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Headache with a hollow pain in the brain can be treated by using 3 qian (approx. 9g) of Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuanxiong) and Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui), grinding them into powder together, and mixing evenly with one cow brain. Divide into three doses, taken with hot wine.
Drink until intoxicated and lie down; upon waking, the condition will resolve.
If various medicines for headache are ineffective, use one large Fuzii Preparata (Prepared Aconite Root) sliced, boiled with one sheng of Mung Bean (Ludou). (Modern usage: two bowls.) After boiling thoroughly, remove the Aconite, and consume only the mung beans and their juice; the condition will resolve.

Ginger Application Method (from *Zhongfutang*)
Treats headache caused by Wind-Cold invading the Taiyang channel, as well as unilateral headache.
Take three slices of Ginger Rhizome (Shengjiang), wrap them well in mulberry bark paper, moisten with water, and roast in hot ashes until warm. While still hot, apply one piece to Yintang (Ex-HN3) and one piece to each Taiyang (Ex-HN5) acupoint, securing them with a bandage. Immediate relief is expected.

Guizhi Shexiang Taiyang Plaster (from *Zhongfutang*)
Treats unilateral headache caused by Wind-Cold.
Cinnamon Twig Heart (Rouguixin, 1 fen), Moschus (Shexiang, 2 li), Realgar or Arsenic Trioxide (Renyan, 1 li, highly toxic, use with caution), Asarum Root (Xixin), Magnolia Flower (Xinyi, 5 li each), Pepper Fruit (Hujiao, 10 grains).
Grind all into powder, mix with jujube flesh to form pills the size of a pea. Place one pill in the center of the plaster and apply accurately to the Taiyang acupoint. Effect visible within one day. For young adults with excessive internal heat, after recovery, take Scutellaria Root (Huangqin) and Rhubarb (Dahuang) to purge fire, preventing recurrence.

Baizhi Xixin Nasal Snuff (from *Zhongfutang*)
Treats unilateral headache.
Angelica Dahurica Root (Baizhi), Asarum Root (Xixin), Gypsum Fibrosum (Shigao), Frankincense (Ruxiang, oil removed), Myrrh (Moyao, oil removed).
Grind equal amounts of these herbs into fine powder. Snuff into the nose: if left-sided pain, snuff into the right nostril; if right-sided pain, snuff into the left nostril.

Ge Syndrome refers to obstruction and blockage, inability to accept food. It is also called "Ge," indicating the disease location is between the chest and diaphragm. The Upper Jiao governs the upper opening of the stomach for reception; the Middle Jiao combines with the middle stomach for digestion and transformation; the Lower Jiao separates the small intestine for separating clear from turbid. This syndrome causes dysfunction of the Three Jiao, leading to a fatal prognosis. Zhu Danxi attributed it to dryness of the stomach wall, prescribing Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) added with cattle/sheep milk, Bamboo Sap (Zhuli), and leek juice. Xue Ji attributed it to depression injuring the Liver, where Liver Wood overacts on Spleen Earth, prescribing Zuo Jin Wan, Xiaoyao San, Liujunzi Tang, Guipi Tang, Liuwei Wan, and Bawei Wan, administered intermittently based on symptoms. Yi Silan applied this method to treat Qi Ge, having patients swallow 100 Bawei Wan pills in the morning and Changwei Tang in the evening, to open the upper and nourish the lower, showing much efficacy. Zhao Xianke believed this disease mostly occurs in people over fifty, where Kidney Water is depleted, Yang Fire is excessive, scorching body fluids, causing Heat accumulation in the Three Yang channels, leading to constipation and urinary retention. Since the lower is blocked, Qi rebels upward, attacking the clear pathways and rushing to the Xi Men (Admission Gate). Large doses of Liuwei Wan decoction should be taken long-term to save one or two out of ten cases. However, in my observation, once Ge Syndrome is established, there is ultimately no cure.
Question: If there is no cure, must we simply watch them die?
Chen Xiuyuan replies: Even if medication is attempted, it is merely doing one's utmost. An old doctor in my hometown strictly used Cheng Shi's Qige Yin (Open the Diaphragm Decoction). Initially effective, it worsened the condition over time. However, for cases of Phlegm-Fire stagnation and Qi rebellion obstructing the upper burner, it can serve as a guide. *Yiren Pian* focuses on the Yangming channel, using Zuogui Yin added with Rehmannia Root (Shengdi) and Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui), aiming to open the Ben Men (贲门, Cardia - allows food intake), You Men (幽门, Pylorus - allows urination), and Lan Men (阑门, Ileocecal valve - allows moist stool). The intent of these formulas imitates Zhang Zhongjing's Banxia Xiarou Tang (Pinellia Half-Sharing Decoction) using Ganlan Honey Water. They fail to realize that Zhang Zhongjing used Pinellia Tuber (Banxia) to regulate Yin and Yang, Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen) to regenerate fluids, and Honey for moisture and circulation, thereby avoiding obstruction. Cheng Shi forbade Banxia due to its fluid-consuming nature, ignoring the subtle principles of Zhang Zhongjing's Maidong Tang and this formula!
Zhang Shiwang stated: Ancients attributed Yige (dysphagia/ge) to fluid dryness, so liquids pass but solids obstruct, indicating dryness in the Upper Jiao. I suspect this. If fluids were truly exhausted, why would saliva surge immediately after swallowing food? Thus, the failure of Qi communication between the esophagus and throat is due to rebellious Qi ascending from the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel). Because of Qi rebellion, fluids cannot stay in their normal descending position and surge upwards. Using descending/moistening agents for fluid dryness would only exacerbate the pathogen. One should modify Liujunzi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction): add Cinnamon Twig (Rougui) and Prepared Aconite Root (Fuzi) for Cold with slow/thready pulse; add Immature Bitter Orange (Zhishi) and Coptis Rhizome (Huanglian) for Heat with rapid/slippery pulse; add Schisandra Berry (Wuweizi) and Bamboo Leaf (Zhuru) if choking prevents voice production; add Floating Limestone (Haishi) and Chebula Fruit (Hezi) if a lump sensation blocks food (Phlegm-Qi); add Angelicae Sinensis Radix Tail (Guiwei), Peach Kernel (Taoren), Leek Juice, and Child's Urine (Tongbian) for stasis-related pain; add Rhubarb (Dahuang) mildly for severe cases. *Qianjin Fang*'s Wuye Wan and Wuge Wan may also be selected.
Commentary: Zhang Shiwang’s focus on Chong Mai rebellion is indeed profound insight, derived from Zhang Zhongjing’s Banxia Xiarou Tang. However, claiming moistening agents exacerbate the pathogen stems from observing excessive saliva and sticking to superficial symptoms. Treating Chong Mai issues involves the Yangming channel. Zhang Zhongjing used Pinellia to descend Chong Qi, White Honey to moisten Yangming Dryness, and Ginseng to regenerate lost fluids. Zhang Shiwang grasped half but missed half. The substance accumulating like fat in the stomach is called Stomach Yin. Due to Chong Qi rebellion, daily vomiting of sticky saliva means daily loss of Stomach Yin. How can one say moistening agents should be rejected? I dare not flatter others.

*Renjing Jing* states: *Neijing* says: "Three Yang knotting is called Ge." This means the Foot-Taiyang Bladder channel fails to move water passages, the Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine channel fluids are exhausted, and the Foot-Yangming Stomach channel has dry feces accumulation. Thus, food/drink is rejected; even if entering the Tai Cang (Stomach), it returns up the throat. Normal bowel movement is once daily. Now, Ge patients go 5-7 days without stool; old matter stays, new matter cannot enter. Quack doctors arbitrarily divide this into Five Ges and Ten Yes, creating branches and losing the essence, confusing root and branch. Therefore, they use ginger roasted in fire, cinnamon boiled in soup. Piper Longum Fruit (Bibo) follows Pepper; Amomum Fructus (Doukou) follows Clove; Clove follows Amomum. Though claiming to harmonize the Stomach, the Stomach is not deficient; though claiming to warm the Spleen, the Spleen is not cold. This is why the disease worsens. The method should use Sanyi Chengqi Tang (Three-One Purging Decoction) to gently purge in stages, followed by Sesame Drink. Once rotten matter is cleared and intestines purified, masses dissipate, and Ying-Wei flourish, diet naturally improves.
Commentary: Although this method is biased, for a fatal case, urgent use offers hope; otherwise, hesitation is useless.

Fanwei (Reverse Regurgitation) syndrome presents as eating in the morning and vomiting in the evening, or eating in the evening and vomiting in the morning. Early-stage patients are treatable. Wang Bing said: Food cannot enter indicates Fire; food enters and comes back out indicates lack of Fire. Following Zhao Xianke’s method, Liuwei Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia) treats Ge syndrome by strengthening Water to control Fire; Bawei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia) treats Fanwei by benefiting Fire source to eliminate Yin shadow. In my opinion, food entering and vomiting out indicates the Spleen has lost its ability to digest grain, and the Stomach has lost its capacity to receive. Use Lizhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction) to warm the Spleen, adding Malta (Malt) to promote the rise of Yang Qi. Combined with Ginseng and Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome (Baizhu) for tonifying and draining, Wood and Earth do not harm each other, allowing the Spleen to function. Alternatively, use Wujiuyu Tang (Evodia Decoction) to warm the Stomach, using Evodia Fruit (Wuzhuyu) to anchor Jueyin rebellious Qi. Combined with Ginseng, Jujube, and Licorice for sweet-warm synergy, Zhen and Kun harmonize, allowing the Stomach to function. If concerned about extreme Cold in the Middle Burner and slow warming, make pills of Dried Ginger (Ganjiang), Evodia Fruit, Prepared Aconite Root, and Piper Longum Fruit with honey for rapid fire transformation. To prevent dry-heat from harassing the Upper Burner, coat these with powder of Glehnia Root (Shashen), Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome, Poria (Fuling), Malt, Silkworm (Wuguchong), Licorice, and White Cardamom Seed (Baokouren), using Cinnabar Liuyi San (Six-to-One Powder) as an outer coating. This allows mild medicine to act on the Earth element externally first, while pungent-hot medicine reaches the Mingmen (Gate of Life) via the Middle Burner to cook food. Finally, use Bawei Wan to complete the treatment. If the disease is very hot, merely taking Bawei Wan slowly is too sluggish. (Zhang Shiwang noted: Yang deficiency failing to control transport causing vomiting/constipation can be treated with Ginseng, Rhubarb, and Aconite to unblock; Blood stasis blocking airways in the diaphragm can be treated with Didang Wan pills the size of mustard seeds, 2 qian swallowed. Hiccups triggered by hot water or spicy foods indicate blood stasis.)