岁甲戌，予守毗陵，得一士，柯子心斋。其先世浙慈人也，家传忠浓，多业医者，令祖
锦堂
家学，隐识为远到材，迄今二十载矣。一衿潦倒，蹭蹬场屋，岂其爱博而不专欤？顾多才者
多艺，不相妨也，遇合会有时耳。予患头风，访医仰药，无纤毫之效。心斋诊予脉，乃云治
病不求其本，真为头痛治头。缘制一方，却与所患不相涉，服后痛渐愈，不啻陈琳之檄。及
见伊芳令伯德修所刻《理虚元鉴》，因知心斋制方之意之所由来也。德修柯君，虽未晤言，其
学业之渊博，已于所订者窥见一斑。且是书沉埋剥蚀，历有年所，当世不知有是书，即见之
，谁复知为绮石作者。今柯君不掠美，以付剞劂，参订而表彰之，更可见其用心之浓矣。噫！
学固贵崇其本，业必有待乎时，不独医道也。是为序。
时乾隆三十六年岁次辛卯嘉平月闽中陈焱晋亭氏题于姑苏署次
余年未三十，获交柯君德修，今六十有九矣。君业医，余喜地学，辄谈论天下技术。地
关一
地误廿载后，医误旦夕间耳。君天姿颖敏，幼就塾同学，分授经，悉耳熟背诵，故潜心医学
，得深造焉。本世医，复从明师指授，探源溯流，广搜博记，多购未见书，《理虚元鉴》，
其一也。君于疑难症立辨，制方不停睫，案简当，老医摄服。入都，名大振，医院诸人避席
。太原守病邀入幕，山右抚司以下，咸以扁、卢目之。君善导引，长余数岁，健食如虎咽，
步履捷于少壮人。余日就衰颓，每以屏俗，缘毋懈系功为最。君之邃于医，不但贯串诸家，
得于静悟者尤多，来余家剧谈不厌，延治者急甚，久之乃去。今欲刻《理虚元鉴》公诸世，
余四十余年知己，述其概，弁诸简端。
乾隆三十六年岁次辛卯三月朔日牛毛道人华杰撰
乾隆甲戌年，我在毗陵任职时，结识了一位读书人，名叫柯心斋。他的祖先是浙江慈溪人，家族世代传承忠厚浓烈的家风，多从事医学行业。他的祖父柯锦堂深知家学渊源，认为心斋是能够成就远大事业的人才，这已经是二十年前的事了。然而心斋作为一个秀才，生活潦倒，在科举场上屡试不第，难道是因为他爱好广泛而不能专精吗？况且多才的人往往多艺，这两者并不冲突，只是机遇和时机尚未到来罢了。
我当时患有头风病（慢性头痛），四处寻访医生服药治疗，却毫无疗效。心斋为我诊脉后说，治病如果不探求根本，那就是真正的“头痛医头”。于是为我制定了一个方子，这个方子与我所患的病看似没有直接关联，但我服用后疼痛逐渐痊愈，效果之好，简直就像陈琳的檄文治好了曹操的头风一样。后来我见到了由他伯父柯德修刻印的《理虚元鉴》，这才明白心斋制方用意的来源。柯德修先生，虽然我没有当面与他交谈，但从他所校订的书籍中，已经可以窥见他学识渊博的一斑。而且这本书长期被埋没并遭受剥蚀损坏，历经多年，当时的人不知道有这本书，即使看到了，又有谁知道这是汪绮石（绮石）所著呢？如今柯君不贪占功劳，将书交付刻印，并参与校订表彰它，更可见其用心之深厚。唉！学问固然崇尚探究根本，事业必然有待于时机，这不仅仅适用于医学之道。为此作序。
时间是乾隆三十六年岁次辛卯嘉平月（农历十二月），闽中陈焱晋亭氏题写于苏州官署。
我不到三十岁时，有幸结识柯德修君，如今我已经六十九岁了。柯君从事医学，我喜欢地理学，我们经常谈论天下的技术。地理上的错误影响的是土地，可能要过二十年才会显现；而医学上的错误影响的是生命，只在旦夕之间。柯君天资聪颖敏锐，小时候与我一同在私塾求学，分科讲授经书时，他都耳熟能详并能背诵，因此他潜心研究医学，得以深入钻研。他出身于世医家庭，又跟随明师指点传授，探求源头追溯流变，广泛搜集并博闻强记，购买了许多未曾见过的书籍，《理虚元鉴》就是其中之一。柯君对于疑难病症能立即辨别，制定方剂果断迅速，病历记录简洁得当，连老练的医生都佩服折服。他进入京城后，名声大振，医院里的其他人都对他避席致敬。太原太守生病邀请他入幕府，山西巡抚以下官员，都把他比作扁鹊、卢医那样的高医。柯君擅长导引术，年纪比我大几岁，但饮食健壮如猛虎吞食，步履矫健胜过年轻人。我日益衰老颓废，常常以远离世俗为务，因为我认为不懈怠地致力于功业最为重要。柯君医术精深，不仅贯通各家学说，从静默领悟中得到的更多。他来我家畅谈不知疲倦，前来延请他治病的人非常急切，他停留很久才离开。现在他想刻印《理虚元鉴》公之于众，作为四十多年的知己，我叙述他的概况，写在书的开头。
时间是乾隆三十六年岁次辛卯三月初一，牛毛道人华杰撰写。
In the Jiaxu year of Qianlong, while serving in Piling, I met a scholar named Ke Xinzhai. His ancestors were from Cixi, Zhejiang. His family had passed down a tradition of loyalty and generosity for generations, with many members practicing medicine. His grandfather, Jin Tang, recognized the depth of their family learning and identified Xinzhai as someone capable of achieving great things, which was twenty years prior. However, as a shengyuan (degree holder), Xinzhai lived in poverty and failed repeatedly in the imperial examinations. Was it because he loved too many pursuits and could not focus? Yet, those who are talented often possess multiple skills, which do not necessarily conflict; it is merely a matter of timing and opportunity.
I was suffering from Toufeng (chronic headache) and sought various physicians and medicines, but achieved no effect whatsoever. After examining my pulse, Xinzhai remarked that treating disease without seeking its root is truly "treating the head when the head hurts." He then prescribed a formula that seemed unrelated to my condition at first glance. However, after taking it, my pain gradually subsided, with an efficacy comparable to Chen Lin's manifesto curing Cao Cao's headache. Later, upon seeing the book *Lixu Yuanjian* (Essentials for Managing Deficiency Diseases) engraved by his uncle, De Xiu, I understood the origin of Xinzhai's rationale in prescribing formulas. Although I had not spoken directly with Mr. Ke De Xiu, his profound scholarship was evident from the works he edited. Moreover, this book had been neglected and damaged over the years. People of the time did not know of its existence, and even if they had seen it, who would have known it was authored by Qi Shi (Wang Qishi)? Now, Mr. Ke does not claim credit for himself but has entrusted the printing of the book, participating in its collation and promotion, revealing his deep dedication. Alas! Learning must indeed value its roots, and careers depend on timely opportunities; this applies not only to medicine. Thus, this preface.
Written by Chen Yan, courtesy name Jinting, from Minzhong, at the Suzhou official residence, in the twelfth lunar month of the Xinmao year, the 36th year of Qianlong.
I became acquainted with Mr. Ke De Xiu before I turned thirty, and now I am sixty-nine. Mr. Ke practices medicine, while I enjoy geomancy (Dixue); we often discussed technical arts. Errors in geography affect the land, potentially causing harm decades later; errors in medicine affect life, bringing consequences within moments. Mr. Ke possessed natural intelligence and acuity. In our youth, we studied together in a private school. When scriptures were taught separately, he memorized them all through listening. Consequently, he devoted himself to medicine and achieved profound mastery. Coming from a family of hereditary physicians, he also received instruction from renowned masters, tracing sources and flows, collecting widely, and recording extensively. He purchased many rare books, including *Lixu Yuanjian*. For difficult and complicated cases, he could diagnose immediately and prescribe decisively. His case records were concise and appropriate, earning the admiration of veteran physicians. Upon entering the capital, his fame spread rapidly, causing colleagues in medical institutions to show him respect. The Governor of Taiyuan invited him into his staff due to illness, and officials below the Provincial Governor in Shanxi regarded him as a peer of Bian Que and Lu Yi. Mr. Ke excelled in Daoyin (guiding and pulling exercises). Though older than me, he ate robustly like a tiger and walked more swiftly than young adults. I have become increasingly frail and prefer seclusion, believing that perseverance in one's work is paramount. Mr. Ke's medical expertise is profound; he not only integrated various schools of thought but gained much through quiet contemplation. He visited my home for long conversations without tiring. Patients eagerly sought his treatment, and he stayed with them for extended periods before leaving. Now, wishing to publish *Lixu Yuanjian* for the world, as a confidant of forty years, I narrate his general profile and place it at the beginning of the volume.
Written by Hua Jie, style name Niulao Daoren, on the first day of the third lunar month, in the Xinmao year, the 36th year of Qianlong.