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There was a Mr. Sun in Meijiawu, Yunqi, Wulin. His physique was obese and large. He usually enjoyed consuming rich and sweet foods. Approaching sixty years of age, he suffered from Pianku (hemiplegia). His left hand could not extend or move. His foot was the same. This lasted for nearly a year. Occasionally, he experienced coma and shortness of breath, constipation, dizziness and vertigo, resembling symptoms of Sha disease (heatstroke-like condition). I was invited to diagnose him. The pulse on the right side at Cun, Guan, and Chi positions was slippery, large, and rapid. The pulse on the left side at all three positions was choppy and small. The Chi position was faint, like a spider's thread. I said: The slippery and large pulse on the right is due to phlegm and food retention, causing the Qi mechanism to be obstructed. The choppy and small pulse on the left indicates deficiency of both Qi and Blood due to advanced age, failing to nourish the meridians and moisten the sinews and bones. If Qi and Blood do not ascend on the left, they cannot descend on the right. The Qi and Blood converge on one side, resulting in Pianku. The occasional coma, shortness of breath, and constipation are indeed caused by Phlegm surging with Qi, preventing the Lung Qi from descending properly. The treatment method should focus on eliminating retention and resolving phlegm. Guide from the left to the right, from the right to the left, from Yin to Yang, and from Yang to Yin. Let Qi and Blood circulate freely without stagnation throughout the body. The prescription used Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza Radix et Rhizoma), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), and Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma) to assist Qi and Blood in ascending on the left. Laifuzi (Raphini Semen), Binglang (Arecae Semen), Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix), Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum cum Zingibere et Alumine), and Zhishi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus) were used to eliminate phlegm and food and cause descent on the right. After taking three doses, his hands and feet could be raised, his bowels moved, his appetite improved, and the dizziness ceased. Subsequently, Renshen (Ginseng Radix), Fuling (Poria), Danggui, Baishao, Banxia, Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Danshen, Shengma, Chaihu, Haren (Semen Cannabis), and Sangzhi (Ramulus Mori) were used to regulate the condition. He was instructed to eat before noon and reduce food intake after noon, avoiding greasy and strong-flavored foods to nourish the pure and quiet Qi in the Stomach, thereby preventing Turbid Yin from obstructing Qi movement. After four or five doses, he could actually go downstairs to receive guests, walking normally as usual. Later, Dangshen (Codonopsis Radix), Shudihuang (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata), Danggui, and Baishao were used to greatly tonify Qi and Blood, assisted by herbs that resolve phlegm and activate collaterals. After thirty doses, the outcome was secured. A half-year illness was easily cured. How delightful.
Meijiawu is more than thirty li from Hangzhou. Dr. Xinchan departed in the morning and returned in the evening. I was staying with him at the time. He recounted that the patient's condition was critical. A few days later, the patient's son-in-law came to the residence to modify the prescription, expressing great joy. He detailed that after the diagnosis, there was significant improvement, and the suffering of hemiplegia was gone. This fully demonstrates that under the hands of a master, vitality abounds, evoking thoughts of admiring the medical skills of the Yellow Emperor. (Comment by Songqiao)