Library

Lu Geishi experienced urgent pain in the lower abdomen and a sensation of defecation that could not be expelled. This was due to Spleen-Stomach Qi deficiency with sinking of middle Qi. He was treated with Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) administered alongside Bawei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill), and recovered after two doses. Cases where such conditions were caused by damage to Yuan Qi (Primal Qi) from using dysentery-purging medicines, leading to limb swelling and death, are too numerous to mention.

Gu Dongjiang, Shaoboin (Vice Minister of Ceremonies), suffered from food stagnation complicated by dysentery, presenting with abdominal pain and a bearing-down sensation in the anus. After being treated with draining and promoting agents, his legs became swollen, he had poor appetite and fatigue, irritability, fever, thirst, and a pulse that was large and rapid but felt faint and thin upon deep pressure. I prescribed Liujunzi Tang (Six-Gentlemen Decoction) with Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) and Rougui (Cinnamon Bark), each 2 qian, plus Wuzhuyu (Evodia Fruit) and Wuweizi (Schisandra Berry), each 1 qian. The decoction was prepared hot and taken cool. All symptoms subsided immediately, and completely resolved after a second dose. This is an example of treating false heat with false cold (using warming herbs to treat apparent heat signs caused by Yang deficiency).

An elderly woman developed dysentery with tenesmus (urgent need to defecate with heavy sensation in the rectum) after becoming angry post-prandially. This belonged to Spleen Qi sinking. She was given a large dose of Liujunzi Tang (Six-Gentlemen Decoction) supplemented with Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root), Roudoukou (Nutmeg), and Wei Muxiang (Baked Aucklandia Root), each 1 qian, Wuzhuyu (Evodia Fruit) 0.5 qian, Guboli (Psoralea Fruit) and Wuweizi (Schisandra Berry), each 1 qian. Symptoms resolved after two doses. However, she retained lower abdominal fullness, indicating Liver Qi stagnation affecting the Spleen. She was treated with Tiaozhong Yiqi Tang (Regulate the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) with Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root) and Muxiang (Aucklandia Root), each 0.5 qian, and stabilized after four doses. Later, she perceived a salty taste in her mouth, indicating flooding of Kidney Water. She was given Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia), and felt well after two doses.

My mother, aged eighty, contracted dysentery in midsummer. She presented with abdominal pain, vomiting, inability to eat, fever, thirst, and desire for fluids. Abdominal pain alleviated slightly upon pressure. Her pulse was forceful and striking against the fingers. This indicated deficiency of True Qi and excess of Pathogenic Qi. Urgently, I used Renshen (Ginseng Root) 5 qian, Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome) and Fuling (Poria), each 3 qian, Chenpi (Tangerine Peel), Shengma (Cimicifuga Rhizome), Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root), and Zhi Gancao (Honey-fried Licorice Root), each 1 qian. After taking it, she slept, woke up asking for food, and her pulse and symptoms subsided. She stabilized after two more doses. This case relied on symptoms rather than the pulse. In acute diseases, one should not rely solely on the pulse but follow the symptoms. At that time, Lady Shi Ge had the same age, pulse, and symptoms, but the physician treated only the dysentery, leading to her demise.

Chen Ziyuan from Hengjin, aged sixty, had a red complexion, expectorated phlegm, dry mouth, and occasional diarrhea. He asked me: "My condition is sometimes attributed to Damp-Heat in the Spleen Meridian or diarrhea caused by Phlegm-Fire. I usually use Erchen Tang (Two-Aged Decoction), Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome), Zhishi (Immature Bitter Orange), Shenqu (Medicated Leaven), Maiya (Germinated Hordeum Fruit), Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome), and Chaihu (Bupleurum Root), etc., but there is no effect. Why?" Upon palpating his pulse, the Left Guan position was wiry and tight, indicating Kidney Water failing to nourish Liver Wood; the Right Guan position was wiry and large, indicating Liver Wood overacting on Spleen Earth. This was due to Spleen-Kidney deficiency, failing to maintain normal generation and restriction cycles. The source of transformation needed to be nourished. I told his nephew: "Your uncle will soon suffer from dysentery," which indeed came to pass.