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A young woman who has not yet married may experience a sudden cessation of menstruation, with her abdomen distended as if pregnant, her complexion alternating between red and pale, and her six pulses (Cun, Guan, Chi positions on both hands) varying in size from large to small. People assume this is amenorrhea due to blood stasis, but little do they know it is possession by a spirit! When the body's upright Qi (vital energy) is strong, various pathogenic factors dare not invade; however, if the body's Qi is deficient or disordered, pathogens will naturally attack. Some may have vague spirits and seek partners in dreams, some may see blurriness and flirt with people face-to-face, some may impersonate relatives to secretly indulge in lust, and some may claim to be immortals to find pleasure in quiet places. Initially, they are startled by what they consider a fortunate encounter and keep it secret; later, ashamed of the indecency, they dare not tell anyone. As days pass and years accumulate, the abdomen becomes as large as a bushel, resembling pregnancy. The essence and blood of the entire body are barely sufficient to nourish the evil within the abdomen, causing the pathogen to grow stronger daily while the healthy Qi weakens. This inevitably leads to amenorrhea and blood exhaustion. Later, even if one attempts to regulate the menses, the pathogen occupies the abdomen, making menstrual flow difficult to restore; even if one tries to generate blood, the pathogen consumes the essence, making blood regeneration nearly impossible. Physicians mistake it for a true fetus when it is not, or for a mass (Zheng-Jia accumulation) when it is not a typical mass. Often, due to procrastination, patients either die from shame and indignation or succumb to consumptive diseases (Lao-Zhai) in their youth, never realizing the truth until death. Is this not truly pitiable? The treatment method seems to suggest tonifying the upright Qi to expel the pathogen; however, if the pathogen is not first removed, tonifying the upright Qi is of no benefit. One must first expel the pathogen and then tonify the upright Qi; this is the correct approach.

The formula used is Dangxie San (Evil-Expelling Powder).
Marasmius mylittae (6 qian), Peach Kernel (60 grains), Angelica sinensis (1 liang), Moutan Cortex (1 liang), Licorice Root (4 qian).
Decoct in water and take orally. After one dose, half a bucket of foul matter will be discharged. Subsequently, treat with Tiaozheng Tang (Regulating Decoction).
Atractylodes macrocephala (5 qian), Atractylodes lancea (5 qian), Poria (3 qian), Tangerine Peel (1 qian), Fritillaria Bulb (1 qian), Coix Seed (5 qian).
Decoct in water and take orally. After four consecutive doses, the Qi of the Spleen and Stomach will strengthen, and menstruation will gradually resume. The former formula expels evil, and the latter tonifies upright Qi; there is indeed a proper sequence. Some doubt that carrying a "ghost fetus" must severely damage the Blood, causing amenorrhea. Now that the ghost fetus has been expelled, should one not greatly tonify the Blood? Why tonify Stomach Qi instead? Because the person harboring the ghost fetus has extremely deficient upright Qi. It is known that Qi deficiency leads to an inability to produce Blood. To tonify Blood, one must first tonify Qi; thus, tonifying Qi allows Blood to generate naturally. Using Atractylodes macrocephala and Atractylodes lancea tonifies Stomach Yang. When Yang Qi is robust, Yin pathogens cannot easily invade, which is a superb method for post-treatment care. If one were to heavily use Yin-tonifying herbs, it would attract Yang Qi through Yin. I fear that although the ghost fetus might be expelled, the ghostly Qi might invade again. Therefore, tonifying Yang is the best strategy, allowing Blood to follow Qi in generation.

Marginal Note: This formula accumulates great merit! Seeing people die prematurely out of shame and indignation due to this illness, or perish in their youth from consumptive disease, is deeply pitiable. If this formula is ineffective, Guixiang Pingwei San (Cinnamon and Musk Pingwei Powder) should be taken, which is invariably effective. After recovery, one should regulate Qi and Blood and control diet.
Cinnamon Bark (de-barked, 1 qian), Moschus (1 qian).
Grind these two ingredients into fine powder, mix with boiled water to form pills the size of Torreya seeds. Take on an empty stomach with warm water. Half an hour after taking the pills, decoct and take one dose of Pingwei San.
Atractylodes lancea (stir-fried with rice wash water, 3 qian), Magnolia Bark (2 qian, stir-fried with ginger juice), Tangerine Peel (1 qian), Immature Bitter Orange (2 qian, stir-fried with soil), Whole Angelica sinensis (3 qian, washed with wine), Ligusticum chuanxiong (1 qian, washed with wine).
After taking, foul matter will be discharged. If no foul matter is discharged, take Pingwei San again the next day, without Cinnamon and Musk.

Verse:
A maiden unmarried, abdomen like pregnancy,
Mistaken for fetus or mass, neither is true.
Never having joined in sexual union with a man,
Lewd evils and ghosts secretly play upon her.
Treatment should employ Dangxie San,
With Peach Kernel, Angelica, and Marasmius.
Moutan and Licorice, decocted in water,
Expel evil, tonify upright Qi, and the disease heals itself.
After the ghost fetus falls, the Blood aspect is injured,
Use Baizhu Tiaozheng Tang.
Poria, Tangerine Peel, Coix, and Fritillaria,
Continuous intake strengthens Qi, and Blood also flourishes.