This book is also known as Renzhai Zhizhi, Renzhai Zhizhi Fang, written by Yang Shi-ying in the fifth year of Jingding (1264) during the Song Dynasty. The original printed edition has long been lost. The main existing versions include: the Zhu Chongzheng edition published in the 29th year of Jiajing (1550) of the Ming Dynasty, the Ming Dynasty block-printed edition, two Japanese manuscript copies, the Siku Quanshu edition, and the annotated edition published by Fujian Science and Technology Publishing House in 1989.

Renzhai Zhizhi Fanglun consists of 26 volumes. The first volume is "General Discussion," which discusses the basic theories of yin-yang and the five phases, as well as Weiqi and blood. The second volume is "Outline of Diagnosis and Treatment," discussing the causes of diseases, treatment principles, and the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases, mostly in the form of miscellaneous discussions. Volumes 3 to 19 discuss the treatment of internal diseases; volumes 20 to 21 discuss the treatment of diseases of the five sense organs; volumes 22 to 24 discuss the treatment of surgical diseases; volume 25 discusses injuries caused by various insects; and volume 26 discusses women's cold-damage diseases, among others. The book categorizes various diseases into 72 sections. Under each section, it first lists "Fanglun" (discussion of formulas), describing the physiology, pathology, symptoms, and general treatment, followed by "Zhengzhi" (diagnosis and treatment), listing effective formulas, their main uses, composition of drugs, and methods of preparation and administration. The book is well-organized and contains many insightful observations. It provides vivid and accurate descriptions of the characteristics of surface cancers.