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Zhu Danxi treated a woman. She was six months pregnant when she suffered from epilepsy (Xian, 痫). Her limbs flailed and threw about, her face turned purple-black, her eyes closed, saliva flowed, and she was in a state of coma and confusion. After each recovery, physicians administered Zhenling Dan (Sedating Spirit Pill) for fifty doses. The condition came and went intermittently until it healed spontaneously after childbirth. Her husband suspected it was a toxic eruption (Dan Du, 丹毒) and sought treatment. The pulse was wiry on superficial pressure and choppy on deep pressure; at the bone level, it was deep, stagnant, and rapid. Zhu surmised that her epilepsy would recur in the fifth month, consistent with previous episodes. Indeed, it did recur, occurring during the Si hour (9-11 AM, associated with the Spleen) and Wu hour (11 AM-1 PM, associated with the Heart). He then formulated Fangfeng Tongsheng San (Wind-Protecting Universal Rescue Powder), removing Licorice Root (Gancao, 甘草), and adding Peach Kernel (Taoren, 桃仁) and Safflower (Honghua, 红花). Administered orally or to induce vomiting, after four or five doses, the condition gradually lightened, and she recovered after developing skin sores.

Another woman, suffering from accumulated anger and alcoholism, contracted epilepsy. Her eyes rolled upward, hands waved, feet kicked, tendons pulled causing throat sounds and salivation. Upon cessation, she was mentally dull. Her abdomen was distended and painful, with Qi rushing to the heart and chest causing profuse sweating. The illness alternated between this pain and epilepsy, ceaselessly day and night. This indicated Liver anger pathogen; due to blood deficiency, Qi moved independently, suppressing the Spleen. Phlegm from alcohol had long existed in the Lung and Stomach, bullied by Liver Qi, stagnating into pain. Alcohol’s nature is dynamic, moving in and out, ascending and descending; entering internally causes pain, exiting externally causes epilepsy. During its internal phase, much Zhuli (Bamboo Sap), Jiangzhi (Ginger Juice), Renshen (Ginseng), and Baizhu Gao (Atractylodes Paste) were used. Epilepsy and pain alternated uncontrollably. During pain, acupuncture points Dazhun (LR1), Xingjian (LR2), and Zhongwan (CV12) were moxa-ed. Intermittently, Chenpi (Tangerine Peel), Shaoyao (Peony), Gancao (Licorice), and Chuanxiong Decoction was used to mix with paste and bamboo sap. Innumerable doses were taken. Further moxa was applied to Taichong (LR3), Ran Gu (KI2), Juque (CV14), and the fleshy part beside the big toenail. She spoke of ghosts and cursed shamans. Zhu said, "Pathogens enter through deficiency; this may be true." He prescribed previous medicines assisted by Jingli (Schizonepeta Sap) to resolve phlegm. He also employed Qin Chengzu’s Ghost-Moxibustion method to beseech them to leave. Other symptoms were regulated and stabilized.

A young man in summer fainted due to shame and anger, his hand convulsing like madness. It came and went. Upon onset, his face turned purple-black, and his testicles could move, shifting left and right. Physicians administered Jinpo Zhenxin Wan (Gold Foil Calming Heart Pill), Baolong Wan (Embracing Dragon Pill), Miaoxiang San (Wonderful Incense Powder), and Dingzhi Wan (Calming Will Pill), without effect. The pulse was slightly wiry, six beats per breath, varying with pressure. Zhu said, "This patient has inherent damp-heat internally, triggered by Jueyin Ministerial Fire, compounded by seasonal Ministerial Fire. Musk-containing drugs are contraindicated. Moreover, for Liver disease, one must first protect the Spleen Earth. Most drugs are drying and damage blood and Spleen." Thus, Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome) was used as the Sovereign herb, Renshen (Ginseng) as the Minister, wine-soaked Shaoyao (Peony) and Bai Chenpi (White Tangerine Peel) as Assistants, Sheng Gancao (Raw Licorice) as the Envoy, with one slice of Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger). Decocted and taken, eight doses brought peace.

An eight-year-old girl suffered from epilepsy, triggered by cloudy/rainy weather and fright. She bleated like a sheep and vomited saliva. It was known she had been frightened in utero. However, the disease was deep and unhealed. Therefore, Shaodan Wan (Burnt Cinnabar Pill) was followed by Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) added with Huanglian (Coptis) and Sheng Gancao (Raw Licorice), adjusted according to seasons. She was instructed to eat bland food to aid the medicine's power. She recovered after half a year.

Wang Shishan treated a man in his thirties, who had long suffered from epilepsy. It mostly occurred during morning washing. Or upon seeing something like a yellow dog running ahead, he would faint and fall. His limbs convulsed, and he lost consciousness, recovering only after a long time. Some treated it as Phlegm-Fire using Fuling (Poria), Huanglian (Coptis), and Erchen Tang (Two Aged Things Decoction). Some treated it as Wind-Phlegm using Quanxie (Scorpion), Jiangcan (Silkworm), and Shouxing Wan (Old Star Pill). Some treated it as Phlegm confusing the Heart Orifice using Jinpo Zhenxin Wan (Gold Foil Calming Heart Pill). None hit the mark. Wang diagnosed: the pulse was slow, weak, and somewhat wiry. He said, "This is Wood and Fire overacting on Earth. Morning belongs to Yang; dogs are Yang objects; yellow earth color; the Stomach is Yang Earth. Deficiency allows Wood and Fire to overact. The Classics say, 'All pulses belong to the eyes.' Thus, seeing foreign objects triggers the disease. One should tonify the Stomach and drain the Liver so Fire extinguishes itself. The Nanjing says, 'Draining the Liver requires soothing the Middle.'" Thus, Renshen (Ginseng), [missing character], Danggui (Angelica Sinensis), Baizhu (Atractylodes), Chenpi (Tangerine Peel), Shenqu (Medicated Leaven), Fuling (Poria), Huangqin (Scutellaria), Maidong (Ophiopogon), and Jingjie Sui (Schizonepeta Tip) were decocted. Taking more than ten doses reduced the illness. Continuing for over a month brought stability.

Yu Zhen commented: Although cases of epilepsy are few, the methods are comprehensive. Careful study can advance one's knowledge. *Lin Zheng Zhi Nan Yi An* (Guide to Clinical Practice Medical Cases) contains only four epilepsy cases, all treating excess patterns by resolving phlegm, clearing fire, bitter-draining Liver/Gallbladder, and pungent-unblocking Heart collaterals. This is acceptable for excess patterns. However, in my experience, most are deficiency patterns. Heche Liuhui Wan (Placenta Six-Flavor Pill), Renshen Dingzhi Wan (Ginseng Calming Will Pill), Tianwang Buxin Dan (Heavenly Emperor Nourishing Heart Pill), and Guilu Erxian Jiao (Tortoise-Deer Two Immortals Gel) were taken by patients, resulting in longer intervals between attacks and milder severity. Therefore, I dare not recklessly use harsh draining drugs. Generally, epilepsy and Dian-Kuang (Mania/Episodes) differ in excess and deficiency. Dian-Kuang is excess in eight or nine cases; epilepsy is deficiency in eight or nine cases. I often see those with epilepsy die young or fail to reach old age if contracted in middle age. Their deficiency is evident.