Library

The method of decocting medicine: to extract the "flavor" (heavy substance), the fire should be slow; to extract the "qi" (light nature), the fire should be rapid. Although *Renshen* (Ginseng Radix) is primarily used for its qi, it must also be slowly decocted with vigorous fire (Wu Huo).

There are six common faults in taking medicine among the secular world, which one must not ignore. Some take medicine immediately after eating; some drink tea or soup excessively immediately after taking medicine; some mix food and medicine together while remaining unaware of dietary taboos; some just finished taking medicine from one physician and immediately follow it with medicine from another; some openly accept medicine from one physician but secretly take medicine from another, refusing to speak the truth to deceive others; furthermore, some, suffering from the bitterness of taking medicine, secretly discard the decoctions or pills they have taken, while attendants conceal this fact from each other, making it impossible to trace. If the illness happens to subside slightly, let it pass; but if the illness worsens, who shall be held responsible?

An individual suffered from a heat disease in July, with fever burning day and night without relief. Physicians prescribed herbs such as *Xingren* (Apricot Seed), *Bohe* (Mint), *Qinhua* (Scutellariae Radix), and *Lianhua* (Lotus Plumule) to release the muscle layer and reduce fever. After several doses, there was no improvement. After more than ten days, this person, who ran a pharmacy and had slight knowledge of medicine, said to his companions, "The previous medicine was very appropriate for the condition but did not cure me; I fear I am doomed!" He craved cold drinks. His companions argued that this would block the fu-organ qi and refused him. Helpless, he waited a few more days. When no one was around, he remembered a jar of snow water hidden under the bed. He forced himself up, opened the lid, and drank several bowls. He then collapsed under the bed, sweating profusely all over his body. Upon waking, he desired porridge; his body was cool, and his pulse was calm. His companions later learned that his condition was dryness-heat. The correct treatment should have been *Yunü Jian* (Jade Woman Decoction) combined with muscle-releasing herbs, which would have cured him long ago. Herbs like *Qinhua* and *Lianhua* can clear heat but cannot moisten dryness; using them here is like "a cup of water on a cartload of firewood" (ineffective against overwhelming heat). Thus, the prescription seemed correct but was actually wrong. His recovery by drinking snow water was like pouring water on a red-hot axe: steam rises, and the dryness-fire pathogen exits through sweat. This is an inevitable trend and nothing strange.

Generally, treating diseases in their late stages is difficult. Ancients said it is like a mouse passing through a coin hole: the whole body has emerged, but the tail remains stuck. One must realize that the reason the tail cannot exit lies within specific causes; careful contemplation will yield insights. Otherwise, failing at the last moment (like dropping one basket of earth before completing a mound) renders all previous efforts useless. I once heard of someone who recovered from *Shanghan* (Cold Damage). During the day he could eat, at night he could sleep, and his excretions were normal—seemingly free of danger. However, sitting in a room with closed windows, or even slight drafts, or walking a few steps in the courtyard, triggered chills and fever. Famous local physicians tried almost every prescription without effect. Later, he sought treatment from Xue Yipiao in Suzhou. Xue said, "The thief has left, but the door is not closed," and prescribed *Yupingfeng San* (Jade Windscreen Powder), resulting in a cure. This illustrates that those who grasp the essence can resolve matters with a single word. It is easy to emerge from the "tail" (the lingering complication). Another case: a patient suffered from fever and cough. I consulted a physician. Knowing it was summer-wind, we used acrid-cool methods without success. Due to restlessness and irritability, we used *Dahuang* (Rhubarb Root and Rhizome) to purge. One dose cured him, and he resumed eating porridge and meals. Suddenly, his eyes turned red, tongue red, and throat painful as if pierced. Drinking watermelon juice relieved the pain momentarily, and his pulse returned to normal. I reasoned that exterior pathogens had dispersed, summer-heat cleared, and food stagnation resolved. Why these symptoms? After quiet reflection, I concluded that despite severe pain, only light and clearing methods were appropriate. Thus, I prescribed 20 stems of *Dengxincao* (Juncus Medulla), 20 pieces of *Zhuanjuanxin* (Bamboo Leaf Heart), to clear heart-fire, and 3 slices of *Dagancao* (Licorice Root) to sweetly drain it. Decocted into half a cup, he fell into deep sleep immediately after ingestion. Waking up, he asked, "After swallowing the previous medicine, the pain ceased instantly. What immortal prescription is this?" Unaware that the medicine was worth less than a penny, this too serves as proof of mastering the "tail" (key point) of treatment.