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The "Ten Admonitions for Reading" is found at the beginning of the "Changsha Fang Ge Kuo" and represents Chen Xiu-yuan's profound understanding of the dialectical spirit of the "Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases," as well as the application value of its formulas and clinical experience. He wrote ten principles of "admonitions for reading" to advise future generations to thoroughly study and apply, inherit and promote the "Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases."

1. Admonish to read the original text of Zhang Zhong-jing's "Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases" to deeply understand its spirit and emphasize clinical application. The author highly praises the "Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases." For example, he says: "Understanding medicinal properties began with the 'Shen Nong Ben Jing,' discussing disease conditions began with the 'Ling Shu' and 'Su Wen,' treating diseases with medicine began with Yi Yin's decoctions, until Zhang Zhong-jing of the Han Dynasty emerged, compiling the classical formulas passed down from Yi Sheng and ancient times, and wrote the 'Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases' and the 'Jin Gui Yu Han Jing.'" The "Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases" summarizes the theories of Chinese medicine before the Qin and Han dynasties, initiated clinical medical dialectical works, established the system of pattern differentiation and treatment based on principle-method-recipe-medicinal, and laid the foundation for medical development. Therefore, it is advised that future generations "read Zhang Zhong-jing's books as the first admonition."

2. Admonish future physicians to follow the theory of the "Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases," and those who violate it must "know their mistakes and correct them." Chen further emphasizes the practical value of Zhang Zhong-jing's books, criticizing future physicians for their insufficient study and weak application, leading to many shortcomings that must be corrected. For example, he says, "The text of Zhang Zhong-jing's books is ancient and difficult to read. Even the four schools of Liu, Zhang, Zhu, and Li, although they respect Zhang Zhong-jing's teachings, rarely develop them. Moreover, there are those who are mediocre and reckless, reversing right and wrong," and mistakenly believe that Zhang Zhong-jing only "specializes in cold damage diseases, and his Cinnamon Twig and Ephedra are only used in the northwest and suitable for winter." They also consider "Chuanxiong, Perilla, Notopterygium, Angelica, Schizonepeta, and Saposhnikovia as common cold remedies; and formulas like Buzhong Yiqi, Guipi, Bazhen, and Liuwei as stable prescriptions for miscellaneous diseases." Furthermore, "they do not investigate the root causes of diseases, only considering excessive heat as yin deficiency and excessive cold as yang deficiency, boasting about their methods of grasping the essentials, but in the end, can they cure a major illness with their false techniques?" These ignorant remarks show a lack of cultivation and contain errors, hence "knowing one's mistakes and correcting them is the second admonition."

3. One should know the rapid efficacy of classical formulas; if used appropriately, their effect is like a drum responding to a beat. The "Neijing" records: "One dose knows, two doses cure," meaning that taking one full dose is effective, and taking two doses cures the disease. The "Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases" also says, "One dose cures, no need to take the full dose," such as the administration method of Cinnamon Twig Decoction, where one dose is one-third of the medicine. If one-third of the medicine cures the disease, there is no need to take the full dose. "It can be seen that ancient people's use of medicine, except for chronic and stubborn diseases, their efficacy is only between half a dose and one or two doses," meaning they can cure, indicating that classical formulas, when used appropriately, have rapid efficacy. Chen points out that future generations have different views, such as "Xie Li-zhai's medical records say: taking more than 30 doses and up to 100 doses is effective." Also, "Li Shi-cai says to prepare five catties of ginseng, expecting results in three months." Is this the effect of the medicine, or is it that the pestilent qi has weakened and the disease cured itself? Therefore, it is advised that those who use medicine inappropriately should strive for excellence, deeply differentiate syndromes, and use formulas and medicines appropriately, as the third admonition.

4. Emphasizing that the principle of treatment in the "Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases" is "preserving body fluids" in three words, advising later physicians not to deplete body fluids when treating cold damage diseases, as stated: "The 113 formulas in the 'Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases' are primarily based on the principle of preserving body fluids." "Observe the Cinnamon Twig Decoction and the mild releasing of flesh, all of which are nourishing fluids. Even the Ephedra Decoction, which is light and clears the exterior, without the pungent heat of ginger or the sweet heaviness of jujube, treats the exterior from the outside without harming Yingqi, also embodies the intention of nourishing fluids." For later physicians treating cold damage diseases, the use of "Chuanxiong, Su, Qiang, Du, Jing, Fang, Cang, Zhi, which are bitter, drying, and pungent, greatly damages yin qi." The most simplistic is the habit of some doctors who consider "Two Old Ingredients Decoction as a stable sweating agent," but "the Dried Tangerine Peel in the formula depletes qi, Pinellia depletes fluids, Poria drains too early, all of which dry up the source of fluids, retain pathogens and generate heat, leading to symptoms such as dysphoria, great thirst, delirious speech, and unconsciousness, which is what is meant by quackery harming people." As for the formulas in the "Golden Cabinet," their main principle is "regulating with sweet medicinals" in four words. For example, later formulas such as Four Gentlemen Decoction, Middle-Tonifying Qi-Replenishing Decoction, Four Ingredients Decoction, Eight Treasures, Ten Complete, Guipi, and Free Wanderer all embody the "intention of sweet regulation." Advising later physicians to focus on supporting healthy qi and preserving body fluids in treatment, and to understand the benefits and lack of harm in classical formulas, is the fourth advice.

5. Advise future generations not to easily doubt Zhongjing's prescriptions, and to boldly apply them. "Master Zhong is a sage among physicians, and only the most foolish would dare to disrespect a sage." "What is doubted are his prescriptions," which contain no ingredients for treating symptoms without evidence. Moreover, "the large doses of zhū, liǎng, shēng, and dǒu are feared," hence they dare not be easily tried. The variation in dosage began with "the various schools of the Song and Yuan dynasties," and reached its peak with "Li Shizhen of the Ming dynasty." However, those who can read the Benjing and understand medicinal properties only know the miraculous effects of three or four ingredients in the prescriptions. Furthermore, the weights and measures of ancient and modern times differ; from ancient times to the Han dynasty, and from the Han dynasty to the present (Qing), the dosage also varies. The dosage of the Han dynasty is only three-tenths of today's, with each dose divided into three servings, so one serving is only about seven or eight qián, which is lighter compared to contemporary prescriptions. Therefore, to apply classical formulas, one must understand medicinal properties and convert them according to today's weights and measures, which is essential knowledge. This is the fifth advice.

6. Advise against having a "preconceived notion." The application of classical formulas to treat diseases should be flexible and based on pattern identification. "Preconceived notions are a common flaw in people." For example, "Cinnamon Twig Decoction and Minor Bupleurum Decoction, regardless of cold-damage disease or Zabing, whether in the yang or yin meridians, all cases of disharmony between nutrient and defensive qi can be miraculously treated with Cinnamon Twig Decoction; pathogenic qi that cannot be externally transformed from the pivot can be miraculously treated with Bupleurum." Yet some are confused by "the theory of avoiding cinnamon in spring and summer," "the theory that mistakenly using Bupleurum when pathogenic qi is in Taiyang (EX-HN5) can lead to shaoyang," and "Li Shizhen's claim that weak individuals should not use it excessively," as well as "Zhang Jingyue's inclusion of Five Bupleurum Decoction in the exterior-releasing formulas." These are all biased applications of Cinnamon Twig and Bupleurum, leading to preconceived notions that make people afraid to use them, unaware that the Shennong Benjing lists Bupleurum and Cinnamon Twig as top-grade herbs, "long-term use can cure diseases and prolong life." It is strange that some people today do not believe the Shennong Benjing but trust the words of contemporary physicians. The author also discusses his own experience, "I have used Cinnamon Twig Decoction without a single failure." The dosage "ranges from three qián to eight or nine qián, and it is effective." As for Bupleurum, it is generally not used more than four qián, and doctors in Zhejiang and Jiangsu always mix it with turtle blood before steaming, with a maximum of two qián, all due to preconceived notions. The "Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases" uses Bupleurum up to eight liǎng, "taking advantage of its mild nature, it can be taken in large doses, and its slow efficacy requires heavy use." Others include "Asarum and Wuwei, used no more than one qián, Chinese Date no more than two pieces, Fresh Ginger Rhizome no more than two slices, all these bad habits violate the principles of the classics." Therefore, the author says, "I hope my colleagues will first rid themselves of the bad habits of following the crowd in the market, and strive for higher achievements." This is the sixth advice.

7. Proper use of classical formulas can "bring the dead back to life." "Bringing the dead back to life is the way of medicine," which is the duty of a physician. If a mediocre physician lacks skill, the patient will suffer, and the reason is often "misled by miscellaneous methods," not following Zhongjing's methods. According to Master Zhong's methods: "reversal cold of limbs, Bai Tong to restore yang; Cheng Qi and Bai Hu to preserve fluids, assist the pivot transformation, operate the needle mechanism, harmonize the zang-fu organs, all return to stomach qi, saving in critical situations," not relying solely on Ginseng, can save two or three out of ten. The author, with over thirty years of medical practice, deeply understands the efficacy of classical formulas, which can create vitality, cure diseases, prolong life, and bring the dead back to life, meaning "to know the power of classical formulas to seize creation." This is the seventh advice.

8. Advise learning classical formulas to "review the old and know the new." Chen says, "The more you read classical formulas, the more flavorful they become; the more you use them, the more miraculous they seem. Every day, when prescribing based on clinical experience, check them against classical formulas in the evening, and you will surely gain new insights." It is evident that practicing during the day and reading at night is a good method. Only by combining theory with practice can one "review the old" and inherit the essence of classical formulas, and through profound understanding, "know the new." This is the eighth advice.

9. Establishing Zhang Zhongjing's Academic Thought as the Foundation of Clinical Medicine Zhang Zhongjing is "the Confucius of the medical field, just as Confucius is the sage of Confucianism." Therefore, his work can serve as a standard and watershed for evaluating later medical practices. "Those who elucidate the sacred teachings should be followed, while those who deviate should be criticized." For example, the works of the Jinyuan Sidajia (Four Great Masters of the Jin and Yuan Dynasties) have both achievements and shortcomings. Liu Hejian, despite his tendency to overemphasize clearing heat and purging the lower, "still has insightful words." Zhu Danxi, although he did not delve deeply into the root causes of diseases, "does not have fragmented theories." Zhang Zihe's works are "a mix of flaws and merits." Finally, Li Dongyuan, who "focuses on the spleen and stomach in his theories and prioritizes tonifying the middle in his prescriptions, follows the name but loses the essence, with harsh and yin-depleting methods, lacking any proper rules." Some later medical works are merely "records of individuals who were wealthy and sought fame, skillfully practicing their craft, spreading heresies that persist to this day." This stands in contrast to Zhang Zhongjing's treatment of cold-damage disease, which emphasizes "nourishing body fluids and regulating with sweet medicinals, in opposition to such practices." Zhang Zhongjing also offered different critiques and criticisms of later physicians. It is essential to regard Zhang Zhongjing's teachings as orthodox and avoid the "confusion of red and purple." Therefore, it is advised that later scholars should "focus on one thing without distraction" as the ninth admonition.

10. Explanation of the ideas and purposes behind writing the "Ten Admonitions for Reading" The above opinions are the author's straightforward views. Regarding the sectarian biases in the medical field, by drawing on the achievements of the ancient sage Zhongjing, the author traces the origins and thoroughly explores the sources. For those "who have not been misguided for long and are exceptionally intelligent, they will naturally repent and turn to learning." By basing their studies on classical works, they will not stray too far. Therefore, the author's purpose is, "All my colleagues, we must sincerely interact with each other, for sincerity can move people, and this way, the path will increasingly flourish. Thus, by speaking without concealment and being amiable and approachable," this is the tenth admonition.

Chen's "Ten Admonitions for Reading" originated in the Qing Dynasty and has been passed down to the present day. The content discussed is rich, with clear and practical insights, suitable for both ancient and modern times. This serves to inspire deep thought, is widely used by people, and benefits medical skills, medical ethics, and doctor-patient relationships for a long time.