余侄森伯,患发热面赤,渴而微汗。孟英视之曰∶春温也。乘其初犯,邪尚在肺,是以右寸之脉洪大,宜
令其下行,由腑而出,则可霍然。投∶知母 花粉 冬瓜子 桑叶 枇杷(叶) 黄芩 苇茎 栀子等药,果
大便连泄极热之水二次,而脉静身凉,知饥啜粥,遂痊。设他人治之,初感总用汗药,势必酿成大证。
濮树堂室,怀妊五月,患春温。口渴善呕,壮热无汗。旬日后,始浼孟英视之。见其烦躁谵语,苔黄不
燥,曰∶痰热阻气也。病不传营,血药禁用。试令按其胸次,果然坚痛。而大解仍行,法当开上。用小陷
胸汤加石菖蒲、枳实、杏(仁)、贝(母)、(竹)茹、郁(金)、栀(子)、(连)翘等药,
芦菔汤煎服。服二剂,神情即安。四帖后,心下豁然。然
心腹如烙,呕吐不纳。改投大剂甘寒,加乌梅,频啜渐康。秋间得子亦无恙。
姚令舆室,素患喘嗽,而病春温。医知其本元久亏,投以温补,痉厥神昏,耳聋谵语,面青舌绛,痰喘不
眠。皆束手矣!延孟英诊之,脉犹弦滑。曰∶证虽危险,生机未绝,遽尔轻弃,毋乃太忍。与∶犀角 羚羊(
角) 元参 沙参 知母 花粉 石膏以清热息风,救阴生液。佐∶苁蓉 石英 鳖甲 金铃 旋复 贝母 竹
沥以潜阳镇逆,通络蠲痰。三剂而平。继去犀(角)、羚(羊角)、石膏,加生地黄,服旬日而愈。仲秋,令
舆病,竟误服温补,数日而殒,岂非命耶?
许芷卿,亦精于医,偶患外感,即服清散之药,而证不减。或疑其非春温也,邀孟英质之,诊脉迟涩,
二便皆行,筋掣不眠,畏寒能食,喉舌皆赤。予大剂清营药,数服而瘥。
迨夏,两腿患疥,外科治之,久而不愈。孟英谓∶(因)其平昔善饮,蕴热深沉,疡科药亟宜概屏,令以
雪羹汤送(服)当归龙荟丸,果得渐瘳。
陈建周令郎,患春温,初起即神气躁乱,惊惧不眠,两脉甚数。孟英谓∶“温邪直入营分也”。与神犀
丹佐紫雪,两剂而瘥。夏间,吴守旃暨高若舟令郎,胡秋纫四令嫒,患温,初起即肢 妄言,神情瞀乱。孟英
皆用此法,寻即霍然。
孟英曰∶世人每执汗解之法,为初感之治。孰知病无定体,药贵得宜,无如具眼人稀,以
致夭枉载道。归诸天数,岂尽然哉?
王皱石广文令弟,患春温,始则谵语发狂,连服清解大剂,遂昏沉不语,肢冷如冰,目闭不开,遗溺
不饮,医皆束手。孟英诊其脉,弦大而缓滑,黄腻之苔满布,秽气直喷。投∶承气汤加银花、石斛、黄芩、竹
茹、元参、石菖蒲,下胶黑矢甚多。而神识稍清,略进汤饮。
次日,去(芒)硝、(大)黄,加海 、芦菔、黄连、石膏,服二剂而战解肢和,苔退进粥,不劳余力而愈。
继有张镜江邀(孟英)治叶某,又钱希敏之妹丈李某,孟英咸一下而瘳。惟吴守旃之室,暨郑又侨,皆下
至十余次始痊。今年时疫盛行,医多失手,孟英随机应变,治法无穷,救活独多,不胜缕载。
翁嘉顺,亦染温病,初发热,即舌赤而渴,脉数且涩。孟英曰∶非善证也。盖阴虚有素,值此忧劳哀痛
之余,五志内燔,温邪外迫,不必由卫及气,自气而营。急予清营,继投凉血,病不稍减。且家无主药之人,
旁议哗然,幸其旧工人陈七,颇有胆识,力恳手援。孟英曰∶我(心)肠最热,奈病来颇恶,治虽合法,势
必转重。若初起不先觑破,果已殆矣。吾若畏难推诿,恐他手虽识其证,亦无如此大剂,
车薪杯水,何益于事。吾且肩劳任怨,殚心尽力以图之。病果日重,昏瞀耳聋,自利红水,目赤妄言。孟英惟
以晋三犀角地黄汤加银花、石膏、知母、石解、栀(子)、贝(母)、花粉、兰草、菖蒲、竹沥、
竹茹、竹叶、凫茈、海 等,出入互用,至十余剂,舌上
忽布秽浊垢苔,口气喷出,臭难向迩,手冷如冰,头面自汗,咸谓绝矣。孟英曰∶生机
也。阴虚而热邪深入,余一以清营凉卫(血)之法,服已逾旬,始得营阴渐振,推邪外出,乃现此苔,惟本元
素弱,不能战解,故显肢冷,而汗仅于头面,非阳虚欲脱也。复予甘寒频灌,越三日,汗收热退,苔化肢温。
此病自始迄终,犀角共服三两许,未犯一毫相悖之药,且赖陈七恪诚,始克起九死于一生,继以滋阴善后而康。
My nephew Senbo suffered from fever, flushed face, thirst, and slight sweating. Wang Mengying examined him and said: "This is Spring-Warmth disease (Chunwen). Since the pathogenic factor has just invaded and remains in the Lung meridian, the pulse at the right Cun position is surging and large. It is appropriate to guide the pathogen downward to exit via the Fu organs, which will lead to a swift recovery." He prescribed Anemarrhenae Rhizoma (Zhimu), Trichosanthis Radix (Huafen), Benincasae Semen (Dongguazi), Mori Folium (Sangye), Eriobotryae Folium (Pipaye), Scutellariae Radix (Huangqin), Phragmitis Rhizoma (Weijing), and Gardeniae Fructus (Zhizi). Indeed, after two episodes of passing extremely hot watery stools, his pulse became calm, his body cooled, he felt hungry and drank congee, and thus recovered. Had others treated him, using diaphoretic herbs initially would inevitably have led to a severe condition.
Mrs. Pu Shutang, five months pregnant, contracted Spring-Warmth disease. Her symptoms included thirst, frequent vomiting, high fever, and absence of sweating. Ten days later, she was finally visited by Wang Mengying. Observing her restlessness and delirium, with a yellow but not dry tongue coating, Wang said: "This is obstruction of Qi by phlegm-heat. The disease has not transmitted to the Ying level, so blood-invigorating or blood-nourishing drugs are strictly prohibited." Upon palpating her chest, hardness and pain were confirmed. Since her bowel movements remained regular, the treatment method should focus on opening the Upper Jiao. He prescribed Xiao Xian Xiong Tang (Minor Intractable Chest Decoction) modified with Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma (Shichangpu), Immature Bitter Orange (Zhishi), Apricot Seed (Xingren), Fritillariae Bulbus (Beimu), Bamboo Shavings (Zhuru), Curcuma Aromatica Rhizome (Yujin), Gardeniae Fructus (Zhizi), and Forsythiae Fructus (Lianqiao), decocted with Radish Decoction (Lufu Tang). After two doses, her mental state stabilized. After four doses, her epigastrium felt relieved. However, she experienced burning heat in the heart and abdomen, vomiting, and inability to retain food. The prescription was changed to a large dose of sweet-cold herbs with added Mume Fructus (Wumei), administered frequently in small amounts, leading to gradual recovery. She gave birth to a healthy child in autumn.
Mrs. Yao Lingyu, who usually suffered from wheezing and coughing, contracted Spring-Warmth disease. Physicians, knowing her constitutional deficiency had persisted for a long time, administered warming and tonifying herbs, resulting in convulsions, cold extremities, coma, deafness, delirium, cyanotic complexion, crimson tongue, phlegm-wheezing, and insomnia. All physicians were helpless! Wang Mengying was consulted and found the pulse still wiry and slippery. He stated: "Although the syndrome is critical, the vital energy has not ceased; abandoning it hastily is too cruel." He prescribed Rhinoceros Horn (Xijiao - note: modern substitutes used), Antelope Horn (Lingyangjiao), Scrophulariae Radix (Yuanshen), Glehniae Radix (Shashen), Anemarrhenae Rhizoma (Zhimu), Trichosanthis Radix (Huafen), and Gypsum Fibrosum (Shigao) to clear heat, extinguish wind, save Yin, and generate fluids. Adjuvantly, he used Cistanche Stem (Rongsheng), Haematitum (Shiyingshi - note: often replaced by Magnetitum or similar in modern practice, here likely referring to mineral sedatives like Qingshi/Zhenshu), Turtle Shell (Biejia), Sichuan Chinaberry Fruit (Juling), Inula Flower (Xuanfu), and Fritillariae Bulbus (Beimu), plus Bamboo Juice (Zhuli) to subdue Yang, suppress rebellion, unblock collaterals, and eliminate phlegm. After three doses, the condition stabilized. Subsequently, Rhinoceros Horn, Antelope Horn, and Gypsum were removed, and Rehmanniae Radix Preparata (Shengdihuang) was added. After ten days of administration, she recovered. In mid-autumn, Mr. Yao fell ill and mistakenly took warming tonics, dying within a few days. Is this not fate?
Xu Zhiqing, also proficient in medicine, accidentally contracted an external pathogen. He took clearing and dispersing herbs, but the condition did not improve. Some suspected it was not Spring-Warmth and invited Wang Mengying to evaluate. Wang's pulse diagnosis revealed slow and choppy qualities. Bowel and bladder functions were normal. Symptoms included muscle twitching, insomnia, aversion to cold, ability to eat, and red throat and tongue. He administered a large dose of Ying-level clearing herbs. After several doses, the patient recovered.
In summer, Xu developed scabies on both legs. Surgical treatments failed to heal it over a long period. Wang Mengying reasoned: "Due to his habitual alcohol consumption, deep-seated internal heat exists. Surgical herbs should be completely discontinued. He should take Danggui Longhui Wan (Angelica Dragon Gallbladder Pill) delivered by Xue Geng Tang (Snow Broth)." Indeed, he gradually improved.
Mr. Chen Jianzhou's son suffered from Spring-Warmth disease. From the onset, he exhibited restless spirit, fear, insomnia, and very rapid pulses. Wang Mengying said: "Warm pathogens have directly entered the Ying level." He prescribed Shenxi Dan (Divine Calamity Red Pill) assisted by Zixue San (Purple Snow Powder). After two doses, he recovered. In summer, Wu Shouzhan and Gao Ruozhou's sons, and Hu Qiuren's four daughters, all suffered from Warm diseases. From the onset, they presented with limb twitching, delirious speech, and confused mental states. Wang Mengying applied this same method to all of them, and they recovered swiftly.
Wang Mengying remarked: "People often adhere to the method of resolving through sweating as the treatment for initial infections. Who knows that diseases have no fixed form, and the value of medicine lies in appropriateness. Unfortunately, those with true insight are rare, leading to many premature deaths along the roads. Attributing this entirely to Heaven's decree—is it really so?"
Mr. Wang Zoushi's younger brother suffered from Spring-Warmth disease. Initially, he was delirious and manic. After continuously taking large doses of clearing and resolving herbs, he became comatose and mute, with ice-cold limbs, closed eyes, urinary incontinence, and refusal to drink. Physicians were helpless. Wang Mengying diagnosed a wiry, large, slow, and slippery pulse, with a full yellow-greasy tongue coating and foul odor emanating from the mouth. He prescribed Chengqi Tang (Chengqi Decoction) modified with Lonicerae Japonicae Flos (Jinyinhua), Dendrobii Caulis (Shihu), Scutellariae Radix (Huangqin), Bamboo Shavings (Zhuru), Scrophulariae Radix (Yuanshen), and Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma (Shichangpu). This resulted in the passage of many sticky black stools. His consciousness slightly cleared, and he could take some liquid intake.
The next day, Mangxiao (Mirabilite) and Dahuang (Rhubarb) were removed, and Haige (Clam Shell), Radish (Lufu), Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian), and Gypsum Fibrosum (Shigao) were added. After two doses, he experienced chills and sweating, his limbs became warm, the tongue coating receded, and he ate congee, recovering without further effort.
Subsequently, Zhang Jingjiang invited Wang Mengying to treat a patient named Ye, and Qian Ximin's brother-in-law surnamed Li. Wang cured both with a single purgative action. Only Mrs. Wu Shouzhan and Zheng Youqiao required purgation more than ten times before recovery. This year, epidemic febrile diseases were prevalent, and many physicians lost their cases. Wang Mengying adapted flexibly, employing infinite methods, saving many lives, too numerous to list individually.
Weng Jiashun also contracted a Warm disease. Upon initial fever, he had a red tongue, thirst, and a rapid yet choppy pulse. Wang Mengying said: "This is not a favorable syndrome." Presumably due to chronic Yin deficiency, compounded by worry, toil, grief, and sorrow, the Five Agitations burned internally while Warm pathogens pressed externally. The pathogen did not need to progress from Wei to Qi, then to Ying; it went directly from Qi to Ying. Urgent Ying-clearing herbs were given, followed by Blood-cooling herbs, but the condition did not improve. Moreover, there was no one in charge of medical decisions at home, and bystanders' opinions were chaotic. Fortunately, his old worker Chen Qi, possessing courage and discernment, earnestly requested assistance. Wang Mengying said: "My heart burns with anxiety, but the illness is severe. Although the treatment is correct, the condition will likely worsen. If I hadn't perceived the nature of the disease from the start, it would indeed be critical. If I shirk responsibility due to difficulty, other physicians, even if they recognize the syndrome, might not dare to use such large doses. Using a cartload of firewood on a cup of water—what good would that do? I will bear the labor and resentment, devoting my heart and strength to attempt a cure." The condition indeed worsened daily: coma, confusion, deafness, spontaneous diarrhea of red fluid, red eyes, and delirium. Wang Mengying exclusively used Jin San Xijiao Dihuang Tang (Jin San Rhinoceros Horn Rehmannia Decoction) modified with Lonicerae Japonicae Flos (Jinyinhua), Gypsum Fibrosum (Shigao), Anemarrhenae Rhizoma (Zhimu), Dendrobii Caulis (Shihu), Gardeniae Fructus (Zhizi), Fritillariae Bulbus (Beimu), Trichosanthis Radix (Huafen), Menthae Haplocalycis Herba (Lancao), Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma (Shichangpu), Bamboo Juice (Zhuli), Bamboo Leaves (Zhuye), Eleocharis Tuber (Fuci), and Clam Shell (Haige), alternating as needed. After more than ten doses, a filthy, turbid coating suddenly appeared on the tongue, foul breath erupted, hands and feet were ice-cold, and sweat appeared spontaneously on the head and face. Everyone considered it terminal. Wang Mengying said: "This is a sign of vitality. Due to Yin deficiency and deep penetration of Heat pathogens, after persisting with Ying-clearing and Blood-cooling methods for over ten days, the Ying-Yin began to recover, pushing the pathogen outward, hence this coating appears. However, because the constitutional root is weak, it cannot resolve through battle-sweat, hence the cold limbs and sweating only on the head and face; this is not Yang deficiency with collapse. He was again given frequent infusions of sweet-cold herbs. After three days, sweating stopped, heat subsided, the coating dissolved, and limbs warmed. Throughout this illness, approximately three taels of Rhinoceros Horn were consumed, without violating any contraindicated herbs. Thanks to Chen Qi's sincerity, life was snatched back from the brink of death, followed by Yin-nourishing aftercare, leading to full recovery."