Library

Philosophical Remarks

When the master palpates the pulse, if the patient yawns, it indicates no disease. ○ Suppose a patient lies facing the wall; upon hearing the master's arrival, they do not startle or rise but instead cast sidelong glances, speak intermittently (speaking then stopping), and swallow saliva when the pulse is being felt. This is feigned illness. Even if the pulse appears harmonious, claiming that this disease is severe and requires emetic or purgative medicines, along with acupuncture and moxibustion at dozens or even hundreds of points for recovery, is characteristic of such deception. (Zhang Zhongjing)

Disease is not something people desire; why would there be feigned illness? It generally arises from litigation, physical altercations, jealousy between a wife and her natal family members, or disputes involving fame and profit. In these situations, human deceit and hypocrisy emerge. Without the ability to discern them, one will inevitably be deceived. The method for treating feigned illness involves using their own deception against them, thereby revealing the truth and causing the fake illness to heal spontaneously. This is an indispensable skill for physicians. (Zhang Jingyue)

Selected Cases

A courtesan favored by a friend suddenly collapsed, foaming at the mouth, with cold limbs and breath so faint it seemed absent. Witnessing this state was startling. Upon palpating the Cun-Kou pulse (radial artery), I found it harmonious, inconsistent with the symptoms. I thought: If the pulse is so harmonious, why are the symptoms so critical? Initially unfamiliar with her, I did not suspect feigning. After deep contemplation and re-palpation yielding the same result, I suddenly realized: Is this what Zhang Zhongjing described? I then loudly declared, "This condition is critical! Unless fire therapy is applied—using moxa cones as large as dates or chestnuts, continuously moxibusting the Baihui (CV20), Renzhong (GV26), and lower abdomen points—it cannot be saved. However, moxibustion is too late; let us first administer medicine to ensure she can swallow. If she makes a sound after swallowing, she will live; otherwise, moxibustion is unnecessary." Hearing this, the cunning woman was secretly terrified, fearing the burning moxa. She swallowed the medicine immediately. Shortly after, she groaned and slowly sat up. ○ Another acquaintance kept two concubines. One, Yan Ji, was accompanied by her mother. The two concubines competed, and their mothers incited the conflict. One mother threw a tantrum, resulting in syncope resembling death. She was held sitting by a maid from dusk till dawn without regaining consciousness. I was summoned to examine her. She appeared fleshy with dark complexion, face cyanotic, eyes closed, hand relaxed, breath faint, and pulse hidden and nearly imperceptible. I initially suspected genuine criticality. I considered warming and tonifying but feared lingering rebellious Qi; I considered opening orifices but feared the pulse indicated collapse. Hesitating, I requested another examination. Her fingers were interlaced holding her abdomen. I suspected that since she could clasp her hands now, unlike before, someone else might have posed her. Upon touching her again, she seemed to show aversion, resisting my pull. This was suspicious. Suddenly pulling her sharply, she detached with a sound, displaying strong force. My suspicion vanished: Would a dying person have such strength? I reasoned her hidden pulse might be due to thick flesh and stagnant Qi, common in Northern constitutions; or clenched armpits due to deceit. The cyanotic face and faint breath were likely due to anger. With this insight, I declared the condition critical and threatened moxibustion to frighten her. She recovered immediately upon receiving medicine. The next day, my friend asked about the miracle of yesterday's medicine. I replied, "The secret lay in words; the medicine was merely a pretext." Human nature is unpredictable; without repeated examination, I almost fell for the deception. ○ A relative's son was beaten and bedridden for ten days, vomiting blood filling a basin, with rumors of homicide spreading. Physicians, seeing the critical severity, were helpless and afraid of liability. I visited later, observing no expression of distress or pain; the pulse was harmonious and slow, normal. Suspecting and realizing the truth, I whispered privately, "Others may be deceived, but can you deceive me? Is this your blood, or poultry blood?" He was stunned. I then prescribed harmonizing herbs, and he dispersed. ○ A woman, jealous of her natal relatives, suffered severe illness with rigidity and syncope, grinding teeth and staring wide-eyed. Her husband was panicked and at a loss. The pulse did not match the disease. I treated her using the previous method and cured her. This not only benefits others but also prevents deception. Recorded for use in emergencies. (Complete Works of Master Jingyue)