典藏书目

The use of acupuncture and moxibustion in medicine has a long history. I have seen cases where stubborn, deep-seated diseases could not be cured by the power of herbs alone, yet achieved remarkable effects through acupuncture and moxibustion. However, because the understanding of acupoints is difficult to clarify, practitioners are afraid to investigate it thoroughly. They make excuses that acupuncture drains vital energy (Qi) and vigorously denounce it, causing patients to view it as a fearful path. Consequently, the core principles of the *Neijing* (Inner Canon) and *Suwen* (Basic Questions) eventually became obscured, which is truly lamentable. This summer, I happened to meet a enlightened master who showed me the book *Zhenjiu Jicheng* (Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion). I took it and read it, gradually feeling enlightened and gaining insights. I privately believe that the key to initial effort lies in becoming familiar with acupoint methods; when familiarity reaches an extreme, skill naturally arises. Since my nature is forgetful, I deeply feared forgetting what I had just learned. Therefore, I examined and corrected the original book, compiling the acupoint methods into five-character rhymed verses for memorization. I also followed the *Yuzuan Yizong Jinjian* (Imperially Commissioned Golden Mirror of Medical Tradition) for cross-reference and investigation, correcting errors and inaccuracies. Furthermore, I used my own body as a reference, frequently searching and pressing on acupoints until I forgot to sleep or eat, which gave me greater confidence and strengthened my belief in the profound intention of the ancients to save the world. The golden needle techniques have been fully transmitted; the only worry is that people do not study them deeply enough. I reflect that having stayed in the capital for five years, I am now forty years old. My literary skills lack spirit, and I cannot take a single step toward immortality (Pengying). Although I have deeply explored astronomy, mathematics, geography, divination, Ren-Dun systems, and astrology throughout the years, these bring no benefit to the world. Only this one art (acupuncture and moxibustion) can preserve health and help others. Is this not what is meant by "Thinking and thinking, ghosts and spirits will connect with you"? Having completed the song, I reduced the Copper Man diagram according to the methods into small sizes for easy search and discussion at the desk. My friend, Mr. Rao Songpu, said this would benefit beginners and was happy to print and publish it, attaching it after the *Zhenjiu Jicheng*. Thus, I record the reasons for its origin.

Winter, Tenth Month, Ji Xu Year, 13th Year of Tongzhi

The *Neijing* states: "The essence of deficiency and excess lies in the nine needles being the most wonderful, because each is suitable for specific conditions." The annotation says: Heat in the head and body is suitable for treatment with Di Needle (Di Zhen); fullness of Qi in the intermuscular spaces is suitable for Yuan Needle (Yuan Zhen); deficiency of pulse Qi requires Xie (draining) heat and bleeding using Feng Needle (Feng Zhen) to vent chronic diseases; chronic diseases are suitable for Feng Needle; breaking abscesses and draining pus and blood is suitable for Pi Needle (Pi Zhen); sudden bi-syndrome affecting Yin and Yang is suitable for Yuanli Needle (Yuanli Zhen); treating pain-bi in the meridians is suitable for Hao Needle (Hao Needle); bi-deeply situated between bone fissures, waist, spine joints, and interstices is suitable for Chang Needle (Chang Needle); empty wind lodging between bone fissures and skin is suitable for Da Needle (Da Needle). This is called 'each being suitable for its specific condition.' The shapes of the nine needles are described below:

One is the Di Needle (Di Zhen)
Length: 1 cun 6 fen. Head large, tip sharp. Main function: Drains Yang Qi (from *Ling Shu*). ○ Flat half cun, length 1 cun 6 fen, head large, tip sharp. Main indication: Heat in the head and intermuscular spaces (from *Yi Lao*).

Two is the Yuan Needle (Yuan Zhen)
Length: 1 cun 6 fen. Needle shape like an egg. Rubs and massages the interstices without injuring muscles, to drain Qi from the intermuscular spaces (from *Ling Shu*). ○ Tip like an egg. Suitable for Qi disorders in the flesh and interstices (Source missing in text).

Three is the Tong Needle (Tong Zhen)
Length: 3 cun 5 fen. Tip sharp like millet grains. Main function: Presses the pulse without sinking too deep to guide Qi (from *Yi Lao*). ○ Suitable for those with deficient and scant pulse Qi (from *Yi Lao*).

Four is the Feng Needle (Feng Zhen)
Length: 1 cun 6 fen. Three-edged blade. Used to release chronic diseases (from *Yi Lao*). ○ Drains heat and bleeding, vents chronic diseases (from *Yi Lao*).

Five is the Pi Needle (Pi Zhen)
Length: 4 cun, width 2.5 fen. Tip like a sword edge. Used to extract large amounts of pus (from *Yi Lao*). ○ Also known as Po Needle (Breaking Needle), used to break abscesses and drain pus and blood (from *Yi Lao*).

Six is the Yuanli Needle (Yuanli Zhen)
Length: 1 cun 6 fen. Thickness like a Hao Needle (Mao), round yet sharp, slightly larger in the middle. Used to treat sudden Qi stagnation (from *Yi Lao*). ○ Sharp like a Hao Needle, round and beneficial, regulates Yin and Yang, removes sudden Qi stagnation (Source missing in text).

Seven is the Hao Needle (Hao Needle)
Length: 3 cun 6 fen. Tip like the beak of a mosquito or horsefly. Use gently and slowly, retain lightly for a long time, to treat pain-bi (from *Yi Lao*). ○ Tip like the beak of a mosquito or horsefly, regulates meridians, removes pain-bi (Source missing in text).

Eight is the Chang Needle (Chang Needle)
Length: 7 cun. Sharp and thin body. Can treat distant bi-syndrome (from *Yi Lao*). ○ Because it is sharp, it treats bi-deeply situated between bone fissures, waist, spine joints, and interstices (from *Yi Lao*).

Nine is the Da Needle (Da Needle)
Length: 4 cun. Tip like a straight rod, slightly rounded at the锋 (edge/point). Used to drain stiffness of the joints (from *Yi Lao*). ○ Also known as Cui Needle (Quenching Needle), treats wind-deficiency lodging between bone fissures and skin (Text ends abruptly here).