensing medicine and settling accounts, nighttime was his prime time for reading. Over four years, he meticulously studied and memorized botanical monographs like *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), *Bencao Gangmu* (Compendium of Materia Medica), *Xinxiu Bencao* (Newly Revised Materia Medica), *Bencao Congxin* (Essentials of Materia Medica), often conducting field investigations of medicinal plants outdoors.