小红十四岁隆慧徒孙也三月十二日咽痛昏睡遂请友人诊视用消风败毒药亦平淡无奇一连三四日咽喉颈项内外皆肿
喉中白腐高凸舌上苔黑如墨其刺如针唇口亦肿而破耳聋见鬼神气昏迷胡言乱语浑身灼热皮肤红赤似乎有疹隐约无汗大
小便不通又请友人来诊惊骇无措推辞不治束手无策待毙而已隆慧忽然醒误知为热病随用紫雪丹三四钱徐徐灌下大便下
黑粪水半桶小便亦通神气渐清嗌干口渴时饮冷梨甘蔗汁刻不能离延至二十一日余从宝应回扬诊视详审外形细察脉情是
疫气传染十日之内不死命也幸能纳稀粥数匙胃气尚存病虽危险尤可医治人未知实火之为患随用龙胆黄连木通之苦寒犀
角石羔知母生地之甘寒将热毒由上焦引至中下焦从大小肠膀胱而出均是苦寒甘寒之药连服半月咽喉白腐脱落渐净饮食
大进忽然一项右小核日大外用敷药贴之其块愈敷愈大十日肿大如碗余曰此遗毒也洗去敷贴之药日饮银藤膏代茶其肿渐
消颈项自能回顾两月而痊余曰药医不死病信不诬也
魏右咽喉肿漫色白高凸疼痛不能咽唾腹中饥饿异常口渴咽干水亦难下已有五日余视之是时发白喉风症也虽病在垂
危过七日不能救矣阅其所服之方荆防兼温散之味致使涣散其毒毒邪深入于里何异优容养奸殊不知疫厉之传染其邪气由
鼻而入热毒凝结脏腑非用峻剂以去火毒不能胜任先按各穴针刺咽喉痛减使其吃面一碗服雄黄解毒丸四粒大便下利按服
苦寒甘寒重剂是夜竟能安睡矣此火已成燎原之势不能不用猛药重剂如畏重剂而用轻剂仍是杯水车薪于病奚济药分二日
服完白亦渐脱十日而痊
僧文峰头疼发热恶寒偏身骨节亦痛无汗颈项内外皆肿喉内两旁色白而凸咽中干燥舌苔灰色口渴唇裂头面浑身至足
红赤如火日夜疼痛烦躁一刻不能安宁是疫厉传染之症诸医皆云不治余曰实火症也用风燥之药误矣先用针法次用吐法接
服化毒丹下利黑水方用大剂苦寒甘寒是夜汗出如洗浑身疼痛自觉见松此大病用重剂胆怯则误病矣连用五剂身常带汗口
渴亦解改用轻剂十日已能出外行走矣
方三少周岁小儿寒热大作啼哭烦躁不克宁息喉内白腐高凸痰气壅寒喉间气喘苔黑唇焦口渴身上手心灼热如火肌肤
中隐约似乎有疹隆慧视之胆怯不敢用药余曰疫厉传染之症照古法治之先用吐法探吐痰涎碗许喘平继用针法服解毒丸方
以苦寒甘寒大剂火毒下行四五日内汗出而啼哭定始安经云火方是也虽周岁小儿有是病必须用是药一疑而用则迟矣服药
五日汗出热退白腐已脱改易轻剂撤尽余毒半月而痊
方观察头疼发热恶寒无汗咽喉白腐高凸疼痛皮肤中似乎隐约红疹浑身骨节亦痛咽干口渴时饮舌苔灰色烦躁坐卧不
安是时发白喉风症随用针法吐法服解毒丸四粒大便下行方用苦寒甘寒重剂连服五贴汗出遍身松动白退十日而痊
金桂圆周二之女于十月初三日夜晚来厉诊视咽喉拖下肿大而白上中两关肿满白腐高凸头疼恶寒发热无汗咽燥口渴
唇裂痰涎上涌口中漫出疼痛异常开口气鼻难闻是感天时疫厉之气所发白喉风症也来势凶险乃毒瓦斯初作于内尚未服药而
气未开寒毒未涣散先用针法吐法次服化毒丹至天明汗出热退身凉惟手心独热嘱其再吐一次吃面一碗余思疫厉之毒实火
症也脏腑积热已久若用平淡之剂岂非优容养奸势大难制故不得不用重峻之剂将脏腑凝积之热毒由上焦引至中下从大小
肠膀胱而出现已十日守方未动喉咙上中两关白腐渐脱咽喉白腐脱下如壳一样并未损坏帝丁口中气味亦无将方易换轻剂
销尽余毒以免愈后别生枝节药用当而通神信不诬也前人之方无不对症用之不当每不应手抑或医者用而病家乱不敢服亦
属误事念病家深信不疑实万幸也
锦和鱼行张大之女来厉视余咽喉肿满白腐高凸寒热交作无汗嗌干口渴似春间白喉风同余曰非针法不救病者畏针余
随用吐法及化毒丹至二十一日喉中满白疼楚非常口内气臭腹饥咽不能下痰涎上涌不能吐出气渐上逆情势欲闭余
曰非针不生命备面一大碗余按古制以针各穴针后觉喉间松动移时竟将面吃下余又令服化毒丹四粒随立方以苦甘寒之品
用之第思白喉风实乃火疫之症脏腑积热已久如用平淡泻火之药徒投无益非以峻剂不可将内腑凝结热毒由上焦引至大小
肠膀胱而出未满半月喉中白腐渐脱口中臭味亦无浑身有汗饮食畅进余将方更易轻剂饮之毒微尽尚未屏除余令再服数贴
以杜后患余忆咽喉系纳谷之区岂能阻滞生死攸关之所朝不待夕若非余矢志苦心立方未易对症略书数则为证庶不以余之
徒负虚沽名耳
Xiao Hong, aged fourteen, was the disciple-granddaughter of Long Hui. On March 12th, she suffered from sore throat and lethargy, so a friend was invited to diagnose her. The prescription used was *Xiaofeng Baidu San* (Wind-Dispersing and Toxin-Vanquishing Powder), which was unremarkable. For three or four consecutive days, both the interior and exterior of the throat and neck swelled up. White putrid matter protruded high in the throat, the tongue coating was black as ink, and the tongue surface felt prickly like needles. The lips and mouth were also swollen and cracked, deafness occurred, hallucinations of seeing ghosts appeared, consciousness was clouded with incoherent speech, the whole body was burning hot, the skin was red and crimson, resembling a rash that was faint and hidden without sweat. Urination and defecation were blocked. Another friend was invited to diagnose, who was terrified and at a loss, refusing treatment, leaving them helpless and awaiting death. Long Hui suddenly regained consciousness, mistakenly believing it to be a heat disease, and administered *Zixue Dan* (Purple Snow Pill) three or four qian slowly. Black fecal water half a bucket was passed in stool, urination resumed, and mental clarity gradually returned. Thirst and dry throat persisted, requiring constant sipping of cold pear and sugarcane juice. By the 21st day, I returned from Baoying to Yangzhou for diagnosis. Carefully observing the physical appearance and meticulously feeling the pulse, this was identified as an epidemic qi infectious disease; survival beyond ten days was due to fate. Fortunately, she could still swallow a few spoonfuls of thin porridge, indicating that stomach qi remained. Although critical, the disease was treatable. People were unaware of the dangers of excess fire. Subsequently, bitter-cold herbs such as *Longdan Cao* (Gentian Root), *Huanglian* (Coptis Rhizome), and *Mutong* (Akebia Stem) were used, along with sweet-cold herbs like *Xijiao* (Rhinoceros Horn - note: modern substitutes used), *Shigao* (Gypsum Fibrosum), *Zhimu* (Anemarrhena Rhizome), and *Shengdi Huang* (Rehmannia Root). These guided the heat toxin from the Upper Jiao to the Middle and Lower Jiao, eliminating it through the large intestine, small intestine, and bladder. All medicines were bitter-cold and sweet-cold. After continuous administration for half a month, the white putrid matter in the throat fell off and gradually cleared, appetite improved significantly. Suddenly, a small nodule on the right side of the neck enlarged daily. External poultices were applied, but the swelling increased, becoming bowl-sized after ten days. I stated this was residual toxin. The external poultice was washed off, and *Yinteng Gao* (Lonicera Paste) was drunk daily as tea. The swelling gradually subsided, and neck mobility returned. Recovery took two months. I said, "Medicine can cure diseases that are not fatal; this is indeed true."
Wei You suffered from diffuse white swelling in the throat, pain preventing swallowing of saliva, extreme hunger, thirst, dry throat, and difficulty drinking water for five days. Upon examination, he was suffering from *Baihou Feng* (White Throat Wind). Although critical, if untreated for seven days, it would be incurable. Reviewing his previous prescriptions, they contained *Jingjie* (Schizonepeta) and *Fangfeng* (Saposhnikovia Root), which have warm-dispersing properties, causing the toxin to scatter and penetrate deeply into the interior. This is akin to condoning evil. It is unknown that epidemic toxins enter through the nose, and heat-toxins condense in the zang-fu organs. Only potent decoctions can remove the fire-toxin effectively. Acupuncture points were first needled to reduce throat pain, allowing him to eat a bowl of noodles. Four pills of *Xionghuang Jiedu Wan* (Realgar Antidote Pill) were taken, leading to diarrhea. Then, heavy doses of bitter-cold and sweet-cold medicine were administered, enabling peaceful sleep that night. Since the fire had spread like a prairie fire, strong medicine was necessary. Using mild medicine instead of heavy doses would be like pouring a cup of water on a cartload of burning wood—useless. The medicine was consumed over two days, the white coating gradually shed, and recovery occurred in ten days.
Monk Wenfeng suffered from headache, fever, aversion to cold, pain in the joints of the entire body, absence of sweat, swelling inside and outside the neck, white protrusions on both sides inside the throat, dry throat, gray tongue coating, thirst, cracked lips, red-hot head, face, body down to the feet, day-and-night pain, and restlessness. This was an epidemic infectious disease. Other physicians declared it untreatable. I diagnosed it as an excess fire syndrome, stating that wind-drying medicines were incorrect. Acupuncture was used first, followed by emesis. Then, *Huadu Dan* (Toxin-Resolving Pill) was taken, resulting in the passage of black water. Large doses of bitter-cold and sweet-cold medicine were then administered. That night, profuse sweating occurred, and body pain slightly relieved. For severe diseases, fear of using heavy doses leads to error. Five doses were used continuously. Sweat continued, thirst resolved, and light medicine was substituted. He could walk outside after ten days.
Fang San, a three-year-old child, suffered from severe alternating chills and fever, crying, irritability, white putrid matter protruding in the throat, phlegm obstruction, wheezing, black tongue coating, scorched lips, thirst, burning palms and soles, and a faint rash under the skin. Long Hui was too timid to prescribe medication. I stated this was an epidemic infectious disease and advised following ancient methods. First, emesis was induced to expel about one bowl of phlegm, relieving wheezing. Then, acupuncture was performed, and *Jiedu Wan* (Antidote Pill) was taken. Heavy doses of bitter-cold and sweet-cold medicine were prescribed to direct the fire-toxin downward. Within four to five days, sweating occurred, crying stopped, and stability was achieved. As the Classics state, "Fire stagnation should be dispersed." Even for a one-year-old, this medication is necessary; hesitation delays treatment. After five days of medication, sweating and fever cessation occurred, the white coating shed, and light medicine was switched to eliminate residual toxins. Recovery took half a month.
Observer Fang suffered from headache, fever, aversion to cold, absence of sweat, white putrid matter protruding in the throat, pain, faint red rashes under the skin, joint pain, dry throat, thirst, frequent drinking, gray tongue coating, irritability, and restlessness. He was diagnosed with *Baihou Feng*. Acupuncture and emesis were performed, and four pills of *Jiedu Wan* were taken, leading to bowel movement. Heavy doses of bitter-cold and sweet-cold medicine were administered for five doses. Sweating covered the body, loosening occurred, the white coating receded, and recovery took ten days.
The daughter of Jin Guiyuan Zhou Er fell ill on the night of October 3rd. Lai Li diagnosed her with massive white swelling dragging down the throat, fullness and white protrusions in the upper and middle Guan positions, headache, aversion to cold, fever, absence of sweat, dry throat, thirst, cracked lips, surging phlegm, foul breath, and severe pain. This was *Baihou Feng* caused by seasonal epidemic qi. The onset was fierce, with internal toxin accumulation before medication opened the qi and dispersed cold-toxin. Acupuncture and emesis were used first, followed by *Huadu Dan*. By dawn, sweating occurred, fever subsided, body cooled, except for hot palms. She was instructed to vomit again and eat a bowl of noodles. I reasoned that epidemic toxins belong to excess fire syndromes with long-standing internal heat accumulation. Mild medicines would only nurture the evil. Therefore, potent and harsh medicines were required to guide accumulated heat-toxin from the Upper Jiao to the Middle and Lower Jiao, eliminating it via the intestines and bladder. After ten days of consistent prescription, the white putrid matter in the upper and middle throat positions gradually shed, falling off like a shell without damage. The foul odor disappeared. The prescription was changed to light medicine to clear residual toxins and prevent complications. Proper use of medicine proves effective. Previous prescriptions were correct in theory but failed in practice due to improper application or patient refusal. It was fortunate that this family trusted completely.
The daughter of Zhang Da from Jinhe Fish Market was examined by Lai Li. Symptoms included diffuse white swelling in the throat, alternating chills and fever, absence of sweat, dry throat, thirst, resembling spring *Baihou Feng*. It was stated that "without acupuncture, there is no cure." The patient feared needles. Emesis and *Huadu Dan* were used. By the 21st day, the throat was filled with white putrid matter, severe pain, foul breath, hunger but inability to swallow, surging phlegm that could not be expelled, ascending qi, and impending closure. I stated, "Without acupuncture, life is at risk." A large bowl of noodles was prepared. Following ancient methods, various points were needled. After needling, throat looseness was felt, and she managed to eat the noodles. Four pills of *Huadu Dan* were taken, followed by a prescription of bitter-sweet-cold substances. Considering *Baihou Feng* is a fire-epidemic with long-standing internal heat, mild fire-clearing medicines are useless. Potent medicines are needed to guide condensed heat-toxin from the Upper Jiao to the intestines and bladder. Within half a month, the white coating shed, foul odor disappeared, sweating occurred, and appetite returned. The prescription was changed to light medicine. To ensure complete toxin elimination, additional doses were prescribed. The throat is the pathway for food intake; blockage here is critical for life and death. Without my determined effort in prescribing, matching the symptoms would have been difficult. I record these cases as evidence, lest my efforts be considered vain fame-seeking.