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Among deaths, three out of ten are due to the mistakes of physicians, three out of ten are due to the mistakes of the patients' families, and three out of ten are due to the mistakes of laymen who dabble in medical books.

The art of medicine is a profound and comprehensive study that requires a holistic understanding before one can treat a single illness. If one lacks this comprehensive understanding and merely possesses a superficial knowledge, applying it to treat others may yield results for minor ailments. However, when it comes to serious and complex conditions, relying on a one-sided view and recklessly prescribing medications can lead to fatal errors. Occasionally, by sheer luck, a treatment might succeed, leading the practitioner to believe that even such a severe illness can be cured, thus boosting their confidence. Consequently, they begin to comment on any illness without restraint. Even after causing a death, they may still believe that the illness was incurable and not their fault, thus continuing to harm others without remorse. Yet, patients' families often trust such individuals, and there is a reason for this. Families are usually ignorant of medicine, and when a physician writes a prescription and leaves, they encounter someone who seems to have some medical knowledge, speaks convincingly, and shows great concern, naturally earning their trust. Little do they know that this person has merely skimmed through medical texts or heard some hearsay, without truly understanding the implications of their advice. The families, however, have already followed their guidance. Moreover, scholars, artists, and wealthy individuals, who are naturally well-versed in literature, occasionally peruse medical books and believe they have gained insights. Others, impressed by their usual intellectual reputation, place even greater trust in them. Meanwhile, the actual physicians, lacking a solid foundation, find themselves outmatched in debates and thus deeply admire these amateurs. The amateurs, thinking that even renowned physicians are inferior to them, boldly begin to treat patients, taking credit for successes and absolving themselves of blame for failures. Some, holding onto their one-sided views and relying on their literary skills, even write books, spreading their harmful ideas to future generations. Such individuals are countless.

Alas! In ancient times, physicians had proper mentors and thoroughly studied every aspect of medicine, leaving no room for heresy or unorthodox theories. They could refute such ideas with classical texts and had the practical skills to ensure their treatments were effective, thus preventing others from interfering. Today's physicians, however, often lack any real expertise and have not studied extensively, allowing those who merely dabble in medical books to rise above them. This leads patients' families to disdain real physicians and instead trust these amateurs, resulting in great harm. The fault lies entirely in the lack of true medical practitioners, allowing anyone to critique and influence medical practice. Over time, these amateurs grow more confident in their false knowledge, first harming others, then their own family members, and ultimately themselves. I have seen this happen many times, and it is a matter that demands deep reflection.