Library

[Composition]
Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis, stir-fried), Ruxiang (Olibanum), Moyao (Myrrha), Renshen (Radix Ginseng) (each 1 qian), Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, steamed) (4 qian), Shuizhi (Hirudo, roasted until yellow), Mengchong (Bombyx or similar insect, wings and feet removed, stir-fried, each 14 pieces).

[Preparation and Administration]
Grind the above herbs into fine powder. Make pills using refined honey, sized like wu-tzu seeds (Cocculus trilobus seeds). The total amount constitutes one dose, approximately 100 pills. Take at the first watch of the night (around 5-7 AM), administered with Bailao Water. Continue taking until foul matter is expelled from the body. For ten days after administration, consume white rice porridge. Bailao Water refers to water that has been stirred vigorously with a ladle one hundred times, also known as Ganlan Water (Gentle Wave Water).

[Indications]
This formula is indicated for all types of consumptive diseases (Lao Zhai) accompanied by stagnation, which have evolved into complicated conditions due to improper or lack of prior treatment.

[Analysis of Formula Principles]
This is a formula inherited from Zhang Zhongjing by physicians in the Qi region. When a disease evolves into a complicated condition due to improper treatment, it indicates that the Middle Qi (Spleen and Stomach energy) has not yet collapsed. If there is stagnation, it implies that prolonged internal heat has resulted in dry blood remaining inside. Therefore, Ruxiang, Moyao, Dahuang, Mengchong, and Shuizhi are all substances that eliminate blood stasis and drive out degenerated blood. Danggui is used to generate new blood, and Renshen is used to consolidate the Primordial Qi (Yuan Qi). This formula aligns with the principle of "pushing out the old to bring forth the new," similar to [Formula Name Missing/Implied: Chong Wan].

[Narrative on the Five Transmission Diseases]
The theory of the Five Transmission Diseases (Wu Zhu) is discussed only by ancient divine and excellent physicians. Those who have not entered the hall of divine excellence rarely fail to stand up and laugh at it. Alas! Investigating the origin of ghosts and spirits has always been difficult. Those who laugh may well have their own insights. It is generally said: "Those who are bound by ghosts and spirits are not worthy of discussing supreme virtue." Now, recording these six examinations...

If a patient's complexion, voice, physical form, symptoms, and pulse do not correspond to the disease, it is called Gui Zhu (Ghost Transmission). This condition should be treated primarily with this formula.
Gui Zhu refers to illness caused by possession by evil spirits.
Complexion not corresponding to the disease manifests as the face showing five colors with an expression of shame and embarrassment.
Voice not corresponding to the disease manifests as speech that is illogical and touches upon obscure and subtle matters.
Physical form not corresponding to the disease manifests as trembling and jumping without internal heat; symptoms not corresponding to the disease manifest as bizarre afflictions that do not fit standard pathological patterns.
Pulse not corresponding to the disease manifests as a pulse that is suddenly large or small, long or short.
Among these five manifestations, it is not necessary for all to be present; if even one is present, it is considered Gui Zhu, also referred to as Xie Sui (Evil Influence). However, humans and ghosts belong to different paths and are not of the same category. Why would ghosts be pleased to possess humans? If they can be guided by similarity, they will leave the human and attach to ghostly objects. Therefore, a Dead Man's Pillow (specifically the occipital bone of a deceased person, preferably half-decayed; return to original place after use) is a ghostly object. Drinking decoction made from this object causes the evil spirits to depart by association. Recovery through several episodes of severe diarrhea is the natural trend. This is described as the pathogenic qi declining and returning to its source. Returning the pillow to its original place after use serves two purposes: first, to provide a basis for the pathogenic qi of transmission to return to; second, to avoid harming the ghosts by using them for human healing. Xu Sibai and Liu Dayong in ancient times frequently verified this. It is recorded here for readers' reference.

Xu Sibai was a person of the Liu Song dynasty, younger brother of Xu Wenbo. A person suffered from cold stagnation for years without recovery. Xu Sibai diagnosed: "This is Shi Zhu (Corpse Transmission). You must obtain a dead man's pillow to boil and take." He went to an ancient tomb to retrieve a pillow. The pillow was already decayed on one side. After boiling and taking it, the patient recovered. Later, Zhang Jing from Maling, aged fifteen, suffered from abdominal distension and yellow complexion. Physicians could not treat him. He asked Xu Sibai. Xu Sibai said: "This is Stone Ascaris (Shi Hui). It is extremely difficult to treat. You must obtain a dead man's pillow to boil and take." Following the instruction, he boiled the pillow and administered the decoction. Five sheng of ascaris worms with heads hard as stone were discharged, and the disease cured. Later, Shen Tengyi suffered from eye pain and often saw ghostly figures. He asked Xu Sibai. Xu Sibai said: "Evil qi has entered the Liver. Seek a dead man's pillow to boil and take. After taking it, bury the pillow in its original place." Following this advice, he recovered again. Wang Yan asked: "These three diseases are different, yet all cured by the dead man's pillow. Why?" He replied: "Shi Zhu is when ghost qi takes shape but has not fully manifested, causing lethargy. The dead man's pillow urges it, causing the soul qi to fly away and preventing re-attachment to the body, thus curing Shi Zhu. Stone Ascaris refers to long-standing ascaris. Medical treatment has formed a mass, and the worms have hardened. Worldly medicines cannot expel them, so ghostly objects are needed to disperse them; hence, boiling the dead man's pillow. Evil qi entering the Liver causes eye pain and seeing wangs (ghosts). Ghostly objects are needed to lure them out; hence, the dead man's pillow. The qi departs with the pillow, so it is buried back in the grave."

In the late Song Dynasty, seventy li south of Shaozhou, there was a township named Gutian. A wealthy woman suffered from a strange illness. Usually, she had no other discomfort. Whenever a slight breeze blew, a point of intense itching appeared between her thighs, requiring constant scratching, which then spread to her whole body. When the episode occurred, she fainted and woke up after three days. Sitting up, she made sounds like coughing, and her body moved forward and backward as if being pulled, repeating this hundreds of times before settling. She would then lie down confused for another day, recovering only by evening. She became afraid to go out. Ten physicians failed to cure her. Liu Dayong examined her and said: "I have encountered this syndrome. Give one dose of medicine first, and bring me a string of prayer beads." The family did not know the purpose. During the woman's tremors, count the movements. When slightly reduced, he said: "This is called Gui Zhu. Because she entered a temple and was possessed by evil spirits, her spirit and essence have scattered. The method is to drink decoction made from a dead man's pillow." After drinking, she had several episodes of severe diarrhea, and the chronic condition was suddenly resolved. Liu Dayong said: "After using the pillow, immediately return it to its original place. Delaying will cause madness. We only borrow its qi." I believe these two physicians were among the ancient divine and excellent doctors. Knowing the origin of ghosts and spirits, they could identify strange diseases. Other physicians, relying on hearsay and fixed formulas, naturally failed.