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Jin Yuanzhang, over seventy years old, had long suffered from hernia jue (hernia with cold extremities or qi rebellion). Every episode occurred in winter, which was attributed to cold pathogen. He took hot-natured medicines for temporary relief but never fully recovered. Mengying diagnosed: "Although the Spleen and Stomach are cold, Liver Yang is internally abundant. Merely taking harsh, acrid-hot medicines cannot hit the target." The prescription included: Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen), Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu), Lycii Fructus (Gouqi), Cistanches Herba (Rongshu), Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui), Foeniculi Fructus (Huixiang), Cuscutae Semen (Tusizi), Cornu Cervi Deglans (Lujiaoshuang), Cinnamomi Ramulus (Guizhi), Poria (Fuling), Meliae Fructus (Lianshi), Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian), Evodiae Fructus (Wuzhuyu), and Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Juhe) etc. He took it. For several years since then, he has been well.

The young master of Guanyunpu Guancha suddenly developed unilateral testicular swelling and descent (pianzhui). Physicians prescribed Fennel Seed (Huixiang), Trigonellae Semen (Huluba), Linderae Radix (Wuyao), and Litchi Chinensis Semen (Lihé). The pain became unbearable. Through Zhao Tangcun, the Salt Intendant, Mengying was invited to examine him. Palpating his pulse and skin, they felt very hot. Mengying said: "This is not a hernia. Testicular swelling and pain must be on the right side; this is damp-heat seasonal pathogen. If treated as a hernia, it will certainly become an abscess." Treating it according to damp-heat seasonal pathogen, the pain subsided after one cup of decoction, and after three doses, bowel movement resumed and fever receded. Later, due to eating mutton, the swelling and pain recurred. Clearing heat and resolving exterior again, and advising dietary caution led to recovery.

A patient suffering from Yin deficiency with flaming fire had a red face, often resembling drunkenness. Mengying prescribed a single-herb decoction of Scrophulariae Radix (Xuanshen). The effect was miraculous, verified repeatedly.

In Xue's (Xue Lizhai) medical cases, Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Spleen-Raising Qi-Boosting Decoction) and Dihuang Wan (Rehmannia Pill) were often used together. Even capable physicians like Lu Buyuan imitated this, but it is actually incorrect medication method. If it is clear Yang sinking requiring raising, the cloying and stagnating nature of Dihuang Wan is unsuitable. If it is True Yin insufficiency requiring nourishing filling, the dispersing nature of Shengma and Chaihu should not be used. It is self-contradictory and lacks discipline. However, treating upper and lower separately does have its rules.

Tu Jingsi, constitutionally Yin deficient, suffered from phlegm-cough for a long time. Movement caused qi rebellion and insomnia. Frequent use of Yin-nourishing and anchoring herbs gradually reduced appetite. Slightly rich food caused vomiting of undigested matter and acid regurgitation. Mengying palpated the pulse: Left wiry and slightly rapid, Right soft, slippery, and wiry. Water overflows, Earth loses its dam control, Liver Wood rises excessively, Lung Metal descends insufficiently. This is mainly due to long-term use of cloying herbs, causing damp-turbidity to coil internally, harming neither Lower Jiao nor Middle transport. Left strong, Right weak, ascending-descending unregulated. Prescription: Cistanches Herba (Rongshu), Phellodendri Cortex (Huangbai), Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui), Paeoniae Radix Alba (Shaoyao), Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata (Shudi), Moutan Cortex (Danpi), Poria (Fuling), Meliae Fructus (Lianshi), Amomi Fructus Rotundus (Sharen - powdered), Lotus Root Flesh (Oufen) made into pills. Taken in morning to warm Kidney Water and clear Liver Fire. Another prescription: Codonopsis Radix (Dangshen), Atractylodis Rhizoma (Baizhu), Aurantii Fructus Immaturus (Zhishi), Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma (Changpu), Pinelliae Rhizoma (Banxia), Poria (Fuling), Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Jupi), Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian), Tribuli Fructus (Jili - sun-dried powdered), Bamboo Sap (Zhuli) made into pills. Taken at noon to fortify Middle Earth and eliminate phlegm. At dusk, Weixi Wan (Weixi Pill) swallowed to肃ify Upper Source and transform turbidity. Three Jiao treated separately, all ailments calmed. All pills were used to avoid soups aiding phlegm-dampness.

Women often suffer depression; dry cough due to fire constraint is known to all. Wang Qiting's sister, past marriageable age, suddenly developed incessant dry cough, sleepless, unresponsive to medicine. Mengying diagnosed: Both pulses surging upwards, Left wiry-thin, thirst, no tongue coating. True Yin long deficient, Wind-Yang usurping upwards, Chong vessel cough unceasing, danger of jue collapse. Prescribed: Ostreae Concha (Muli), Testudo Carapax et Plastrum (Guiban), Trionycis Carapax (Biejia), Fluorite (Shiyng), Cistanches Herba (Rongshu), Poria (Fuling), Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata (Shudi), Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Guishen), Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix (Niuxi), Cordyceps (Dongchong Xiacao), Juglans Semen (Hutaorou). Medicine just boiled, patient about to have jue, urgently fed, immediately slept. Next day dusk, still had cold spasms, still fed previous medicine. Third night, only night sweats. After four doses, all ailments ceased, sleep and diet gradually stabilized. If such Yang-anchoring and counter-flow-subduing prescriptions were delayed by one or two days, changes would be unpredictable. How much more so if treated as constraint using opening-draining products? Thus, syndrome differentiation is the physician's primary duty.

Wei Xilin's niece, postpartum lochia lasted two months. Then heard father Tiaoshan died in capital and two younger brothers died, grief unreleased. Developed dry vomiting and hematemesis, headache left side, anorexia, insomnia, constipation, thirst drinking but urination every other day. Long treatment ineffective. Mengying palpated pulse: Deficient, wiry, hollow, large. Prescribed: Ophiopogonis Radix (Maidong), Ziziphi Jujubae Fructus (Dazao), added Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata (Shudi), Polygoni Multiflori Caulis (Shouwu), Trionycis Carapax (Biejia), Erzhi Wan (Erzhi Pill), Chrysanthemi Flos (Juhua), Inulae Flos (Xuanfu), Paeoniae Radix (Shaoyao), Fritillariae Bulbus (Beimu), Cannabis Fructus (Maren), Natrii Chloridum Rubrum (Qingyan). After taking, pulse gradually converged, bleeding stopped. Seven to eight doses, headache ceased. Ten days later, bowel movement regular, appetite returned. Over a year later, receiving coffin and grieving intensely, blood overflowed again, mistakenly given warming-tonifying herbs, died.

Zhao Juzhai's second daughter-in-law, constitutionally Yin deficient with internal heat, occasional hemoptysis, cured by Mengying last year. Menstruation occasionally delayed, Mengying diagnosed: Disease gone, pregnant. Spring delivery followed by diarrhea. Mengying away to Yuzhang, specialist gave warming formulas, cough ensued. Changing doctor to nourishing blood formulas, sliding diarrhea worsened. Divination and folk remedies failed. Upon Mengying's return, prescribed: Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao), Triticum Aestivum (Xiaomai), Ziziphi Jujubae Fructus (Dazao), paired with Uncariae Ramulus cum Uncis (Wumei - *Note: Text says Wu Mei, usually Prunus Mume*, Huanglian). Symptoms gradually lightened. Relatives advised against, multiple blind tonifications caused abdominal distension, reduced intake, dozens of stools daily, white hard round like grapes, with blood threads. Juzhai regretted, begged Mengying. Given Zhang Zhongjing's Danggui Shengyang Roushou Tang (Angelica Ginger Lamb Decoction), swallowing 21 Avicenniae Fructus (Yadanren) per dose coated with Longan Aril (Longyanrou). Two doses, stool turned loose, pain decreased sequentially. Then warming-nourishing Odd Vessels: Testudo Carapax et Plastrum (Guiban), Cornu Cervi Deglans (Lujiaoshuang), Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui), Poria (Fuling), Lycii Fructus (Gouqi), Cuscutae Semen (Tusizi), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao), Paeoniae Radix Alba (Baishao), Sepiae Endoconcha (Wuzeigu), Cistanches Herba (Rongshu), Vitis Vinifera Fructus Dry (Putao Gan), Lotus Root Flesh (Ourou) for conditioning and recovery.

Madam Zhu, feared medicine, vomited even mild drugs. Recently suffered afternoon chills, night fever, night sweats, dry throat, cough, hypochondriac pain. After a month, reduced intake, scant menstruation, emaciation, fatigue. Mengying diagnosed: Left wiry-rapid, Right choppy-weak. Said: "Much melancholy, excessive thinking, disease affecting Heart and Spleen. Feared medicine, how can we force drugs to damage stomach further? Great dilemma." Thought deeply, prescribed: Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao), Triticum Aestivum (Xiaomai), Ziziphi Jujubae Fructus (Hongzao), Lotus Root Flesh (Ouro) boiled as soup, frequent sipping. Patient delighted, drank day and night. Ten days later, pulse/symptoms greatly reduced. Family asked for new formula, Mengying said: "No need. This is Zhang Zhongjing's excellent formula for Zang Zao (Viscera Dryness). I replaced Dazao with Hongzao, red color nourishes Heart, aroma pleases Stomach, added Lotus Root Flesh to soothe depression and delight emotion. Combined with Gancao, Xiaomai, benefits Qi and Blood, moistens dryness, relieves urgency. Seems plain, not damaging like harsh drugs. Can take long, why ignore as fruit medicine?" Observed for two months, disease completely resolved.

Gao Shiquan's daughter-in-law, small bones, fragile flesh, constitutionally deficient. Winter, overworked, anorexia, insomnia, anxiety, night sweats, tinnitus. Feng certain continuously used Yin-nourishing methods, condition worsened. Mengying observed: Left Cun very active, both Guan wiry-slippery, coating greasy yellow. Heart-Liver fire burning internally, Stomach Qi failing to descend. Yin deficiency is root, nourishing filling not wrong. But must regulate "Ascending/Descending" first, then tonification helps. Prescribed: Salt-fried Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian), Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma (Shichangpu), Scrophulariae Radix (Yuanshen), Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix (Danshen), Gardeniae Fructus (Zhizi), Dendrobii Caulis (Shihu), Triticum Aestivum (Xiaomai), Anemarrhenae Rhizoma (Zhimu), Ophiopogonis Radix (Maidong), Bambusae Folium (Zhuye), Nelumbinis Plumula (Lianzixin). Immediate response. Follow-up: Ligustri Lucidi Fructus (Nüzhen), Lonicerae Japonicae Flos (Hanlian), Ostreae Concha (Muli), Testudo Carapax et Plastrum (Guiban), Rehmanniae Radix (Dihuang) for convalescence. Ancient texts say: "No good prognosis for asthma/wheezing". Wheezing with sweating is especially critical.

Spring Wuxu, Sima Zhang Yunong insisted Mengying go to Huangshan again. Mengying knew deep illness, official duties constrained, mind not peaceful, truly beyond drug efficacy, firmly declined. Sima cried begging, hoped to accompany back to office, leaving departure choice to him, asked Zhao Lanzhou to plead repeatedly. Moved by sentiment, Mengying crossed river together, arrived at Shanxi. Sima discussed frailty. Mengying suddenly said: "Have you not sneezed for a long time?" Sima: "Indeed years. Why?" Mengying: "Yang Qi not disseminating. Only Zhang Zhongjing discussed, no method established. Now proposing my humble formula to gift you, to get a sneeze?" Sima agreed. Formula: Korean Ginseng Radix (Gaolishen), Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens (Ganjiang), Schisandrae Fructus (Wuweizi), Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma (Shichangpu), Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus (Xiebai wine-fried), Pinelliae Rhizoma (Banxia), Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Jupi), Asteris Radix et Herba (Ziwan), Platycodonis Radix (Jiegeng), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao). Took boat to Sheng, landed for medicine, decocted and took. Riding carriage, less than 20 li, servant reported: "Sneezed!"

Summer, Gu Tingquan invited Mengying to see Tu Lutang's illness. Mengying said: "Yin generation concerning." Indeed died five days before Summer Solstice.

Tu's fifth son, phlegm-cough for years, recently aggravated by grief. Xu saw severe cough causing vomiting, gave Renshen, Baizhu, condition worsened. Leap July 16th night, Lutang dreamt: "Must invite Mengying, warm-nourishing herbs cure." Woke surprised, invited Mengying. Mengying said: "Yin deficiency consumption cough, long cough causes Chong Qi not grasping leading to vomiting, not Stomach cold. Classic says: 'Laborers, warm them', meaning warm-nourishing, not warming-tonifying. Patient amazed, told father. Mengying respectful too. Formula: American Ginseng Radix (Xiyangshen), Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata (Shudi), Cistanches Herba (Rongshu), "Two Winters" (Dongmazi, Dongguajin), Poria (Fuling), Testudo Carapax et Plastrum (Guiban), Ostreae Concha (Muli), Purple Fluorite (Zishiying), Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma (Yuzhu), Loquat Leaf (Pipaye), Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Jupi). Took, indeed calm. I say: Everything can move Heaven/Earth, spirits/gods, especially medicine life-science. This case shows Mengying's vast insight, not mere fame."

Gu Shifu, Louxian magistrate, illness worsened with treatment. Resigned, sought Mengying. Pulse Left Cun hook-like. Said: "Cannot survive summer." Son Shuang arrived, doubted, asked Dr. Xu: "Qi rebellion, blood overflow, abdominal distension, scrotal cyst, similar to Kang Kanghou's illness, looks lighter externally, why he heals and this doesn't?" Mengying said: "He is evil Qi obstruction, pulse strange but firm, excess syndrome excess pulse. This is True Qi scattering, pulse fleeting like fat on soup, Left Cun hook-like, Heart True Zang pulse appeared. Obstruction can be dredged, scattering cannot be gathered. Exogenous pathogens attacked by herbs, Spirit disease knife/pestle cannot help. Similar symptoms, heaven/abyss difference, even divine pill useless. Late Spring died."

Ma, thirty-something, laborer. Fever, aversion to cold, limb tremors, spontaneous sweating, Qi rushing from lower abdomen to chest, headache, thirst. Mengying diagnosed: Wei Qi deficient wind invasion, meridians long injured, Liver Wind moving internally. Prescribed: Jianzhong Tang minus Yi Tang, plus Longgu, Muli, Shiyng, Rongshu, Lianshi, Sangzhi. Several doses recovered.