Library

Luo Qianfu treated Xu Kedao, the Vice Envoy of the State Mission. When he arrived at Xiongzhou to consult Dr. Luo, Luo diagnosed his pulse as fluctuating between large and small, long and short. This indicated an imbalance of Qi and Blood, with pathogenic factors injuring the healthy Qi. The official stated that while traveling through Handan Post Station, he had dreamed of a woman in green clothing whose face was indistinct; she punched him under the hypochondrium, causing a sharp pain that persisted intermittently, accompanied by alternating chills and fever and loss of appetite. He identified this as "Ghost Strike" (Gui Ji). Dr. Luo said, "You may take Badu Chi Wan (Eight-Poison Red Pill)." The official mentioned having read *Mingyi Lu* (Record of Famous Physicians), which cited Li Ziyu's Badu Chi Wan as a weapon against ghosts. Thus, three pills were administered before sleep. By the next morning, two dou of clear water were discharged, and immediate relief ensued.

He also treated the son of Chen Qingyu. Having slept during the day in the Shuixian Temple, the patient dreamed of receiving and eating a piece of cake, leading to mental anxiety. This resulted in epigastric and abdominal fullness and distension, reduced food intake, and over a year, progressive emaciation and abdominal distension resembling Gu disease (abdominal mass/water accumulation). Multiple changes of medication and exorcisms proved ineffective, preventing restful sleep. Upon diagnosis, Dr. Luo inquired about the onset and considered: since this was neither external contraction of Wind-Cold nor internal injury from cold/raw foods, what basis existed for treatment? Recalling Li Ziyu's Badu Chi Wan, he deemed it appropriate and prescribed five to seven pills. More than one dou of yellowish-green phlegm-saliva was discharged, gradually regulating the Qi, followed by other therapies until recovery after several months. This medicine is miraculous but requires preparation through fasting, bathing, purification of the room, and mental clarity. The formula consists of Realgar (Xionghuang), Alum (Fanshi), Cinnabar (Zhusha), Prepared Aconite Root (Pao Fuzi), Veratrum Rhizome (Lilu), Moutan Cortex (Mudanpi), and Croton Seed (Badou), each 1 liang, plus one centipede (Wugong). These eight ingredients are powdered and formed into pills the size of small beans with honey. Take five to seven pills at any time with cold water.

Another person suffering from Ghost Strike presented with blue marks on the body and pain; they recovered after decocting and drinking Honeysuckle Vine (Jinyinhua Teng).

Yu Zhen commented: Monk Shen Rou treated Lao Zhu (consumption) using mostly Honeysuckle Vine, likely originating from this case. However, such efficacy applies only when transmission tuberculosis involves actual spiritual possession. For deficiency consumption caused by depletion of essence and blood, what relevance does this have?

Li Shicai treated Scholar Zhu Wenzai, who suffered from whole-body sensations like insect stings, erosion of the mouth and tongue, and visualized two ghosts every morning, fearing imminent death due to these omens. Li palpated the Cun position showing a pulse fluctuating between large and small, suspecting spiritual interference. Upon detailed examination of the Guan positions, finding them wiry, slippery, and large, he diagnosed Phlegm-Fluid retention. He administered Guntan Wan (Rolling Phlegm Pill) 3 qian. Although slight evacuation occurred, symptoms remained unchanged. Subsequently, Xiaowei Dan (Minor Stomach Pill) 2 qian was given, resulting in the discharge of more than ten bowls of phlegm-stagnation and water. Body pain decreased by half, and the ghost visions disappeared by the next morning. Then, Ginseng Radix (Renshen) 3 qian and Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome (Baizhu) 2 qian were decocted to administer Xiaowei Dan 3 qian, causing severe diarrhea over ten times totaling about twenty bowls. The illness vanished. Finally, Liu Junzi Wan (Six-Gentlemen Pill) was taken in granule form, four jin total, leading to cure.

Yu Zhen commented: This exemplifies strange syndromes caused by excessive phlegm, which is not unusual. What is remarkable is the use of large doses of Renshen and Baizhu decoction to deliver Xiaowei Dan, pioneering the method of simultaneous purgation and tonification for later generations.