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The wife of Chen Zufu, who was nine months pregnant, contracted malaria. She suffered from insomnia (unable to close her eyes), thirst, spontaneous sweating, loose stools, and shortness of breath. The physician employed a method of nourishing Yin and clearing heat/resolving toxicity, but after several doses, there was no improvement. The prescription was changed to Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) for one dose, resulting in sore throat, black tongue coating, and severe cramping pain in the heart region. The father-in-law, Yang Shan, hearing of this, suspected that the fetus had been damaged and invited Meng Ying for consultation. Meng Ying said: "The right pulse is surging and slippery; although the tongue coating is black, the fetus remains unharmed." The disease originated from latent summer-heat. Nourishing Yin was considered too cloying and greasy. Although Xiao Chai Hu Tang is the main formula for typical malaria, and ancients referred to it as a harmonizing agent, one must understand that it is a harmonizing agent for Cold Damage (Shanghan). In cases of warm diseases or summer-heat, not only are the hand and foot meridians different, but Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), Ban Xia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens), and Da Zao (Jujubae Fructus) are all herbs that should not be used lightly. Although Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix) is bitter and cold, even Zhang Zhongjing, in treating Cold Damage, stated that if there is thirst, Ban Xia should be removed and Gua Lou Gen (Trichosanthis Radix) added. How rigorous the ancients were in formulating prescriptions! Why do later generations fail to examine this? A decoction of Zhu Ye Shi Gao Tang (Bamboo Leaf and Gypsum Decoction) was administered. The malaria ceased, but constipation ensued, and thirst persisted. Several doses of a sweet and cool moistening method were given. Suddenly, borborygmus and diarrhea occurred. Some suspected it was caused by cold-cooling medicines. Meng Ying said, "I shall resolve it with cooling medicines." People did not understand his intent, questioning him throughout the day; the dialogue is too lengthy to record fully. Indeed, after two doses of Bai Tou Weng Tang (Pulsatillae Decoction), she recovered.

When late autumn arrived and delivery occurred, she had fever but no lactation, and lochia was pale and scanty. The family wished to use Sheng Hua Tang (Generate the Menses Decoction), but Meng Ying urgently stopped them. He said: "Blood loss has further injured Yin; how can one wrongly suspect blood stasis retention and attack it?" He prescribed a large dose of Xi Yang Shen (American Ginseng Radix), Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix), Fu Ling (Poria), Shi Hu (Dendrobii Caulis), Nu Zhen Zi (Ligustri Lucidi Fructus), Han Lian Cao (Ecliptae Herba), and Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma). After several days, she stabilized.

Subsequently, due to anger, qi accumulated in the lower abdomen forming a mass like a jia-mass (abdominal mass), causing sour pain that worsened at night. Others suspected it was caused by cold medicines congealing blood stasis. Meng Ying analyzed and distinguished the condition carefully. He prescribed Ju He (Citri Reticulatae Semen), Ju Ye (Citri Reticulatae Folium), Ju Luo (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Retinervatum), Lian Shi (Meliae Semen), Cong Rong (Cynomorphi Herba), Mu Xiang (Aucklandiae Radix), Shan Zhi Tan (Gardeniae Fructus Carbonized), Wu Yao (Linderae Radix), Si Gua Luo (Luffae Fructus Retinervatum), Hai Piao Xiao (Sepiae Endoconcha), Ou Rou (Nelumbinis Plumulae or Lotus Flesh - context implies lotus flesh/seed), Shi Hu (Dendrobii Caulis), and Liang Tou Jian (Saussureae Radix), etc. Externally, scallion heads were pounded and applied as a paste. After two doses, borborygmus resounded in the abdomen, sweat appeared over the whole body, and the pain ceased. Seeing the sweat, people feared collapse due to deficiency and urgently sought Meng Ying's examination. Meng Ying said: "This indicates that qi circulation has resumed and the disease is resolving. However, the pulse is fine and rapid, indicating significant injury to Yin fluids. The tongue coating is yellow, with bitterness and thirst in the mouth; moistening and tonifying is urgently needed. Unfortunately, the pivot mechanism is obstructed, making cloying and greasy tonics difficult to administer. For now, the method is to nourish the Eight Extraordinary Vessels. After taking the medicine, all ailments were eliminated, and sleep and appetite gradually improved. Because he [Note: Context implies the patient, likely referring to the woman's constitution or a typo in original text referring to 'she', but strictly translating 'he' based on 'Ping Su Duo Yu'] usually had much depression, he was prone to sha-qi (sand-qi/toxic heat), frequently suffering from epigastric pain with repeated relapses. Meng Ying exerted every effort to manage the case, fortunately turning danger into safety, and gradually administering tonifying medicines until recovery."