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If treatment is vague and one does not understand flexibility and adaptation, many people will be harmed. ○ For鼓胀 (Drum-like Distension) arising from deficiency and damage of Spleen Qi (Spleen Qi), treatment should employ tonifying agents to cultivate the root, with a small addition of digestive and guiding herbs to eliminate accumulation, followed by regulating Qi to unblock stagnation. If accompanied by Heat, cooling herbs should be added to sweep away the pathogen, allowing Clear Qi to ascend and Turbid Qi to descend; the Clear part emerges from the head and face and enters the four limbs, while the Turbid part transforms into body fluids and exits through the anterior urethra. Thus, the abdomen will gradually diminish and spirit will strengthen daily, and the disease will heal. However, if one merely tonifies excessively without clear understanding of assisting and guiding herbs, it will instead cause stagnation and obstruction, making the distension worse. Generally speaking, in this condition, if the Spleen is damaged but not disturbed by Heat, simply tonifying the Splein will yield results. If there is Heat but the Spleen is not yet damaged, simply clearing Heat will achieve success. If both conditions exist simultaneously, treating one hinders the other, which is why it is difficult. I once treated a patient whose Spleen Qi was slightly damaged but who could still eat; he suddenly suffered abdominal pain and severe distension. Upon examination, I determined it was due to Fire, so I administered Xianglian Wan (Fragrant Link Pill) to purge it, followed by Baizhu Tang (Atractylodes Macrocephala Decoction). He passed flatus profusely, and both pain and distension resolved. Another physician said: "This is severe deficiency of Spleen Qi; unless heavily tonified, the True Yuan (True Origin) will sink." He then provided tonifying agents, causing the pain and distension to recur. The pulse became deficient and small, yet he still claimed: "If the pulse is small and not tonified, can the illness recover?" He proceeded with heavy tonification, ultimately leading to the patient's death. I also saw another person with abdominal pain and vomiting. I said: "This is Fire," and gave cooling herbs to direct Qi downward and harmonize the Middle Jiao (Middle Burner); the illness soon healed. Another physician said: "This is severe deficiency of True Qi; heavy tonification is indispensable." The more he tonified, the more distended the patient became, resulting in sudden death. From this, we see that for treating such diseases, clearing and tonifying must be appropriate; one cannot adhere rigidly to one method. It is said: for Qi deficiency, tonify Qi; for Blood deficiency, tonify Blood; for Food Stagnation, resolve stagnation; for Phlegm, resolve Phlegm; for Heat, clear Heat; for distension caused by external Cold suppressing Heat, disperse the Cold; for distension caused by extreme anger suppressing Qi, disperse the Qi; for distension due to Blood Stasis, move the Blood; for Excess patterns, reduce or purge them; for Deficiency patterns, warm and tonify them. A difference of a hair's breadth leads to an error of a thousand miles. (*Zhuzheng Xiyi*)

Within our abdomen, all things such as Zhong Qi (Central Qi), Gu Qi (Grain Qi), Wei Qi (Stomach Qi), and Pi Qi (Spleen Qi) are True Qi (Zhen Qi). True Qi can ascend and descend. Within our abdomen, it acts like a pulley (rotating mechanism), never like a drum. Once the places where True Qi resides are entirely occupied by Pathogenic Qi, then the Four Seas (Four Seas refer to the sea of blood, sea of Qi, sea of water and grain, and sea of marrow) become blocked, the San Jiao (Triple Burner) fails to drain, and the pathways of Yin-Yang and Qi do not communicate. The interior becomes full and the exterior hollow; we see only a drum and no longer a pulley. The reason for this is that Pathogenic Qi is Excess. What is this Excess? It is Qi, Water, Blood Stasis, or Parasites. Having even one of these four is already difficult to tolerate; how much more so when one forms alliances? With these in the abdomen, they are worse than the Four Fiends. The Classics state: "For fullness in the center, drain it from within." This is because there is no place outside the dark gate (anus) to dispose of them; thus, the method of purging/draining serves as the place for exile and execution. (Cheng Jiaoqian)

Distension disease and Water Disease are not two separate diseases. When Water Qi accumulates and does not move, it inevitably leads to distension. Distension disease also involves nothing more than Water enveloping, Qi knotting, and Blood coagulating. Applying methods for treating Water diseases yields less than one cure in a hundred. Let me compare them for the benefit of future students. Zhang Zhongjing stated that for Water disease in the Qi level, the area below the heart is hard and large like a plate with edges like an inverted cup, caused by Water-Drink retention. Then, is there no case of distension disease in the Blood level where the abdomen is hard and large like a plate? Where there is much Blood and little Qi, is there no case of the left hypochondrium being hard and large like a plate? Where there is much Qi and little Blood, is there no case of the right hypochondrium being hard and large like a plate? Therefore, in healthy individuals, any masses, lumps, or痞块 (痞块 refers to palpable abdominal masses often associated with Qi stagnation) are the roots of distension disease. Day after day, month after month, the abdomen becomes large like a basket or a jar; this is called Single Abdominal Distension (Dan Zhan Fu), unlike Water Qi which scatters on the skin, face, and four limbs. The chest is empty and vast, so Qi and food can still rotate alongside. However, in the abdomen, the Small Intestine, Large Intestine, and Bladder are crowded together; if Stasis and Turbidity occupy these spaces, Water cannot flow downward and overflows everywhere. The *Neijing* clarifies the principle of distension disease but lacks its treatment. Zhang Zhongjing presented two formulas for Qi-level distension with hardness below the heart like a plate: one treats Yin Qi knotting below the heart using Guizhi Qu Shaoyao Jia Mahuang Fuzi Xixin Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction minus Peony plus Ephedra, Aconite, and Asarum Decoction); the other treats Yang Qi knotting below the heart using Zhizhu Tang (Immature Bitter Orange and Atractylodes Macrocephala Decoction). Since the chest, a Yang position, distinguishes between Yang and Yin Qi for different treatments, how much more should the abdomen, the most Yin location, be treated exclusively from the Yin perspective? Yin Qi wraps around Yin Blood; if Yin Qi does not dissipate, Yin Blood does not even appear. How can one drive out the Blood? Apart from Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root), which enters the nine armies and wins victory with a single blade, what other herb can dissipate Yin Qi and break its strong fortress? ○ Historically, edema affecting the whole body and head/face is relatively easy to treat. If only the abdomen is swollen, it is difficult to treat. There are reasons for this that must be distinguished. All transmitted prescriptions use harsh, toxic attacking methods, damaging Yuan Qi (Original Qi) and injuring the Spleen and Stomach. Even if effective temporarily, if swelling recurs, there is no further treatment. This is the first point. Moreover, for whole-body swelling, each of the Five Zang and Six Fu organs has specific manifestations, so herbs that drain the Liver, Lung, Bladder, Large and Small Intestines sometimes yield results. But for isolated abdominal swelling, the Central Region (Middle Jiao) has been obstructed for a long time. The axis of the Four Movements is stuck; Clear Qi does not ascend, Turbid Qi does not descend, and they knot together firmly. This is truly caused by the decline of Spleen Qi. Dare we casually use herbs that drain the Spleen? This is the second point. Furthermore, draining methods for swelling can only be applied to robust people from the Northwest or field farmers. Can delicate, old, or young people from wealthy families endure this? If one claims that swelling is a Great Fullness and Great Excess requiring draining, should post-illness swelling and postpartum swelling also be drained? This is the third point. Also, ancient formulas originally listed five untreatable cases of swelling: black lips injure the Liver, flat clavicles injure the Heart, everted navel injures the Spleen, flat back injures the Lungs, and flat soles injure the Kidneys. These five are untreatable. The intent of formulating these was not for untreatable cases. Why did later practitioners blindly follow attacking and draining methods? Only the method of regulating the Spleen remains; even when signs of untreatability appear in the Five Zang, many can still be cured. This is the fourth point. Therefore, those using plundering drugs may initially see rapid reduction, but later attacks fail to reduce it, and subsequent attacks are like striking iron or stone. Ignorant observers think: "What pathogen is so fierce?" Those who understand see it is merely the result of aggressive drug attacks. Using the body's own Yuan Qi to fight the body is like driving good citizens to become bandits, as described in the phrase "infants stealing weapons and playing in the moat." Understanding this, there is the method of cultivation, which is tonifying Yuan Qi. There is the method of recruitment, which is raising Yang Qi. There is the method of dispersion, which is opening the ghost gates (sweat pores) and cleansing the pure residence (bladder). None of these three methods mention draining, yet draining is included within them. ○ There are three origins for treating Qi: First is Lung Qi; if Lung Qi is clear, the Qi of the whole body descends solemnly. Second is Stomach Qi; if Stomach Qi is harmonious, the Qi in the chest easily descends. Third is Bladder Qi; if Bladder Qi is vigorous, it can attract the Qi in the chest to descend. The Classics state: "The Bladder is the official of the provincial capital, storing body fluids; upon Qi transformation, they can exit." It also says: "The Upper Jiao is like mist," referring to its Qi being dense like mist. It also says: "The Dan Zhong (Constrictor Vessel/Chest Center) is the official of the minister," meaning it can distribute the Qi in the chest and transmit it downward. The Dan Zhong is at the same level as the Upper Jiao chest/diaphragm, while the Bladder is located inside the abdomen. The Qi transformation of the Bladder allows for emptiness and capacity, enabling the Qi of the Dan Zhong to move downward. If Bladder Qi does not transform, the abdomen swells first; how can the Qi of the Dan Zhong reach the lower parts? However, to ensure Bladder Qi transformation, the key lies in protecting the Kidney, as the Bladder is the Fu organ of the Kidney. Kidney Qi movement must first pour into the Bladder. Repeated movements without cessation lead to Bladder fullness, inevitably rushing counter-current to the chest and diaphragm, creating a blockage indescribable by words. Treatment involves tonifying Kidney Water until sufficient; then Essence and Qi are deeply stored, and Bladder Qi distension naturally resolves. Tonifying the Bladder to make Qi vigorous prevents Kidney pathogens from accumulating, and the mechanism of transport and transformation becomes abundant. The reason is that if the Kidney is not tonified, it cannot store; if the Bladder is not tonified, it cannot drain. (Yu Jiayan)

The disease of distension and fullness involves undigested grain and food, difficulty urinating, abdominal distension that is shiny and empty like a drum, commonly called Drum Distension (Gu Zhang). One must not investigate the cause of the disease. The Classics state: "For distension, target the Three Yang meridians." The Three Yang refers to the Foot-Taiyang Cold-Water Bladder Meridian. It also states: "Excess in the Lower Jiao becomes Water." And again: "The Bladder is the official of the provincial capital, storing body fluids; upon Qi transformation, they can exit." This shows that difficulty urinating is due to deficiency-Cold in the Lower Jiao, causing Dampness to be congested between the skin and fascia, unable to vent outward. Thus, the disease of swelling and fullness originates from deficiency-Cold in the Lower Yuan (Lower Origin). Unless the Lower Yuan is warmed and tonified, how can urination alone be facilitated? Furthermore, the human stomach is like a steamer pot. If the fire at the bottom is strong, heat steams upward, and cooking in the steamer is easy. If there is only water without fire, no Qi rises, and how can things cook? This analogy illustrates the point. Therefore, for treating distension and fullness, one should first warm and tonify the Lower Yuan, making the fire strong so that Dampness evaporates, the Stomach becomes warm, Grain Qi transforms easily, and fullness can be relieved. When Clear Qi ascends, Turbid Qi naturally descends; descending Turbid Qi becomes urine. If urination is smooth, can distension fail to resolve? The Classics say: "Earth Qi ascends to become clouds; Heaven Qi descends to become rain." Today, physicians encountering this disease all claim that "all dampness, swelling, and fullness belong to the Spleen," and immediately use promoting and draining agents. However, the more they take them, the more urgent the swelling becomes. We will see the Lower Yuan becoming increasingly deficient and True Qi increasingly weak, approaching death. How can one hope for a cure? (Sun Yikui)

Abdominal distension is mostly due to Cold and rarely due to Heat. Therefore, treating distension with acrid-warm herbs that disperse Qi is often effective. Even if Damp-Heat causes distension, it must rely on acrid-warm herbs to disperse Qi; once Qi disperses, distension and fullness also widen. Only in cases of excessive Fire and Yin deficiency, where Heat invades the Blood level, is the abdomen distended but not very large, hard upon pressure, with yellow-red urine and constipation, and a rapid, solid, fine pulse. Do not mistakenly treat this as Dampness or Food Stagnation. Guiding digestion harms Yin further; removing Dampness dries up Fluids further. One should use bitter-cold herbs, such as Danggui Longhui Wan (Angelica Sinensis and Gardenia Elixir) with Hulan (Picrorhiza Rhizome). (Zhang Sanxi)

For deficiency-Cold distension treated with warming and tonifying, reviewing ancient prescriptions reveals they must be thorough methods. Conducting Yang prevents Turbid Yin from gathering; sticking solely to tonification fears the Middle Jiao will become dull. (*Linzheng Zhinan*)

Distension and fullness all belong to Spleen deficiency, insufficient transportation and transformation, and filling with Turbid Qi. At the onset, prioritize digestion and relieving depression. For severe cases with constipation, mildly purge. For weak patients suffering long-term or after various illnesses, use Ginseng and Atractylodes Macrocephala to tonify Spleen Qi, assisted by Magnolia Bark, Aucklandia, and Coptis. The King's Way (gentle treatment) has no quick results; it requires dozens of doses to gradually take effect. I often see the use of tyrannical drugs that eliminate distension with one purge, only for it to return and cause death. Sad! (Zhan Ganjiang)

Single Abdominal Distension is severe Spleen deficiency. It requires large doses of Ginseng and Atractylodes Macrocephala, assisted by Tangerina Peel, Poria, Atractylodes Lancea, and Magnolia Bark. Someone asks: "The abdomen is already distended; why use Ginseng and Atractylodes?" I reply: "This is the method of 'treating obstruction with obstruction' from the *Neijing*. When Righteous Qi is deficient and cannot circulate, Turbid Qi stagnates in the middle, causing distension. Now, supporting Righteous Qi makes it transport vigorously. With no place for Pathogens to remain, distension naturally resolves." (Zhu Danxi)

Whenever there is distending pain in the chest, it is because Yang Qi does not reach the chest, and Yin Qi fills the space. Yang is light and relaxed; Yin is stagnant and congealed. ○ Post-malaria central fullness is caused by drugs injuring Central Qi, with pathogens moving from half-exterior to interior. With proper regulation, abdominal distension gradually resolves. If chills and fever recur, once Central Qi is strong, pathogens have no place to reside and scatter from interior to exterior. (Zhou Shenzhai)

False Distension: If a person has sufficient Central Qi and continuous vigorous transportation, why worry about distension? If Stomach deficiency cannot accept food, false fullness arises. If Spleen deficiency cannot transform grain, reverse fullness arises. Furthermore, extreme deficiency of the Lower Yuan without root allows floating Qi to ascend to the chest. The Kidney governs receiving Qi; the Lung governs expelling Qi. If Kidney deficiency cannot store, Qi exits without being received. Although the Lung manages expulsion, Qi rushes too urgently, exiting without returning, causing Lung distension. Thus, there is unbearable stuffiness and distension between the chest and diaphragm, sometimes stabbing towards the heart with severe pain nearing death. This requires using tonification as reduction, following the method of "treating obstruction with obstruction." For Heart-Spleen insufficiency, heavily tonify Heart and Spleen so Central Qi circulates freely. For Kidney Channel deficiency-Cold, warm and tonify the Lower Yuan so True Qi is sealed and stored securely. If not done this way,一味 (solely) using digestion, suppression, and Qi-regulating herbs will only make deficient Qi baseless, attack upward causing panting and death. When Qi disorders do not respond to Qi herbs, it is because dispersed Qi has nothing to gather. (*Jianwen Lu*)

For abdominal distension with non-moving Qi, add Magnolia Bark to the prescription to break stagnant Qi. For a heavy, stifling sensation in the abdomen, this is not distension but dispersed Qi that does not gather; add White Peony Root to the prescription to gather it. Thus, we know that distension from Qi knotting should be purged, while distension from Qi dispersion should be gathered. (Li Dongyuan)

Gu Distension (Parasitic Distension)

Distension has distinctions between Drum (Gu) and Parasitic (Gu). Drum-type is hollow with nothing inside, indicating Qi deficiency and central fullness; Parasitic-type is solid inside with something present, either parasites or Blood. (Cheng Zhongling)

Regardless of whether Gu Distension involves Qi, Blood, Water, or Phlegm, it always opens from one character, like bandits occupying terrain, relying on mountains and dangers to gather for a long time. (Yu Jiayan)

Swelling and Parasitic Distension are fundamentally different, and their medication is far apart. Swelling-Distension arises from accumulated food, Damp-Heat, or thick Phlegm blocking the Central Palace, causing Clear Qi not to ascend and Turbid Qi not to descend. Ying and Wei (Defensive and Nutritive Qi) cannot circulate smoothly, and water passages are not patent. Qi wanders recklessly off its course, and Water wanders recklessly failing to become urine. Qi and Water clash, and swelling-distension arises from here. However, the Original Yang of Spleen and Stomach is not yet exhausted, and Yuan Qi can still connect to the four directions. If one eliminates food stagnation, clears Damp-Heat, and resolves Phlegm-Qi, internal pathogens move, and external swelling vanishes accordingly, yielding swift results. As for Parasitic Distension, it first arises from damage to Spleen Qi, gradually becoming exhausted over time. Although the Stomach accepts little, the Spleen fails to transport and transform. Accompanied by accumulated Heat flowing into the Spleen and Stomach,横行 (rampantly moving) in the Middle Jiao, Righteous Qi declines while Pathogenic Qi flourishes. Clear and Turbid are indistinguishable, leading to distension and fullness. This Yang Qi is suppressed by Pathogenic Qi, unable to circulate throughout the body, while Pathogenic Qi attacks only the abdomen. Distension reaches its peak with protruding umbilicus, bulging blue veins, loose stools, red urine, panting, and food blockage. At this moment, should one tonify Spleen Righteous Qi? The Righteous Qi gains no benefit, Pathogenic Heat intensifies, and distension remains unchanged. Should one clear Heat to attack the Pathogen? The Pathogen has not retreated, Righteous Qi becomes weaker, and distension increases. Should one combine clearing and tonifying? Yet benefits are unseen, and damages increase. Even with masters Lu and Bian, how can methods be applied? Therefore, patients with this condition, if the Spleen is damaged but True Qi remains without lingering Pathogenic Heat, or if the abdomen is distended but Pathogenic Heat is not intense, there is still a chance for action. One should primarily tonify the Origin, slightly assist with digestion and guidance. Clearing the Lung comes next. For non-moving Qi, move the Qi; for Phlegm-Stagnation, move the Phlegm. Harmonious and moderate regulation may save them. (*Zhuzheng Xiyi*)

Parasitic Distension is a separate condition and must not be confused with Drum Distension. It arises from Damp-Heat and stagnation in the Spleen and Stomach, or internal injury causing Blood Stasis. Although long roundworms and tapeworms in the abdomen help digest food, having too many causes disease. Moreover, worms such as Zhu, Gan, and Lao vary in type and can all cause abdominal and chest pain. Treatment should tonify the Spleen and strengthen the Stomach, combined with digestion and guidance. Or, due to falls, sprains, or carrying heavy loads with effort, causing Blood Stasis internally leading to distending pain, one should also tonify the Spleen and strengthen the Stomach, combined with removing stasis and generating new tissue. "Gu" implies the meaning of worms eating and destroying. The pulses of Gu and Drum are opposite: Gu pulse must be Excess, Drum pulse must be Deficient. The shapes are even more different. For Gu distension, pressing the abdomen with the hand causes it to rise immediately because it is solid due to parasite and Blood accumulation. For Drum distension, pressing the abdomen causes it to depress and not rise because it is Qi and therefore deficient. (Shen Jin'ao)

Pulse Signs

When pulses are all deep, one should suspect Water. Body swelling and heaviness indicate Water disease; if the pulse floats/emerges, death occurs. (*Jinkui Yaolue*)

For Drum Distension disease, obtaining a洪大 (Surging-Large) pulse means a Yang disease showing a Yang pulse, which is easy to treat. If obtaining a short and choppy pulse, it means a Yin disease showing a Yin pulse, which is difficult to treat. (*Jianwen Lu*)

Selected Cases

A friend surnamed Tao, suffering from Shanghan (Cold Damage), was mis-treated by a physician and was in critical condition. I used large doses of Renshen (Ginseng), Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root), and Shudi (Prepared Rehmannia Root) to rescue him. After recovery, he liked drinking alcohol. Suddenly, his legs and thighs became completely swollen, distension extended to the abdomen, feeling like a drum when pressed, hard and firm. Because his Central Qi was originally injured by the previous illness, and the recent illness was due to excessive alcohol-dampness, Shenqi Tang (Kidney Qi Decoction) was indispensable. Taking several doses had no effect. Considering the causes before and after, it belonged to severe deficiency of Spleen and Kidney. Now, adding draining and leaching methods inevitably reduces tonifying power. I removed all draining herbs and used only Renshen, Fuzi, Liyin Jian (Nourishing Yin Decoction) plus Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala). After three doses, calves gradually reduced; after twenty doses, abdominal distension completely receded. Since then, whenever treating total deficiency, I used this method, with no failure. It shows that among wonderful methods, there are even more wonderful ones, depending on how the practitioner uses them. "Treating obstruction with obstruction" is the ultimate example. ○ A neighbor girl passing a pharmacy saw drying Kudzu Root (Badiu/Badou - Note: Text says Badou/Kudzu seed usually refers to Croton Seed in this context of toxicity, actually 巴豆 is Croton Seed, 松子仁 is Pine Kernel). Her father mistook it for Pine Kernels and gave her one grain. She chewed it, tasted spicy, spat it out quickly, but half a grain had been swallowed. Shortly after, she had severe diarrhea more than ten times. The next day, her abdomen and entire body swelled, she refused all food. Some suggested Huanglian (Coptis) and Mung Bean to detoxify, and Siling San (Four Porias Powder) and Wupi Tang (Five Barks Decoction) to drain water. I said: "After such severe purging, isn't this severe deficiency? Can she bear bitter-cold to damage the Spleen again? Moreover, after watery diarrhea, what water is left to drain?" I used only Dushen Tang (Single Ginseng Decoction) and Wenwei Yin (Warm Stomach Drink) to cultivate Spleen Qi. After several doses, she recovered as before. Since she had severe diarrhea, why did she swell so much? Knowing that severe deficiency and severe cold causing swelling are mostly like this. (Zhang Jingyue)

A child had a swollen scrotum and glans skin swollen like a blister. Physicians tried draining dampness and moving Qi without effect. Palpating the pulse, it was soggy and slow. I said: "Slow and forceless pulse indicates Qi deficiency. The Bladder is the mansion of body fluids, where Qi transformation produces output. Qi deficiency cannot produce transformation. Treatment should raise Yang and tonify Qi. Formula: Renshen (Ginseng) as Sovereign, Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala), Fuling (Poria) as Ministers, Niuxi (Achyranthes Root), Shengma (Cimicifuga Rhizome), Chenpi (Tangerina Peel) as Assistants, Gancao Gao (Licorice Tip) as Guides. After taking it, swelling subsided, skin wrinkled, and he healed." (Wang Shishan)

A person suffered from Edema for a month. Head, face, abdomen, back, four limbs, and scrotum were all swollen. Blue veins appeared on the abdomen, skin looked like a ripe plum. Pulse was deep and fine. Taking Spleen-tonifying and water-draining herbs, urination反而 (instead) became difficult. I said: "Draining did not respond; this is Fengshui (Wind-Water)." The Classics state: "Sweating exposed to Wind, unable to enter internally or exit externally, lodging in the Yuan Fu (Primary Gates), named Wind-Water." Difficulty in urination is actually due to Wind; once Wind goes, Water moves on its own. I formulated Jiawei Congchi Tang (Modified Scallion and Fermented Soybean Decoction) using Danshi (Fermented Soybean), Congbai (Scallion White), Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig), Juhong (Tangerina Red Peel), Banxia (Pinellia Tuber), Chiling (Red Poria), and Gancao (Licorice). This illness has its root in the Kidney and its branch in the Lung. Danshi is the grain of the Kidney; Congbai is the vegetable of the Lung; Guizhi harmonizes Ying and removes Wind; Erchen (Two Aged Things) distributes Phlegm and Water. Not solely draining water, but Water drains itself. (Xu Xuanzhi)

Mother of Zhang Xu Hong had Qi deficiency abdominal distension, difficulty urinating, and bilateral knee swelling. Treated with Wuling San (Five Ling Powder), symptoms worsened. I said: "How can the elderly indiscriminately administer separating and draining herbs?" Prescribed Liujunzi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction) plus Cheqian (Plantago Seed) and Niuxi (Achyranthes Root), and she recovered. ○ Official Su Ru had sore throat, diarrhea, and calf swelling. I gave Fuzi Tang (Aconite Decoction) to warm his channels; one dose healed him. Several days later, throat swelled and hurt again, internal heat, dry mouth, red face, phlegm-saliva congestion upward. This was Kidney Water deficiency, unconstrained Ministerial Fire. Given Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia) plus Maidong (Ophiopogon Tuber) and Wuweizi (Schisandra Berry), she recovered. Over a month later, both feet...