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Zhu Shengan, an official in the Ministry of Works (Dongguan), contracted malaria due to food stagnation and cold invasion. After self-medicating with Qingpi San (Clear the Spleen Powder) and Jiemie Wan (Malaria-Intercepting Pill), he experienced abdominal distension after meals and occasional pain. Subsequently, he took Erchen Tang (Two-Cured Decoction), Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome), Zhishi (Immature Bitter Orange), and similar substances, which resulted in a heavy bearing-down sensation in the lower abdomen and edema in the legs and feet. He then added Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome) and Shanzha (Hawthorn Fruit), leading to vomiting of undigested food. He asked me, "What is happening?" I replied, "The postprandial distension and pain indicate Spleen Qi deficiency failing to transform and transport; the heavy bearing-down in the lower abdomen indicates Spleen Qi deficiency failing to raise and support; the edema in the legs and feet indicates Spleen Qi deficiency failing to circulate fluids; the vomiting of undigested food indicates deficiency-cold of the Spleen and Stomach with a lack of Mingmen Fire (Gate of Life Fire). The treatment employed Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction), augmented with Wuzhuyu (Evodia Fruit), Paojiang (Prepared Ginger), and Rougui (Cinnamon Bark). After one dose, all symptoms receded instantly, appetite increased immediately, and recovery was achieved within a few doses. Generally, for conditions of food stagnation, Liujunzi Tang (Six-Gentlemen Decoction), Zhishi, and Houpo (Magnolia Bark) are appropriate. If the food has digested but the illness persists, use Liujunzi Tang. If there is internal injury combined with external contraction, use Huoxiang Zhengqi San (Agarweed Powder to Rectify the Qi). If internal injury is severe and external contraction is mild, use Renshen Yangwei Tang (Ginseng Decoction to Nourish the Stomach). If labor and fatigue have damaged Yuan Qi (Primal Qi) accompanied by external contraction, use Buzhong Yiqi Tang plus Chuanxiong (Sichuan Lovage Rhizome). If labor and fatigue have damaged Yuan Qi accompanied by food stagnation, use Buzhong Yiqi Tang plus Shenqu (Medicated Leaven) and Chenpi (Tangerine Peel). If emotional anger is combined with food stagnation, use Liujunzi Tang plus Xiangfu (Cyperus Rhizome) and Shanzhi (Gardenia Fruit). If there is acid regurgitation or a sour taste in the mouth after eating, dietary restraint is necessary. When the disease flares up with high fever, dryness, and thirst, drinking hot Jiangtang (Ginger Decoction) while hot is an excellent method to intercept the malaria. Fundamentally, humans rely on the Spleen and Stomach as their root. There are no cases of malaria or dysentery arising from excess patterns in the Lung and Stomach; focusing solely on releasing the exterior, purging the interior, clearing fire, and guiding out phlegm treats the branch while forgetting the root.

A scholar suffered from alternating chills and fever starting in autumn, which persisted into spring, accompanied by chest stuffiness and abdominal distension. I prescribed two liang of Renshen (Ginseng Root) and two liang of Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger) baked until cooked, decocted and administered. The chills and fever ceased immediately. Subsequently, Tiaozhong Yiqi Tang (Regulate the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) was used, augmented with Banxia (Pinellia Tuber), Fuling (Poria), and Paojiang. After a few doses, Yuan Qi was rapidly restored. Later, when he served as a County Magistrate, any recurrence of illness due to improper diet or fatigue and overwork was cured by taking the aforementioned medicines.

Mrs. Xu Daoda, a female shengyuan (student), suffered from severe pain in the epigastrium at the heart's location. Her pulses at the Right Cun and Guan positions were imperceptible; although the Left pulse existed, it was faint and nearly absent. Her hands and feet were cold, and her condition was critical. Observing her complexion, the skin above and below her eyelids appeared dark blue. This indicated Spleen deficiency allowing Liver Wood to overact upon Earth. We used Renshen, Baizhu, Fuling, Chenpi, and Gancao (Licorice Root) to tonify Middle Qi; Muxiang (Aucklandia Root) to harmonize Stomach Qi and move Liver Qi; and Wuzhuyu to disperse Cold in the Spleen and Stomach and stop heart and abdominal pain. An urgent single dose was given, resulting in complete recovery. Had we rigidly adhered to the notion that "pain admits no tonification" and instead used attacking drugs, disaster would have followed swiftly.