唐银青光禄大夫持节邺郡诸军事兼守刺史上柱国
清源县开国伯王焘撰
昔者农皇之治天下也，尝百药，立九候，以正阴阳之变诊，以救性命之昏扎，俾厥土
宇用能康宁，广矣哉。洎周之王，亦有冢卿，格于医道，掌其政令，聚毒药以供其事焉，岁
终稽考而制其食，十全为上，失四下之。我国家率由兹典，动取厥中，置医学，颁良方，亦
所以极元气之和也。夫圣人之德，又何以加于此乎？故三代常道，百王不易，又所从来者远
矣。自雷、岐、仓、缓之作，彭、扁、华、张之起，迨兹厥后，仁贤间出，岁且数千，方逾
万卷，专车之不受，广厦之不容，然而载祀绵远，简编亏替，所详者虽广，所略者或深，讨
简则功倍力烦，取舍则论甘忌苦，永言笔削，未暇尸之。
余幼多疾病，长好医术，遭逢有道，遂蹑亨衢，七登南宫，两拜东掖，便繁台阁二十余
载，久知弘文馆图籍方书等，繇是睹奥升堂，皆探其秘要。以婚姻之故，贬守房陵，量移大
宁郡，提携江上，冒犯蒸暑，自南徂北，既僻且陋，染瘴婴 ，十有六七，死生契阔，不可
问天，赖有经方仅得存者，神功妙用，固难称述，遂发愤刊削，庶几一隅。凡古方纂得五六
十家，新撰者向数千百卷，皆研其总领，核其指归，近代释僧深、崔尚书、孙处士、张文仲
、孟同州、许仁则、吴升等十数家，皆有编录，并行于代，美则美矣，而未尽善。何者？各
擅风流，递相矛盾，或篇目重杂，或商较繁芜。今并味精英，钤其要妙，俾夜作昼，经之营
之，捐众贤之砂砾，掇群才之翠羽，皆出入再三，伏念旬岁，上自炎昊，迄于圣唐，括囊遗
阙，稽考隐秘，不愧尽心焉。
客有见余此方曰∶嘻，博哉！学乃至于此邪？余答之曰∶吾所好者寿也，岂进于学哉？
至
于遁天倍情，悬解先觉，吾常闻之矣。投药治疾，庶几有瘳乎？又谓余曰∶禀生受形，咸有
定分，药石其如命何？吾甚非之，请论其目。夫喜怒不节，饥饱失常，嗜欲攻中，寒温伤外
，如此之患，岂由天乎？夫为人臣，为人子，自家刑国，由近兼远，何谈之容易哉？则圣人
不
合启金滕，贤者曷为条玉版，斯言之玷，窃为吾子羞之。客曰∶唯唯。呜呼！齐梁之间，不
明医术者，不得为孝子，鲁、闵之行，宜其用心。若不能精究病源，深探方论，虽百医守疾
，众药聚门，适足多疑，而不能一愈之也。主上尊贤重道，养寿祈年，故张、王、李等数先
生继入，皆钦风请益，贵而遵之，故鸿宝金匮、青囊绿帙，往往而有，则知日月所照者远，
圣人所感者深，至于啬神养和、休老补病者，可得闻见也。余敢采而录之，则古所未有，今
并缮缉，而能事毕矣。若乃分天地至数，别阴阳至候，气有余则和其经渠以安之，志不足则
补其复溜以养之，溶溶液液，调上调下。吾闻其语矣，未遇其人也。不诬方将，请俟来哲。
其方凡四十卷，名曰《外台秘要方》，非敢传之都邑，且欲施于后贤，如或询谋，亦所不隐
是岁天宝十一载，岁在执徐，月之哉生明者也。
唐代银青光禄大夫、持节邺郡诸军事兼守刺史上柱国、清源县开国伯王焘撰写。
从前神农氏治理天下时，亲自品尝各种药物，确立九候诊法，以纠正阴阳变化的诊断方法，来挽救性命于昏乱危急之中，使百姓的土地疆域能够安康宁静，这真是伟大啊！到了周朝的王室，也有担任冢卿（古代官名，掌管国家政务）的大臣，精通医道，掌管相关的政令，收集毒药以供医疗使用。年终时考核成绩，制定俸禄等级，治疗痊愈十例为上等，失误四例为下等。我大唐朝廷遵循这一典章制度，行动取其中正之道，设立医学机构，颁布优良方剂，这也是为了达到元气和谐的目的。圣人的德行，又怎么能超过这个呢？所以夏商周三代的常道，历代君王都不改变，由来已经很久了。自从雷公、岐伯、仓公、缓公的著作出现，彭祖、扁鹊、华佗、张仲景等人兴起，直到此后，仁人贤士相继出现，年代长达数千年，方书超过万卷，堆积起来连专车都装不下，宽敞的房屋也容纳不了。然而岁月久远，书籍散佚残缺，虽然记载详尽的内容很多，但被忽略或简略的内容或许更深奥。探讨竹简则费力多而功效少，取舍之间则喜好甘甜而忌讳苦涩，长久以来想要删改编撰，却无暇亲自承担此事。
我小时候多病，长大后喜爱医术，恰逢有道之世，于是步入仕途，七次参加科举考试进入南宫（指礼部或朝廷），两次在东掖门任职（指在翰林院或宫廷任职）。在台阁机构繁忙地工作了二十多年，长期知晓弘文馆中的图书典籍和医方书籍，因此得以窥见深奥，登堂入室，探求其中的秘要。因为婚姻的缘故，被贬谪去守住房陵，后调任到大宁郡，携带家眷沿江而上，冒着蒸腾的暑气，从南往北，地处偏僻且简陋，感染瘴气生病的人有十分之六七，生死离别，无法问天。幸好有流传下来的经方勉强保存下来，其神妙功效实在难以尽述，于是我发愤刊刻删削，希望能呈现其中一部分内容。凡是古方的汇编得到五六十个家的著作，新撰写的接近数千百卷，我都研究它们的总纲，核实它们的主旨。近代如释僧深、崔尚书、孙处士、张文仲、孟同州、许仁则、吴升等十几位名家，都有编纂记录，并在当时流行，美好是美好，但未尽善尽美。为什么呢？各自擅长不同的风格，互相矛盾，有的篇章题目重复繁杂，有的比较繁琐芜杂。现在我将品味其中的精华，控制其要点，日夜辛勤劳作，经营编撰，抛弃众贤的砂砾，选取群才的翠羽，反复推敲，沉思一年之久，上自炎帝黄帝时代，下到当今圣唐，囊括遗漏缺失，考证隐秘细节，无愧于尽心竭力。
有位客人看见我的这部方书说：“嘻，真渊博啊！学问竟然达到这种地步吗？”我回答他说：“我所喜好的是长寿罢了，哪里是为了追求学问呢？至于顺应自然、加倍情感、像解开倒悬一样先觉先知，我常常听说了。”“投药治病，也许能有疗效吧？”客人又说：“禀受生命、形成形体，都有既定的命运，药物又能对命运怎么样呢？”我非常不赞同他的观点，请让我论述其中的道理。如果喜怒没有节制，饥饱失常，嗜欲攻伐中焦，寒温损伤体表，这样的病患，难道是上天造成的吗？作为臣子，作为儿子，从家庭教化到国家，由近及远推广，谈论起来怎么如此容易呢？那么圣人为什么不打开金滕（藏书的金属柜子），贤者为什么要分条记录玉版（刻字的玉片）呢？这种言论的瑕疵，我私下为您的浅薄感到羞愧。客人说：“是的，是的。”唉！齐梁之间，如果不通晓医术，就不能被称为孝子，鲁国闵子骞的行为，应该用心效仿。如果不能精究病源，深入探究方论，即使有一百个医生守护疾病，众多的药物聚集在门口，也只足以增加疑惑，而不能治愈一种病啊。皇上尊重贤才重视医道，保养寿命祈求延年，所以张、王、李等几位先生相继入宫，都钦佩他们的风范请教益处，尊贵并遵循他们，所以鸿宝金匮、青囊绿帙（指珍贵的医书）往往存在，由此可知日月照耀的地方很远，圣人感化的程度很深，至于爱惜精神、调养和气、养老补病的方法，是可以听闻见到的。我敢采集并记录这些内容，这是古代所没有的，现在一并整理编辑，能事就完毕了。至于分辨天地至极之数，辨别阴阳至极之候，气有余则调和其经渠穴以安顿它，志不足则补益其复溜穴以滋养它，溶溶液液，调理上下。我只听说过这些话，却没有遇到过这样的人。不欺骗将来的人，请等待后来的哲人。
这部方书共四十卷，名叫《外台秘要方》，不敢说要在都市中传播，只想施用于后世的贤才，如果有人咨询谋议，我也不隐瞒。这一年是天宝十一年，岁星在执徐之年，月亮开始明亮的时候。
Written by Wang Tao, Silver-Qing Guanglu Daifu (Grand Master of Silver and Green Light), Holder of the Jie (Imperial Credential) for Military Affairs of Ye Commandery, Acting Prefect, Shangzhuguo (Highest Noble Title), Duke of Qingyuan County, Opened State.
In ancient times, when Shennong (Divine Farmer) governed the world, he tasted hundreds of herbs, established the Nine Pulse Diagnoses (Jiu Hou), to rectify the diagnosis of Yin-Yang changes, thereby saving lives from confusion and peril, enabling the people's lands and dwellings to be healthy and peaceful. How vast this was! When the Zhou Dynasty reigned, there were also High Ministers (Zhongqing) who mastered the Way of Medicine, managed its administrative orders, gathered toxic substances to supply their duties. At the end of each year, they conducted assessments to determine their salaries: ten cures out of ten were considered superior, while four failures out of ten were considered inferior. Our Tang Dynasty follows these classics, acting with moderation, establishing medical institutions, and promulgating excellent prescriptions, which is also a means to achieve the harmony of Primordial Qi (Yuan Qi). How could the virtue of sages exceed this? Thus, the constant way of the Three Dynasties has not changed among hundred kings, having originated from a distant past. Since the works of Lei Gong, Qibo, Cang Gong, and Huan Gong appeared, and Peng Zu, Bian Que, Hua Tuo, and Zhang Zhongjing rose up, until thereafter, benevolent and worthy figures emerged intermittently over thousands of years, with prescriptions exceeding ten thousand volumes, so numerous that even large carts could not hold them and grand halls could not contain them. However, as time passed, bamboo slips and books were lost or damaged; although detailed records were extensive, profound aspects might have been overlooked. Exploring old texts requires double effort for half the result; in selection, one prefers sweet theories and fears bitter ones. For a long time, I desired to edit and compile, but lacked the leisure to take charge.
I suffered from frequent illnesses in my childhood and loved medicine in my adulthood. Encountering an era of Dao, I entered the path of success, passing the imperial examinations seven times at the Southern Palace (Nangong), and serving twice at the Eastern Porch (Dongye - referring to court service). For over twenty years, amidst the busy affairs of the government offices, I became well-acquainted with the collections and medical books in the Hongwen Academy. Thus, I penetrated the profound mysteries and entered the hall, exploring their secrets. Due to marriage circumstances, I was demoted to guard Fangling, later transferred to Daning Commandery. Carrying my family along the river, braving the steaming heat, traveling from south to north, in a remote and humble place, I contracted miasma and fell ill; six or seven out of ten died or survived in separation, unable to question Heaven. Fortunately, surviving classical prescriptions remained. Their divine efficacy and wondrous uses are hard to describe. Thus, I resolved to publish and edit, hoping to present a corner of this knowledge. I compiled about fifty-six schools of ancient prescriptions and nearly thousands of volumes of new compilations. I studied their general principles and verified their intentions. Recent masters such as Monk Shenshen, Minister Cui, Retired Scholar Sun, Zhang Wenzhong, Meng Tongzhou, Xu Renze, Wu Sheng, and more than ten others, all had compilations circulating in their times. They were beautiful, yet not perfect. Why? Each excelled in different styles, contradicting one another; some chapters were repetitive and complex, others verbose and messy. Now, I taste the essence, control the key points, working day and night, managing the compilation, discarding the gravel of many sages, picking the emerald feathers of talents. After repeated deliberation and pondering for a year, covering from Yan Di and Huang Di down to the Holy Tang, gathering omissions, verifying secrets, I feel no shame in having done my utmost.
A guest seeing this prescription book said: "Ha! How erudite! Has learning reached such a height?" I replied: "What I love is longevity, not merely advancing in learning. As for escaping nature, doubling emotions, and having premonitions like untying a hanging suspension, I have heard of it." "Does administering medicine to treat diseases perhaps bring recovery?" The guest added: "Receiving life and forming shape, all have fixed destinies. What can herbs and stones do against fate?" I strongly disagree with this view and wish to discuss the points. If anger and joy are unregulated, hunger and fullness irregular, desires attack the center, and cold/heat injure the exterior, are such ailments caused by Heaven? As a subject or a son, transforming the family to govern the state, extending from near to far, how easy is it to talk about? Then why did Sages not open the Golden Cabinet (Jinteng)? Why did worthies not list the Jade Slabs (Yuban)? This stain in speech, I privately feel ashamed on your behalf. The guest said: "Yes, yes." Alas! Between Qi and Liang dynasties, those who did not understand medicine could not be called filial sons. The conduct of Min Ziqian in Lu should be earnestly followed. If one cannot meticulously investigate the source of disease and deeply explore prescription theories, even if a hundred doctors guard the illness and medicines gather at the door, it only increases doubt and cannot cure a single disease. The Emperor respects the worthy and values the Dao, nurturing life and praying for longevity. Thus, Mr. Zhang, Mr. Wang, Mr. Li, and other predecessors entered the court successively. Everyone admired their demeanor and sought improvement, honoring and following them. Therefore, precious books like Hongbao Jinkui and Qingnang Luzhi often exist. Thus we know that where the sun and moon shine is far, and what the Sage influences is deep. Regarding preserving spirit, nourishing harmony, retiring the elderly, and supplementing illness, these can be heard and seen. I dare to collect and record them. This is unprecedented in antiquity; now I compile them, and my task is complete. As for distinguishing the ultimate numbers of Heaven and Earth, differentiating the ultimate signs of Yin and Yang, if Qi is excessive, harmonize Jingqu (Excessive Point of Lung Meridian) to calm it; if Will (Zhi) is deficient, tonify Fuliu (Water Point of Kidney Meridian) to nourish it. Dissolving fluids, adjusting upper and lower. I have heard these words, but have not met such a person. Not deceiving the future, I await coming philosophers.
This collection consists of forty volumes, named *Waitai Miyao Fang* (Secret Essentials from the Imperial Library). I do not dare to spread it in the capital cities, but intend to benefit future worthies. If anyone consults me, I will not hide anything. This year is Tianbao 11th Year, the year of Zhexu (Snake), when the moon begins to brighten.