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Ouyang Xiu (posthumous title Wenzhong) frequently suffered from acute diarrhea, which the imperial physicians could not cure. His wife said, "A vendor in the market sells this medicine; one packet costs three cash and is very effective." Ouyang Xiu said, "Our internal organs differ from those of common people; we cannot take it." The wife then had the physicians administer their prescribed medicines together, and he recovered after a single dose. Ouyang Xiu summoned the vendor, gave him generous gifts, and requested the prescription, which the vendor finally revealed. It consisted solely of *Baiqianzi* (Plantaginis Semen, 车前子) ground into powder, taken with rice water, two *qianbi* (a traditional unit of measure). He stated, "This medicine promotes urination without depleiting Qi. When the water passages are clear, turbid and clear energies separate, and the intestines and stomach naturally cease diarrhea." (From *Liangfang*)

Emperor Xianzong of Tang bestowed upon Ma Zong a formula for treating dysentery and abdominal pain: Fresh ginger, peeled and chopped like millet grains, one cup, boiled with an equal amount of coarse tea, and taken as a decoction. Pill form was taken for two years. (Same source)

Duke Lu (Wen Yanbo) suffered from this ailment, to which all medicines proved ineffective. I transmitted this formula, and he recovered. (Same source)

In Ezhou, a commander named Wang Cun suffered from dysentery for several years without relief. Emaciated and near death, he met a Daoist priest who instructed him to decoct *Sini Tang* (Four Substances Decoction) and take *Zhuche Wan* (Park-the-Wagon Pill) with it. Each dose consisted of one hundred pills. Initially, taking this medicine reduced his symptoms by half; continuing the treatment led to complete recovery within a few days. (From *Jinshi Yangsheng Fang*)

Hollow out a *Roudoukou* (Myristicae Semen, 肉豆蔻) to resemble a small urn, insert a small amount of *Tongming Ruxiang* (Frankincense, 通明乳香), and fill the remainder with powder. If not completely filled, wrap the nut in dough and bake until scorched yellow. Grind all three ingredients into powder and prepare them with tea powder for consumption. (From *Daquanji*)

*Banxia* (Pinelliae Rhizoma, 半夏): People today only know its ability to resolve phlegm, ignoring its benefit to the Spleen. This is because it separates dampness. The Spleen dislikes dampness; when dampness prevails, the Spleen becomes soggy and sluggish, losing its ability to control fluids. The Classics state, "Excess dampness leads to diarrhea." A young man suffered from frequent nocturia. Someone advised him to crush one *liang* of fresh ginger, wash *Banxia*, and use thirty *Jujubae Fructus* (Ziziphi Jujubae Fructus, 大枣). Boil these in one *sheng* of water in a porcelain bottle over slow fire until ready. Sip frequently. He recovered in a few days.

*Du Yi Zhi* records: During the Zhenguan era of Tang, Zhang Baozhang served as a captain in the Jinwu Guard. On his way home from duty via Liyang Road, he encountered a youth hunting and eating wild game. Leaning against a tree, the youth sighed, "Zhang Baozhang is seventy years old and has never tasted wine or meat. Such a person is truly pitiable!" A monk beside him pointed and said, "Within sixty days, you will attain a third-rank official position. What is there to sigh about?" Upon finishing speaking, the monk vanished. Zhang Baozhang found this strange and immediately returned to the capital. At that time, Emperor Taizong was suffering from Qi-type dysentery, and imperial physicians were ineffective. An edict was issued offering heavy rewards to anyone who could cure this disease. Having suffered from this ailment himself, Zhang Baozhang submitted a memorial presenting a formula of *Bijia* (Long Pepper Fruit) decocted in milk. He recovered immediately. The emperor ordered the Chancellor and Fifth-Rank Official Wei Zheng to review the case. After a month, no report was submitted. The illness recurred, and the Emperor asked his attendants, "I previously benefited from the milk-decocted Bijia; order another dose." One sip restored his health. The Emperor pondered, "I ordered a Fifth-Rank appointment for the prescriber, yet no appointment was made." Wei Zheng, fearful, replied, "When receiving the edict, it was unknown whether the candidate was a civil or military official." The Emperor became angry, saying, "If he cured the Chancellor, he should have already been granted a Third-Rank position. I am the Son of Heaven; am I inferior to you?" He sternly declared, "Grant him a Third-Rank Civil Official position, specifically Grand Master of Ceremonies (Honglu Qing)." Exactly sixty days had passed. The formula requires half a *sheng* of cow's milk and three *qianbi* of *Bijia* per dose, decocted together until reduced by half, taken on an empty stomach in one go. (From *Liangfang*)