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Tang Yibu (an official title) experienced pain in the chest, which extended to the abdomen after more than a month. The pulse at the left Guan position was wiry and long, and the pulse at the right Guan position was wiry and tight. This indicated Spleen deficiency with Liver pathogenic factors taking advantage of the weakness. After two doses of Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) added with Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) and Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix), he recovered. Subsequently, he took Liujunzi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction) for two doses to stabilize his condition. His complexion was yellow with a bluish tint.

Li Beichuan, also an Yibu, frequently suffered from abdominal pain, which was cured each time by administering Buzhong Yiqi Tang added with Shanzhi (Gardeniae Fructus). One day, due to anger, he experienced abdominal pain, distension in the chest and hypochondrium, vomiting, and inability to eat. The Liver pulse was wiry and tight. This indicated Spleen Qi deficiency with Liver Fire taking advantage of the weakness. He continued to use the previous prescription (Buzhong Yiqi Tang plus Shanzhi) while swallowing Zuojin Wan (Left Metal Pill), recovering after one dose. His complexion was yellow with a bluish and reddish tint.

Zhu Yangshan, a Taishou (Prefectural Governor), suffered from abdominal pain and diarrhea due to anger. Sometimes he experienced distension in both hypochondria, pain in the chest and breasts, alternating chills and fever, difficulty in urination, inability to take food, vomiting of phlegm-saliva, and unclear mental state. This indicated Liver Wood overacting on Spleen Earth. He was treated with Xiaochaihu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) added with Shanzhi (Gardeniae Fructus), Paojiang (Prepared Zingiberis Rhizoma), Fuling (Poria), Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), and Zhì Huánglián (Processed Coptidis Rhizoma). He recovered after one dose. (Zhì Huánglián is prepared by mixing equal parts of Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma) and Wuzhuyu (Evodiae Fructus), moistening them with hot water, covering them for two to three days, stir-frying them together until scorched, and then using only the Huanglian. The following methods are similar.)

The wife of Zhu Yangshan had a history of irritability, chest and diaphragm discomfort, excessive expectoration, acid regurgitation, belching with a foul taste, poor appetite, and heat sensation in the hands and feet, lasting for over ten years. Her medications usually consisted of Qin (Scutellariae Radix), Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Zhishi (Aurantii Fructus), Binglang (Arecae Semen), Suzi (Perillae Fructus), or Houpo (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex). The pulse at the left Guan position was wiry and surging, and the pulse at the right Guan position was wiry and rapid. This belonged to Liver Fire and Blood dryness, with Wood overacting on Earth. In the morning, she took Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia) to nourish Liver Wood; in the evening, she took Liujunzi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction) added with Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) and Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix) to regulate and tonify Spleen Earth. She recovered within a month. In the summer of the Gui Mao year, she developed a carbuncle on the back, presenting as deficiency-cold syndrome, which was cured with strong warming and tonifying medicines. In the summer of the Yi Si year, due to great anger, she experienced acid regurgitation, belching with a foul taste, and chest and abdominal fullness. I was away for ten days. During this time, others used Erchen Tang (Two Aged Decoction) and Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum), causing her to vomit saliva like a gush and feel intense external heat. They were about to administer Guntan Wan (Rolling Phlegm Pill) to purge. Upon my return, I diagnosed her pulse as surging and large but empty upon deep pressure. I stated: "This is fever caused by Spleen and Stomach deficiency, with saliva overflowing due to weak Spleen." I administered Liujunzi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction) added with Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma) and Gui (Cinnamomi Ramulus). After drinking one cup, she fell asleep. Upon waking, all symptoms disappeared, and she recovered after several more doses.

Shen Niwen, a Confucian scholar, had retained food internally and contracted wind-cold externally. He presented with headache, fever, nausea, and abdominal pain, and sought treatment from me. I prescribed Renshen Yangwei Tang (Ginseng Decoction to Nourish the Stomach) added with Xiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Zhi (Bai Zhi, Angelicae Dahuricae Radix), Qu (Shenqu, Massae Fermentatae Medicamentae), Bai (Huangbai, Phellodendri Cortex), Xiangfu (Cyperi Rhizoma), and Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix). He recovered after one dose. The next day, upon returning home, his previous illness recurred, specifically abdominal pain. Pressing heavily with the hand stopped the pain. This was cold pathogen taking advantage of deficiency. I prescribed Xiangsha Liujunzi Tang (Aucklandia and Amomum Six Gentlemen Decoction) added with Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix) and Paojiang (Prepared Zingiberis Rhizoma). After sleeping following administration, the pain decreased by six or seven tenths. Removing Muxiang and Sharen (Amomi Fructus) and taking it again allowed slight improvement in diet. Finally, adding Huangqi (Astragali Radix) and Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), with a small amount of Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), led to recovery.

The mother of Xu Daofu, a student at the local academy, suffered severe pain in the epigastrium corresponding to the heart. The pulses at the right Cun and Guan positions were absent; although present at the left, they were faint and nearly imperceptible. Her hands and feet were cold, and the condition was critical. Observing her complexion, the skin above and below her eyelids was dark blue. This indicated Spleen deficiency with excessive control by Liver Wood. I used Renshen (Ginseng Radix), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Fuling (Poria), Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), and Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) to tonify the Middle Qi; Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix) to harmonize Stomach Qi and move Liver Qi; and Wuzhuyu (Evodiae Fructus) to disperse Cold in the Spleen and Stomach and stop abdominal and cardiac pain. An urgent dose was given, to be taken boiling hot first, followed by the rest when warm. All diseases were cured. Had they adhered rigidly to the notion that "pain has no tonification method" and instead used attacking drugs, disaster would have ensued immediately.

A woman suffering from emotional depression experienced intermittent cardiac and abdominal pain for over a year without relief from various medicines. I prescribed Guipi Tang (Restore the Spleen Decoction) added with fried Shanzhi (Gardeniae Fructus), and she recovered.