All medicines differ in their drying or moistening properties, and in their purity or coarseness. They must first be processed, selected, roasted, and dried before being weighed. However, when using Crotonis Fructus (Baidu), this is not the case; it should be weighed first and then processed and selected.

When "Crotonis Fructus Frost" (Badoushuang) is mentioned, it should be used according to the specified proportion.

The preparation methods of ancient prescriptions were mostly detailed in the introductory examples. Now, to facilitate easy reference during clinical practice, and because one herb may have different preparation methods, annotations are provided under each prescription.

In the Wu region, two liang were considered equal to one liang; in the Sui dynasty, three liang were considered equal to one liang. Currently, we use the new standard system of jin and liang as the rule. Whenever "equal parts" (Dengfen) is stated, it means that regardless of the quantity, the weight of each ingredient must be exactly the same.

The capacity of sheng and dou differed between ancient and modern times. Generally, three ancient sheng equaled one modern sheng. For water measurements in prescriptions mentioned in sheng or he, the current standard uses a medium-sized cup (Zhuan). This aligns with common usage and avoids confusion regarding quantities. Similarly, for other substances such as wine, vinegar, milk, and honey, where sheng or he are mentioned, they should also be measured by the cup.

Women's diseases, except for those related to pregnancy, postpartum conditions, blood wind, and blood qi, along with miscellaneous diseases and disorders of the ears, eyes, mouth, and nose, are no different from men's. These should be treated according to symptoms within their respective categories.

Children's diseases are generally similar to adults', except that the dosage of medicine is slightly smaller. Apart from the dedicated sections for pediatric treatments, if there are insufficient details, one can extrapolate and adjust dosages from adult prescriptions.

Humans rely on food for nourishment. Therefore, when treating illness, dietary therapy should be attempted first, as food can expel pathogens and protect the Chong Qi (Penetrating Vessel Qi). Only if dietary therapy fails should medication be prescribed, which is a measure of last resort.

Acupuncture points are determined based on the Bronze Man Classic (Tongren Jing) and cross-referenced with the Huangdi Sanbu Zhenjiu Jing (Yellow Emperor's Three Categories of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Classic). They are organized by meridians. Key points for treating specific diseases are extracted and listed by category. Contraindications and needling techniques are appended at the end of the volume for ease of clinical discussion.

Discussions on medical prescriptions originate from antiquity. Having been in use for a long time, textual errors and omissions have occurred, leading to the transmission of mistakes which became customary. Recently, an imperial edict was issued expressing concern that some prescription books and drug methods had deviated from ancient standards or were incomplete. For instance, what the Neijing (Inner Canon) described as Biyuan (Nasal Sinusitis) is now referred to as Qingti (Clear Nasal Discharge); Rouke (Muscular Numbness) is understood as Buren (Insensitivity); Laofeng (Labor-induced Wind) is seen as Fengre (Wind-Heat); and Xunxie (Incomplete Digestion Diarrhea) is classified as Xieli (Diarrhea). Regarding matters differing from antiquity, the Neijing treated Xueku (Blood Depletion) with Ocutis Sepiae (Cuttlefish Bone), Yangjue (Yang Reversal) with Tieluo (Iron Filings), Guzhang (Distension) with Jishili (Chicken Dropping Wine), and Pidan (Spleen Heat) with Lancao (Orchid-like Herbs). These were not clearly explained in later generations, representing the so-called incompleteness. We now list these omissions and errors and correct them. Supplementary materials are placed at the beginning of the chapter, and formulas for various diseases are listed in their respective disease categories.
[Note: The original text here lists general supplementary discussions for 62 syndromes including Jianjue (see the table of contents at the beginning of the volume). However, in later reproductions, these general discussions were incorporated into the relevant sections of subsequent volumes. Thus, the supplementary section here actually duplicates the following content and has been deleted.]