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Another elderly nun from Jingxiu Nunnery, aged about fifty, suffered from abdominal pain. She self-treated it as Sha disease (a condition often associated with summerheat and dampness toxins), using bloodletting and scraping methods without effect, and then invited me to treat her. Upon examination, her Right Guan pulse was surging and forceful, beating against the finger, while pulses in other positions were floating and rapid. I asked if there was any slight swelling at the painful area on the side of the abdomen and whether her legs were cramped or flexed. She replied that there was a hard mass on the right side of her abdomen that resisted pressure, and her right leg was flexed and could not be extended. I said, "This is Chang Yong (intestinal abscess), not Sha disease." She was greatly alarmed. I said, "Do not worry. If intestinal abscess is treated correctly in its early stage, ten cases can all be cured. The greatest taboo is surgical incision by surgeons, which leads to rotting of the intestines and perforation of the membranes, resulting in an incurable condition." Therefore, I prescribed Honeysuckle Flower (Jinyinhua), Angelica Root (Danggui), Rhubarb (Dahuang), Peach Kernel (Taoren), Moutan Bark (Danpi), Frankincense (Ruxiang), Myrrh (Moyao), Pangolin Scales (Chuanshanjia), Charred Hawthorn Fruit (Jiao Zhari Rou), and Dandelion (Pugongying). After taking two doses, pus and blood were discharged from the stool, with a foul odor. The swelling subsided, the leg extended, and the abdominal pain ceased. However, she continued to pass dysenteric pus and blood. Subsequently, I used herbs for draining pus and detoxifying, such as Honeysuckle Flower, Raw Licorice Root (Sheng Gancao), Peach Kernel, Angelica Root, White Peony Root (Baishao), Salvia Root (Danshen), Moutan Bark, Coix Seed (Yiyi Ren), Frankincense, Myrrh, Angelica Dahurica (Baizhi), and Fritillaria Bulb (Beimu), among others. After several doses, she recovered. Whenever a specific position of the pulse is found to be distinctly abnormal during diagnosis, one must deeply investigate the root cause. Painful areas that resist pressure and show slight swelling, if not due to traumatic blood stasis, are definitely internal abscesses. One must pay attention to clinical practice daily to know these principles.

Chen Chifu, a young gentleman from Niuyangsi Alley, was thirteen years old but had the stature of someone over twenty. His yang qi had already activated at age twelve, resulting in weak bone strength. Just as plants that grow rapidly tend to have tender branches and trunks, the principle is the same. In the spring of Dinghai year, he suffered from cough, excessive phlegm, poor appetite, fatigue, and flaccidity of both legs, making him unable to stand. He experienced nocturnal emissions whenever his eyes closed, and even when thinking about things during the day, he suffered from restless sleep at night. I was invited to treat him. His Left Guan pulse was wiry and rapid, his Right Guan pulse was deficient and large, and both Cun and Chi pulses were deficient and soft without strength. I said, "The syndrome belongs to hyperactive Liver Wood and deficient Spleen Earth, with insecure Kidney Qi, and Heart Fire insulting Lung Metal. Treatment should first protect the yin of the Lungs and Stomach, following the principle of 'Earth generating Metal.' Moreover, the Stomach is the foundation of acquired constitution; Earth generates all things. As the classics state: 'Those who can eat thrive.' Once the Stomach Qi gradually strengthens, then we can use substances with flesh and blood nature (blood-and-flesh有情之品) to nourish essence and blood through resonance of similar kinds, and the illness will gradually heal." Thus, I initially prescribed light-natured herbs such as Mulberry Leaf (Sangye), Glehnia Root (Shashen), Dendrobium Stem (Chaihu/Cihu - note: context implies Tie Pi Shi Hu), Stir-fried Ophiopogon Tuber (Chao Maidong), Loquat Leaf (Pipaye), Tribulus Fruit (Bajili), Pinellia Ternata (Xian Banxia), Tangerine Peel (Juhong), Bamboo Shavings (Zhuru), Sprouted Grain (Guya), Poria (Fuling), Poria with Hostwood (Fushen), Aster Root (Ziwan), Lily Bulb (Baihe), Bird's Nest fragments (Maoyan Xie), Ligustrum Fruit (Nvzhenzi), Lotus Seed (Lianzi), Chinese Yam (Huai Shan), and Euryale Seed (Qianshi), adjusting the formula as needed. After taking 20-30 doses, the phlegm gradually decreased, and the Stomach Qi opened. Then, I used herbs to soothe and nourish the sinews, nourish blood, and harmonize the Liver, such as Angelica Root, White Peony Root, Rangoon Creeper Fruit (Jinyingzi), Dendrobium Stem, Chinese Yam, Cornus Fruit (Shanzhuyu), Teasel Root (Xuduan), Eucommia Bark (Duzhong), Ophiopogon Tuber, American Ginseng (Xiyangshen), Schisandra Berry (Wuweizi), Donkey-hide Gelatin (Ejiao), Astragalus Complanatus Seed (Shayuan Jili), Ginseng, Fritillaria Bulb, Tangerine Peel, Poria steamed in human milk, Dragon Bone (Longgu), Oyster Shell (Muli), Euryale Seed, and Salvia Root. After another 30+ doses, nocturnal emissions and dream-disturbed sleep were cured. However, his feet remained weak. Later, I used substances with flesh and blood nature to make a paste, following Wu Juzhong's method of Tian Gen Yue Ku Gao (Heavenly Root and Lunar Cavity Paste). Each dose was 5-6 qian, taken twice daily, morning and evening. By the spring of Wuzi year, his gait returned to normal, and his physical strength exceeded that of before. This shows that tonifying medicines must be taken for a long time to be effective.