The Secret Record of Feng's Jintang

Author: (Qing) Feng Zhaozhang
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1996-04-01
Features: In the past, Xu Sizong, the governor of Xiyi, was highly skilled in medicine. Some advised him to write a book for future generations, to which he replied: "Medicine is about intention; what I understand cannot be fully expressed." He deeply feared that scholars of ancient medicine would rigidly adhere to books and methods, diagnosing illnesses by citing classics without recognizing the need for adaptation. He created this theory to teach the world, with profound intentions. Today, there are countless medical families, yet many claim to be physicians without having personally studied the classics. They name the Five Classics of Qi Bo, Lei Gong's "Formulations," Yi Zhi's "Decoctions," Ji Zi's "Great Plan," Yue Ren's "Questions and Answers," Zhang Zhongjing's "Shanghan," Shi An's "Jia Yi," the annotations of Qiyuanzi, Qian Zhongyang's diagnostic discussions, Li Shizhen's "Compendium of Materia Medica," yet they have never personally seen these works, yet they claim the title of physician. As a result, they are bewildered by the six qi (wind, cold, dryness, heat, dampness, summer heat), the seven emotions (joy, anger, worry, pensiveness, sorrow, fear, shock), the eight key principles (surface/interior, excess/deficiency, cold/heat, pathogen/healthy), the eight pulses (floating, full, slippery, substantial, tense, wiry,), the seven exterior patterns (floating, empty, slippery, substantial, tense, wiry,), the eight interior patterns (slight, deep, slow,, weak, hidden, deficiency), the nine channels (long, short, rapid, , delayed,, tremor, ), as well as the generation and control of the five elements, the transmission and transformation of the twelve meridians, the organs, yin/yang, celestial harmony, and seasonal influences, leaving them utterly confused. When faced with patients, they prescribe treatments that do not match the symptoms, leading to worsening conditions and even death. Alas! How dire! They do not realize that the phrase "Medicine is about intention" cannot be understood or practiced without thoroughly studying the works of Qi Bo and Zhang Zhongjing. Without such study, one cannot truly grasp or apply this principle. Feng Zijian of Wu Yuan, a young physician, traveled through Zhejiang and the eastern regions, saving countless lives. Scholars of medicine in Zhejiang and the eastern regions all acknowledged their superiority. In the summer of , he arrived in the capital, gained even more experience, and his prescriptions became even more effective, earning him great reputation among officials and scholars. One day, he came to visit me, presenting a book titled "Jin Nang Mi Lu Ji." It systematically analyzes the root and manifestation of diseases, making it clear and easy to understand for readers to search by category. It draws from the teachings of Qi Bo and Zhang Zhongjing, as well as the methods of Liu, Zhang, Zhu, Li, and all previous generations, comprehensively synthesizing their meanings and forming his own insights to create this collection. It is indeed the cornerstone of medicine and a treasure trove for all schools of thought. Thus, the words of Xiyi can heal those who study the classics but lack adaptability, and the book of Feng Zijian can heal those who talk about Lei Gong and Zhang Zhongjing without true knowledge.