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Ms. Yu (19 years old) suffered from irregular menstruation, with occasional rebellious Qi rushing to the chest, causing mental confusion, chest oppression, vomiting, and even loss of consciousness and cold extremities. The pulse was large and choppy. The symptoms resembled Liver Wood overacting on Spleen Earth, but the pulse did not match the symptoms. Observing her complexion, there were no signs of worry or anger. Upon inquiring about the onset, she stated that after drinking well water last year, her menstruation stopped, followed by abdominal distension. Later, although menstruation resumed, the condition of rebellious Qi arose. Having understood the situation, I prescribed a formula employing three methods simultaneously: warming the meridians, expelling blood stasis, and promoting Qi circulation.

Pao Jiang (Fried Zingiberis Rhizoma, 8 fen), Gui Wei (Cinnamon Twig Root, 2 qian, moistened with wine), Ai Ye (Mugwort Leaf, 1.5 qian), Da Huang (Rhubarb Root, 3 qian, moistened with wine, added later), Zhi Shi (Immature Bitter Orange, 1.5 qian), Yan Hu Suo (Corydalis Rhizome, 1.5 qian), Xiang Fu (Cyperus Rhizome, 2 qian), Ju Pi (Tangerine Peel, 1 qian), Tao Ren (Peach Seed, 2 qian), Hong Hua (Safflower, 1 qian).

At that time, it was during her menstrual period. After taking two doses, a large amount of blood clots were discharged. Her chest felt relaxed, and her abdomen became harmonious; she no longer felt the presence of the disease. She only felt physically weak. Palpation revealed that the pulse no longer showed large and choppy characteristics. This three-year chronic ailment was cured promptly. The purgative method must be known. Subsequently, a formula for regulating and tonifying Qi and Blood was prescribed. The patient's mother was extremely pleased and returned home.

Ms. Shen (16 years old) experienced continuous metrorrhagia (profuse uterine bleeding) one month after a spontaneous abortion.

Dang Shen (Codonopsis Radix, 2 qian), Zheng Zhu Shu (Steamed Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, 1.5 qian), Gou Qi (Goji Berry, 2 qian), Bai Shao (White Peony Root, 1.5 qian, stir-fried with wine), Shan Yao (Chinese Yam, 2 qian, stir-fried), Tu Si Zi Bing (Cuscuta Seed Cake, 2 qian), Du Zhong (Eucommia Bark, 1.5 qian, stir-fried with salt water), Jing Jie Tan (Schizonepeta Spike Charcoal, 1 qian), Zhi Cao (Honey-fried Licorice Root, 3 fen).

She recovered after taking two doses. This formula is effective for treating metrorrhagia and metrostaxis accompanied by deficiency.

There are three hundred and sixty types of diseases in humans, and within each type, there are further variations. Those who do not understand may sigh like someone who has lost sheep, while those who grasp the essentials can resolve matters with a single word, focusing merely on the ten characters: Exterior/Interior, Zang-Fu Organs, Qi/Blood, Cold/Heat, and Deficiency/Excess. Famous physicians throughout history have each produced their own works. Only the *Neijing* (Classic of Internal Medicine) encompasses everything, while Zhang Zhongjing’s *Shanghan Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage) and *Jingui Yaolue* (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet) can be said to be comprehensive. Later writings either contain formulas without discussions, discussions without formulas, or present unique insights to form a school of thought, covering various diseases quite thoroughly. Why should I bother writing to comment on their merits and faults? However, sages do not discard the songs of children, and the wise still collect opinions from commoners. I have engaged in this profession for forty years. Now, my beard and hair are white, and my mental vigor declines daily. If I do not record what I have learned, I fear that once my eyesight fails, all my past hard work and study of medical theories will be lost to oblivion. What I feel ashamed of is that my knowledge is like Ma Yuan’s painting of a corner of a mountain or seeing a leopard through a tube—fragmentary—and liable to be mocked by the knowledgeable. At that time, my second son, Ruo Ji, expressed his willingness to study medicine and advised me, saying, "Even if you do not pass it on to outsiders, using it as a stepping stone for your son, why not?" Thus, I allowed him to copy these records.