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Gu Qiufang, an employee of Shengtai Fan Shop in Qinghe Fang, Wulin, had suffered from hematemesis (vomiting blood) for over ten years. The illness originated from excessive alcohol consumption causing damage. Heat in the blood led to reckless bleeding, and indiscriminate use of various medicines resulted in emaciation, profuse phlegm, aversion to cold, and palpitations.
His mental state was confused as if dazed; he suspected himself of having a deficiency-cold syndrome and recklessly ingested highly heating herbs, listing more than forty ingredients without any principle of Jun-Chen-Zuo-Shi (sovereign, minister, assistant, courier). Fearing the medication was not hot enough, he used ginger juice decocted and taken orally, which exacerbated his aversion to cold. Even wrapped in multiple layers of thick quilts, he still disliked the slightest breeze. His heart was deficient and gallbladder timid; he constantly feared being crushed by collapsing houses. In crowded places, he detested noise and disturbance. In the autumn of Dinghai year, he invited me to treat him. At that time, he presented with phlegmic wheezing and rebellious qi, with a pulse that was empty, large, and rapid, beating seven or eight times per breath. This was because the previously consumed highly acrid and hot herbs had intensified internal fire. Excessive fire damaged Metal (Lung), injuring the Lung organ. This is what is meant by extreme heat manifesting as cold symptoms. The condition was extremely critical. I tentatively prescribed a method of sweet-cold nourishing Yin, using fresh Reed Rhizome juice, sweet pear juice, water caltrop juice, fresh Rehmannia Root juice, and Ophiopogon Root juice, each half zhong, mixed with one zhong of human milk, taken slowly daily. This prescription was made in a desperate situation. He felt somewhat relieved after taking it, but due to lack of proper care later, he passed away in spring.

Mr. Zhang Diaomei from Qiantang, aged over forty, had suffered from lower body bleeding for many years. In September of Dinghai year, he summoned me for consultation at the Douchan Temple on Wushan Mountain. His spirit was exhausted. His pulse was wiry, thin, hollow, and slow, which is exactly the Ge Pulse (Leather Pulse) described by Zhang Zhongjing. For men, this indicates loss of blood and essence; for women, spontaneous abortion or persistent uterine bleeding. I said: Based on pulse and symptom analysis, the primary treatment should address abdominal pain and blood loss. He agreed. I said: This condition stems from Liver Wood being overly strong while Spleen Earth is weak. Since the Liver stores blood and the Spleen controls blood, excessive dispersal by Liver Wood causes blood to fail to be stored internally and leak downwards. He stated that he had been bleeding for years, several times a day, with a sensation of qi rushing downwards, unbearable tenesmus, loose stools exceeding normal bowel movement frequency, soreness and pain in the lower back and sacrum, distension and urgency in the lower abdomen, rebellious qi upon movement, and relief only when sitting or lying with legs extended, resembling a hunchback. I said: This is a disease of the Extraordinary Vessels. The area on both sides of the lower abdomen is called Shaofu, where the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) circulates. The Du Mai (Governing Vessel) runs along the dorsal spine, with a branch connecting to the sacrum, passing through the spine and buttocks, entering the Huiyin point. The Dai Mai (Belt Vessel) encircles the waist. Disease of the Chong Mai presents with rebellious qi and internal tension; disease of the Du Mai presents with a limp sensation in the lower back as if sitting in cold water. Furthermore, Du Mai deficiency leads to an inability to straighten the spine, resulting in postures like "using the buttocks instead of heels" and "using the spine instead of the head." These manifestations are depicted accurately. All extraordinary vessels are affiliated with the Liver and Kidney. The formula used included Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis), Bai Shao (White Peony Root), Chuan Duan (Dipsacus Root), Shan Yao (Chinese Yam), Gou Qi Zi (Goji Berry), Lu Jiao Jiao (Deer Antler Glue), Shu Di Huang (Prepared Rehmannia Root), Gui Ban (Turtle Shell), Mu Li (Oyster Shell), Sang Ji Sheng (Taxillus), Xiao Hui Xiang (Fennel), Mu Xiang (Aucklandia Root), and Fang Feng (Saposhnikovia Root). Decoction was taken with San qian (three mace) of Jisheng Wumei Wan (Jisheng Mume Pill). After a few doses, bleeding stopped, and tenesmus decreased. Then, Mu Xiang, Fang Feng, and Wumei Wan were removed, and blood-nourishing substances were added to strongly consolidate the extraordinary vessels. Treatments alternated between decoctions and pastes. Various methods were employed, and symptoms gradually stabilized. However, Kidney Qi rushed up from the lower abdomen, resembling Ben Tun (Rushing Pig) syndrome. Later, moxibustion was applied to Zhongwan (CV12), Guanyuan (CV4), and Shimen (CV5). After two months of regulation, he recovered. Whenever there is deficiency of the extraordinary vessels, blood-nourishing substances must be used extensively to achieve efficacy. As stated in the Neijing: "When essence is insufficient, tonify with flavor." Regarding moxibustion, particular attention should be paid.