The Secret Satchel of Medical Treasures

The Secret Satchel of Medical Treasures gathers the insights of Wang Chengde, associate chief physician of traditional Chinese medicine, from more than twenty years of clinical practice; it was published by Shaanxi Science and Technology Press in 1989. The book is divided into four chapters, with the theory of qi transformation (qihua) running through as its central thread, mutually corroborating basic TCM theory and clinical practice. Chapter One covers basic theory: building on the Inner Canon, it sets out the author's understanding of qi transformation, yin-yang, the five phases, the five movements and six qi, the concept of root and branch qi, visceral manifestations, and the channels and network vessels, with emphasis on the role of qi transformation in the internal and external connections of the human body and in the relationship between humans and nature. Chapter Two is a textual study of classical formulas: it selects thirteen foundational, mother-series classical formulas for clinical verification and derives from them 218 daughter-series formulas, thereby elucidating the basic principles of theory, method, formulas, and medicinals. Chapter Three presents insights on treating the spleen and stomach: taking the spleen and stomach as the center, it discusses pattern differentiation and treatment of the viscera, organically integrating theories of qi transformation, yin-yang, the five phases, movement and qi, root and branch qi, and the viscera and channels, expounding the TCM spleen-stomach theory from both theoretical and practical perspectives. Chapters Two and Three together comprise nineteen sections, which are both theoretical exposition and summary of clinical experience. Chapter Four presents clinical insights: starting from experience in the use of formulas and medicinals, it appends verified clinical case records, such as vertigo and tympanites, using case records to corroborate and extend the theories presented earlier. The book concludes with an appendix, "Methods for Nourishing Qi and Strengthening the Body," which expounds the role and methods of TCM in disease prevention and health preservation, giving the book a coherent beginning and end that runs through in one continuous thread. The author, long engaged in clinical practice, emphasizes the foundation of the acquired constitution; the writing strives to be accessible, making this a personal reflection on how qi transformation theory and spleen-stomach theory take root in clinical practice.