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Antelope Horn: Its nature is close to neutral, merely slightly cool. It is most capable of clearing intense heat and simultaneously resolving the severe toxicity within the heat. Moreover, it excels at clearing interior heat and penetrating the exterior, able to guide the heat-toxin from the zang-fu organs to the skin surface for discharge. For rashes that have not yet erupted, or those that have erupted but rapidly recede, this herb can be used to vent them; it is a miraculous drug for supporting the eruption of measles. Even in cases where eruption fails and toxic vapors sink inward, taking it can cause the internalized toxin to dissipate on its own. Furthermore, it enters the Liver meridian effectively to treat conditions caused by blazing Liver fire, such as eye diseases, and is also a miraculous remedy for patients suffering from hematemesis (vomiting blood) and epistaxis (nosebleed). Most uniquely, while it is excellent at reducing fever, it is not excessively cold; even with excessive use, it does not cause stomach cold leading to diarrhea, differing from other cooling herbs. This represents a special virtue inherent to the herb, which cannot be weighed against ordinary drugs based on standard hot/cold properties. Whether used alone or combined with other medications, it yields significant effects. Herein, I specifically record more than ten cases cured using Antelope Horn to demonstrate its efficacy.

[Attached Cases]
In the year Renyin, around midnight in late spring, the son of my cousin Liu XX, aged six, developed a rash over several days. Because he suffered greatly from taking medicine, forcing him to take it induced vomiting, so no doctor was consulted. That night, he suddenly began panting incessantly, showing signs of imminent danger. Unsure if he could be saved, I went with his family to examine him. I observed that besides rapid breathing, his spirit was confused, and his limbs were restless and agitated; his pulse was trembling and rootless upon deep palpation. His rash had receded on the third day, leaving slight purple marks, indicating that toxic fire was attacking internally and Liver wind had stirred. I reasoned that only Antelope Horn could simultaneously extinguish wind, clear fire, and support the expulsion of toxins. Additionally, it has no color or taste, and its decoction resembles clear water, making it palatable for a child. I urgently prepared a decoction of three qian of Antelope Horn. After observing the child swallow it, he became calm after more than ten minutes.

The granddaughter of Wang XX from Fengtian, aged five or six, suffered from an eye disease. After several days of ineffective treatment by Western doctors, she was referred to me. Her eyelids were swollen with flesh growing over them, completely obscuring the eyeballs, accompanied by extreme pain and incessant crying. I prescribed a single dose of two qian of Antelope Horn to be decocted and taken urgently. It was already 9 PM, but by midnight she slept peacefully. By morning, half of the swelling had subsided. The dregs were decocted and consumed again, resulting in complete recovery. Since the Liver opens into the eyes, and Antelope Horn’s nature corresponds to Wood, it shares a resonance with the Liver, allowing it to enter the Liver meridian to drain pathogenic heat and subdue the ministerial fire residing in the Liver and Gallbladder, making it an supreme remedy for heat-related eye diseases.

An elderly woman surnamed Han from Fengtian, over sixty years old, developed a carbuncle on her arm. Poor surgical treatment led to internal attack of toxic fire and accumulation of hot phlegm obstructing the chest, causing unconsciousness. Several Eastern physicians treated her without success, and her breath grew fainter. Upon examination, I diagnosed Phlegm Jue (syncope due to phlegm obstruction). I urgently administered five qian of Borax (Peng Sha), boiled until dissolved, and instilled two-thirds down her throat. Shortly after, she vomited a considerable amount of phlegm and saliva, waking up abruptly. However, the lesion remained swollen and painful. The carbuncle was on the left arm, and the left pulse was fuller and tighter than the right, indicating blazing Liver fire manifesting as a toxic swelling. I prescribed a formula to clear fire and resolve toxicity, and additionally mixed in a decoction of two qian of Antelope Horn. One dose resulted in a cure.

The youngest daughter of Wang XX from Fengtian, aged five, experienced premature receding of her rash due to rapid healing, causing toxic fire to stagnate internally. After more than ten days, high fever persisted. Although her body appeared weak due to prolonged illness, her pulse indicated excess heat. Her stool was dry, and urine yellow-red, indicating that mild remedies would suffice. I prescribed two qian of Antelope Horn and two liang of Raw Gypsum (Sheng Shi Gao), decocted into one large cup, to be drunk slowly. Two doses resulted in complete recovery.

The youngest daughter of Liu XX from Fengtian, aged four, developed some white sand-rash (Bai Sha) on her chest and abdomen during early summer, which quickly disappeared. She presented with high fever, mental confusion, and diarrhea, a critical condition. I prescribed eight qian each of Raw Huai Yam (Sheng Huai Shan Yao) and Talcum (Hua Shi), three qian each of Forsythia (Lian Qiao) and Raw Hang Peony (Sheng Hang Shao), two qian each of Cicada Slough (Chan Tui) and Licorice (Gan Cao), and one qian of Antelope Horn (decocted separately and mixed in). Decocted into one large cup, mixed with the Antelope Horn decoction to total one and a half cups, administered in three warm doses. The white sand-rash reappeared, her spirit cleared instantly, and diarrhea stopped. Subsequent treatment with detoxifying and fire-clearing agents led to full recovery.

The youngest son of Ma XX from Fengtian, aged four, sought medical help due to premature receding of his rash. He presented with closed eyes, panting, lethargy, unresponsiveness, high fever, and constipation for several days. I diagnosed internal attack of rash toxin causing mental cloudiness, requiring the combined use of Antelope Horn and Raw Gypsum. I prescribed one liang of Raw Gypsum, six qian each of Scrophularia (Xuan Shen) and Figwort Root (Hua Fen), three qian each of Forsythia and Honeysuckle (Jin Yin Hua), and two qian of Licorice, decocted into one large cup. Separately, two qian of Antelope Horn were decocted into half a cup. The mixtures were combined and taken in three warm doses. Completion of one dose resulted in recovery.

A girl surnamed Chen from Fengtian, aged six or seven, had persistent burning heat for over ten days after a rash, unresponsive to multiple Western medicines. My examination revealed a rapid and forceful pulse, indicating residual heat from the rash toxin. I advised her to drink a decoction of one qian of Antelope Horn alone, which immediately resolved the fever.

The youngest son of Yu XX from Tianjin, aged four, had been out for three days with a rash that seemed to recede but did not fully disappear. He had high fever, thirst with desire to drink, mental instability, and a forceful, trembling pulse. Fearing convulsions due to heat, I prescribed a heat-clearing and toxin-supporting formula, adding one qian of Antelope Horn to prevent spasms. Before the medicine could be decocted, convulsions occurred severely. I then decocted the Antelope Horn and the other herbs separately, mixed the decoctions, and administered them continuously. The convulsions ceased immediately. The formula was then modified to remove Antelope Horn, and one additional dose was taken, resulting in full recovery.

Zhang XX from Cangzhou visited to inquire about a prescription, stating that his one-year-old grandson had a rash that turned into black spots after receding, indicating imminent danger. Inquiry revealed internal sinking of toxic heat. I prescribed one qian of Antelope Horn and several qian each of Scrophularia, Figwort Root, and Forsythia. The Antelope Horn was decocted separately into half a tea cup and mixed with the decoction of the other three herbs. One dose cured the condition.

The youngest son of Zhao XX from Cangzhou, aged five, contracted a warm disease leading to convulsions, appearing asleep and unresponsive. The family feared death. His pulse was very forceful, and his skin was hot. I explained, "This condition arises because warm pathogenic qi ascends along the Du Meridian, injuring the brain, causing convulsions and lethargy, which Western medicine calls meningoencephalitis. Although critical, it is easy to treat." I prescribed two qian of Antelope Horn decocted into one cup, administered repeatedly. The convulsions ceased, and consciousness returned. Subsequently, I prescribed one liang each of Raw Gypsum and Scrophularia, and one qian each of Mint Leaves (Bo He Ye) and Forsythia, decocted into one large cup, taken in divided warm doses. One dose resulted in a calm pulse and normal temperature. Convulsions originate from the Du Meridian, which governs the brain and spinal cord nerves (the Du Meridian is the root of these nerves). Antelope Horn grows from the Du Meridian, thus effectively clearing heat from the Du Meridian and nerves.

The youngest son of Liu XX from Cangzhou, just one year old, suffered from tonsillitis/pharyngitis, unable to nurse, with breathing difficulties and upward deviation of the eyes during severe episodes. I urgently prescribed one qian of Antelope Horn, decocted into more than half a cup, and administered it. Breathing normalized, and nursing resumed shortly after.

Mrs. Li from Cangzhou, in her twenties, had undergone three surgeries for scrofula at a Western hospital and subsequently developed severe typhoid-like symptoms that Western medicine could not treat. Examination revealed rapid breathing, a pulse rate near seven beats per cycle, indicating external excess heat, but rootlessness upon deep pressure. This was due to repeated anesthesia damaging the Qi. She complained of unbearable internal heat and severe hypochondriac pain. I urgently prescribed two qian of Antelope Horn decocted into one large cup, mixed with three raw chicken egg yolks. Upon ingestion, the heart heat and hypochondriac pain ceased immediately. Subsequently, I administered a large dose of Baihu Jia Renshen Tang (White Tiger Decoction plus Ginseng), one large bowl per dose, mixed with three raw chicken egg yolks, taken in divided warm doses. Two doses resulted in complete recovery.

My wife, Ms. Wang, historically could not tolerate oral medication, often vomiting at the smell of herbs. Once, she suffered severe hematochezia (blood in stool). While I was away, she managed herself, knowing that Antelope Horn has no odor. She took one qian of Antelope Horn decocted in water, which cured her immediately.

My friend Mao XX was famous for treating hematemesis and epistaxis, frequently using Antelope Horn in his formulas. When asked about the rationale, he stated that these conditions are often caused by Chong Qi rushing upward and Stomach Qi reversing, causing blood to bleed recklessly. This reversal is usually triggered by Liver fire or Liver Qi agitation. Using Antelope Horn to calm Liver fire and Qi prevents the upward rush, allowing blood to return to its vessels. I deeply agreed with this theory and applied it to similar cases with exceptional results.

The concern is that while Antelope Horn is a precious drug for critical conditions, it is expensive. Through careful clinical observation, I found that in cases requiring Antelope Horn, it can be substituted with a combination of three other herbs whose efficacy rivals or even surpasses Antelope Horn: Fresh Imperata Rhizome (Xian Mao Gen), Raw Gypsum (Sheng Shi Gao), and Aspirin. Below, I specify the dosages for this combination and name the formula for ease of memory.

[Ganlu Qingdu Yin (Sweet Dew Detoxification Decoction)]
Fresh Imperata Rhizome (six liang, peeled and chopped), Raw Gypsum (one and a half liang, crushed fine), Aspirin (half grain).
Decoct the first two ingredients into one large bowl of soup. Divide into three doses, administering Aspirin with each dose every two hours. If profuse sweating occurs after the first dose, reduce the Aspirin dosage for subsequent doses. If no sweat occurs, increase the Aspirin dosage slightly. The ideal outcome is slight perspiration. Adjust the Gypsum dosage based on the condition: reduce if stools are loose; omit if diarrhea is present. Resume Gypsum once diarrhea stops and stools firm up if heat persists.

In mid-January of the year Xinshen, my son XX had slight redness on his arms and chest and mild sore throat, suspected to be pre-rash. He was compelled by friends to treat pediatric rashes elsewhere. On the way back, he caught a cold, feeling whole-body chills and internal heat. I instructed him to take one liang of fine Raw Gypsum powder decocted in water with one grain of Aspirin. Sweating ensued, chills resolved, and internal heat lessened, though skin redness increased. Half a day later, chills and heat returned severely. I increased Raw Gypsum to two liang and Aspirin to half a grain. Mild muscle-relieving effects occurred, and improvement followed. However, recurrence and two bowel movements indicated the formula was no longer suitable. With frozen ground, fresh Imperata Rhizome (six liang) was extracted, decocted into one large bowl, and taken in three doses with one-third grain of Aspirin each. No sweating occurred, but a rash emerged, curing 80-90% of the illness, including the sore throat. Two days later, residual heat worsened with head/eye heaviness. Eight liang of Fresh Imperata Rhizome were used, plus one and a half liang of Raw Gypsum (since stools were now firm), decocted into one large bowl, taken in three doses with Aspirin as before. White blisters appeared on the upper body, marking full recovery. This demonstrates the efficacy of this triad as a substitute for Antelope Horn. Later, during an epidemic of warm-toxic rashes in Tianjin, this formula proved effective.

Appendix:
Letter from Zhao XX of Tangshan:
My daughter, over one year old, suddenly had sticky stools two or three times in late summer, with nighttime fever, daytime lethargy, and morning tremors/fasciculations. I diagnosed stirring Liver wind. Recalling your exposition on Antelope Horn’s ability to clear Liver/Gallbladder fire and its miraculous effects, I urgently purchased one qian of Antelope Horn tip. Decocted and administered at 9 AM, by 11 AM she sweated slightly, and burning heat subsided. To conserve the precious herb, I decocted the dregs three times, resolving the tremors. A subsequent dose of Ziyin Qingzao Tang (Nourishing Yin and Clearing Dryness Decoction) cured the dysentery.