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Liang Nongzhai, a Grand Secretary, suffered from shortness of breath with phlegm, red and difficult urination, and pain in the heels. The Chi pulse (Kidney pulse) was floating and large, but rough upon deep pressure. This indicated Kidney deficiency with Phlegm-Fluid retention. He was treated with Siwu Tang (Four Substance Decoction) to deliver Liuwei Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia), and recovered in less than a month. Master Zhang Zhongjing stated: "In cases of Qi deficiency with Fluid retention, Shengqi Wan (Kidney Qi Pill) should be used to tonify and expel." This indeed enlightened later scholars and saved countless lives from premature death. Shengqi Wan is derived from Liuwei Wan.

Meng Youya, a Censor-in-Chief, presented with shortness of breath, dizziness due to phlegm. After taking acrid-aromatic agents, his phlegm increased, and he experienced urinary incontinence. His bilateral Chi pulses were floating and large, yet seemed absent upon deep pressure. I diagnosed this as the Kidneys' failure to grasp Qi and return it to its source, exacerbated by the drying nature of aromatic herbs. He was treated with the ingredients of Bawei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia) for three doses and recovered.

Sun, a Censor-in-Chief, had a robust and plump physique, overworked his mind, and was prone to anger. His face appeared reddish, he had thirst and expectorated phlegm, occasionally suffered from dizziness of the head and eyes, or felt heat rising from the abdomen. The three pulses on the left hand were surging and forceful, while those on the right were surging but weak. I diagnosed this as a deficiency of the Three Yin meridities of the Foot. He was cured using Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) supplemented with Maimendong (Ophiopogon Root), Wuweizi (Schisandra Fruit), and Jiajian Bawei Wan (Modified Eight-Ingredient Pill). Such individuals, showing signs of premature aging, cannot tolerate cold or heat, nor withstand physical labor, and fall ill with seasonal changes. This is because when young, their Qi and Blood were still growing, yet they exhausted their minds; or their Essence and Blood were not fully developed, yet they indulged in sexual activity excessively. Thus, symptoms are hard to describe completely. It is essentially a deficiency of Essence and Qi; if the Source of Transformation is nourished, the illness will heal spontaneously. Similarly, disorders caused by improper diet, overwork, or emotional imbalance should be treated with the aforementioned methods. If invaded by the Six Excesses (pathogenic factors), leading to various symptoms, it is also due to internal deficiency of True Qi allowing external pathogens to attack. In such cases, protecting Stomach Qi is paramount. Since the Stomach is the root of the Five Zang organs, Huangbai (Phellodendron Bark) and Zhimu (Anemarrhena Rhizome) should not be used lightly, lest they further damage Stomach Qi.

Generally, miscellaneous diseases attributed to internal causes involve insufficiency of both Form-Qi and Disease-Qi, requiring tonification rather than purgation. Although Shanghan (Cold Damage) is attributed to external causes, one must distinguish between Exterior/Interior and Deficiency/Excess, treating with caution.

Wang Tiancheng, Prefect of Changping, suffered from dizziness, aversion to cold, and bodily fatigue. Symptoms improved slightly after eating and worsened with exertion. The Cun and Guan pulses were floating and large, indicating Spleen and Lung deficiency. He was cured using Buzhong Yiqi Tang plus Manjingzi (Vitex Seed). Later, due to overwork, he developed fever, aversion to cold, delirium, and insomnia, with slight relief after eating. He recovered using Buzhong Yiqi Tang.

Zhu Zhishan, a Magistrate's Assistant, suffered from dizziness due to anger, internal tendon contraction, alternating chills and fever, and severe heat in the late afternoon. This was diagnosed as Liver Fire causing tendon contraction and Qi deficiency causing dizziness. He was cured after more than twenty doses of Bazhen Tang (Eight-Treasure Decoction) supplemented with Chaihu (Bupleurum Root), Zhizi (Gardenia Fruit), and Mudanpi (Moutan Cortex).

Gu Tongshi, a Jinshi degree holder, asked me during a banquet at the residence of Zhou, a Jinshi degree holder: "Previously, Meng Youya and Chen Donggu had no heirs. After taking concubines, they fell ill with dizziness and expectoration. Both were treated with Suhexiang Wan (Styrax Pill), yet only Meng survived. Why?" I replied: "Both conditions resulted from Kidney deficiency failing to grasp Qi, causing dizziness, and failing to control Water, causing phlegm-saliva. Donggu was treated specifically to attack phlegm and move Qi, whereas Youya was treated specifically to tonify Fire and supplement Qi." Later, responding to an invitation from Hangzhou residents, Gu Tongshi engaged in excessive sexual activity and suffered from the same symptoms. Someone treated him with Qingqi Huatan Wan (Clear Qi and Resolve Phlegm Pill), which aggravated his condition. Gu said: "My illness is Kidney deficiency failing to grasp Qi and return to its source." The physician failed to understand, and he died. What a pity!

A man who usually consumed rich and greasy foods presented with chest fullness and abundant phlegm. I said: "Those who consume rich foods often have accumulated heat internally." He was cured with Fazhi Qingqi Huatan Wan (Processed Clear Qi and Resolve Phlegm Pill). Seeing its efficacy, he prepared it to give away. Those with Spleen-Stomach deficiency would inevitably suffer harm from it.

My elder brother had a grand and imposing physique, produced much saliva-phlegm, and had a surging and forceful pulse. He could not endure fatigue well. Upon exposure to wind, he felt dizzy and nearly fainted. His mouth and tongue cracked, sometimes becoming red and ulcerated. After accidentally consuming a small amount of ginger and garlic, his mouth ulcers worsened. He recovered after taking Bawei Wan and Buzhong Yiqi Tang with Qian (one qian) of Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root). More than a month after stopping medication, all symptoms recurred. This was due to deficient Fire of the Mingmen (Gate of Life) failing to return to its source.