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Chunyu Sima of Qi ate horse liver. Having eaten to fullness, upon seeing wine being served, he immediately ran away, walking briskly. Upon returning home, he suffered diarrhea dozens of times. I (Cang Gong) told him: "Drink Huoji Decoction (Fire-Regulating Decoction), using one dou of rice water per dose, and you will recover in seven or eight days."

Eating to fullness and then walking rapidly shakes the intestines and stomach, causing their secretory function to lose regulation, hence the dozens of diarrheal episodes. Huoji Decoction resolves the accumulation and stagnation, while rice water moistens the intestinal tract. After one physiological cycle of seven days, natural recovery occurs. Some say rice water can treat Huifeng syndrome (Wind-Reversal Syndrome), whose manifestation is food ingested but immediately expelled (i.e., diarrhea) (see above). Do not underestimate this prescription, as trials have proven its efficacy. (Annotation by Fan A)

Zhonglang Jiang Poshi of Qi contracted his illness from falling off a horse and stiffening onto a stone, resulting in an incurable lung injury. This person had a preference for eating broomcorn millet (Shu Mi, Panicum miliaceum). Since Shu Mi enters the Lung meridian, he died before the expected period. The pulse diagnosis method states: "Those who prefer Yin-cold environments die following the disease's course; those who prefer Yang-hot environments die due to blood disorder." This person preferred solitude and quietness, was not irritable, sat still for long periods, and slept leaning on a desk, causing blood circulation to stagnate.

Note: Injury to the lungs typically results in hemoptysis (coughing up blood); he exclusively presented with hematuria (blood in urine), which is due to his preference for stillness. Generally, lung diseases are the most difficult to treat. Although my master could perform laparotomy, he could not suture the lungs; therefore, lung injuries are invariably fatal. People claim that Baiji (Bletillae Rhizoma, Bletilla striata) can tonify the lungs, but it only repairs lungs damaged by carbuncles and sores, not those injured by falls. Cang Gong did not use herbal decoctions because he analyzed the pathology and pulse patterns with particular detail. (Annotation by Fan A)

Sui, a physician attendant to the King of Qi, suffered from Zhongre syndrome (Heat Stroke/Internal Heat). Medical theory states: "For those with internal heat and difficulty urinating, Wushi San (Five-Stone Powder) must not be administered. Stone medicines are heavy and cloying; taking them increases chest oppression. Stone drugs are potent and fierce. If taking them reduces urination frequency (urinary retention), stop immediately, otherwise facial discoloration will occur and carbuncles will develop." Sui said: "Bian Que said: 'Yin stones treat Yin syndromes, and Yang stones treat Yang syndromes.' Medicines and stones have Yin-Yang and Water-Fire formulations. Therefore, for internal heat, treat with Yin stones and soft formulations; for internal cold, treat with Yang stones and rigid formulations." I stated: "Although Bian Que said this, one must carefully diagnose, establish standards, measure weights, combine complexion and pulse analysis to determine excess/deficiency in interior/exterior, follow methods of compliance/inversion, and reference the patient's movement and breath synchronization before making a judgment." Medical theory further states: "When Yang pathogens are internal and Yin manifestations appear external, do not add harsh drugs or stones." Diagnostic methods state: "When two Yin meridians respond externally and one Yang connects internally, rigid drugs cannot be used. Rigid drugs entering the body disturb Yang Qi, causing Yin disease to weaken further and Yang pathogenic factors to become prominent. Pathogenic qi flows vigorously, leading to severe distress, eventually erupting as a carbuncle." After I informed Sui, over a hundred days later, he indeed developed a carbuncle on the breast, which penetrated into the Quepen point (LI12), leading to death.

Let those who use medicinal stones take this as a warning. (Annotation by Fan A)