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The second son of Xue Li, Vice Prefect of Zhongshan, was thirteen years old. On June 13th, after a heavy rainstorm, the pond water overflowed. He played in the water, getting his clothes completely wet. His mother reprimanded him. By evening, he felt mentally confused and lethargic, desiring to lie down. The next day, he developed headache, feverish body sensation, and heaviness in the legs and feet. A female physician administered Jiehe San (Harmonizing Decoction) to induce sweating. She had him close the doors and windows and cover him with heavy quilts. This resulted in unbearable heat and distress, leading to delirious speech and attempts to remove the quilts. The following day, he exhibited "seeking clothes and grasping at empty air" (a sign of severe mental confusion). Another physician then administered Chengqi Tang (Bowel-Draining Decoction) to purge the bowels. After purging, he gradually lost his voice, could not control his limbs, occasionally experienced neck stiffness, and suffered from spasms and contractures of the hands and feet. His eyes deviated to the left with excessive sclera showing, his lips and facial muscles twitched, food intake decreased, and his physique became emaciated.

He requested my treatment and recounted the previous history. Upon detailed examination, I determined this was an injury from dampness compounded by improper excessive sweating. Human Yuan Qi (Original Qi) originates from the Qi movement between the kidneys below the navel, circulates throughout the body, and flows through all vessels. At this time of peak summer heat, inducing excessive sweating caused Wang Yang (Loss of Yang Qi), leading to sluggish circulation in the vessels. Consequently, the Qi of the Sanjiao (Triple Burner) could not ascend to nourish the Heart and Lungs, resulting in hyperactive Heart Fire and scorched Lung Qi. Furthermore, due to internal accumulation of fright and fear, as stated in the *Neijing* (Inner Canon): "Fear causes Qi to sink." Yang Qi governs voice; since Yang Qi is lost, the voice cannot emerge. The *Neijing* also states: "Yang Qi, when refined, nourishes the Shen (Spirit); when soft, it nourishes the Jin (Tendons)." It further says: "Those who lose blood should not sweat; those who lose sweat should not lose blood." Now, excessive sweating has depleted both Qi and Blood. Without nourishment, the tendons develop Jing Disease (Spasm Disease), characterized by neck stiffness and limb spasms. The eyes connect to the Liver, which governs the tendons. Since the tendons are dry and lack moisture, the eyes deviate to the left with excessive sclera. Muscles belong to the Spleen; Spleen Heat causes muscle twitching, hence the lip movements. The classics state: "Flesh Wei (Flaccidity) arises from damp places." Spleen Heat causes muscle numbness, developing into Rou Wei (Muscle Flaccidity), where weakness and prolonged immobility lead to insensitivity. Yang Qi governs movement; now Qi is exhausted, and Heat lingers in the Spleen, rendering the limbs useless. This clearly indicates a Huai Zheng (Complication/Failed Syndrome) resulting from dampness injury and excessive sweating.

Treatment should focus on clearing the current Heat, replenishing the source of Kidney Water to rescue the reversal, and tonifying the ascending and generating Qi. The *Huangdi Zhenjing* (Yellow Emperor's Classic of Acupuncture) states: "When Upper Qi is insufficient, push and elevate it." This applies here. I treated him with Renshen Yiqi Tang (Ginseng Qi-Tonifying Decoction). The *Neijing* states: "For excessive Heat, treat with Sweet-Cold herbs and use Sour herbs to astringe." Ren Shen (Ginseng Root) and Huang Qi (Astragalus Root) have Sweet-Warm properties that tonify deficient Qi and relieve urgent spasms, serving as the Jun (Monarch) herb. The Kidney dislikes dryness; urgently eat Pungent herbs to moisten it. Sheng Gan Cao (Raw Licorice Root) is Sweet-Slightly Cold, and Huang Bo (Phellodendron Bark) is Bitter-Pungent-Cold, used to rescue Kidney Water and generate fluids, serving as the Chen (Minister) herbs. Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis Root) is Pungent-Warm to harmonize the vessels; Ju Pi (Citrus Peel) is Bitter-Pungent, Bai Zhu (Atractylodes Rhizome) is Bitter-Sweet, and Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-Fried Licorice Root) is Sweet-Warm, used to benefit the Spleen and Stomach and promote appetite. The Lung desires astringency; urgently eat Sour herbs to collect it. Bai Shao Yao (White Peony Root) is Sour-Slightly Cold, used to astringe dissipating Qi and tonify Lung Metal, serving as the Zuo (Assistant) herb. Sheng Ma (Cimicifuga Rhizome) and Chai Hu (Bupleurum Root) are Bitter-Ping, used to ascend and generate insufficient Qi, serving as the Shi (Envoy) herb. This is what is meant by "drawing Yang from Yin."

[Ginseng Qi-Tonifying Decoction]
Huang Qi (5 fen) | Ren Shen | Huang Bo (peeled) | Sheng Ma
Chai Hu | Bai Shao Yao (each 3 fen) | Dang Gui | Bai Zhu
Zhi Gan Cao (each 2 fen) | Chen Pi (3 fen) | Sheng Gan Cao (2 fen)

These eleven ingredients are coarsely crushed. One dose is prepared with 2.5 cups of water, soaked for two shichen (4 hours), then decocted until 1 cup remains. Strain and take hot. One dose after morning meal, one dose before noon meal. After three days of administration, his voice gradually returned, he could walk slightly, limbs became supple, and food intake increased. He recovered by autumn.