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Zhang Ruhán, a Tingping (Court Reviewer), experienced epigastric and chest fullness (pi) and difficulty digesting food. After taking Zhizhu Wan (Bitter Orange and Atractylodes Macrocephala Pill) for a long time, he became emaciated, developed fever and dry mouth, with a floating, large yet slightly weak pulse. Using Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Decoction to Supplement the Middle and Augment the Qi) added with Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger Rhizome) and Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig), all symptoms subsided. Only signs of Spleen-Stomach deficiency-cold remained, so Bawei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill) was used to tonify Mingmen Fire (Fire of the Gate of Life). Within a month, appetite improved, and within three months, his physique recovered. If this condition had not been treated with the aforementioned formula, it would likely have progressed to abdominal distension, panting and shortness of breath, edema of the legs and feet, and dribbling urination. In such emergencies, Jisheng Jiajian Shenqi Wan (Modified Kidney Qi Pill from the Jisheng Fang) could also save lives.

A scholar preferred to keep fires burning even in midsummer, often wishing to soak his limbs in boiling water. His face was red, and he expectorated phlegm, resembling excess heat. Severe vomiting expelled old food residues; only eating spicy foods like Sichuan pepper and ginger brought relief. I reasoned that "vomiting after eating" indicates Spleen-Stomach deficiency-cold. He gradually recovered using Bawei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill) and Shiquan Dabu Tang (Decoction for Complete Great Tonification) added with Paojiang (Prepared Ginger Rhizome), returning to health within a month.

A female patient ate less than one bowl per meal. She either suffered from loose stools or acid regurgitation and belching with a putrid odor. When treated with Erchen Tang (Two-Aged Decoction) or Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome), her internal heat worsened, leading to vomiting. I stated: As Master Dongyuan said, "pathogenic heat fails to digest grain." This is Spleen-Stomach weakness progressing to cold transformation. Several doses of Liujunzi Tang (Six-Gentlemen Decoction) added with Paojiang (Prepared Ginger Rhizome) and Muxiang (Vladimiria Root) gradually restored Stomach Qi and dietary intake. Subsequently, Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Decoction to Supplement the Middle and Augment the Qi) added with Paojiang (Prepared Ginger Rhizome), Muxiang (Vladimiria Root), Fuling (Poria), and Banxia (Pinellia Tuber) cured her. Later, due to anger, her diet suddenly decreased, Yuanqi (Primal Qi) weakened, and fever intensified, resembling excess heat. However, the pulse was large and empty, with the two Chi pulses (Kidney pulses) feeling non-existent. Using Yiqi Tang (Qi-Supplementing Decoction) and Bawei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill) for two months, all symptoms resolved.

Zhu Zuo stated: Previously, due to a fall, I heard a cracking sound. Sitting or standing for long periods caused numbness in my left foot, which felt ice-cold even in summer. In the summer of the Ji-Hai year of Jiajing, after drinking water while drunk and asleep, I fell back asleep and felt a knot in my right abdomen. Massaging it produced gurgling sounds; applying heat relieved the gas but stopped the pain temporarily, though it aggravated repeatedly. Eating slightly more caused abdominal pain and diarrhea. Doctors prescribed Zhizhu Wan (Bitter Orange and Atractylodes Macrocephala Pill) without effect. In the Jia-Chen year, I sought treatment from Mr. Lizhai (Xue Ji). After diagnosis, he sighed and said: "This is not a Spleen-Stomach disease, but Mingmen Fire (Fire of the Gate of Life) decline failing to generate Earth (Spleen/Stomach), causing Earth deficiency and cold. Focusing solely on the Spleen-Stomach is a mistake. Taking Bawei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill) will cure you." I admired him greatly, and it proved effective. Since Bawei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill) contains Fuzi (Aconite Lateral Root), physicians dare not use it lightly. Indeed, Fuzi (Aconite Lateral Root) breaks through barriers and restores life, usable only by a capable general. Mr. Lizhai is the Zhuge Liang of our time. Being poor, I cannot repay his virtue, so I record this case. On the second day after the full moon in the twelfth month of the Jia-Chen year of Jiajing, Zhu Zuo of Shadun, style name Jian'an, bowed and wrote.

Kuang Zijing, a Guanglu (Director of Imperial Sacrifices), had a pale complexion and fatigued spirit, with poor appetite and indigestion. He took Erchen Tang (Two-Aged Decoction), Zhizi (Gardenia Fruit), Zhishi (Immature Bitter Orange), etc., becoming increasingly emaciated and eating less. I considered this Spleen-Earth deficiency-cold, indicating the need to tonify the Mother of Earth (Kidney). Disbelieving me, he directly tonified the Earth, leading to his death.

Luo Gongbu (Ministry of Works Official) felt cold in the abdomen but hot on the exterior in midsummer. Inhaling through the nose made his abdomen feel cold; fearing wind and cold, his pulse was large, deficient, and slight. Each bowl of hot porridge required a bowl of ginger slices; away from heat sources, his abdomen felt cold immediately. I said: "Heating does not produce warmth, indicating lack of Fire. Use Bawei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill) to strengthen the source of Fire to dissipate Yin shadows." Instead, he took Siwu Tang (Four-Substance Decoction) and Xuanshen (Scrophularia Root) and died.

Chen Chanting, an official in the Ministry of Works, had fever and phlegm. Taking Erchen Tang (Two-Aged Decoction), Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome), and Zhiqiao (Aurantium Fructus) worsened his condition. In late winter of the Jia-Chen year, I treated him. His Left Chi pulse was faint and fine, Right Guan pulse floating and large, but weak upon heavy pressure. I said: "Mingmen Fire (Fire of the Gate of Life) decline fails to generate Earth, causing Spleen disease. Tonifying Fire to generate Earth may cure it." Unaware, he continued previous medications, weakening Spleen-Earth further. By the intercalary first month of Yi-Si year, his illness became critical. Upon re-examination, the Right Cun pulse was flat and detached, indicating Earth failing to generate Metal, with vital Qi severed internally. I declined treatment. The Classic states: "Deficiency tonifies its mother, excess drains its son." When disease is in the Son organ, tonify the Mother. How much more so when the Mother organ is deficient? Draining the Son instead leads inevitably to death.

In the Xin-Chou year, at the residence of Tu Jianshan in Jiaxing, Lin Eryshou suffered intermittent confusion and incessant delirious speech. His pulse was large and floating but empty upon pressure, indicating Yang deficiency. I recommended Shenfu Tang (Ginseng and Aconite Decoction). The original physician happily agreed, saying it matched his thoughts. The patient took it, slept quietly, woke up, ate, and after a second dose at noon, his mental state returned to normal, and his pulse converged. Upon my return, the physician falsely claimed he had used too much Fuzi (Aconite Lateral Root) and used Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome) to counteract it, while secretly continuing Shenfu Tang (Ginseng and Aconite Decoction). Observing Zhang Zhongjing’s treatment of Shanghan (Cold Damage): "If Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) is taken when Yang is excessive, death ensues; if Xiaoshi and Dahuang enter the stomach when Yin is excessive, death ensues." The error of treating without differentiation is self-evident. Fearing these words might mislead patients, I publicly expose them.