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Wei Dexin, a northerner, traveled to Xijin (modern-day Beijing). In winter, he drank cold water and suffered from cold, resulting in a stiff, straight waist that could not bend or extend, with heavy legs making walking difficult. He was carried on a bed along the way, seeking medical advice at every stop. All physicians claimed it was Kidney deficiency and prescribed Cistanche Herba (Rongshou), Morinda Officinalis Root (Baji), Aconite Lateralis Radix Praeparata (Fuzi), and Deer Antler Glue (Lurong). However, his constipation worsened, tidal fever rose upward, and this persisted for over a year. He then sought help from Dairen (Zhang Congzheng's courtesy name). Dairen said, "This illness will show effects within ten days!" Wei replied, "A month is not too late." Dairen explained, "The Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian contains abundant blood; when diseased, the waist feels as if broken, constrained, and torn. Afflictions of the Taiyang meridian lead to difficulty in bending and extending. Moreover, the waist is the mansion of the Kidneys and a major joint of the body. Since it is now stiff and immobile, one should use salty substances to soften it; taking it in one dose will restore flexibility. The *Nan Jing* states: 'Excessive sexual activity damages the Kidneys and depletes Marrow; depletion leads to the destruction of high bones and loss of function,' which shares the same therapeutic principle as your case. Currently, your condition involves the Taiyang meridian being obstructed by Cold, causing blood to sink and stagnate in the waist, indicating blood stasis accumulation rather than Kidney deficiency. Sequential purgation can expel hundreds of bowel movements, removing approximately one or two *dou* of stagnant blood. Subsequently, steaming therapy using a nine-curved perforated stove should be applied; sweating three to five times will cure it. During the initial steaming period, on the fifth day, I asked you: 'Is there rumbling in the abdomen?' You said no. On the sixth day, you felt rumbling, and by the seventh day, you could rise and bow to people. Dairen noted: 'Do not apply steaming therapy if the patient has Heat signs, as it may damage the eyes.'"

Wang Minzhi, an official of the Law Department, suffered from Cold Hernia (*Han Shan*). A mass gathered below the umbilicus, resembling a cucumber, causing severe, unbearable pain encircling the waist during attacks. Dairen treated him with *Zhouche Wan* (Boat Cart Pill) and *Zhushen San* (Pig Kidney Powder). After four or five bowel movements, he felt the medicinal force circulate around the lesion three to five times before descending; the excretion was entirely watery. Both Pig Kidney and Kansui Root are bitter and cold. The Classics state: "Treating Cold with Cold ensures success in every attempt." However, after purgation, one must avoid cold water and cold foods, preferring dry foods, because Cold Hernia originates from Water-Dampness. The disease diminished by 80% that day, and appetite doubled. Several days later, he took over one hundred pills of *Zhouche Wan* and 4-5 qian of *Tongjing San*, resulting in purgation. After three to four days, he took another 70-80 pills of *Zhouche Wan* and 3 qian of *Zhushen San*, after which his gait became normal and vigorous.

A monk suffered from Hernia. During attacks, cold qi penetrated upwards to the teeth and downwards to the Kidneys, with the scrotum tightening as if pulled by ropes, swelling intermittently and feeling cold. Dairen palpated both wrists and found the pulse thin and weak. He diagnosed, "This is an Autumn pulse. It arises because Metal Qi is superior above, suppressing Liver Wood below. Liver Wood fears Metal's restraint and cannot extend, hence these symptoms. The Liver Qi is congested and cannot descend to nourish the testicles, causing the sensation of cold, which is actually not true Cold. Liver Wood, constrained by Metal, transmits to Stomach Earth. The Stomach belongs to the Yangming channel, so the pathogen ascends to the teeth; the pathology does not originate in the teeth itself. Liver Wood is the mother of Heart Fire; if the mother cannot extend, the son also becomes suppressed, leading to lower cold and Water Qi exploiting the weakness. The Classics state: 'When Wood is depressed, vent it; when Earth is depressed, drain it.' By inducing vomiting and purgation four times each, he indeed felt harmonious Qi, and the testicles became itchy and warm. Dairen said, 'The Qi has entered the testicles.' He prescribed Fennel Fruit and acrid-warm herbs for long-term consumption, curing him within a month."