Diseases Source and Stream Rhinoceros Lamp

Author: (Qing) Shen Jinaliao
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1994-10-01
Features: The Source and Flow of Miscellaneous Diseases is an important part of Shen's Life-preserving Book. It consists of thirty volumes, primarily introducing miscellaneous diseases, including six major sections: the Zang-Fu (organs) section, the Eight Extraordinary Meridians section, the Six Evils section, the Internal Injury and External Exposure section, the Facial Features section, and the Physical Appearance section. Each section is further divided into several disease syndromes. Each disease is described with its source and origin, detailing the disease's development, manifestations, and treatments, ensuring that the theory, method, formula, and medicine are highly compatible. The first two volumes include pulse patterns for mastering basic diagnostic skills, such as the General Classification of Pulse Patterns and the Poems on the Causes of Various Pulse Patterns. Therefore, this book is classified as part of the Life-preserving Book, becoming one of the most influential and widely circulated masterpieces since the Ming and Qing dynasties.
The Shen's Life-preserving Book is a 72-volume work by Shen Junlü of Xishan. Shen was a prolific author, but this book was completed relatively late. As it was about to be published, he asked me to write a preface. I replied: "You are not a practicing physician, but you understand medicine. I am not knowledgeable in medicine, yet I enjoy reading medical books. I cannot write a preface for a medical book. Instead, I will write about what I have learned from you." Shen said: "The difficulty of medicine is not well understood by others, and not everyone can fully grasp it. If one truly recognizes its difficulty, there would be few who practice it, and even fewer who claim to be physicians. Yet today, there are many physicians. Those who excel in medicine must possess benevolence and compassion, the ability to help others, and then no disease will be beyond cure. Otherwise, they must have profound knowledge of yin and yang, the experience of treating countless cases, and the sharp insight of Cang Gong, yet still be uncertain. Those who are more modest and meticulous, following the classics, taking pulses, diagnosing symptoms, formulating prescriptions, tracing the source, and following the flow, are also good physicians. This is the reason for writing The Life-preserving Book."
Someone asked: "The Neijing and other classics are comprehensive, covering all aspects of diagnosis and treatment, including observation, inquiry, auscultation, and palpation, both internally and externally. Ancient commentaries and explanations are detailed and thorough, and following them ensures no mistakes. Why is there still a need for such diligent effort?" The reply was: "Your words are indeed true. However, there is a reason I cannot help but speak. For example, the phrase 'clearing the south and tonifying the north' in the classics. Danxi advocated its use for treating consumptive diseases, but if taken by someone with a weak stomach, it may deplete yang before nourishing yin. Without understanding the underlying principle of 'the excess of the east and the deficiency of the west,' the classic's meaning is incomplete. Recognizing that symptoms may only treat the surface while neglecting the root is also a key principle of the classics. Jingyue advocated its use for treating consumptive diseases, but if taken by someone with excessive fire, it may further deplete yin and empty yang. Again, without understanding the principle of 'treating the surface when the root is urgent,' the classic's intent is missed. A slight bias in learning from the classics can lead to significant harm. Take consumptive diseases as an example—this is how it is with other conditions. Observation helps identify color changes, auscultation helps assess sounds, but patients' voices and appearances may vary over time. Inquiry helps understand the cause of the disease, but sometimes the cause is known only to the patient and not others, leaving them at the mercy of the physician. Just as bending an iron ring gradually, or cutting a rope at the right place, one must identify the source before administering medicine. Palpation helps determine the pulse, but it is even more challenging to interpret. Diseases are caused by emotions, external pathogens, affecting either the organs or the bowels, deeply or superficially. The pulse reflects these conditions, but it is hidden beneath the skin, and each person's pulse is different. The pulse is separated by flesh, and the quality of qi varies, as do the properties of yin and yang. Cold, heat, deficiency, and excess may manifest differently, yet in the space of three fingers, within an instant, the condition of the organs must be revealed with precision. Without sharp insight, how can one be accurate to the slightest degree? Therefore, I wrote the General Classification of Pulse Patterns in one volume, the Poems on the Causes of Various Pulse Patterns in another volume, and The Source and Flow of Miscellaneous Diseases in thirty volumes.
As for the Treatise on Cold Damage and the Essentials from the Golden Cabinet, they are comprehensive, and the teachings of other schools are also valuable. However, when distinguishing between initial fever, internal injury, external exposure, and transmission, the order may be disrupted, or the disease may remain confined to one meridian, with unpredictable complications. Spring fever and summer heat differ from true cold damage, making them difficult to distinguish. Treatment must be carefully considered to avoid errors. Therefore, I wrote the Outline of the Treatise on Cold Damage in eighteen volumes.
Women are inclined to tonification and averse to purgation. Their conditions are mostly related to qi or blood, and most other disorders stem from the liver. They often hide their illnesses, mistaking symptoms for deficiency, and their conditions are varied and subtle, making it hard to enumerate them all. Without clear judgment, they are easily misled. Therefore, I wrote the Jade Ruler of Gynecology in six volumes.
Pediatrics has its own specialists, and treatment must be flexible. If one rigidly adheres to ancient formulas or family remedies without adjusting to changing conditions, many children will suffer and even die. Who can speak for these innocent infants? If one has compassion, how can they not pity them? Therefore, I wrote the Explanations of Pediatric Mysteries in six volumes.
The ancient method of dividing medicines into ten categories—promoting circulation, tonifying, purging, adjusting dosage, promoting movement, promoting dryness, and so on—is flexible and unbreakable, yet the medicine must be of high quality, and preparation must follow proper methods. This is particularly important, as poor medicine can worsen the condition, making it better not to take medicine at all. Therefore, I wrote the Classification of Essential Medicines in ten volumes.
Shen's words are as above. This preface was written by Qi Yuzhen.