Bian Que's older brothers and 治未病 (treating illness before it occurs)

I had heard the story of Bian Que (a famous healer in ancient Chinese history) and his not-so-famous brothers several times in oral form, and always wanted to see the original. Recently while doing a little light reading (Science & Civilization in China, Vol. VI:6) I came across this translation of the original story, which first appeared in the Warring States period text《鹖冠子》.

Note that Needham uses the Yale romanization of 扁鹊 - Pien Chhüeh

Phang Hsüan said to the king of Cho-hsiang, ‘Have you not heard that Duke Wên of Wei asked the great physician, Pien Chhüeh , “of your three brothers, which is the best physician?” Pien Chhüeh answered “The eldest is the best, then the second, and I am the least worthy of the three.” Duke Wên said, “Might I hear about this?” Pien Chhüeh replied, “My eldest brother, in dealing with diseases, is attentive to the spirit (shên). Before [any symptoms] have formed, he has already got rid of it. Thus his fame has never reached beyond our own clan. My next brother treats disease when its signs are most subtle, so his name is unknown beyond our own village. As for myself, I use stone needles on the blood vessels, prescribe strong drugs, and fortify the skin and the flesh. Thus my name has become known among all the feudal lords.” ’

Here is the translated passage in (traditional) Chinese, copied from the Chinese Text Project page linked above:

煖曰：「王獨不聞魏文王之問扁鵲耶？曰：『子昆弟三人其孰最善為醫？』扁鵲曰：『長兄最善，中兄次之，扁鵲最為下。』魏文侯曰：『可得聞邪？』扁鵲曰：『長兄於病視神，未有形而除之，故名不出於家。中兄治病，其在毫毛，故名不出於閭。若扁鵲者，鑱血脈，投毒藥，副肌膚，閒而名出聞於諸侯。』

A few thoughts:

• 可得聞邪 translated as "Might I hear about this?" is really cute. I don't know why I feel that way . . . something about picturing Duke Wen of Wei saying that line with an English accent...
• 未有形而除之 translated as "Before [any symptoms] have formed". The Chinese 未有形 literally reads as "Before having form". I wonder what led Needham (assuming this was his translation) to use the word 'symptoms' here?

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