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Cheng, the Censor of Qi, complained of a headache. I (Chunyu Yi) examined his pulse and said, "Your condition is severe and difficult to describe in words." I then left and privately told Cheng's younger brother, "This is a Ju (deep-seated abscess) disease, originating internally between the intestines and stomach. In five days, swelling will occur; in eight days, vomiting of pus will lead to death." Cheng contracted this illness due to excessive alcohol consumption and sexual indulgence, and indeed died as predicted.

The reason I could determine the cause was that upon palpating the pulse, I detected Liver Qi. The Liver Qi was turbid and quiet, indicating an internal obstruction disease. The Pulse Classic states: A long and wiry pulse without a "Dai" (intermittent) pulse corresponding to the four seasons indicates the disease is primarily in the Liver. If the pulse is harmonious, the disease resides in the meridians; if a Dai pulse appears, the collaterals are affected. When the meridian is the primary site and the pulse is harmonious, the disease lies deep within the sinews and marrow. If a Dai pulse appears with a surging and forceful quality, the etiology is alcohol and sexual excess.

I knew he would swell in five days and vomit pus to death in eight because, at the time of palpation, the Shaoyang channel showed an initial Dai pulse. "Dai" signifies meridian disease; when the pathogenic factor leaves, the person recovers. The collateral disease was located at the initial one-fen position of the Shaoyang channel, causing internal heat but no pus formation yet. By the five-fen position, it reached the boundary of the Shaoyang channel (the distance between the Liver and Heart is five fen, hence five days). By the eighth day, vomiting of pus occurred. Thus, pus began to emerge at the upper two-fen mark, swelling resolved at the boundary, and death ensued from the exhaustion of healthy Qi. Heat rising scorched the Yangming channel, corroding the flowing collaterals. Movement in the collaterals caused pulse knotting; knotting led to rotting and ulceration. Consequently, collaterals intersected, heat rose upward to the head, causing headache. (From *Records of the Grand Historian*)

Si Zhong of the capital recounted that his fellow townsman's father suffered from a back sore, feeling as if carrying hot coals on his back, crying out day and night. His son wept on the road and met a Daoist priest who asked, "Why are you so deeply worried?" The son explained the situation. The Daoist said, "Seek uncultivated land where wild manure has been trampled by insects and birds. Remove the surface manure with a staff, take the soil beneath, sieve it, and apply it to the lesion." He followed these instructions, and the patient healed immediately. The patient remarked, "Is this not like placing ice on my back? My five Zang organs feel cold." (From *Lei Bian*)

Yang Lizhi, returning to Chuzhou after his term as Vice Prefect of Huangzhou, developed a throat carbuncle. It swelled, ulcerated, and discharged pus and blood incessantly, day and night, rendering him unable to sleep or eat. Physicians were helpless. Fortunately, Yang Jilao arrived in the commandery at the invitation of the prefect. Yang Lizhi's two sons ran to invite him. After examining the patient for a long time, Yang Jilao said, "There is no need to check the pulse; I already know the cause. However, this case is unusual. You must first consume one jin [approx. 500g] of sliced raw ginger before administering medicine; otherwise, there is no treatment." He then departed. The sons looked troubled, saying, "With pus and pain in the throat, how can he eat ginger?" Yang Lizhi replied, "Yang Jilao's medical skills are divine; his words are not false. Try giving me one or two slices. If I cannot swallow them, discard them; it will do no harm." So he ate them. Initially, the taste was quite fragrant. As the dose increased, by half a jin, the pain had eased. Upon finishing one jin, the taste became pungent and spicy, and the pus and blood ceased entirely. Porridge and food entered smoothly without obstruction. The next day, Yang Lizhi thanked Yang Jilao and asked for the explanation. Yang Jilao replied, "While serving in the south, you consumed many partridges. These birds feed on Pinellia ternata, accumulating toxicity over time. I used ginger to counteract it. Now that the source of the disease is cleared, no other medicine is needed." I recall a Tang dynasty anecdote where Duke Cui died suddenly. Physician Liang Xin diagnosed it as food poisoning. I asked what he usually ate. Liang Xin said, "Partridge feeds on Pinellia seedlings; this is the toxin." They squeezed ginger juice, pried open his teeth, and administered it, resulting in recovery. This case is very similar. (From *Lei Shuo*)