Library

A man from the east gate suffered from persistent diarrhea and dysentery, with abdominal borborygmus sounding like thunder. He dared not sit on cold surfaces; if he did, his stool would flow out like a pouring stream. All physicians diagnosed it as a cold syndrome. He had taken herbs such as Radix Zingiberis Preparata (Ganjiang), Ramulus Cinnamomi (Guangui), Flos Caryophylli (Dingxiang), and Semen Myristicae (Doukou); also dried alum (Kufan) and Os Draconis (Longgu). He underwent various cauterization needles (Fanzhen)! Various moxa cones (Zhuzhi)! The condition persisted for nearly twenty years. One day, he consulted Dairen (Zhang Congzheng). Dairen said: "The pulse at both cun positions is slippery; I do not consider this a cold syndrome. However, the reason he feels cold is due to water retention." Thus, using Cha Tiao San (Tea Regulation Powder), he induced vomiting to expel five to seven sheng of cold water; using Wu You San (Worry-Free Powder), he purged dozens of bowel movements of accumulated water. This is the method of "treating obstruction with unblocking agents" (Tong Yin Tong Yong). Subsequently, using a mild dosage of Wu Ling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria), he promoted diuresis to treat the diarrhea; and used Gan Lu San (Sweet Dew Powder) to relieve thirst. Within a few days, eating cold food and drinking cold beverages returned to normal. This method was thoroughly explained by Wang Qixuan (Wang Bing), yet unfortunately, no one uses it.

The Marquis of Xicheng, upon hearing that his father died at the hands of bandits, wept bitterly in extreme grief. After crying, he felt heart pain, which increased daily. Over a month later, a mass formed, resembling an inverted cup, causing unbearable severe pain. Medications were ineffective. They discussed using cauterization needles and moxibustion, but the patient detested these methods, so he sought help from Dairen. When Dairen arrived, a shaman happened to be nearby. Dairen imitated the shaman, mixing in absurd words to tease the patient, until the patient laughed heartily and could not stop. Facing the wall, after one or two days, the knot under the heart dissipated. Dairen said: "The *Neijing* states: 'Sorrow causes Qi stagnation, while joy relaxes and harmonizes all vessels.' It also says: 'Joy overcomes sorrow.' The *Neijing* itself provides this treatment method; why use acupuncture and moxibustion? That would only increase his pain!"

The wife of Magistrate Xiang Guan suffered from loss of appetite, often shouting and cursing angrily, wishing to kill those around her, ceaselessly uttering foul language. Physicians prescribed medicines for half a year, but she remained unchanged. Her husband asked Dairen to examine her. Dairen said: "This is difficult to treat with medicine." He then had two courtesans apply rouge and powder, dressing up as actors, causing the woman to laugh greatly; the next day, he had them perform wrestling (Jiaodi), causing her to laugh again; beside them, two women known for good appetites praised the deliciousness of their food, prompting the patient to ask for food and taste it. Within a few days, her anger subsided, her appetite increased, and she recovered without medication. She later gave birth to a son. A physician must possess talent; without talent, how can one adapt to infinite changes?