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Xue Lizhai treated a pediatric patient. Whenever there was dietary indiscretion or external fright, the child would suffer from vomiting, diarrhea, and convulsions. The condition resolved after administering medications for calming fright and resolving phlegm. Later, the convulsions worsened significantly, and the child refused food. Even tonifying formulas containing Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) and Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) were vomited immediately upon ingestion. Therefore, he used Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) stir-fried with kitchen soil until yellow, decocted in rice washing water for a few boils, and administered half a spoonful intermittently. Vomiting persisted. On the next day, upon re-administration, mild vomiting occurred. The dosage was gradually increased to two or three spoonfuls, then up to half a cup, at which point vomiting ceased. A concentrated decoction was then administered, leading to recovery.

Zhang Jingyue treated his youngest son, who was only six months old. After contracting cold, the infant suffered from severe vomiting and diarrhea. Medications for warming the stomach and harmonizing the spleen were ineffective. Li Zhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction) was prescribed. Three days later, Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) 3 qian was added, along with Gan Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma), Rou Gui (Cinnamomi Cortex), Wu Zhu Yu (Evodiae Fructus), and Rou Dou Kou (Myristicae Semen). This also proved ineffective. By the fourth or fifth day, every feed resulted in immediate regurgitation; half of the milk was vomited out, and the other half was passed as diarrhea. Nothing remained in the abdomen. Consequently, Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) 6 qian, Zhi Fu Zi (Prepared Aconiti Lateralis Radix), Gan Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma), and Rou Gui (Cinnamomi Cortex) each 1-2 qian were used. However, the medicine was vomited immediately upon swallowing, not a single drop retained. Moreover, the excreted milk appeared white, clear, and odorless, resembling fresh milk. Given the critical state of the child's form and vital energy, survival seemed impossible. Considering that cold pathogen invading the stomach caused persistent vomiting and diarrhea, what method could be employed if one abandoned agents like Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix), Gan Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma), Rou Gui (Cinnamomi Cortex), and Fu Zi (Aconiti Radix)? After repeated deliberation, it was concluded that the Stomach Qi deficiency was extreme, and the flavor and aroma of the medicines were slightly incompatible, causing rejection. Furthermore, Fu Zi (Aconiti Radix) has a salty taste, which can induce vomiting. Only by using sweet and pungent medicines that are palatable could the Stomach Qi potentially stabilize, offering a chance of life. Thus, Hu Jiao (Piperis Longi Fructus) 3 qian was crushed, combined with Wei Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens Praeparatum) 1 liang, and decocted in water. Separately, Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) 2 liang was decocted. A mixture of the Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) decoction and the Hu Jiao (Piperis Longi Fructus)-Wei Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens Praeparatum) decoction was administered via tea spoon. The infant swallowed it without vomiting. Slowly, both milk and medicine were tolerated. Treatment began at the fourth watch (around 1-3 AM) and finished by Wei hour (1-3 PM) the next day. Suddenly, the child became restless and moaned intensely, suffering greatly. The family suspected the hot medicines had burned through the intestines and wept together. Zhang Jingyue said, "If the medicine were truly intolerable, why was there peace from the fourth watch until noon? Why this sudden change now? It must be due to several days of fasting; the Stomach Qi is newly restored, but the Granary House (Stomach/Intestines) is empty. Extreme hunger causes this." He showed them congee. The child eagerly desired it. They fed the child, who consumed half a bowl and then lay down quietly. On the next day, Zhi Fu Zi (Prepared Aconiti Lateralis Radix) was added again, leading to complete cessation of diarrhea and full recovery. This agitation was caused by hunger. Had cooling herbs been used to resolve it, all previous efforts would have been wasted. Initially, using only a few qian of Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) yielded no effect. If one did not realize that the dosage was insufficient to reach the disease site and instead switched to bitter-cold herbs, death would have ensued immediately. Bystanders still blamed the use of Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix).