Library

A male patient suffered from diarrhea for more than ten years. He had already used Cardamomi Fructus Rotundus (Doukou), Colla Corii Asini (Ejiao), Terminalia Chebula Retzui (Hezi), Os Draconis (Longgu), and Alumina Calcinate (Kufan). He received moxibustion annually at the Zhongwan (CV12) acupoint, below the umbilicus, and the Zusanli (ST36) acupoint. His skin and flesh became shriveled and dry, his spirit was confused, his feet were swollen, and he passed watery stools resembling rice washings without restraint day or night. Dairen (Zhang Congzheng) examined the pulses of both his hands, finding them deep and faint, and said, "He will survive." The patient suddenly asked, "Can raw sheep liver be eaten?" Dairen immediately replied, "Sheep liver can stop diarrhea; it is especially suitable for consumption." The patient was delighted and ate about one small cup, which could be taken with grain gruel. After drinking a few mouthfuls of gruel, nearly half a cup, he subsequently ate another small cup of raw sheep liver. The next day, his diarrhea decreased by seven-tenths. After continuing in this manner for over a month, he recovered. This was all due to the sin of excessive dietary restriction.

Dairen often said: The Stomach is the sea of water and grain; it must not be deficient or timid. If it is deficient, all kinds of pathogenic factors will enter. If one desires to eat meat or vegetables, even if it seems contrary to the illness, one should allow small amounts to be consumed to entice the intake of grain gruels. This is the way of flexible adaptation. If one strictly demands only bland gruel, the patient will be displeased and eat less. Over time, this will worsen the disease and damage life. Such practices mislead people in the secular world.

Dairen often said: Regarding dysenteric toxin (Zangdu) and alcohol toxin causing hematochezia and hematemesis; blood obstruction in women under thirty; purulent and bloody severe dysentery occurring between June and July with unceasing pain; and pregnant women who are selective about food upon conception—none of these conditions require strict dietary taboos.

Dairen said: People claim I do not associate with other practitioners. Dairen said, "Do I not wish to associate with others? It is simply that those whose paths differ cannot plan together. The excellence of medicine regards the *Suwen* (Plain Questions) as its ancestor. Some have never seen its face in their lives; some read its text but do not understand its meaning. Although such people claim intimacy, what is there to discuss? They merely seek one or two prescriptions. Generally speaking, prescriptions were established by predecessors. Diseases change in hundreds of ways; how can one adhere rigidly to a fixed formula? In wealthy households where patients are treated by multiple physicians, Dairen would certainly not follow the common doctors, nor would they follow Dairen. Thus, he was often isolated. Only scholars and noble gentlemen, who admired him and returned repeatedly, kept his door busy daily. Dairen also said: My methods can only teach scholars; they cannot tolerate the disdain of medical practitioners. An old scholar said, "I am a scholar; do I not know scholars? Scholars tend to give approval but act lightly and casually." Dairen asked him, "That person had never seen me treat patients, hence such remarks. If he had personally witnessed me cure dozens of people, he would reflect on himself. All those who slander me believe the gossip of the group of doctors. Confucius said: 'The infiltrating slander and the subtle harm cannot take effect here.' This can be called wisdom."