Fine Translation of the Three-Character Classic of Medicine

Author: Liu Guosheng, Cui Shusheng, Wang Ying (editors)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-04-01
Features: The book consists of two parts. The former lists 27 pulse types, with clear reasoning and thorough analysis, representing the culmination of pulse diagnosis studies. The latter is "Four-Word Essentials," written by his father Li Yanwen. The entire book is written in the form of songs and rhymes, with concise language, vivid metaphors, and brief pulse discussions, making it easy to memorize and apply. It comprehensively describes the relevant content of pulse diagnosis, serving as a good introductory and popular pulse diagnosis monograph, highly regarded by generations of medical practitioners and thus widely circulated. Most learners of pulse diagnosis follow its teachings, resulting in numerous annotated editions, all offering elaborations and inspiring future generations. However, it leans heavily on theory and lacks clinical relevance, with limited connection to modern practice. Some passages are obscure and difficult to understand, leaving beginners at a loss. Moved by this, we have annotated this book, using the "Pulse Studies of Bian Hu" from the "Four Treasuries Collection" as the base text. We place Li Shizhen's "Seven-Word Pulse Rhymes" at the beginning of the book, while the "Four-Word Essentials," a revised and supplemented version of Cui Jiayan's "Pulse Rhymes" from the Song Dynasty by his father Li Yanwen, is placed at the end. The annotations section includes five columns: Original Text, Key Points, Notes, Translation, and References.