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My fellow townsman, Mr. Zhang Yunhuan (courtesy name Jiying, from Tongxiang County), possessed profound medical knowledge, and the door of his residence was often as crowded as a market with those seeking treatment. My cousin, Zhou Shixun, suffered from Summerheat disease in summer; after taking cooling Summerheat medicines twice, his condition deteriorated into a collapse syndrome. He was eventually cured by administering Bazhen Tang (Eight Treasure Decoction), a major tonic for replenishing Qi and Blood. His son, Tiehu Shangshe (name He), also had a mastery of medical principles and displayed exceptional courage and insight in diagnosis. A rural farmer suffering from asthma for over ten days without effect from medication sought treatment at their home. Mr. Zhang prescribed Xiao Qing Long Tang (Minor Green Dragon Decoction). The farmer hesitated, but Mr. Zhang said, "Take two doses of this medicine; if you still cannot lie down afterwards, I will gladly bear the responsibility." After the farmer left, his family was surprised by his bold statement. Mr. Zhang explained, "He has survived asthma for over ten days, which indicates it is not an Excess syndrome (a disease pattern characterized by strong pathogenic factors); what else could there be to doubt?" A few days later, the farmer returned, and indeed, his illness had subsided.

Hong Luyuan, a Xiaolian (Juren degree holder) from Linhai, mastered medical principles. He often stated that ancient formularies such as *Shanghan Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage) and *Jingui Yaolue* (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet), along with modern clinical guides like *Linzheng Zhinan*, should be studied with concentration and deep exploration; only then can one achieve success in diagnosing and treating diseases. There were few good physicians in Taizhou Prefecture because they lacked direction, reading only basic primers like *Yaoxing Fu* (Ode to Drug Properties), *Tangtou Gekuo* (Song Formulas), and *Yizong Bixu*. Consequently, they often relied on ancient formulas to achieve efficacy. The son of Military Officer Wen suffered from Summerheat syndrome. Initially, he had slight aversion to cold, followed by high fever, sweating, belching, abdominal fullness, dry mouth, thirst, facial swelling, headache, and scanty urination and defecation. The physician used herbs such as Gegen (Kudzu Root), Jiegeng (Platycodon Root), Zhi Banxia (Prepared Pinellia), Bohe (Mint), Peilan (Eupatorium), Chi Ling (Red Poria), Tongcao (Tetrapanax Pith), Xingren (Apricot Seed), and Lugen (Reed Rhizome). The patient gradually developed shortness of breath and mental confusion. Hong Luyuan diagnosed the pulse as large and the tongue coating as yellow, identifying it as a Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction) syndrome. One dose reduced all symptoms significantly. He then switched to fresh Shihu (Dendrobium Stem), Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome), Sheng Gancao (Raw Licorice Root), Jinyinhua (Honeysuckle Flower), and Gualou Shi (Trichosanthes Fruit), leading to recovery. Zhang Mingjing suffered from Spring Warmth disease, with aversion to cold, fever, and throat ulceration. The doctor used Gancao (Licorice Root), Jiegeng (Platycodon Root), Jingjie (Schizonepeta), Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia Root), and Niubangzi (Arctium Fruit) without improvement. Hong Luyuan prescribed Huangqin Tang (Scutellaria Decoction) plus Lianqiao Qiao (Forsythia Husk) and Xingren (Apricot Seed), resulting in cure after one dose. This truly demonstrates the skillful use of ancient formulas!

My elder brother, Mr. Xingcha (name Han), loved learning in his youth. Due to frequent illnesses, he read medical books extensively and became proficient over time. He served as the magistrate of Hua County but retired due to old age. Poor and unable to return home, he practiced medicine in Shunde County, the provincial capital. The son of Magistrate Xu suffered from summer diarrhea. Treatment with cooling Summerheat and damp-draining medicines failed, progressing to fever, anorexia, fatigue, and weak respiration. Mr. Xu was elderly and had only this son, leaving him desperate. He invited my brother for treatment. My brother said, "This is caused by cold medicines damaging Spleen Yang, leading to Yang deficiency and impending collapse. You must administer warming medicines to save him." He prescribed Fuzi Lizhong Tang (Aconite Regulate the Middle Decoction). Mr. Xu doubted and dared not take it. My brother said, "This is a critical juncture of life and death. The previous treatment was already a mistake; how can we make another? If this prescription fails, I will accept the blame." After taking the medicine, symptoms alleviated. Several doses led to complete recovery. Mr. Xu was overjoyed, gave generously from his purse, and sought help from colleagues, enabling his family to return home. My brother authored *Zhifang Zhuishuo* (Additional Remarks on Formula Preparation), which is circulated today.

Lü Cun Sima Zhenming from Qiantang served in Hubei with a reputation for good governance. Suddenly desiring to retire, he lived in Wumen (Suzhou) and treated many patients successfully. Tai Shi Pan Zunqi suffered from Jaundice (Dan Syndrome). Yinchen Tang (Artemisia Capillaris Decoction) was ineffective, and Pingwei San (Stomach-Calming Powder) also failed. He felt mud from the bottom of a well in his epigastrium and vomited even when rice water approached his lips. Lü diagnosed: "Dampness is present, but this is Cold-Dampness; it requires warming." He administered Wuling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria) plus Fuzi (Aconite Root). Upon swallowing, the chest felt refreshed. The son of the Fang family suffered from severe Shanghan (Cold Damage). It was proposed to use Niuhuang Qingxin Wan (Calves' Calculus Clearing Heart Pill). Lü said, "The pathogen is in the Fu organs and clouding the Pericardium. Opening orifices here would be inviting thieves. We must urgently purge to preserve Yin." He prescribed Xilian Chengqi Tang (Rhino Horn and Coptis Purging Decoction), curing the patient after one dose. The daughter of the Ye family, aged one year, was critically ill. She lay supine with a chest prominence like a mound, moaning and rejecting pressure. Lü diagnosed this as Jie Xiong (Chest Binding) and prescribed Xiaoxianxiong Tang (Minor Intra-thoracic Unbinding Decoction), which worked immediately. Lü passionately loved medical texts, studying various schools but regarding Zhang Zhongjing as his master. He once said that Zhang's legislation for Shanghan allows differentiation via the Six Channels; thus, even complex cases are not misled by divergent paths, and miscellaneous diseases can be understood consistently. In practice, his inquiry and pulse-taking were precise and silent. He always drafted prescriptions, reviewing them for several moments before finalizing. When multiple family members were ill, he treated them tirelessly. In his leisure, he wrote treatises expounding Zhang's theories, authoring *Shanghan Xunyuan* (Tracing the Source of Cold Damage), which is published.

He Shutian Qiwei from Qingpu came from a family of physicians. Initially a student focusing on scholarship and poetry, he did not practice medicine. After his father, Mr. Yuanzhang, passed away, feeling the family profession needed succession, he began practicing and gained great fame. A surnamed Xu patient suffered from delirious heat and mania, possessing strength to jump over walls. He said, "This is a binding of pathogen and food retention." Indeed, the patient had eaten cold-water-soaked rice in intense heat and slept under a willow tree. He was cured by purging with Dahuang (Rhubarb Root) and Zhishi (Bitter Orange Fruit). A scholar from Jinze Town, unmarried past twenty, suffered from mania. Using modified Niuhuang Qingxin Wan, He instructed the family to cover the decoction pot with a woman's underwear while boiling. Two doses cured him. Disciples were puzzled. He said, "This is the method of Yin-Yang Exchange; I used it accidentally with success." He composed a poem on medical theory: "Treating disease and writing essays share the same principle. The patient is the topic, pulse-taking reveals the texture. Firm insight avoids hesitation, forming decisive action. Specific drugs for specific paths, no herb should be mixed up. A clear mind makes hands agile, familiar methods become convenient. New gains follow symptoms, why be hindered by them? Do you not see classical writers, constrained by myriad changes? This shows where his lifelong strength lies."

My cousin, Dr. Zhou Yili, studied medical principles deeply. He once treated the wife of Wang, a district official in Fenshui, who had spasmodic arms unable to lift, dark complexion, and a slow, deep pulse. Various medicines failed. He prescribed Huoluo Dan (Meridian-Unblocking Pill), which cured her after several doses. Later, he effectively treated similar cold-dampness cases involving arm and leg spasms/swelling. Zhang, a relative of Yili, suffered from weakness, anorexia, and amenorrhea for eight months. A famous Suzhou doctor named He diagnosed menstrual obstruction and prescribed blood-invigorating medicines. Yili diagnosed: "Six pulses are slippery and rapid, especially the Right Cun position. This is pregnancy, and likely a male child." He gave fetal-calming medicines. Four months later, she gave birth to a boy.

Niu Songquan, Dianzhuan (Top Scholar), son of Fu Bao, and Fengweng Fangding (Qinglan), excelled in surgery. They treated the poor for free, giving medicines and spending heavily on preparation, saving many critical cases. Dianzhuan loved Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) texts. In Beijing, he frequently cured critical illnesses. He treated the mother of a fellow Jinshi graduate, an elderly woman with dysentery. Shaoyao Tang (Peony Decoction) failed, worsening her condition with fever and anorexia. He learned she had eaten much crab before onset. Pulse: Left wiry-rapid, Right rapid-weak. Tongue coating black in center. Abdominal pain relieved by pressure. Defying consensus, he insisted on hot medicines: Shu Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root) 8 fen, Pao Jiang (Roasted Ginger) 1 qian, Baishao (White Peony Root) 1 qian, Wuzhuyu (Evodia Fruit) 5 fen, Jiao Baizhu (Charred Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome) 3 qian, Fuling (Poria) 3 qian, Rougui (Cinnamon Bark) 8 fen, Zhi Gancao (Honey-fried Licorice Root) 1 qian, Sharen (Amomum Fruit) 5 fen, Chenpi (Tangerine Peel) 5 fen, Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger) 2 slices. One dose reduced dysentery frequency and heat. Remove Wuzhuyu and Chenpi, add Dingxiang (Clove) and Muxiang (Costus Root). Two doses stopped dysentery. Switch to Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Middle-Warming and Qi-Boosting Decoction) plus Fuzi, Rougui, and Pao Jiang for complete recovery. Dianzhuan kept a case record book titled *Chunbing Ji* (Spring Ice Collection), implying caution.

Chen Mengqin Maocai Xishu from Wujiang lived in Luxu. His great-grandfather, a student named Ce, obtained a secret surgical formula from the Pan family and began practicing. Maocai was scholarly and respected in his youth. When his family declined, his mother urged him to learn the family trade for livelihood. He studied under his brother, Shangshe Xi Zeng, completing his training in a year. He recorded all his cases into 322 volumes, extracting key points into ten volumes to teach his nephews. His son-in-law, Scholar Shen Wozhi Dafu, selected these to compile *Records of Father-in-Law Mr. Chen's Disease Treatments*. Only the best cases are recorded here. One patient had his tongue protruding out of his mouth by more than an inch. Other doctors tried ancient methods using Dadou (Velvet Bean) smoke and Heart-Spleen clearing medicines without success. Mr. Chen ordered chicken comb blood applied to the tongue and had someone strike a bronze gong loudly behind the patient. Startled, the patient looked back, and the tongue retracted. Asked why, Mr. Chen said, "The tongue is the sprout of the Heart; the Heart governs blood. Use something of its kind. Chicken combs represent purity and gather essence. Striking the gong startles the Qi into the Heart, treating the root." (Note: Zhou Zhen treated a woman whose tongue remained out after childbirth by applying Cinnabar and having someone knock a broken pot against the wall to retract the tongue. This seems derived from that method.)

Mr. Chen prioritized the sequence of treatment. Once, amidst a crowd, he called a man forward and asked about his ailment, noting slight arm swelling. Looking closely at a small carbuncle, he whispered to companions, "This is a White Blade Carbuncle. Look at the white spot rising on his forehead. Go home quickly; danger is imminent." As the man left, the white spread to his mouth corner, and he died before reaching home. The Xu son, over twenty, could not move limbs, was drowsy, and worse after eating. Unknown diagnosis, Mr. Chen said, "I saw this in *Zhouhou Beiji Fang* (Emergency Prescriptions Kept in the Sleeve), called 'Grain Labor,' caused by lying down immediately after a full meal." He prescribed pills made of Chuanjiao (Sichuan Pepper), Ganjiang (Dried Ginger), and Bei Maiya (Roasted Barley Sprout), curing him.

An opium smoker had widespread eruptions, itching, skin peeling, daily confusion, and delirious speech. Mr. Chen said, "This is severe poisoning. Ordinary detoxification may fail." He used 1 liang of Zhusha (Cinnabar) ground with Hupo (Fossilized Wood/Amber), mixed with Xijiao (Rhino Horn) juice, and administered with Sandou Tang (Three Beans Decoction). Mental clarity returned instantly. Skin peeled off, causing unbearable pain. He then ground Changpu (Acorus Rhizome) and Ludou (Mung Bean) into powder, sprinkled it on mats, allowing the patient to sleep peacefully. Recovery occurred within half a month.

The Hu son suffered sore throat and shortness of breath, unable to swallow water. Some diagnosed Wind-Warmth, others Wind-Phlegm. Mr. Chen found fine, weak pulses, cold extremities, and a slippery Spleen pulse. He diagnosed Deficient-Cold Throat Bi and prescribed Lizhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction). Observers were shocked. Mr. Chen said, "Administer urgently, or it will be too late. If ineffective, I bear the blame." The cup was finished, and the patient stabilized.

Zhang Menglu Xuebo Qianli from my county excelled in poetry and medicine. Living in Houzhu Village, hundreds of boats visited him daily. Half his income supported relatives and friends; he owned no property, only tens of thousands of books. Zang Shougong, a Xiaolian from Changxing with literary fame, tutored Zhang's sons and knew medicine. He asked Zhang, "Ye of Changzhou forbids Chaihu (Bupleurum Root); Xu of Wujiang mocks this. You rarely use it. Are you confused by Ye's view?" Zhang replied, "No. People in Jiangsu/Zhejiang often have dampness. Lightly using lifting agents inevitably causes Mingxuan (medication reaction/dizziness), delaying efficacy. Ye's words come from experience; Xu's are rigid. This explains Hejian's radical view that ancient methods shouldn't be blindly followed." Zang asked, "Why do you not use Sheng Yao (Ascending Medicines) for sores?" Zhang said, "Sheng Yao is the Five Poison Drugs of Han times. All sores relate to the Heart (Fire organ). Southern sores stem from Damp-Heat. Using harsh, refined hot medicines damages the Qi of the weak or increases heat/toxicity in the strong. Hence, they should not be used lightly." Zhang saved many lives. Notably, Gui from Huzhou suffered from Cold Hernia and retained fluid for four years. One formula worked immediately; three changes cured him completely. First visit: Liver Yang stagnation attacking Stomach, damaging Stomach Qi, losing harmonizing function. Liver stagnation gathers as Hernia; Stomach retention gathers as Fluid. Hernia moves below, Fluid overflows above. Bowels/bladder slowly open. Cold Hernia and Retained Fluid attack each other. Chronic case requires slow treatment. Emotional relief helps. [Fuling 3 qian, Guizhi 3 fen, Sheng Dongzhu 1.5 qian, Zhi Gancao 4 fen, Xiao Chuanlian 3 fen, Wuzhuyu (soaked) 3 fen, Ganjiang 3 fen, Zhi Banxia 1 qian, Zhishi (stir-fried) 5 fen, Baishao (wine-fried) 1.5 qian, Shengjiang 3 fen, Zhuru 7 fen.] Second visit: Cold Hernia/Fluid stuck in middle, disrupting Yangming. Intestines begin descending; dark/yellow hard stools pass freely. Accumulation clears. Intestines open, then Stomach harmonizes. Major turning point. Fluid/Hernia disturb Yangming. Lower blockage prevents upper reception/conduction. Basin full, spills over. Now focus on nourishing Stomach to restore function. Opportunity now. Hematuria/scanty urine also relate to Yangming. [Dangshen 3 qian, Ju Pi 1.5 qian, Fuling 2 qian, Zhi Banxia 1 qian, Maidong (cored) 1.5 qian, Huomaren 2 qian, Pa Xingren (peeled) 2 qian, Baijili (fried, thorns removed) 2 qian, Douwandou (fried, ground) 3 qian, Heima 3 qian, Shibing (roasted) half piece, Jingmi 1 pinch.] Third visit: Illness for 3-4 years, autumn finally moistened intestines. Dry stool comes, then loose. Stomach pulse stops reversing upward. Vomiting stops, appetite returns. Yangming disease benefits from unblocking as tonifying. Late autumn dryness, hemorrhoids improve. Continue nourishing Yangming gently. [Dangshen 3 qian, Ju Pi 1.5 qian, Fuling 2 qian, Zhi Banxia 1 qian, Maidong (cored) 1.5 qian, Shumi 2 qian, Jin Shihu 3 qian, Zaoren (fried, ground) 2 qian, Sheng Gancao 4 fen, Lupi Jiao 2 qian, Shibing half piece, Heye one corner.]

Historically, chancellors knowledgeable in medicine include Yi Yin, Di Lianggong, Lu Zhongxuan Gong, Fan Wenzheng Gong. In our dynasty, Wang Wendu Gong from Shanyang also mastered medicine. He commented on Wu Jutong's *Wenbing Tiaobian*: Warmth and Damp-Warmth are the two main outlines. Warmth enters via nose/mouth, has no cold signs, strictly avoids acrid-warm exterior-releasing, must distinguish from Cold Damage, use Three-Jiao medication, differentiate Qi/Blood/Ying/Wei, and maintain order of priority/emergency to avoid error. Damp-Warmth involves mixed pathogens, turbid Yin pervades, has cold/heat, variable transmission. Carefully observe accompanying signs, differentiate meridians/organs/Qi/Blood/Yin/Yang, and balance Damp/Heat ratios before treating. Heat cures with clearing; Damp cures with venting. Severe Damp may not cure with venting alone; wait for transformation to Heat, then clear. One is Yang disease, one involves Yin; difficulty differs clearly. This shows his precision.

Kong Xingzhou Shangshe Guangfu from my hometown excelled in external pathogens. He said: Jin Kou Li (Lockmouth Dysentery) often results from wrong medication. Doctors treating dysentery often use Gegen, lifting Damp-Heat into Yangming, causing hiccups/anorexia and dangerous conditions. Urgently administer Huanglian and Ganjiang to succeed. I see modern doctors treating external pathogens without differentiating Hand/Foot Six Channels, blindly using Gegen and Chaihu. For Warm Diseases, this turns mild to severe, severe to fatal. Families don't understand drug properties, thinking the disease is incurable, not knowing the doctor kills them. Tragic!

*Continued Cases of Famous Doctors* records: Bao Luyin, over twenty, caught heat in She in summer. After nasal bleeding healed, he ate a pear and developed vomiting. Liver Fire with Stomach Cold. Hundred treatments failed. Hearing the word 'vomit' triggered immediate emesis. Went to Ye in Wumen. Pulse deep/fine. Prescribed Fuzi Lizhong Tang with Renshen, Ganjiang, Fuzi at 3 qian each. After taking, walked half a li, felt heavy head/dizzy, rushed home, collapsed at the door. His father knew drugs, suspected Aconite toxicity, urgently boiled Gancao to灌 (force-feed). Revived after a long time. Removed Fuzi, took three more doses, vomiting worsened. Re-diagnosed, told to take original formula. Changed to Xue Meishi. Explained history. Xue used Liujunzi Tang. Four doses failed. Winter cold increased cough, lingering to summer. I visited, found severe illness. Previously vomiting, now constipation for 7-8 days, only drinking tea. Several doctors suggested moxa on navel, no effect. Diagnosed: Blue/pale face, wiry/deep pulse overflowing at Cun. Spleen Yin severely deficient, Water/Fire blazing. Chronic cough lung deficiency, Liver unrestrained, attacks Spleen/Stomach, causing Guan Ge (Obstruction/Regurgitation). Pulse not rapid, easy to treat. Calm Liver first to stop upward rush/vomiting, allowing Lung to descend/bowels to move. Prescribed Huanglian and Rougui 5 fen each, steamed in soup. Vomiting stopped slightly, ate cakes. But bowel/bladder distension unbearable. Ordered one large river snail, mashed, applied to Dantian, tied firmly. Within hour, bowels/bladder moved, excreting green matter. Recovered suddenly. Date: May 27, Ji Xu year (Qianlong 19). Ye Tian shi died in Qianlong 10, so this must be his descendant. If by Tian shi, he wouldn't act this way. Later, Liuwei Dihuang Wan modified with Shashen/Maidong stopped cough. Long-term Yangrong tonics prevented recurrence. Note: Bao published *Mingyi Leian*, Wei corrected it. They were close friends. Ge Zhishan Buyi Yong from Shangyuan was orphaned/poor, studied in a temple. Met a strange man who gave him a secret Huangdi Neijing text. Treatments were miraculous. Children playing: one jumped with open mouth, fell on threshold, tongue severed. Another sat on threshold, scrotum broke, testicle dropped. Ge treated all. Morning to noon, busy as market, teaching/drawing tirelessly. Afternoon, wandered with 100 coins, gathering herbs/flowers/visiting friends. Officials heard of him, welcomed him. He lied: "Ge is a poor scholar, faking skills, killed someone yesterday, fled." He valued freedom. Expert in Bian (stone needle) therapy. For Chiyou Feng (Cellulitis/Erysipelas) where sweat couldn't emerge (high mortality), he used bloodletting to replace sweat. Cut bamboo clamped with porcelain edge to prick, beads of blood flowed, cured immediately. Light cases didn't break skin; severe cases injured flesh, no second hand needed. In Xianfeng Gui Chou March, rebels took Jinling, forced him to be internal physician. Refused. 14th day evening, carried two old coffins to hall, gave 9 silver ingots to neighbors, settled affairs. Drank with wife Zhou until drunk, dressed properly, entered coffins, called nephew to nail shut. Time near midnight.