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Liu Huafu, a Jinshi degree holder, suffered from abdominal pain due to food stagnation, yellowish diarrhea, and vomiting of phlegm. After taking Er Chen Tang (Two Aged Decoction), Gardenia Jasminis Fructus (Zhizi), Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian), and Immature Bitter Orange (Zhishi), his symptoms worsened. The pulse at the left Guan position was wiry and tight, and at the right Guan position was wiry and long. This indicated Liver Wood overacting on Spleen Earth. He was cured using Liu Jun Zi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction) with added Mu Xiang (Aucklandiae Radix). If food has digested but diarrhea persists, Yi Gong San (Extraordinary Power Powder) should be used to tonify the Spleen and Stomach. If ineffective, Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Decoction to Supplement the Middle and Augment the Qi) should be used to raise Yang Qi. For all cases of dysentery or diarrhea with yellow color, indicating Spleen Earth deficiency and sinking of True Qi, the aforementioned decoction (Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang) must be used with added Mu Xiang and Myristicae Semen (Roukou) for warming and tonification. If ineffective, one should tonify the mother organ (Kidney), preferably using Ba Wei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill).

A man vomited phlegm in the early morning or during the fifth watch (3–5 AM), sometimes with an sour taste, which indicated Spleen Qi deficiency. He was cured by taking Liu Jun Zi Tang followed by Si Shen Wan (Four Spirits Pill). If it was Spleen Qi stagnation, Er Chen Tang with added Platycodonis Radix (Jiegeng) and Gardenia Jasminis Fructus (Zhizi), taken with Xiang Lian Wan (Fragrant Coptis Pill), was appropriate. If emotional constraint injured the Spleen, Gui Pi Tang (Restore the Spleen Decoction) taken with Xiang Lian Wan was suitable. If there was discomfort in the chest and diaphragm, Gui Pi Tang with added Bupleuri Radix (Chaihu) and Gardenia Jasminis Fructus (Zhizi), taken with Zuo Jin Wan (Left Metal Pill), was indicated. If Stomach Qi was deficient and fluids could not be transported, Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang taken with Zuo Jin Wan was used.

Zhu Shao from Changzhou suffered from Liver Wood overacting on Spleen Earth, presenting with a red face, wind sensations, dry constipation of the Large Intestine, and flaming heat rushing upward. Over time, this led to internal toxicity with bloody stool, borborygmus with loose stools, abdominal distension, and rapid breathing, eventually progressing to an inability to eat. Other physicians treated him with bitter-cold agents like Zhishi and Huanglian, causing his condition to deteriorate progressively. I said: "Your disease is a dual deficiency of Spleen and Lung, with true cold inside and false heat outside. The method should be warming and tonifying." Thus, I used Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) and Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu) as sovereign herbs, Dioscoreae Rhizoma (Shanyao), Astragali Radix (Huangqi), Myristicae Semen (Rouguo), Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens (Shengjiang), and Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (Fuzi) as minister herbs, Euodiae Fructus (Zhuyu), Morindae Officinalis Radix (Guzhi), Schisandrae Fructus (Wuweizi), Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui), and Scutellariae Radix (Huangqin) as assistant herbs. Ten doses were prepared for sequential administration. Other physicians argued, "This is a fire disease; can we use fire to treat fire?" After ten days of administration, the bleeding stopped upon finishing the course.

A man had reduced appetite, chest fullness, cold extremities, aversion to cold foods, fever, phlegm vomiting, and frequent nausea. Self-medication with Qing Qi Hua Tan Tang (Clear Qi Transform Phlegm Decoction), Er Chen Tang, and Zhishi caused abdominal distension, vomiting of phlegm and food, and dribbling urination. Subsequent use of Si Ling San (Four Poria Powder), Huanglian, Phellodendri Cortex (Huangbai), Anemarrhenae Rhizoma (Zhimu), and Plantaginis Seed (Cheqianzi) led to difficult urination and worsening of all symptoms. I said: "This is a syndrome of Spleen-Stomach deficiency-cold without fire, hence food enters but fails to digest and is regurgitated." Therefore, Ba Wei Wan was used to tonify fire to generate earth, and Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang with Shengjiang and Cinnamomi Ramulus (Guirui) was used to cultivate the middle jiao and generate Yang Qi. He recovered soon after.

A woman ate less than a bowl per meal. Unless her stool was unformed, she would experience acid regurgitation and belching of rotten food. Using Er Chen Tang or Huanglian increased internal heat and induced vomiting. I stated: "Master Dongyuan said that pathogenic heat fails to ripen grains; this is Spleen-Stomach weakness transmitting into cold in the interior." Six Jun Zi Tang with Pao Jiang (Prepared Ginger) and Mu Xiang was administered for several doses, leading to gradual recovery and increased intake. Later, Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang with Mu Xiang, Pao Jiang, Poria (Fuling), and Pinelliae Tuber (Banxia) resulted in complete cure. Later, due to anger, her diet suddenly decreased, Yuan Qi became timid, and fever intensified, resembling excess fire. However, the pulse was surging yet empty, and the two Chi positions were faint as if non-existent. Yi Qi Tang and Ba Wei Wan cured her completely.

Zhu Jian'an, after a fall where he heard a snap, experienced numbness in hands and feet after prolonged sitting or standing. Even in summer, his feet were cold as ice. After waking from drunkenness, drinking water and sleeping again, he felt a痞 (mass/stagnation) in the right abdomen. Massaging it produced gurgling sounds; hot massage relieved the gas and pain. Symptoms aggravated frequently, and slightly excessive eating caused painful diarrhea. Physicians prescribed Zhi Zhu Wan (Immature Bitter Orange and Atractylodes Pill) without effect. I said: "This is not a Spleen-Stomach disease, but Ming Men Fire decline causing deficiency-cold." Taking Ba Wei Wan cured him. It proved effective.

Chen Chanting, an official in the Ministry of Works, developed phlegm upon fever. Taking Er Chen Tang, Huanglian, and Aurantii Fructus (Zhike) worsened the illness. Upon treatment request, his pulse was weak and minute at the left Chi, floating and large at the right Guan, but weak and minute upon heavy pressure. I said: "This is Ming Men Fire decline failing to generate Spleen Earth, resulting in Spleen disease. Tonifying fire to generate earth may cure it." Unaware, he continued previous medications, further weakening Spleen Earth. By Yisi year, the illness was critical. Upon re-invitation, the right Cun pulse was flat and detached, indicating Earth failing to generate Metal, with Sheng Qi severed internally. The Classic states: "Deficiency tonifies the mother, excess drains the child." When disease is in the child, one should tonify the mother. How much more so when the mother is deficient? To drain the child instead invites death.