辽宁寇姓媪，年过六旬，得霍乱脱证。
病因 孟秋下旬染霍乱，经医数人调治两日，病势垂危。
证候 其证从前吐泻交作，至此吐泻全无。奄奄一息，昏昏似睡，肢体甚凉，六脉全无。询之
犹略能言语，惟觉心中发热难受。
诊断 此证虽身凉脉闭，而心中自觉发热，仍当以热论。其所以身凉脉闭者，因霍乱之毒菌窜入
心脏，致心脏行血之机关将停，血脉不达于周身，所以内虽蕴热而仍身凉脉闭也。此当
用药消其毒菌，清其内热，并以助心房之跳动，虽危险仍可挽回。
处方 镜面朱砂（钱半） 粉甘草（一钱细面） 冰片（三分） 薄荷冰（二分）
共研细末，分作三次服，病急者四十分钟服一次，病缓者一点钟服一次，开水送下。
复诊 将药末分三次服完，心热与难受皆愈强半。而脉犹不出，身仍发凉，知其年过花甲，吐
泻两日，未进饮食，其血衰惫已极，所以不能鼓脉外出以温暖于周身。
处方 野台参（一两） 生怀地黄（一两） 生怀山药（一两） 净萸肉（八钱） 甘草（三钱蜜炙）
煎汤两大盅，分两次温服。
方解 方中之义，用台参以回阳，生怀地黄以滋阴，萸肉以敛肝之脱（此证吐泻之始，肝木助邪
侮土、至吐泻之极，而肝气转先脱），炙甘草以和中气之漓。至于生山药其味甘性温，可助台参回阳，
其汁浆稠润又可助地黄滋阴。且此证胃中毫无谷气，又可惜之以培养脾胃，俾脾胃运化诸药有力也。
效果 将药两次服完，脉出周身亦热，惟自觉心中余火未清，知其阴分犹亏不能潜阳也。又
用玄参、沙参、生山药各六钱，煎汤服下，病遂全愈。
A sixty-something surnamed Kou, an elderly woman from Liaoning, suffered from Huoluan Tuozheng (Huoluan collapse syndrome).
Etiology: She contracted Huoluan (cholera-like disease) in the late stage of Mengqiu (the seventh lunar month). After two days of treatment by several physicians, her condition became critical.
Symptoms: Previously, she experienced alternating vomiting and diarrhea. At this stage, both vomiting and diarrhea had completely ceased. Her breath was faint, she appeared drowsy as if sleeping, her limbs were very cold, and all six pulse positions were imperceptible. Upon inquiry, she could still speak faintly, but reported feeling intense heat and discomfort in the heart region.
Diagnosis: Although her body is cold and pulses are closed, the patient's subjective sensation of heat in the heart indicates that this should still be treated as a heat syndrome. The reason for her cold body and closed pulses is that the toxins of Huoluan have invaded the heart, causing the heart's mechanism for pumping blood to nearly cease, preventing blood vessels from reaching the whole body. Thus, although there is internal heat accumulation, the exterior remains cold and pulses closed. Medication should be used to eliminate the toxins, clear the internal heat, and assist atrial contraction. Although dangerous, the condition can still be reversed.
Prescription: Jingmian Zhusha (Mirror-polished Cinnabar, 0.5 qian), Fen Gancao (Powdered Licorice Root, 1 qian, finely ground), Bingpian (Borneol, 3 fen), Bohebing (Mint Ice/Borneol preparation, 2 fen).
Grind all ingredients into a fine powder, divide into three doses. For urgent cases, administer every 40 minutes; for milder cases, administer every hour. Take with boiled water.
Follow-up Visit: After completing the three doses of the powder, the heart heat and discomfort improved by more than half. However, the pulse remained imperceptible, and the body remained cold. It is inferred that because she is over sixty years old and has undergone two days of vomiting and diarrhea without food intake, her blood essence is extremely depleted and exhausted, thus unable to propel the pulse outward to warm the body.
Prescription: Yetaishen (Wild Taishen/Ginseng root, 1 liang), Sheng Huai Dihuang (Raw Rehmannia Root from Huaiqing, 1 liang), Sheng Huai Shanyao (Raw Chinese Yam from Huaiqing, 1 liang), Jing Yurou (Cleaned Cornus Officinalis Fruit, 8 qian), Gancao (Licorice Root, 3 qian, honey-fried).
Decoct in water to yield two large bowls of liquid, divide into two doses, and take warm.
Formula Analysis: The intent of the formula is to use Taishen to restore Yang, Raw Huai Dihuang to nourish Yin, and Yurou to consolidate the leakage of Liver Qi (at the onset of vomiting and diarrhea, Liver Wood assists the pathogen to insult Spleen Earth; when vomiting and diarrhea reach their peak, Liver Qi tends to leak first). Honey-fried Gancao harmonizes and stabilizes the leaking Middle Qi. As for Raw Shanyao, its sweet flavor and warm nature help Taishen restore Yang, while its viscous juice aids Dihuang in nourishing Yin. Furthermore, since the stomach lacks grain qi in this condition, it is beneficial to use Shanyao to cultivate the Spleen and Stomach, enabling them to transform and transport the medicinal herbs effectively.
Outcome: After taking the medicine in two doses, the pulse emerged, and the whole body became warm. However, she still felt residual fire in the heart, indicating that Yin deficiency still prevented the submergence of Yang. Subsequently, Xuanshen (Scrophulariae Radix), Shashen (Glehniae Radix), and Sheng Shanyao (Raw Chinese Yam), each 6 qian, were decocted and taken as soup. The illness was completely cured.