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A Manchu of the Plain Red Banner, approximately thirty years old, suffered from throat swallows (tonsillar swelling and pain) with swelling and pain not yet ulcerated. For three days, he could not swallow even soup or water. The pulse was surging and rapid. Initially, bleeding was induced by needling the bilateral Quchi (LI11) and Shaoshang (LU11) acupoints, after which the throat immediately felt relaxed. Guanxi San (Opening the Lock Powder) and Xixian San (Thin Saliva Powder) were insufflated into the throat, resulting in the expectoration of about one bowl of viscous phlegm, allowing food to be swallowed. A prescription comprising Gaojiao (Gleditsiae Fructus Spina), Niubangzi (Arctii Fructus), Jiangcan (Bombyx Batryticatus), Beimu (Fritillariae Bulbus), Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix), Bohe (Menthae Haplocalycis Herba), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix), Mabo (Stemonae Radix), Yuanshen (Scrophulariae Radix), Qingdai (Indigo Naturalis), Shanzhi (Gardeniae Fructus), and Tiaohuang (Scutellariae Radix) was administered. After seven doses, the patient recovered.

Bi Zouting contracted a common cold (wind-cold invasion) in the winter of the Jiashen year. Due to the mistaken administration of pungent-warm exterior-releasing medicines, cough developed and persisted without resolution. By the second and third months of the following year, dry cough with no sputum emerged, accompanied by hoarseness and a sallow complexion. The throat gradually became ulcerated, appearing white but not swollen. By the sixth month of summer, he was bedridden. At this point, I was invited to consult. Reviewing previous prescriptions, I noted a chaotic mixture of cold, heat, warm, and drying agents. The pulse was wiry, thin, and rapid; the body exhibited tidal fever; and the facial complexion alternated between red and pale. I stated: "The disease was originally treatable, but the medicinal error was severe. Initially, this was merely a minor wind-cold condition. The mistaken use of Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba), Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus), and Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma)—substances that are extremely pungent and hot—intensified the wind-fire pathogen, causing dryness to injure the Lung Metal. During the spring season when yang qi rises, the Shaoyang ministerial fire ascended, leading to fluid depletion and hoarseness. The subsequent addition of drying herbs further aggravated the fire and earth, creating intense dryness. In summer, when fire is prosperous, metal is further constrained. Treatment should focus on nourishing both Lung Metal and Kidney Water to support the source of Lung transformation. However, this requires prolonged medication for gradual effect; if a quick cure is sought, I must decline." The prescription consisted of Dongguo (Asparagi Radix, specifically Tian Dong and Mai Dong), Shihu (Dendrobii Caulis), Sangye (Mori Folium), Beimu (Fritillariae Bulbus), Zimi Zhi Ziwan (Honey-fried Asteris Radix), Zimi Zhi Kuandonghua (Honey-fried Farfarae Flos), Shengdi (Rehmanniae Radix), Guiban (Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum), Qinghao (Artemisiae Annuae Herba), Biejia (Trionycis Carapax), Ejiao (Colla Corii Asini), Shanzhi (Gardeniae Fructus), Danpi (Moutan Cortex), Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus), and Jili (Tribuli Fructus), modified as needed. After more than thirty doses, the patient could rise from bed, appetite gradually improved, and voice returned. Subsequently, Shiwu Dihuang Tang (Ten-Ingredient Rehmannia Decoction) was modified and administered for another twenty-plus doses, during which the throat ulcers gradually flattened. Finally, Renshen Yangrong Tang (Ginseng Nourishing Qi and Blood Decoction) was modified with Ejiao (Colla Corii Asini), Muli (Ostreae Concha), Shihu (Dendrobii Caulis), and Baihe (Lilii Bulbus). After a total of one hundred doses over the course of treatment, full recovery was achieved.