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(Vulgarly known as "Brain Leakage")

Mr. Shengsheng said: According to medical texts, nasal discharge of clear mucus is called Biqiu (Nasal Rhinitis), while discharge of turbid mucus is called Biyuan (Nasal Sinusitis). The *Neijing* (Classic of Internal Medicine) · Chapter on Qi Reversal states: "When Gallbladder heat transfers to the brain, it results in Biyuan. In Biyuan, turbid mucus flows incessantly. If transmitted further, it leads to epistaxis, blurred vision, or blindness; thus, it is caused by Qi reversal." Qixuanzi (Wang Bing) annotated: "Jue" means reversal. When brain fluids seep downward, they become turbid mucus. The incessant flow of mucus resembles a spring, hence it is called Biyuan. The Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian originates from the inner canthus, ascends to the forehead, intersects at the vertex, and enters to connect with the brain. The Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian originates beside the nose, intersects at the root of the nose, and runs alongside to constrain the Taiyang meridian. Currently, heat in the brain causes the Foot-Taiyang Qi to reverse, causing both the Taiyang and Yangming meridians to flourish. They clash within the nasal cavity, resulting in nasal soreness and pain. "Xin" refers to this sensation of sourness and pain. I once treated this condition using Fangfeng Tongsheng San (Wind-Protecting Universal Rescue Powder), removing Mangxiao (Mirabilite) and Dahuang (Rhubarb), halving the dosage of Huashi (Talcum) and Shigao (Gypsum), and doubling the amount of Xinyihua (Magnolia Flower). The patient should take three to five doses first, then prepare this formula into pills. Each time, take 70 pills, swallowed with plain warm water morning and evening. Consuming half a jin (approx. 500g) of the medicine will lead to recovery.

My younger brother traveled to the county town in June. He was exposed to heat during the journey and suffered from overwork. His nature was irritable and violent. Suddenly, he experienced pain in his left hypochondrium. On the skin, there appeared a red patch as large as a bowl, accompanied by three to five blisters. His pulse beat seven times per breath and felt wiry. Symptoms were worse at night than during the day. Physicians diagnosed it as Liver Meridian Stagnant Fire and treated him with herbs such as Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome), Qingpi (Aurantium Peel), Xiangfu (Cyperi Rhizome), Chuanxiong (Ligusticum Rhizome), and Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix). After one dose, the pain intensified that night, and fever increased. The next morning, the red patch had expanded to the size of a plate, and the number of blisters increased to more than thirty. The physician advised applying powder made from Baijian (Alumen) mixed well water externally, and adding Qingdai (Indigo Naturalis) and Longdancao (Gentian Root) to the previous herbal prescription. That night, he suffered unbearable pain, crying out so loudly that it reached neighboring houses. The pain in the hypochondrium felt like being hooked and torn. The next morning, the redness had spread to half of his body, and the blisters increased to over a hundred. I was deeply distressed, so I carried him home to consult my former teacher, Mr. Huang Gutan. After reviewing the pulse records and prescriptions, Mr. Huang smiled and said: "Your pulse diagnosis and disease identification are accurate, but your formulation of medicine and prescription is incorrect. Using medicine is like using troops; knowing oneself and the enemy ensures victory in every battle. Now, the disease presents an urgency akin to burning eyebrows and a danger akin to stacked eggs. How can one rigidly adhere to ordinary Liver-draining agents for standard treatment? This is like driving sheep to fight tigers! Moreover, bitter-cold medicines only exacerbate dryness, which is why the condition worsened. The blisters appearing on the exterior indicate that long-standing Liver stagnation could not vent outward, leading it to insult its unconquered element (Spleen/Earth), causing the skin and pores to ulcerate. If it progresses to self-immolation, death ensues; this is truly terrifying!" Therefore, he prescribed a formula consisting of one large Gualou (Trichosanthes Fruit), weighing approximately one to two liang (approx. 30-60g), smashed whole including the peel, added with Fugancao (Licorice Root) 2 qian (approx. 6g) and Honghua (Carthamus Flower) 5 fen (approx. 1.5g). The medicine was administered at Xu hour (7-9 PM). Shortly after, he fell asleep and woke up at Zi-Chou hours (11 PM - 3 AM). Upon inquiry, he reported no pain. He then asked for food, but I prohibited it, fearing the pathogenic fire had not fully subsided. I hastily decocted the dregs of the herbs for him to drink. He slept again until dawn, passed stool slightly once, and slept until Chen hour (7-9 AM). Upon rising, the redness on the skin had completely dissipated, and the blisters had all healed. He did not take any other medication afterward. The illness lasted severely for three days, with no intake of food and ceaseless moaning, yet it was cured with a single dose. Truly, this can be called miraculous. Gualou has a sweet flavor and cold nature. The *Classic* states: "To treat the Liver, soothe its interior." Furthermore, this substance is soft, smooth, and lubricating; it does not oppose stagnation. Its sweet, soothing, and moistening-lowering properties act like oil cleaning objects, ensuring thorough cleansing. Consulting materia medica, Gualou treats stabbing pain in the hypochondrium. This is likely because it soothes the middle jiao and moistens dryness, promoting free flow, thereby naturally stopping the pain.