Library

As the proverb goes, there are no benign sores on the back; only those arising in the midline constitute a true "Fa Bei" (Back Carbuncle). When Vice Minister Yu Yi developed a small sore on his back, he did not misjudge it. He merely used medicinal herbs to regulate and tonify for several days, feeling neither pain nor itchiness, and observing that it did not spread or proliferate. Suspecting it to be a minor issue, he invited an external physician to apply moxibustion for two hundred moxa cones, by which time it was already too late to save him. This gentleman had never taken medicine in his life. For a year, he only felt occasional heat in the palms of his hands and soles of his feet. When the disease manifested, if treated early and without taking tonifying medicines, could he have survived? (From *Bo Zhai Bian*)

When the Five Zang Organs are disharmonious, the Nine Orifices become obstructed; when the Six Fu Organs are disharmonious, Qi stagnation and accumulation lead to carbuncles and abscesses.

Yang Jilao, a renowned physician in Yangzhou, was highly celebrated for his medical skills. A scholar from my prefecture appeared lethargic, seemingly ill but unable to specify his condition, suffering greatly. He sought an audience with Yang Jilao. Yang stated, "Your Heat Syndrome has reached its extreme, and your Qi and Blood are exhausted. In three years, you will die from a Back Carbuncle, and it will be incurable." The scholar departed displeased. He heard that a Daoist priest in Mao Mountain Temple possessed divine medical knowledge but refused to advertise his skills or necessarily devote himself to treating others. Desperate, the scholar dressed as a servant, climbed the mountain, bowed to the Daoist, and requested menial labor such as gathering firewood and carrying water beneath the mat. The Daoist was pleased, kept him among his disciples, instructed him in reading classics, and the scholar served him day and night, complying with the Daoist's wishes. After two months, the scholar noticed the Daoist differed from ordinary servants. He inquired about the Daoist's origins, then bowed twice to apologize and confessed the truth. The Daoist laughed and said, "Is there any disease in the world that cannot be cured? Let me feel your pulse." Upon palpating the pulse, the Daoist laughed again and said, "You may descend the mountain now. I have no medicine for you, but I advise you to buy good pears daily and eat one. If fresh pears are exhausted, soak dried pears in water to drink, and consume the residue. This illness will naturally subside." The scholar returned and strictly followed this advice. After one year, he visited Yangzhou again. Seeing him, Yang Jilao was astonished by his rosy complexion, plumpness, and harmonious pulse, saying, "You must have encountered an extraordinary person; otherwise, how could you have recovered?" The scholar recounted the events. Yang Jilao immediately donned formal attire, burned incense, faced Mao Mountain, and bowed, blaming his own insufficient learning. (Recorded in *Bei Suo Meng Yan*)

Another physician, Zhao E, stated: When a scholar was critically ill, there was only one method: instruct him to consume as many pear slices as possible, without limit. If chewing was difficult, squeeze the juice and drink it. This might offer a slim chance of survival. Using this method, he indeed recovered. The intent is identical to the above case. (Recorded in *Lei Bian*)

Yang Jie, courtesy name Jilao, was from Sizhou and famous for his medical expertise throughout the region. A Confucian scholar, son of the Li family, abandoned his studies, wishing to marry Yang Jilao's daughter and learn medicine from him. He showed great respect, observing the rites of a son-in-law. Yang Jilao imparted all the subtleties of his art to him. One day, a wealthy woman in Lingbi County fell ill and sent for Mr. Li. Upon initial pulse diagnosis, Mr. Li asked, "Do you suffer from discomfort in the intestines and stomach?" The woman replied, "The pain in my intestines is unbearable, and stool passes through the urethra." Other physicians believed such a syndrome was untreatable and thus discouraged Mr. Li from treating her. Mr. Li said, "Let me attempt a plan. If you take my medicine for three days, you should improve; otherwise, it is beyond my knowledge." He prepared dozens of small pills, administered with decoction of Astragali Radix (Huangqi). Following his instructions, the woman discharged several sheng of pus and blood and recovered. Overjoyed, the wealthy family gifted 500,000 coins and hosted a banquet, asking for the rationale. Mr. Li explained, "During the initial pulse diagnosis, I detected a Kou Pulse (Cunkou) in the intestinal region. Wang Shuhe's *Mai Jue* states: 'A Kou pulse at the Cun position indicates accumulated blood in the chest; a Kou pulse at the Guan position indicates an intestinal abscess.' Since the abscess formed in the intestines, this explains the symptoms. The medication administered was Yunmu Gao (Cloud Mother Ointment) formulated into pills. Only upon reaching such analytical depth can one discuss medicine." Mr. Li later passed the imperial medical examination and attained the rank of Doctor. Li Yuanxiu was his nephew. (Recorded in Wang Zhongyan's *Yu Hua*)