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Luo Qianfu treated Bo'erchici Maci. This patient, after hunting and obtaining a rabbit, roasted it over fire and ate too much. By evening, he felt drowsy and fatigued. Thirsty, he drank more than one dou of hot milk. That night, his abdomen became distended like a drum. He suffered from pain, chest tightness, and restlessness. He was unable to vomit or defecate. He was agitated and in such agony that he wished to die. His pulse at the Qi Kou (radial artery proximal to the wrist crease) was twice as large as that at the Ren Ying (carotid artery), with the Right Guan position being particularly forceful. This is because roasted meat is dry; excessive consumption led to thirst, and drinking copious amounts of hot milk caused the meat to swell upon contact with moisture. The intestines and stomach were completely blocked, losing the physiological mechanism of alternating emptiness and fullness for digestion and transmission. The *Neijing* states: "Yin Qi, when quiet, stores the Shen (Spirit); when restless, the Shen dissipates." Excessive food intake damages the intestines and stomach. Now, due to excessive diet, the Yin Qi has become restless, and the Shen cannot be stored. Death may occur within a day or two. If not using a potent and urgent formula, how could one break through the gates (rapidly purge the accumulation)? Therefore, he administered ten pills of Beiji Wan (Emergency Pill), divided into two doses. Then, he gave Wuyou San (Worry-Free Powder) five qian. Shortly after, the patient experienced severe vomiting and purging, expelling more than two dou of accumulated material. His abdomen gradually felt empty and relieved. The next day, he recovered after regulating his diet with rice gruel.

Li, a tea merchant and wealthy man, injured himself by eating too much horse meat. He developed abdominal distension. Physicians treated him with Dahuang (Rhubarb Root and Rhizome) and Badou (Croton Seed), but his condition worsened. Bao Yi Weng, Xiang Yanzhang, later examined him. The Cun Kou (radial pulse at the wrist) was rapid and hurried, while the two Chi positions (distal radial pulses) were nearly imperceptible. Xiang Yanzhang said: "There is new pathogenic factor in the chest, hence the rapid pulse. It should be guided upward. Now, instead, purgatives are used, which is a mistake." He administered an emetic agent. Li was seated in the center while attendants rotated around him. He immediately vomited up undigested meat. Subsequently, Shenxiong Wan (Shenxiong Pill) was given to induce strong purgation. The illness resolved, and everyone admired the treatment.

Sun Dongsu treated Dong Xunlao, Grand Secretary of Rites. He was 67 years old and had a history of spleen and stomach disorders. In the summer heat, after consuming excessive melons and fruits, he suffered from chest and diaphragm distension and pain. His pulse at the Cun and Guan positions was wiry and tight. His complexion showed that the Shen was stored and Qi was solid. Reviewing his previous medications, they consisted merely of Erchen Tang (Two-Cured Decoction) and Pingwei San (Calm the Stomach Powder) plus Shanzha (Hawthorn Fruit) and Maiya (Germinated Barley). He did not realize this injury was caused by the excess cold-dampness of melons and fruits. The classics state: "When Cold dominates, treat with Acrid-Warm methods." Melons and fruits cannot be digested without Shexiang (Musk) and Rougui (Cinnamon Bark). This explains why the previous formulas were ineffective. Thus, he prescribed Gaoliangjiang (Galangal Rhizome) and Xiangfu (Cyperus Rhizome), each one liang, Rougui five qian, and Shexiang one qian, ground into powder. Each dose was two qian, taken with wine. Within two to three days, his chest and diaphragm felt relaxed, and he regained his appetite.

Gong Yunlin treated a man who, in the twelfth lunar month, ate several jin of lamb meat while gambling. The cold oil from the lamb froze and blocked the chest and diaphragm, preventing downward movement. He was severely distended and suffocating, on the verge of death. Other physicians were helpless. Gong observed that all six pulses were present. He took a large jar of yellow wine, heated it, and placed it in a large vat. The patient sat inside the vat. Attendants gently slapped his chest, abdomen, and back. Two people blew into his ears. Hot liquor was then forced down his throat. Finally, Wanli Wan (Ten Thousand Pill) was administered. He recovered through vomiting and purging.

Yu Zhen's commentary: Miao Zhongchun treated an elderly person injured by cold food and indigestible substances. He decocted Laojiang (Old Ginger) and Zisu (Perilla Leaf), placed the liquid in a bath tub, and let the patient soak in it. He then rubbed the heart, stomach, abdomen, and belly with hot water. Once the Qi flowed freely, the food was digested. This method is similar to the one described above.

Shi Wen treated Wang Wufu, a pediatric case. In summer, he suffered from food stagnation, vomiting, fever, head distension and pain, and spontaneous passage of yellow watery stool. His whole-body muscles felt like pricks when touched. The six pulses were vague; searching under the fingers, they seemed present yet absent. His lower legs and shins were cold. Believing it to be a Yin-Cold syndrome, he took one dose of Wuji San (Five Accumulations Powder), but his heat intensified. He fell into a coma and lost consciousness. On the third day, diarrhea continued incessantly. He frequently spoke deliriously, worse at night. His uncle, Ye Yangsheng, diagnosed it as Summerheat injury and prescribed Xiangru Yin (Elsholtzia Decoction). Consequently, sweat poured from his head and face like steam. He panted and was restless. His feet were cold, and cold Qi reversed upward. Cheng Jiaoqian, a physician from She County, noted the severe heat and vague pulse, difficult to palpate, diagnosing it as Yang collapse impending death. He wanted to aggressively administer Renshen (Ginseng Root) and Fuzi (Aconite Lateral Root). Shen Mingsheng from Yunjian argued that Yin syndromes never present with sweating like steaming. Although the pulse was deficient, the symptoms indicated severe heat, so he advocated for Renshen Baihu Tang (Ginseng White Tiger Decoction). The debate remained unresolved, so they sought Shi Wen's opinion. Shi Wen palpated the six pulses; although all were choppy, weak, and vague, pressing below the heart caused severe pain. There were gray prickles on the tongue resembling thorns. This indicated food filling the Middle Jiao, failing to drive the pulse. Such cases are common. He advised using Liangge San (Cool the Chest Powder) to purge. The other physicians, eager to shift responsibility, agreed to his prescription. After one administration, the patient's mental clarity greatly improved, and the pulse instantly became distinct. One must know that while the pulse for food stagnation is typically slippery and full at the Qi Kou, repeated injuries often lead to choppy, rapid, and vague pulses, signaling the Spleen's failure to digest and transport. If this case had not been treated with purgation, but instead with Renshen and Fuzi to support the hyperthermia, death would have occurred instantly. How can one prescribe recklessly without careful deliberation?

Ye Xinyu suffered from food stagnation complicated by wind-cold. Both Cun and Guan pulses were choppy, rapid, and vague. Both Chi pulses were deep and wiry, becoming firmer upon pressure. Although he could still walk, the pulse lacked harmony. This indicated pre-existing stagnant Qi in the lower abdomen. Inquiry confirmed he had suffered from Han Shan (Cold Hernia) for years. He delayed treatment, citing inconvenience. That night, his abdomen suddenly became fully distended, and he died. A disciple asked: "Master Ye had only a minor ailment. Why did you predict certain death and refuse treatment?" I replied: "Normally, when the Stomach is full, the Intestines are empty; when the Intestines are full, the Stomach is empty. Alternating fullness and emptiness allows Qi to reside properly. Now, there is food stagnation in the chest and accumulation in the abdomen. Both upper and lower are obstructed. Can we guarantee they will not attack each other causing disaster? One must know that diseases like Jue Shan entering the abdomen or Hong Kong Foot rushing to the heart involve Yin pathogens knotting together. After long stagnation, they carry the momentum of Yin Fire upward. If Yang Qi in the chest is strong, Yin pathogens remain in their proper Yin positions. However, here the chest is first blocked by retained food, and the abdomen contains old stagnation. If it does not reverse upward, fine; if it does, both upper and lower are full, leaving no room for Healthy Qi. There is often a risk of sudden collapse. Thus, treatment was inadvisable, as I actually knew he would die soon. Therefore, whenever examining the six pulse positions, if pathological pulses do not correspond appropriately, one must investigate whether there are chronic conditions. Do not neglect this, lest you invite slander."

Yu Zhen's commentary: Food stagnation is originally not a serious disease, so few cases are selected. However, all methods are complete, and no subtlety is lacking. There is no need to seek further advantages.