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I often ponder that the purpose of using medicine is to eliminate disease; the medicine acts upon the pathogen, not upon the human body itself (only when the medication does not match the disease will it harm the person). However, there are cases where medicines that could theoretically cure a disease often fail to produce effects after administration, and occasionally even aggravate the condition. This is due to no other reason than the medicinal power being insufficient to overcome the disease. If the disease is strong enough to withstand the dosage with ample margin, how can the medicine eliminate the disease? Sensing this prevalent flaw in the medical community, I briefly present several case records from former sages, contemporary experts, and my own treatments, for the reference of my colleagues in the medical field.

In the Ming Dynasty, Li Shicai treated Prince Ji of Lu, who presented with a syndrome of "extreme Yang resembling Yin." It was midsummer, the bedroom doors were tightly closed, felt curtains were densely set up, he wore a sable fur blanket, yet still cried out feeling cold. Li Shicai examined him and said, "This is a heat syndrome." There was an ancient method of pouring cold water on the head; let us adapt it now. He prescribed San Shi Gao (Raw Gypsum) three jin (approx. 1.5 kg), decocted into three bowls of soup, administered in three doses. After the first dose, the sable blanket was removed; after the second, the felt curtains were removed; by the third dose, his body steamed with sweat, he called for porridge, and the illness vanished.

During the Daoguang reign of the Qing Dynasty, Jiang Hantun from Gui'an authored *Bihua Yijing* (Pen Flower Medical Mirror), which recorded a case of treating an epidemic rash. A total of fourteen jin (approx. 7 kg) of San Shi Gao (Raw Gypsum) were used before the rash fully emerged.

Wu Jutong treated an elderly man surnamed He who suffered from spasticity of the hands and feet. Due to the mistaken use of warming-yang tonics such as Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction), Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root), Renshen (Ginseng Root), and Shudi Huang (Prepared Rehmannia Root), he developed facial redness, a surging and rapid pulse, urinary retention, heavy body unable to turn over, inability to raise his hands to his temples, and curled legs immovable. Each prescription heavily utilized Ban Xia Jin (Half a Jin of Raw Gypsum, approx. 250g). One dose was taken daily. Full recovery was achieved only after three months.

Additionally, he treated a case of Gu Zhang (Ascites/Gu Distension) with no sweating and a deep, wiry, and fine pulse. He administered Ma Huang Fu Zi Gan Cao Tang (Ephedra, Aconite, and Licorice Decoction) from *Jin Gui Yao Lue* to promote Taiyang Yang Qi, thereby draining Jueyin Yin Cold. Mahuang (Ephedra Stem) without joints was heavily dosed at two liang (approx. 60g), Shu Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root) at one liang six qian (approx. 54g), and Zhi Gancao (Honey-fried Licorice Root) at two qian (approx. 6g), decocted into five rice bowls of soup. The first half-bowl induced sweating up to the eyebrows; the second dose induced sweating up to the eyes; approximately one cun (approx. 3.3 cm) of sweating occurred downward each time. After each dose, hot carp soup was consumed to assist diaphoresis. Within twenty-four hours, two doses of medicine and one pot of carp soup were consumed. Sweating reached above the knees but did not exceed them. Swelling above the navel completely subsided, but the abdomen remained distended with difficult urination. Wu switched to Wu Ling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria). Initial doses were ineffective. He replaced Rougui (Cinnamon Bark) with four qian (approx. 12g) of fresh purple-oil Anbian blue-flower Cinnamon, and added three qian (approx. 9g) of Liaoshen (Liaoning Ginseng). Urination became profuse, and abdominal distension resolved.

In Haifeng, Shandong, during the Xianfeng reign of the Qing Dynasty, a young woman surnamed Yang suffered from a strange disease: her back was swollen and hot. She lay naked in a tent, and if even a thread touched her skin, she could not bear the heat. Mr. Su from Yixing, traveling by sea to Beijing for the provincial examinations, passed through. Skilled in medicine, he was summoned to diagnose her as Yang Du (Yang Toxin). He prescribed Da Huang (Rhubarb Root and Rhizome) ten jin (approx. 5 kg), decocted into ten jin of soup, to be drunk continuously in large quantities. She recovered after finishing the dose.

Xiao Zhuoru authored *Dunyuan Yi An* (Records of the Hidden Garden Physician). His cases notably make good use of formulas from *Shang Han Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage) and *Jin Gui Yao Lue*. He recorded treating his cousin's abdominal cold pain with a deep, slow, wiry, and tight pulse. He heavily utilized Wu Tou (Aconite Root) and Fu Zi (Prepared Aconite Root) at two liang (approx. 60g) per dose. Nearly twenty jin (approx. 10 kg) of Fu Zi were consumed consecutively before the illness cured.

He also treated the wife of Mr. Yu, who had a mass in the left lower abdomen that frequently condensed and did not dissipate. During pain attacks, the mass expanded like a fist, accompanied by numbness and weakness in the limbs, profuse cold sweat, loss of consciousness, a deep and tight pulse, thick white slippery tongue coating, and dark complexion. He prescribed Tong Mai Si Ni Tang (Decoction to Restore the Pulse and Reverse Cold) with Wu Tou and Fu Zi starting at eight qian (approx. 24g), gradually increasing to four liang (approx. 120g). Decocted into one large bowl and taken in divided doses, the internal mass descended, and symptoms lightened. Believing the medicine matched the syndrome, the patient boldly took one full dose at once. Soon after, her face flushed like drunkenness, limbs spasmed, tongue tip went numb, followed by vomiting and sweating, leading to complete recovery.

Liu Weichu authored *Yuan An Zhai Zheng Zhi Cong Lu* (Collected Records of Diagnosis and Treatment from Yuan An Studio), featuring many cases of curing critical conditions with large doses.

For instance, treating severe plague, he used Bai Hu Tang (White Tiger Decoction), gradually increasing San Shi Gao (Raw Gypsum) to over one jin (approx. 500g) per dose. For postpartum warm-heat disease, he used Bai Hu Jia Ren Shen Tang (White Tiger Decoction plus Ginseng), using half a jin (approx. 250g) of San Shi Gao per dose, continuing for over ten doses until cure. For Yang deficiency with sweating collapse, he used Shu Fu Tang (Atractylodes and Aconite Decoction), starting Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome) at four liang (approx. 120g) per dose, gradually increasing to one jin (approx. 500g), and Tianxiong (Male Aconite Root) starting at two liang (approx. 60g), gradually increasing to half a jin (approx. 250g). Such courage and insight reached the pinnacle, truly serving as the unique method for saving critically ill patients.

As for my own numerous cases of using large doses to save critical patients, they are already recorded in the Medical Formulas section, so I will not repeat them here. I will briefly record a few unpublished cases to consult with my medical colleagues.

A female patient surnamed Wang in Fengtian suffered from morning sickness and vomiting during pregnancy. For half a month, she retained not a spoonful of water; any medicine swallowed was vomited immediately, creating a dangerous situation. I used my self-prepared Ban Xia (Pinellia Tuber) two liang (no alum taste, effective for stopping vomiting), raw Zhe Shi (Ochre) fine powder half a jin (approx. 250g), and raw Huai Shan Yao (Chinese Yam Rhizome) one and a half liang (approx. 45g). These were decocted into one bottle (approx. 20 liang or 600g) of soup. Whether drunk cool or warm, according to the patient's desire, it was slowly administered. The course was completed in two days, resulting in recovery. Although Ban Xia and Zhe Shi are contraindicated for pregnant women, I used them boldly without hesitation, adhering to the *Nei Jing* principle: "If there is a cause [of disease], there is no injury [to the fetus]." There are further subtle principles involved; refer to the commentary under Zhen Zhen Qi Tang (Ochre Decoction for Calming Qi) for details.

Mr. Zhang XX from Xi'an County suffered from leg pain. Strong in constitution, unmarried at thirty, his legs were swollen and painful, especially at the shins. Hot medicines aggravated the condition; cool medicines had little effect. Medical treatment for over a year failed. His pulse was surging and solid, more so on the right side; the painful and swollen areas were hot. Diagnosed as excessive Ministerial Fire with slight difficulty in urination, leading to damp-heat sinking downward, I prescribed clearing heat and promoting urination to drain dampness. Initially, I used two liang (approx. 60g) of San Shi Gao (Raw Gypsum), three qian (approx. 9g) each of Lianqiao (Forsythia Fruit) and Mao Gen (Imperata Rhizome), decocted and taken orally. Gradually, the San Shi Gao was increased to half a jin (approx. 250g), while Lianqiao and Mao Gen remained unchanged. Two doses were taken daily, with the second dose having half the amount of San Shi Gao. Over a month, a total of seventeen jin (approx. 8.5 kg) of San Shi Gao were used. Pain and swelling greatly reduced; diet remained normal, bowel movements once daily, with no sensation of cold. I advised continuing the original formula for another ten-plus doses for complete recovery.

Mr. Liu from Fengtian, due to frequent exposure to boiler heat, suffered from hidden consumption of Yin blood, with heat accumulating in the zang-fu organs and meridians. In mid-spring, a mild external contraction caused sudden onset of high fever affecting both exterior and interior. Doctors treated with Yin-nourishing and heat-clearing medicines for over ten doses with no effect. His pulse approached six beats per breath, very solid on the right; bowel movements every two to three days. I diagnosed intense Yangming Fu heat combined with Yin deficiency. I prescribed a large dose of Bai Hu Jia Ren Shen Tang (White Tiger Decoction plus Ginseng), using four liang (approx. 120g) of San Shi Gao (Raw Gypsum) and six qian (approx. 18g) of Renshen (Ginseng Root). Raw Huai Shan Yao (Chinese Yam Rhizome) replaced Jing Mi (Glutinous Rice), plus one liang (approx. 30g) each of Xuanshen (Scrophularia Root) and Tiandong (Asparagus Tuber). Decocted into one large bowl, taken in three warm doses daily. Fever slightly receded initially but returned after the medicinal effect waned. San Shi Gao was gradually increased to half a jin (approx. 250g), with two doses taken daily. After three days, fever decreased by 80-90%, bowel movements became daily. I then switched to cool and Yin-nourishing medicines, achieving full recovery in a few days. Total San Shi Gao used exceeded eight jin (approx. 4 kg).

While residing in my hometown, I treated a young adult with mania and loss of mind. All six pulses were imperceptible, even upon heavy pressure (indicating stubborn phlegm obstructing the vessels). I prescribed Da Cheng Qi Tang (Major Order the Qi Decoction) with two liang (approx. 60g) of Zhe Shi (Ochre), decocted to administer three qian (approx. 9g) of Gansui (Kansui Root) fine powder. (This formula is named Dang Tan Jia Gansui Tang (Phlegm-Dredging Decoction plus Kansui) for severe mania; removing Gansui makes it Dang Tan Tang (Phlegm-Dredging Decoction) for mild mania; these formulas have saved many lives.) Bowel movement did not occur after the first dose. Several days later (Gansui should not be taken on consecutive days as it causes vomiting), I increased the dosage: Da Huang (Rhubarb Root and Rhizome) and Zhe Shi each at three liang (approx. 90g), still administering three qian of Gansui. Still no bowel movement. I then switched to Ba Dou Shuang (Croton Seed Frost) five fen (approx. 1.5g), administered alone with four liang (approx. 120g) of Zhe Shi decoction, every three days (Ba Dou should not be taken consecutively as it causes intestinal rot). Each dose resulted in multiple bowel movements mixed with clumps of phlegm. After two doses, the pulses appeared. After five doses, phlegm was cleared, and mania cured. Finally, I prescribed fire-clearing and blood-invigorating medicines for several doses to conclude the treatment.