北平沦陷后，人不自由，连挂钟也不自由1日本侵略者规定中国人要按日本时间把锺拨快一小时。我想，在中国的国土上，难道中国人都不能按照中国的时间生活了吗?我开设的诊室里的挂钟，就硬是不拨，结果被汉奸狗腿子发现，一进诊所，便把挂钟摔碎了。他们一走，我又重新买了一个挂钟，照样按照中国时间拨好，挂在墙上。后来又被摔掉了一次，我再次买了个新挂钟。当时，眼看国土沦陷，国难当头，作为一个中国人，我的心情非常忧闷。我盼呀，盼呀，盼望抗战胜利。认为胜利后，口子可能好过些。谁知道，「强盗前面走，豺狼后脚跟」。在国民党统治下，生活更是艰难。地痞流氓到诊所闹事，敲榨勒索，无所不为，再加上物价飞涨，生活毫无保障……在这种日子里，我心灰意冷，虽未满五十，却深感垂暮之年已到，于是，就拄起拐杖来了。
一九四九年十月一日，中华人民共和国成立，五星红旗庄严地升起在天安门广场。毛主席、党中央制定了一系列中医方针、政策，中医药事业获得了新生，宝贵的祖国医药学遗产得到很好的继承和发扬。北平一解放，人民政府就发给我中医师证书，我的工作也受到国家和人民的重视。一九五一年，北京各界人民响应抗美援朝总会号召，纷纷订出拥军优属公约或计划。我主动提出愿意免费给患病的烈军属诊疗，受到政府登报表扬。在北京中医医院成立之前，我先后被聘请为北京市中医第二门诊部、中央皮肤性病研究所、和平医院和北京医院的中医顾问，半日参加集体工作。在皮研所，我和西医同道商定共同搞湿疹、牛皮癣、神经性皮炎等三个病种的研究。西医同道提出：牛皮癣并无真菌，称其为癣，不太合适。我说；「中医有牛皮癣之名，指皮损坚如牛领之皮而言，并无【临床上大量脱屑之实，治法亦不相同。」我认为，牛皮癣与古代文献所记载「白疙」相吻合。「疙」字从其字形结构看，是病字头上加上一个匕首的匕字，如同匕首刺入皮肤，以示病程的缠绵日久。经中西医认真研讨，始知中医所谓牛皮癣实际上指西医的神经性皮炎，西医所指的牛皮癣也不是中医所称的六癣之列。后来，我们取得一致意见，认为命名银屑病较为贴切。这件事虽小，却使我回想起一件往事。那是在解放前，北京医院是德国人办的。有一次，一位病人的家属请我去医院诊病。但那时，这所医院规定不准中医进病房。因此，我只好与病人家属一起，作为探视病人的亲友进去，趁大夫，护士不在时，偷偷为病人诊脉，回来后再开方，病人也得偷偷敷药吃药。对比之下，不胜感慨。
一九五五年，经卫生部傅连障同志介绍我给朱德委员长看病，见到了敬爱的周总理。周总理态度和蔼，平易近人，亲切地和我握手，嘱咐我，给首长看病要：安全有效，中西医结合，积极谨慎，与病人商量。周总理温暖的手，像一股暖流，使我感到激动周总理的亲切指示，给了我勇往直前的力量。我觉得自己心明眼亮，力量倍增，从此以后，拐杖也就自然而然地扔到一边去了。
经验不带走
一九五六年，北京第一所中医医院建立，我是第一批参加医院工作的老中医。在党的中医政策感召下，我离开了苦心经营多年的医馆，投身到伟大祖国社会主义建设的行列中。当时；我把自己开业时的部分药材、器械和备够五问房子的柁、木、檩、架全部捐献出来，略表自己挚诚之心。为此，政府还授予我二百元奖金。
参加医院工作后，使我有机会接受更多的教育和帮助，为更多的劳动人民解除病痛。我觉得自己心胸开阔了，视野宽广了，精力充沛了。新旧社会对比，真是天地之别，』是党和毛主席拯救了奄奄一息的中医药事业，给我们中医指出了光明大道。这时，尽管我的工作空前繁忙，但我越干劲头越足，越活越有奔头。
我知道，自己的政治觉悟和工作能力都很差，对人民的贡献微不足道，但是党和人民却给予我很高的荣誉和政治上的鼓励。我曾先后被选为北京市人大代表、政协代表、全国人大代表，担任过北京中医医院副院长兼皮外科主任、北京市中医研究所所长、北京第二医学院中医系教授等职务。尤使我难忘的是曾多次见到了伟大领袖毛主席、朱委员长、周总理。
我常想，我只是个普通的回族老中医，来自底层人民，我所知道的一点医学知识和临床经验也来源于实践，来源于人民，理应把自己学到的技术毫无保留地献给人民。于是，我把保留多年的所有数据和手稿拿出来，把点滴心得体会说出来。例如，应用银花、生地烧成炭，清解血分的毒热，是我多年来摸索出来的治疗经验，用于临床取得了较好的效果。俗话讲「外科不治癣，治癣便丢脸。」这句话固然反应了皮肤病难达速愈，但也从另一方面说明对于皮肤病治疗办法不多。我想，皮肤疮疡虽形于外，而实发于内。没有内乱，不得外患。皮肤病损的变化与阴阳之平衡，卫气营血之调和，脏腑经络之通畅息息相关。因此，我和同志们一起，从疾病的整体观念出发，从治疗难度较大的皮外科疾患入手，开展了对红斑性狼疮、自赛氏病、慢性瘘管和溃疡的研究工作，初步取得进展。
在总结经验过程中，我们从一个个病种入手。凡是跟我学过的医生，都把自己保存的有效病例，以及我讲解过的心得体会的笔记集中起来，然后我再逐个分析当时的主导思想，把同类的经验归纳起来，找出它们的共性和每个病倒的特殊性。对于每味药，每个处方和每一段叙述，我们都认真研究修改，并且本着实事求是的态度，既总结成功的经验，也总结失败的教训，使后学者少走弯路。一九七五年，大家帮助我把过去几十年的临床经验加以总结，出版了一率《赵炳南临床经验集》。全书约有三十万字，共收病种五十一个，病例一百三十七例，介绍了三种特殊疗法及多年来行之有效的经验方、常用方，较为系统地反映出我的实际经验，获全国科学大会奖。近年来，我年老体弱，身体欠安，难以胜任门诊的繁忙业务。我就采用录音方式，讲一点，录一点，然后根据录音材料整理成文。这是一种快速、准确、省力的方法，有利于经验的整理和传授。此外，我还在同志们的协助下，将有较好疗效的十个常见病整理成计算器语言，编好程序，输入电子计算器，备日后的临床、教学、科研应用。我认为，整理、继承工作，老中医责无旁贷，应该采取积极主动的态度，把自己在实践中积累的知识全部拿出来，那怕是一点一滴，也能聚砂成塔。
我常爱说两句话；「知识不停留，经验不带走。」知识不停留，就是说，虽然我已经八十三岁，行医一甲子，还要活到老、学到老、千到老，还要钻研，还要攀登，还要挖掘，』还要创新，决不能在现有的经验上停留。经验不带走，就是说，把我的点滴经验和体会要毫无保留地献给党和人民，传绘青年一代，绝不带进坟墓。
几点希望我经常收到各方面的来信，其中许多是有志子从事中医工作的青年人，他们希望我能谈谈个人的看法和体会。借此机会，我想说几句不成熟的话。
(一)熟读王叔和，不如临证多书不可不读，对于一些中医经典医籍，不但要读，有的还要能背，但希望同志们不要钻进书堆里出不来。要重视临床，多认症、多实践。我年青时，根本不知道累，上午看病百余人，下午出诊,晚上睡在医馆，整天和病人打交道，以后虽说年岁大了，也坚持门诊，坚持会诊，从不脱离临床。只有见得多，认症准才能辨析识病严谨，立法遣药切中，对疑难大症做到心中有数。
(二)寻师认能，博采众方要善于学习，不仅向书本学，向老师学，还要向病人学，向民间学。我自己的经验中，有很多是向别人学来的。比如熏药疗法是在我早年行医时，看见一位老太太用草纸燃烟熏治顽癣(神经性皮炎)，引起了我的注意。查阅古书中也有类似这方面的记载。于是我加以改革，临床治疗很多皮外科疾患，取得很好疗效。叉如，一位头面部白驳风(白癜风)的患者，同时伴有头皮瘙痒、脱屑、头油多。我让他用透骨草煎水洗疗。数天后，白驳风如旧，但用来洗头却收到意想不到的去油止痒效果。我从病人主诉中受到启发，以后拟定了透骨草洗方专以治疗发蛀脱发病(脂溢性脱发)。
(三)千年的字会说话要善于保存、总结临床资料，日积月累，相当可观。不要忽视只言片纸，有了新的思路，要及时记录在案。俗话讲「好记性不如烂笔头』，文字比记忆更加可靠。至今，我还存有一些二十年代的资料，闲暇时翻阅一下当时治好病人的感谢证明书，对回忆病例颇为有益。
(四)慢走强过站古语讲；「学如逆水行舟，不进则退。」做学问要持之以恒，不怕慢，就怕站。停止不前，满足于现成的经验，必将一事无成。我常给青年人讲龟兔竞走的故事，勉励他们不断长足，有所进步。
(五)宁可会而不用，不可用而不会俗话讲，「艺不压身」。凡有用的知识，都要用心学，现在不用，以后可能有它的用场。希望年青人珍惜大好时光，多学一些有益的知识，多掌握一些操作技巧。
为四化贡献晚年
一九八0年底，我大病一场，生平第一次住进了医院。在院、所领导的亲切关怀和医务人员精心医护下，我很快好转出院，目前小休一段，待体健复元，争取做些力所能及的工作。
我知道，年岁大了，身体的各部件也不那么灵活了。就身体的健康而言，六十岁的人，』一年不如一年}七十岁的人，一月不如一月，八十岁的人，一天不如一天。对这种新陈代谢的必然，我内心感到十分平静。所感欣慰的是：我的记忆力还不错，腿脚还算灵便。我愿意在耄耋之年，抓紧有限时间，扎扎实实地做点经验整理工作，为祖国的四个现代化贡献出我的晚年。
(张志札孙在原邓丙成陈凯整理)
【作者简介】赵绍琴(1916～)，北京市人。出身于世医家庭，曾祖父、祖父均为清代御医。父亲赵文魁，字友琴，系清光绪二卡午御医，光绪三十年任太医院院使(院长)。本人早年就学予御医瞿文楼、韩一斋及北京四大名医之一汪逢春先生。毕生致力干中医临床和教学研究，长予湿温及内科杂病。主要著作有《温病纵横》、《赵绍琴临床四百法》、《临床脉诊》等。
我出身子一个中医世家的家庭，先父赵文魁老先生原系清代光绪年间太医院院使(即院长)，尤精于内、难、温病、伤搴。平生忙于诊务，很少著述，耳濡目染，我从小就酷爱祖国医学，自幼即在先父指导下背诵了《濒湖脉学》、《雷公药性解》、《医宗金鉴·四诊心法》等，这算是我学医的启蒙教育。
十三岁时，先父委托其门人瞿文楼先生(清光绪年问太医院吏且)给我讲授(《内经》、《难经》、《伤寒论》、《金匮要略》、《温病条辨》、《温热经纬》等经典著作。先生要求严格，所讲述的科目不少都由瞿老亲自手抄交我背诵(有的手抄本我现仍保存)。如《素问》，瞿老不仅要求领会其意，且要求背诵原文及王冰注。自幼家学及瞿老四年多的讲授，奠定了我中医理论的基础。
一九三四年，先父去世，我遂继承父业，并每日轮流到韩一斋(先父之门人，清末太医院御医)及汪逢春(1920～1940年北京四大名医之一)先生处进行临床学习，聆听教诲。韩、汪先生治学严谨，学识渊博，态度谦和，诲人不倦。讲解经典，博引众籍，多参以己见；论及病症，侃侃而谈，必深究其理。临证问病，认真细致，一丝不苟。望闻问切，理法方药，条理井然。其言谈音容，犹历历在目，然至今已忽忽五十年矣!现仅将能回忆起的跟诸老学习情况及诸老教诲择其精要者，并略附个人体会述之于后，备同志们参考。
瞿文楼先生(1891～1957)，名书源，河北新城人，以一等一名毕业于清太医院医学馆。后为太医院恩粮(有薪金的实习医生)、八品吏目(相当于住院医师)，民国后在北京行医，为北京著名老中医。
先生中医理论造诣很深，且擅长书文。临证问病，有独特见解。瞿老讲述经文，不仅深入浅出，并常验之于临床。临床看病，强调要细心、全面。先生尝说：「冶病求本，详诊细参，辨色看舌，务在精细。」一次一贵妇人，来瞿老处看病，等候既久，瞿老诊脉竟有四、五分钟之余，妇人见先生慢条斯理，又不问病家之苦痫，心中不悦，怒气外形于色。不料瞿老则指其右胁下问道：「这里痛有多长时间了?」妇人怒容顿失，笑着应声道：「老先生，我右胁痛已三年多了，沈阳、天津、上海等地全都看过，今天正是为这病来的。」先生详诊细察，料病如神。
北平沦陷后，人们失去了自由，连挂钟也不得自由。日本侵略者规定中国人必须将钟表拨快一小时以符合日本时间。我想，在中国的土地上，难道中国人不能按照中国的时间生活吗？我开设的诊室里的挂钟，坚持不拨动，结果被汉奸狗腿子发现，一进诊所就把挂钟摔碎了。他们走后，我又重新买了一个挂钟，照样按照中国时间拨好挂在墙上。后来又被摔掉了一次，我再次买了个新挂钟。当时，眼看国土沦陷，国难当头，作为一个中国人，我的心情非常忧闷。我盼呀，盼呀，盼望抗战胜利。认为胜利后，日子可能好过些。谁知道，“强盗前面走，豺狼后脚跟”。在国民党统治下，生活更是艰难。地痞流氓到诊所闹事，敲诈勒索，无所不为，再加上物价飞涨，生活毫无保障……在这种日子里，我心灰意冷，虽未满五十，却深感垂暮之年已到，于是，就拄起拐杖来了。
一九四九年十月一日，中华人民共和国成立，五星红旗庄严地升起在天安门广场。毛主席、党中央制定了一系列中医方针、政策，中医药事业获得了新生，宝贵的祖国医药学遗产得到很好的继承和发扬。北平一解放，人民政府就发给我中医师证书，我的工作也受到国家和人民的重视。一九五一年，北京各界人民响应抗美援朝总会号召，纷纷订出拥军优属公约或计划。我主动提出愿意免费给患病的烈军属诊疗，受到政府登报表扬。在北京中医医院成立之前，我先后被聘请为北京市中医第二门诊部、中央皮肤性病研究所、和平医院和北京医院的中医顾问，半日参加集体工作。在皮研所，我和西医同道商定共同搞湿疹（Eczema）、牛皮癣（Psoriasis）、神经性皮炎（Neurodermatitis）等三个病种的研究。西医同道提出：牛皮癣并无真菌，称其为癣，不太合适。我说：“中医有牛皮癣之名，指皮损坚如牛领之皮而言，并无【临床上大量脱屑之实，治法亦不相同。”我认为，牛皮癣与古代文献所记载“白疕”相吻合。“疕”字从其字形结构看，是病字头上加上一个匕首的匕字，如同匕首刺入皮肤，以示病程的缠绵日久。经中西医认真研讨，始知中医所谓牛皮癣实际上指西医的神经性皮炎，西医所指的牛皮癣也不是中医所称的六癣之列。后来，我们取得一致意见，认为命名银屑病较为贴切。这件事虽小，却使我回想起一件往事。那是在解放前，北京医院是德国人办的。有一次，一位病人的家属请我去医院诊病。但那时，这所医院规定不准中医进病房。因此，我只好与病人家属一起，作为探视病人的亲友进去，趁大夫、护士不在时，偷偷为病人诊脉，回来后再开方，病人也得偷偷敷药吃药。对比之下，不胜感慨。
一九五五年，经卫生部傅连障同志介绍我给朱德委员长看病，见到了敬爱的周总理。周总理态度和蔼，平易近人，亲切地和我握手，嘱咐我，给首长看病要：安全有效，中西医结合，积极谨慎，与病人商量。周总理温暖的手，像一股暖流，使我感到激动。周总理的亲切指示，给了我勇往直前的力量。我觉得自己心明眼亮，力量倍增，从此以后，拐杖也就自然而然地扔到一边去了。
经验不带走
一九五六年，北京第一所中医医院建立，我是第一批参加医院工作的老中医。在党的中医政策感召下，我离开了苦心经营多年的医馆，投身到伟大祖国社会主义建设的行列中。当时，我把自己开业时的部分药材、器械和备够五间房子的椽、木、檩、架全部捐献出来，略表自己挚诚之心。为此，政府还授予我二百元奖金。
参加医院工作后，使我有机会接受更多的教育和帮助，为更多的劳动人民解除病痛。我觉得自己心胸开阔了，视野宽广了，精力充沛了。新旧社会对比，真是天地之别，是党和毛主席拯救了奄奄一息的中医药事业，给我们中医指出了光明大道。这时，尽管我的工作空前繁忙，但我越干劲头越足，越活越有奔头。
我知道，自己的政治觉悟和工作能力都很差，对人民的贡献微不足道，但是党和人民却给予我很高的荣誉和政治上的鼓励。我曾先后被选为北京市人大代表、政协代表、全国人大代表，担任过北京中医医院副院长兼皮外科主任、北京市中医研究所所长、北京第二医学院中医系教授等职务。尤使我难忘的是曾多次见到了伟大领袖毛主席、朱委员长、周总理。
我常想，我只是个普通的回族老中医，来自底层人民，我所知道的一点医学知识和临床经验也来源于实践，来源于人民，理应把自己学到的技术毫无保留地献给人民。于是，我把保留多年的所有数据和手稿拿出来，把点滴心得体会说出来。例如，应用银花、生地烧成炭，清解血分的毒热，是我多年来摸索出来的治疗经验，用于临床取得了较好的效果。俗话讲“外科不治癣，治癣便丢脸。”这句话固然反应了皮肤病难达速愈，但也从另一方面说明对于皮肤病治疗办法不多。我想，皮肤疮疡虽形于外，而实发于内。没有内乱，不得外患。皮肤病损的变化与阴阳之平衡，卫气营血之调和，脏腑经络之通畅息息相关。因此，我和同志们一起，从疾病的整体观念出发，从治疗难度较大的皮外科疾患入手，开展了对红斑性狼疮、白塞氏病、慢性瘘管和溃疡的研究工作，初步取得进展。
在总结经验过程中，我们从一个个病种入手。凡是跟我学过的医生，都把自己保存的有效病例，以及我讲解过的心得体会的笔记集中起来，然后我再逐个分析当时的主导思想，把同类的经验归纳起来，找出它们的共性和每个病例的特殊性。对于每味药，每个处方和每一段叙述，我们都认真研究修改，并且本着实事求是的态度，既总结成功的经验，也总结失败的教训，使后学者少走弯路。一九七五年，大家帮助我把过去几十年的临床经验加以总结，出版了一部《赵炳南临床经验集》。全书约有三十万字，共收病种五十一个，病例一百三十七例，介绍了三种特殊疗法及多年来行之有效的经验方、常用方，较为系统地反映出我的实际经验，获全国科学大会奖。近年来，我年老体弱，身体欠安，难以胜任门诊的繁忙业务。我就采用录音方式，讲一点，录一点，然后根据录音材料整理成文。这是一种快速、准确、省力的方法，有利于经验的整理和传授。此外，我还在同志们的协助下，将有较好疗效的十个常见病整理成计算器语言，编好程序，输入电子计算器，备日后的临床、教学、科研应用。我认为，整理、继承工作，老中医责无旁贷，应该采取积极主动的态度，把自己在实践中积累的知识全部拿出来，哪怕是一点一滴，也能聚砂成塔。
我常爱说两句话：“知识不停留，经验不带走。”知识不停留，就是说，虽然我已经八十三岁，行医一甲子，还要活到老、学到老、干到老，还要钻研，还要攀登，还要挖掘，还要创新，决不能在现有的经验上停留。经验不带走，就是说，把我的点滴经验和体会要毫无保留地献给党和人民，传给青年一代，绝不带进坟墓。
几点希望我经常收到各方面的来信，其中许多是有志于从事中医工作的青年人，他们希望我能谈谈个人的看法和体会。借此机会，我想说几句不成熟的话。
(一)熟读王叔和，不如临证多书不可不读，对于一些中医经典医籍，不但要读，有的还要能背，但希望同志们不要钻进书堆里出不来。要重视临床，多认症、多实践。我年青时，根本不知道累，上午看病百余人，下午出诊，晚上睡在医馆，整天和病人打交道，以后虽说年岁大了，也坚持门诊，坚持会诊，从不脱离临床。只有见得多，认症准才能辨析识病严谨，立法遣药切中，对疑难大症做到心中有数。
(二)寻师认能，博采众方要善于学习，不仅向书本学，向老师学，还要向病人学，向民间学。我自己的经验中，有很多是向别人学来的。比如熏药疗法是在我早年行医时，看见一位老太太用草纸燃烟熏治顽癣(神经性皮炎)，引起了我的注意。查阅古书中也有类似这方面的记载。于是我加以改革，临床治疗很多皮外科疾患，取得很好疗效。又如，一位头面部白驳风(白癜风)的患者，同时伴有头皮瘙痒、脱屑、头油多。我让他用透骨草煎水洗疗。数天后，白驳风如旧，但用来洗头却收到意想不到的去油止痒效果。我从病人主诉中受到启发，以后拟定了透骨草洗方专以治疗发蛀脱发病(脂溢性脱发)。
(三)千年的字会说话要善于保存、总结临床资料，日积月累，相当可观。不要忽视只言片纸，有了新的思路，要及时记录在案。俗话讲“好记性不如烂笔头”，文字比记忆更加可靠。至今，我还存有一些二十年代的资料，闲暇时翻阅一下当时治好病人的感谢证明书，对回忆病例颇为有益。
(四)慢走强过站古语讲：“学如逆水行舟，不进则退。”做学问要持之以恒，不怕慢，就怕站。停止不前，满足于现成的经验，必将一事无成。我常给青年人讲龟兔竞走的故事，勉励他们不断长足，有所进步。
(五)宁可会而不用，不可用而不会俗话讲，“艺不压身”。凡有用的知识，都要用心学，现在不用，以后可能有它的用场。希望年青人珍惜大好时光，多学一些有益的知识，多掌握一些操作技巧。
为四化贡献晚年
一九八0年底，我大病一场，生平第一次住进了医院。在院、所领导的亲切关怀和医务人员精心医护下，我很快好转出院，目前小休一段，待体健复元，争取做些力所能及的工作。
我知道，年岁大了，身体的各部件也不那么灵活了。就身体的健康而言，六十岁的人，一年不如一年；七十岁的人，一月不如一月；八十岁的人，一天不如一天。对这种新陈代谢的必然，我内心感到十分平静。所感欣慰的是：我的记忆力还不错，腿脚还算灵便。我愿意在耄耋之年，抓紧有限时间，扎扎实实地做点经验整理工作，为祖国的四个现代化贡献出我的晚年。
(张志礼 孙在原 邓丙成 陈凯 整理)
【作者简介】赵绍琴(1916～)，北京市人。出身于世医家庭，曾祖父、祖父均为清代御医。父亲赵文魁，字友琴，系清光绪二十年御医，光绪三十年任太医院院使(院长)。本人早年就学于御医瞿文楼、韩一斋及北京四大名医之一汪逢春先生。毕生致力于中医临床和教学研究，长于湿温及内科杂病。主要著作有《温病纵横》、《赵绍琴临床四百法》、《临床脉诊》等。
我出身于一个中医世家的家庭，先父赵文魁老先生原系清代光绪年间太医院院使(即院长)，尤精于内、难、温病、伤寒。平生忙于诊务，很少著述，耳濡目染，我从小就酷爱祖国医学，自幼即在先父指导下背诵了《濒湖脉学》、《雷公药性解》、《医宗金鉴·四诊心法》等，这算是我学医的启蒙教育。
十三岁时，先父委托其门人瞿文楼先生(清光绪年间太医院吏目)给我讲授《内经》、《难经》、《伤寒论》、《金匮要略》、《温病条辨》、《温热经纬》等经典著作。先生要求严格，所讲述的科目不少都由瞿老亲自手抄交我背诵(有的手抄本我现仍保存)。如《素问》，瞿老不仅要求领会其意，且要求背诵原文及王冰注。自幼家学及瞿老四年多的讲授，奠定了我中医理论的基础。
一九三四年，先父去世，我遂继承父业，并每日轮流到韩一斋(先父之门人，清末太医院御医)及汪逢春(1920～1940年北京四大名医之一)先生处进行临床学习，聆听教诲。韩、汪先生治学严谨，学识渊博，态度谦和，诲人不倦。讲解经典，博引众籍，多参以己见；论及病症，侃侃而谈，必深究其理。临证问病，认真细致，一丝不苟。望闻问切，理法方药，条理井然。其言谈音容，犹历历在目，然至今已忽忽五十年矣!现仅将能回忆起的跟诸老学习情况及诸老教诲择其精要者，并略附个人体会述之于后，备同志们参考。
瞿文楼先生(1891～1957)，名书源，河北新城人，以一等一名毕业于清太医院医学馆。后为太医院恩粮(有薪金的实习医生)、八品吏目(相当于住院医师)，民国后在北京行医，为北京著名老中医。
先生中医理论造诣很深，且擅长书文。临证问病，有独特见解。瞿老讲述经文，不仅深入浅出，并常验之于临床。临床看病，强调要细心、全面。先生尝说：“治病求本，详诊细参，辨色看舌，务在精细。”一次一贵妇人，来瞿老处看病，等候既久，瞿老诊脉竟有四、五分钟之余，妇人见先生慢条斯理，又不问病家之苦痛，心中不悦，怒气外形于色。不料瞿老则指其右胁下问道：“这里痛有多长时间了?”妇人怒容顿失，笑着应声道：“老先生，我右胁痛已三年多了，沈阳、天津、上海等地全都看过，今天正是为这病来的。”先生详诊细察，料病如神。
After the fall of Beiping, people lost their freedom; even wall clocks were not free. The Japanese invaders stipulated that Chinese people must set their clocks one hour ahead to conform to Japanese time. I thought, on Chinese soil, could Chinese people not live according to Chinese time? The wall clock in my clinic stubbornly remained unadjusted. Consequently, when a traitor's lackey discovered this and entered the clinic, he smashed the clock. After they left, I bought another clock, set it to Chinese time again, and hung it on the wall. It was smashed once more, so I bought a new one. At that time, witnessing the loss of territory and national crisis, as a Chinese person, I felt deeply depressed. I hoped and hoped for the victory of the War of Resistance Against Japan, believing that life might improve after victory. Who knew that "when the bandits pass first, the jackals follow behind." Under the rule of the Kuomintang, life became even harder. Thugs caused trouble in the clinic, extorted money, and committed all sorts of evil deeds, compounded by soaring prices and a complete lack of livelihood security... In such days, I became disheartened. Although not yet fifty, I felt old age had arrived, so I began using a cane.
On October 1, 1949, the People's Republic of China was founded, and the Five-Star Red Flag rose solemnly over Tiananmen Square. Chairman Mao and the Party Central Committee formulated a series of policies for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), granting new life to TCM and ensuring the good inheritance and development of the precious heritage of Chinese medicine. Upon the liberation of Beiping, the People's Government issued me a certificate as a TCM practitioner, and my work gained recognition from the state and the people. In 1951, responding to the call of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce for supporting the army and preferential treatment for families of martyrs and servicemen, people from all sectors in Beijing drew up conventions or plans. I voluntarily offered to provide free diagnosis and treatment for wounded soldiers and families of martyrs, receiving public commendation in government newspapers. Before the establishment of the Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, I was successively hired as a TCM consultant for the Second Outpatient Department of TCM in Beijing, the Central Institute for Dermatology and Venereology, Heping Hospital, and Beijing Hospital, participating in collective work for half a day. At the Dermatology Research Institute, Western and TCM colleagues agreed to jointly research three diseases: Eczema (Shizhen), Psoriasis (Niupixuan), and Neurodermatitis (Shenjingxing Piyanyan). Western colleagues pointed out that Psoriasis involves no fungi, so calling it a "tinea" (Xuan) is inappropriate. I said, "TCM has the name 'Niupixuan,' referring to skin lesions hard like ox hide, without the clinical reality of massive desquamation, and the treatment methods are different." I believed that Niupixuan corresponds to "Bai Bi" recorded in ancient literature. The character "Bi" consists of the disease radical with a dagger-like shape on top, resembling a dagger piercing the skin, indicating a lingering and chronic course. Through serious discussion between TCM and Western medicine, we realized that what TCM calls Niupixuan actually refers to Western neurodermatitis, and what Western medicine calls Psoriasis does not belong to the six types of tinea in TCM. Later, we reached a consensus that naming it Psoriasis (Yinxiebing) was more appropriate. Though small, this incident reminded me of a past event. Before liberation, Beijing Hospital was run by Germans. Once, a patient's family asked me to diagnose them at the hospital. However, the hospital rules prohibited TCM practitioners from entering wards. Therefore, I had to enter as a relative visiting the patient along with the family member, secretly taking the pulse while doctors and nurses were absent, prescribing herbs afterwards, and the patient had to take the medication secretly. Comparing the two eras, I couldn't help but feel emotional.
In 1955, introduced by Comrade Fu Lianzhang of the Ministry of Health, I treated Chairman Zhu De and met the beloved Premier Zhou Enlai. Premier Zhou was amiable and approachable, shook my hand warmly, and advised me that treating leaders should ensure safety and efficacy, integrate TCM and Western medicine, be active and cautious, and consult with patients. Premier Zhou's warm hand felt like a stream of warmth, moving me deeply. His kind instructions gave me the strength to move forward bravely. I felt clear-minded and energized, doubling my strength. From then on, I naturally threw away my cane.
Experience Not Taken Away
In 1956, Beijing's first TCM hospital was established, and I was among the first batch of senior TCM practitioners to join. Inspired by the Party's TCM policies, I left the clinic I had painstakingly managed for years and joined the ranks of socialist construction in our great motherland. At that time, I donated part of my medicinal materials, instruments, and even the beams, wood, purlins, and frames sufficient for five rooms from my private practice, merely to express my sincere heart. For this, the government awarded me a bonus of 200 yuan.
Joining the hospital work gave me opportunities for further education and assistance, allowing me to relieve pain and illness for more working people. I felt my mind broaden, my vision widen, and my energy surge. Comparing the old and new societies, it was indeed a world of difference. It was the Party and Chairman Mao who saved the dying TCM career and pointed out a bright path for us TCM practitioners. At this time, although my work was unprecedentedly busy, my enthusiasm grew stronger, and I felt more purposeful in life.
I know my political awareness and work ability are poor, and my contribution to the people is negligible, yet the Party and people have given me high honors and political encouragement. I was successively elected as a representative to the Beijing Municipal People's Congress, the Political Consultative Conference, and the National People's Congress. I served as Vice President of Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine concurrently Director of Dermatology and Surgery, Director of the Beijing Institute of TCM, and Professor of the TCM Department of Beijing Second Medical College. Most unforgettable were my multiple meetings with Great Leader Chairman Mao, Chairman Zhu, and Premier Zhou.
I often think that I am just an ordinary elderly Hui TCM practitioner from the grassroots. The little medical knowledge and clinical experience I possess come from practice and the people. I ought to dedicate the skills I learned to the people without reservation. Thus, I brought out all data and manuscripts preserved for many years and shared my insights. For example, burning Jin Yin Hua (Lonicerae Japonicae Flos) and Sheng Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix) into charcoal to clear toxic heat from the Blood level was an experience I explored over many years, yielding good results in clinical application. As the saying goes, "Surgery does not treat tinea; treating tinea brings shame." This reflects the difficulty of achieving rapid cure for skin diseases but also indicates a lack of effective treatments. I believe that although skin ulcers manifest externally, they originate internally. Without internal disorder, there is no external aggression. Changes in skin lesions are closely related to the balance of Yin and Yang, the harmony of Wei Qi (Defensive Qi), Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi), and Blood, and the smooth flow of Zang-Fu organs and meridians. Therefore, together with colleagues, starting from the holistic concept of disease and tackling difficult dermatological conditions, we conducted research on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Behcet's Disease, chronic fistulas, and ulcers, achieving preliminary progress.
In summarizing experiences, we started with individual diseases. Doctors who studied under me gathered their effective cases and notes of my explanations. I then analyzed the guiding thoughts at the time, categorized similar experiences, and identified commonalities and specificities of each case. We carefully studied and revised every herb, prescription, and narrative section. Adhering to a realistic attitude, we summarized both successful experiences and failures to help future learners avoid detours. In 1975, with everyone's help, I summarized decades of clinical experience, publishing *Zhao Bingnan's Clinical Experience Collection*. The book contains about 300,000 words, covering 51 diseases and 137 cases, introducing three special therapies and effective empirical formulas used over the years, systematically reflecting my practical experience, and winning the National Science Conference Award. In recent years, due to old age and frailty, I find it difficult to handle the busy outpatient workload. I adopted a recording method, speaking and recording bit by bit, then organizing the recordings into text. This is a fast, accurate, and labor-saving method conducive to organizing and transmitting experience. Additionally, with colleagues' assistance, I organized ten common diseases with good curative effects into calculator language, programmed them, and input them into electronic calculators for future clinical, teaching, and research applications. I believe that organizing and inheriting work is the responsibility of senior TCM practitioners. We should adopt a proactive attitude, bringing out all knowledge accumulated in practice. Even a drop can accumulate into a tower.
I often say two sentences: "Knowledge does not stay static; experience is not taken away." Knowledge does not stay static means that although I am eighty-three years old and have practiced medicine for sixty years, I must continue to live, learn, and work until the end. I must still study, climb, explore, and innovate, never stagnating on existing experience. Experience is not taken away means that I will dedicate my bits of experience and insights to the Party and people without reservation, passing them to the younger generation, never taking them to the grave.
A Few Hopes
I frequently receive letters from various quarters, many from young people aspiring to engage in TCM work, hoping I share my views and insights. Taking this opportunity, I would like to offer some immature thoughts.
(1) Reading Wang Shuhe thoroughly is inferior to extensive clinical practice. Books must be read. For some classic TCM texts, not only must they be read, but some must be memorized. However, I hope comrades do not get trapped in piles of books. Emphasize clinical practice, recognize more syndromes, and practice more. When I was young, I never knew fatigue. I saw over a hundred patients in the morning, made house calls in the afternoon, slept in the clinic at night, and dealt with patients all day. Even as I aged, I persisted in outpatient clinics and consultations, never detaching from clinical practice. Only by seeing much and recognizing syndromes accurately can one rigorously analyze and identify diseases, prescribe laws and herbs precisely, and have a clear head regarding difficult major illnesses.
(2) Seek capable teachers, collect prescriptions widely. Be good at learning, not only from books and teachers but also from patients and folk sources. Many of my own experiences were learned from others. For instance, the smoke fumigation therapy caught my attention when I saw an old woman using burning straw paper to fumigate stubborn tinea (neurodermatitis) early in my practice. Consulting ancient texts revealed similar records. I reformed this method and achieved excellent results in treating many dermatological and surgical diseases clinically. Similarly, a patient with Bai Bo Feng (Vitiligo) on the head and face, accompanied by scalp itching, scaling, and excessive oil, was instructed to wash his hair with decocted Tou Gu Cao (Phlomiris umbrosa). After several days, the vitiligo remained unchanged, but washing his hair yielded unexpected results in removing oil and relieving itching. Inspired by the patient's report, I later formulated the Tou Gu Cao Wash Formula specifically for treating Fa Zhu Tuo Fa Bing (Seborrheic Alopecia).
(3) Millennia-old words speak. Be good at preserving and summarizing clinical data; accumulation over time yields considerable results. Do not ignore scraps of paper. Record new ideas promptly. As the saying goes, "A bad pen is better than a good memory"; written words are more reliable than memory. To this day, I still keep some materials from the 1920s. Reviewing thank-you certificates from cured patients during leisure time is very helpful for recalling cases.
(4) Slow progress is better than standing still. Ancient wisdom says, "Learning is like sailing against the current; not advancing means retreating." Scholarship requires perseverance. Do not fear slowness, only fear stopping. Stagnating and being satisfied with existing experience leads to nothing. I often tell young people the story of the tortoise and the hare racing, encouraging them to make continuous progress.
(5) Better to know and not use, than to need and not know. The proverb says, "Skills do not weigh you down." Learn all useful knowledge diligently. Even if not used now, it may be useful later. I hope young people cherish their prime years, learn beneficial knowledge, and master operational skills.
Contributing My Twilight Years to the Four Modernizations
At the end of 1980, I fell seriously ill and was hospitalized for the first time in my life. With the caring concern of hospital and institute leaders and meticulous nursing care, I improved quickly and was discharged. Currently, I am resting for a short period. Once my health recovers, I strive to do work within my capacity.
I know that as one ages, body parts become less flexible. Regarding health, a sixty-year-old declines year by year; a seventy-year-old month by month; an eighty-year-old day by day. I feel calm about this inevitable metabolism. What comforts me is that my memory is still decent, and my legs and feet are reasonably agile. I am willing, in my octogenarian years, to seize limited time to solidly organize experiences and contribute my twilight years to the four modernizations of our motherland.
(Organized by Zhang Zhili, Sun Zaiyuan, Deng Bingcheng, Chen Kai)
Diligent Reading and Continuous Practice: Remembering Mr. Qu Wenlou, Han Yizhai, and Wang Fengchun
Zhao Shaoqin, Professor, Beijing College of Traditional Chinese Medicine; Director, Teaching and Research Office of Warm Diseases
[Author Profile] Zhao Shaoqin (1916–), from Beijing. Born into a family of hereditary physicians, his great-grandfather and grandfather were imperial physicians in the Qing Dynasty. His father, Zhao Wenkui, courtesy name Youqin, was an imperial physician in the 20th year of Guangxu and served as the Director of the Imperial Medical Bureau in the 30th year. He studied early in life under imperial physicians Qu Wenlou, Han Yizhai, and Wang Fengchun, one of the Four Famous Physicians of Beijing. He dedicated his life to TCM clinical and teaching research, specializing in Wet-Warm diseases and internal miscellaneous diseases. Major works include *Wenbing Zongheng*, *Zhao Shaoqin's 400 Clinical Methods*, and *Clinical Pulse Diagnosis*.
I was born into a family of hereditary TCM practitioners. My late father, Mr. Zhao Wenkui, was the Director of the Imperial Medical Bureau during the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty, particularly skilled in Nei Jing, Nan Jing, Warm Diseases, and Shang Han Lun. Busy with clinical duties throughout his life, he rarely wrote. Influenced by him since childhood, I developed a deep love for Chinese medicine. Guided by my father from a young age, I memorized *Binhu Maixue* (Pulse Studies of Binhu), *Leigong Yaoxingjie* (Explanation of Materia Medica by Leigong), and *Yizong Jinjian · Sizhen Xinfa* (Essential Mirror of Medical Sage · Heart Method of Four Diagnostic Methods), which constituted my enlightenment education in medicine.
At thirteen, my father entrusted his disciple, Mr. Qu Wenlou (a Clerk of the Imperial Medical Bureau in the Guangxu reign), to teach me classics such as *Nei Jing*, *Nan Jing*, *Shanghan Lun*, *Jingui Yaolue*, *Wenbing Tiaobian*, and *Wenre Jingwei*. The requirements were strict; many subjects taught were personally handwritten by Mr. Qu for me to memorize (I still preserve some handwritten copies). For *Suwen*, Mr. Qu required not only understanding the meaning but also memorizing the original text and Wang Bing's annotations. My early family education and Mr. Qu's lectures over more than four years laid the foundation for my TCM theory.
In 1934, my father passed away, and I inherited his profession. I rotated daily to study clinically under Mr. Han Yizhai (my father's disciple and a late Qing imperial physician) and Mr. Wang Fengchun (one of the Four Famous Physicians of Beijing from 1920–1940), listening to their teachings. Mr. Han and Mr. Wang were rigorous in scholarship, knowledgeable, humble, and tireless in teaching. When explaining classics, they cited extensively and added their own views; when discussing diseases, they spoke confidently and probed deeply into principles. In clinical inquiries, they were careful, detailed, and meticulous. Their observation, listening, inquiry, and pulse-taking, along with their logical prescription methods, were orderly. Their conversations and expressions remain vivid in my mind, though fifty years have passed! Here, I select the essentials of my learning experiences with these elders and their teachings, adding personal insights for reference.
Mr. Qu Wenlou (1891–1957), named Shuyuan, was from Xincheng, Hebei. He graduated first in his class from the Medical School of the Imperial Medical Bureau. He later served as an Imperial Medical Bureau paid intern (Enliang) and an Eighth-Rank Clerk (equivalent to a resident physician). After the Republic of China was founded, he practiced in Beijing and became a famous senior TCM practitioner.
Mr. Qu had profound TCM theoretical attainments and excelled in calligraphy and writing. In clinical inquiries, he had unique insights. When explaining scriptures, Mr. Qu was both accessible and profound, often verifying theories clinically. In clinical practice, he emphasized carefulness and comprehensiveness. He often said, "Treating disease seeks the root; detailed diagnosis and careful reference, observing complexion and tongue, must be precise." Once, a noblewoman came to see Mr. Qu. After waiting a long time, Mr. Qu took her pulse for over four or five minutes. Seeing him slow and deliberate, and not asking about her suffering, she became displeased, her anger showing on her face. Unexpectedly, Mr. Qu pointed to her right hypochondrium and asked, "How long have you had pain here?" Her angry expression vanished, and she smiled, replying, "Old gentleman, I have had right hypochondriac pain for over three years. I have seen doctors in Shenyang, Tianjin, Shanghai, etc., and today I came specifically for this illness." Mr. Qu's detailed diagnosis and examination were prophetic.