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Treats the same syndrome as mentioned previously. The exterior pathogen has been resolved; the patient may not have loose stools, or may have accompanying panting, or accompanying cough, with frequent expectoration of phlegm and saliva. There is indeed an exterior-contracted excess heat, yet the pulse is very deficient and rapid.

If, in the aforementioned syndrome, after taking Ziyin Xuanjie Tang (Nourishing Yin and Dispersing Resolution Decoction), residual heat remains, this decoction may also be continued.

This formula is Ziyin Xuanjie Tang (Nourishing Yin and Dispersing Resolution Decoction), with Lianqiao (Forsythiae Fructus) and Chantui (Cicadae Periostracum) removed.

A woman, five months pregnant, accidentally contracted Shanghan (Cold Damage). Within three to four days, the fetus suddenly miscarried. She suffered from upper jiao dryness and thirst, panting and groaning, with excessive phlegm and saliva, frequently coughing and vomiting. After consulting a physician and taking medicine, the illness did not resolve, but was complicated by loose stools, occurring more than ten times a day and night. The physician declined treatment, stating that death was imminent. Her family, in panic, invited me to examine her. The pulse appeared surging and slippery, but upon heavy pressure, it felt hollow under the fingers, especially at the two Chi positions. I originally intended to treat her with Ziyin Qingzao Tang (Nourishing Yin and Clearing Dryness Decoction), but since the miscarriage had only occurred four or five days prior, I dared not abruptly use cold-natured herbs. Instead, I first used raw Shanyao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma) 2 liang and one sour pomegranate (Suan Shiliu), crushed together with the peel, decocted in water to obtain one large bowl of liquid, which was divided into three doses and taken warm. The loose stools gradually improved, but other symptoms remained unchanged. Upon re-examination, the surging and slippery force of the pulse became more substantial. I reasoned that although this case involved deficiency, there was indeed an exterior-contracted excess heat. If this excess heat were not resolved first, how could other symptoms heal? It was then 3:00 PM. The patient stated that she experienced tidal fever at this time every day, and said she was extremely exhausted spiritually, suffering from insomnia day and night. Therefore, on that day, I administered Ziyin Qingzao Tang (Nourishing Yin and Clearing Dryness Decoction) again. In the formula, raw Shanyao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma) was heavily dosed at 1.5 liang, decocted in water to obtain one large bowl, taken slowly and warm. Only one sip was taken at a time, primarily because postpartum pulses are often deficient, and I wished to avoid allowing cold-natured herbs to damage the lower jiao. That night, she slept peacefully. Thirst and loose stools healed; panting and coughing improved by half. Then, Shanyao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma) and Huashi (Talcum) were each reduced by 5 qian, and Longgu (Fossilia Ossis Mastodi) and Muli (Concha Ostreae) were each added at 8 qian. One dose resulted in complete recovery.

An unmarried girl had suffered from Shanghan (Cold Damage) for over twenty days. She was emaciated and frail, with confused spirit, fever after noon, cough, and panting. Physicians declined treatment. Her pulse was rapid, reaching seven beats per respiration, weak and nearly imperceptible. I considered that if this condition resulted from chronic illness, it would be incurable. However, upon investigation, it was a case of acute deficiency, and the root of vital energy should remain intact. I reluctantly prescribed Ziyin Qingzao Tang (Nourishing Yin and Clearing Dryness Decoction), reducing Huashi (Talcum) by half, and adding Xuanshen (Scrophulariae Radix) and Shudihuang (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata) at 1 liang each, and Yetaishen (Codonopsis Radix) at 5 qian. Decocted in water to make one large bowl, it was taken slowly and warm. The dregs were decocted again for subsequent drinking, ensuring continuous medicinal effect day and night. Within two days, three doses were taken consecutively. Huashi (Talcum) was gradually reduced to 2 qian, and the illness was completely cured.

Note: The reason Huashi (Talcum) was never removed throughout this case is the fear that residual pathogens might remain after Shanghan (Cold Damage). Additionally, to prevent tonifying herbs from retaining pathogens, Huashi (Talcum) was used to guide them downward, providing an exit route. Furthermore, when decocting large doses of medicine, it is necessary to produce several cups of liquid and administer it slowly. This approach is suitable for treating critical conditions, especially those involving yin deficiency in critical cases.

The mother of Ji XX, nearly seventy years old, was emaciated and unable to digest grain food, consuming only cow's milk or occasionally a small amount of rice soup. She had been bedridden for two years, unable to sit up. In late autumn of the Wuwu year, she contracted Wenbing (Warm Disease). At that time, I had just arrived in Fengtian and was invited from Jinzhou to examine her. Her pulse was very fine and rapid, feeling slightly strong upon pressure. She had fever, cough, thick sticky sputum, confused spirit, and faint breath. I prescribed Ziyin Qingzao Tang (Nourishing Yin and Clearing Dryness Decoction), reducing Huashi (Talcum) by half and adding Xuanshen (Scrophulariae Radix) at 5 qian. One dose reduced the illness severity by more than half. I then decocted the dregs to extract one teacup of clear liquid, mixed with one raw chicken egg yolk (Sheng Jizi Huang). Administration led to full recovery.

A four-year-old child in Fengtian contracted Wenbing (Warm Disease). The pathogen was still in the exterior. The physician failed to clear and resolve the pathogen, instead hastily administering bitter-cold agents. After ingestion, loose stools persisted for four to five days without stopping. Upper jiao dryness-heat caused closed-eye panting and confused spirit. Upon my consultation, although the condition was dangerous, the pulse still had a root, indicating recoverability. I instructed the use of the original Ziyin Qingzao Tang (Nourishing Yin and Clearing Dryness Decoction), decocted into one large teacup of liquid. Due to the child's young age, it was administered slowly and warm. Completion of one dose resulted in recovery. However, prolonged diarrhea had depleted yin, leaving residual deficiency heat. Subsequently, raw Shanyao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma) and Xuanshen (Scrophulariae Radix) at 1 liang each were used to clear the heat. Two doses eliminated all heat. Generally, when physicians encounter such syndromes, clearing dryness-heat exacerbates loose stools, while treating loose stools exacerbates dryness-heat. Only this formula uses Shanyao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma) to stop loose stools, while Shanyao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma) truly nourishes yin and reduces fever; it uses Huashi (Talcum) to clear dryness-heat, while Huashi (Talcum) truly promotes urination and stops diarrhea. The functions of these two herbs complement each other. Additionally, Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) nourishes blood and promotes urination, and Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) harmonizes yin and yang and regulates the middle jiao; both are important herbs for clearing heat and stopping diarrhea. Assembled into this formula, its efficacy is extraordinary. I have used this formula to save many people; even in critical conditions, it can achieve results.

Liu XX from Fengtian, aged twenty-five or twenty-six, contracted Shanghan (Cold Damage) in late winter. Mismanagement by previous physicians led to uncontrolled loose stools, upper jiao irritability and heat, confused spirit, occasional delirium, a surging and rapid pulse that was powerless upon deep pressure. I heavily prescribed raw Shanyao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma) 1.5 liang, Huashi (Talcum) 1 liang, raw Hangu Shao Yao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) 6 qian, and Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) 3 qian. One dose stopped the diarrhea. Upper jiao irritability and heat persisted, along with delirium. Thus, cool-moistening herbs like Xuanshen (Scrophulariae Radix) and Shashen (Glehniae Radix) were used to clear heat, but loose stools recurred. Re-administering the previous formula stopped the diarrhea again, but upper jiao irritability and heat worsened, spirit became more confused, and consciousness was lost. At this point, his family gathered, believing the case was incurable. Although the pulse was not excess, it still had a root; although rapid, it was only six beats per respiration. Knowing it was still treatable, I earnestly told his family, "If you faithfully take my medicine, this illness can still be treated." They seemed to understand. I prescribed a large dose of Baihu Jia Renshen Tang (White Tiger Decoction plus Ginseng), substituting raw Shanyao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma) 1 liang for Jingmi (Oryzae Semen Germineatum), and raw Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix) 1 liang for Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma). Decocted in water to make one large bowl, I instructed that the medicine must be drunk hot, one sip at a time, completed within six hours. Completion of the dose resulted in recovery.

A four-year-old boy from Qianshi, Jintan, presented with burning heat and loose stools. He was cured using a heavy dose of Ziyin Qingzao Tang (Nourishing Yin and Clearing Dryness Decoction).

Appendix:
Letter from Yang XX of Tieling, Fengtian:
Treating distension syndrome in a woman surnamed Li. Previously, another physician used acrid-drying dispersing and breaking agents such as Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma), Binglang (Arecae Semen), Houpo (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex), Zhishi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus), Xiangfu (Cyperi Rhizoma), and Zike (Myristicae Semen). Initially, relief was felt, but after seven or eight doses, the condition worsened significantly, accompanied by irritability, thirst, and diarrhea. Another physician administered Zipu Hupo Wan (Purple Magnolia and Amber Pill), causing severe irritability and thirst, with fifteen to sixteen episodes of diarrhea per day and night. Upon re-examination, the physician declined treatment. Several other physicians were consulted, all declaring it incurable. Eventually, she lay dying, moved to bed twice, awaiting death. A relative who knew me strongly urged me to visit. Her pulse resembled floating hemp seeds on water, indistinguishable in rate, disappearing upon pressure, except at the two Chi positions where a root seemed present. Speech was incoherent but barely discernible. She claimed extreme internal thirst, stating that drinking even a little water caused unbearable pain. She had not eaten for three days. I first prescribed Ziyin Qingzao Tang (Nourishing Yin and Clearing Dryness Decoction). Given the extremely deficient pulse and signs of qi collapse, I added Yetaishen (Codonopsis Radix) and Jing Yurou (Corni Fructus). One dose cured all illnesses, allowing her to eat. I then advised a diet of single-herb Shanyao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma) porridge, taken with finely ground raw Jineijin (Galli Gigerii Endothelium Corneum) and the Western medicine Pepzin (Bismuth Subgallate), as it served as both medicine and food. Adjustments to the previous formula were taken once daily. Full recovery was achieved within ten days.