湖墅，张春桥，素禀不坚，头眩脑鸣，频服温补药，甚觉畏冷。人皆谓其体偏于寒也。
辛丑春，始请孟英诊之，脉甚数。曰∶阴亏也。温补非宜。改服滋水培元之剂，颇为有效。夏间，或劝
以灸火，云∶“可以除百病”。盖未知灼艾之可以除百病者，谓可除寒湿凝滞、阳气不能宣通之证，非谓内
伤外感一切之病皆可以灸除之也。故仲景有“微数之脉，慎不可灸”之训，正以艾火大能伤阴也。
灸后数日，即寒少热多，宛如虐疾，医者以为“脾寒”病，投以温散，日以滋甚。春桥知药治未符，坚不肯服，
乃父与之询其故，漫曰∶要儿服药，须延王先生延医。与之遂邀孟英治之，切其脉，滑数倍加，曰∶阴虚之体，内热
自生，灸之以艾，火气内攻。当时溽暑，天热外烁，三者交加，阴何以堪？再
投温散，如火益热，当从“瘅疟”治。专以甘寒熄热，则阴津不致枯涸，而寒热可不攻自去。所谓“治病
必求其本”也。竟不用一分表散药而治愈。
一老广文，俸满来省验看，患眩晕。医谓“上虚”，进以参、 等药，因而不食不便，烦躁气逆。孟英诊
曰∶“下虚”之证，误补其上，气分实而不降，先当治药，然后疗病。与∶（山）栀 （豆）豉 （黄）芩 桔
（梗） 枳（实） 橘（红）
（紫）菀 贝（母），一剂粥进便行，嗣用滋阴熄风法而愈，
王雪山令媳，患心悸眩晕。广服补剂，初若甚效，继乃日剧，时时汗出，肢冷息微，气逆欲脱，灌以参汤，稍
有把握。延逾半载，大弗不资。庄之阶舍人，令延孟英诊视，脉沉弦且滑，舌绛而有黄腻之苔，口苦溲热，汛事仍
行。病属痰热 ，误补则气机壅塞，与大剂清热涤痰药，吞当归龙荟丸，服之渐以向安。仲夏即受孕，次年二月诞
一子，惜其娠后停药，去痰未尽，娩后复患悸晕不眠，气短不饥，或作产后血虚治不效，仍请孟英视之。脉
极滑数，曰∶病根未刈也。与蠲痰清气法，果应。
比丘尼心能，体浓蹒跚。偶患眩悸，医以为虚。久服温补，渐至
发肿不饥。仲夏，延孟英视之，脉甚弦滑，舌色光绛。主清痰热，尽撤补药，彼不之信，仍服八味等方。至季
夏再屈孟英诊之，脉数七至，眠食尽废，不可救药矣，果及秋而荼毗。（和尚死叫荼毗）。
曾稼梅令嫒，患眩晕，脘痛，筋掣，吐酸，渴饮，不饥，咽中如有炙脔，
朱某与温胃药，病日剧。孟英诊脉，弦滑，投∶（竹）茹 贝（母） （吴茱）萸 （黄）连 旋（复） 赭（石） 栀
（子） 楝（实） 枳（实） 郁（金） 雪羹之药，十余剂始愈。
胡秋谷令嫒，年甫笄（女子十五岁为笄），往岁患眩晕，孟英切其脉滑，作痰治，服一、二剂，未
愈。更医谓“虚”，进以补药，颇效，渠信为然。今冬复病，径服补药，半年后，眠食皆废，闻声惊惕，寒颤
自汗，肢冷如冰。以为久虚欲脱，乞援于孟英。脉极细数，目赤便秘，胸下痞塞如 ，力辨其非虚证。盖痰饮
为患，乍补每若相安，惟具只眼者，始不为病所欺也。投以∶旋（复） 赭（石） （竹）茹 贝（母） 蛤
壳花粉 桑（叶） 栀（子） 栝（蒌） 薤（白） （黄）连 枳（实）等药，数服即安，而晕不能止，乃
去赭（石）、薤（白）、（栝）蒌、枳（实），加元参、菊花、“二至”、“三甲”之类，服匝月，始能起榻。
李甫华令正，患头震。孟英脉之，弦滑，乃肝经郁怒火升也。投∶当归龙荟丸而瘥。然不能惩忿，其病屡
发之后，更兼溺闭，腹胀，喘汗欲绝。亟邀孟英视之，脉甚弦涩。口苦苔黄，舌色紫黯，汛虽不愆，内有瘀滞
也。以∶雪羹加金铃 旋复 栀子 滑石 桃仁 茺蔚 车前子 木通，仍吞龙荟丸，外以田蠃
、大蒜、车前草，捣贴脐下，服后果先下黑血。溲即随通。继而更衣，粪色亦黑，遂愈。
Background Information:
Book: Huichun Lu (Record of Recovery)
Author: Wang Shiwei
Dynasty: Qing
Chapter: Vertigo and Dizziness
Category: Comprehensive
Translation:
Zhang Chunqiao from Hushu, Hangzhou, had a constitutionally weak foundation. He frequently experienced vertigo and tinnitus in the head. After taking warming and tonifying medicines repeatedly, he felt increasingly afraid of cold. People all believed his body type was biased towards coldness.
In the spring of the Xinchou year, Meng Ying was finally consulted for diagnosis. The pulse was very rapid (Shu Mai). Meng Ying said, "This is Yin deficiency. Warming and tonifying are not appropriate." The prescription was changed to nourish Kidney Water and cultivate the Primordial Qi. This was quite effective. In summer, someone advised him to use moxibustion, claiming, "It can cure all diseases." This likely stems from a misunderstanding that moxibustion cures all diseases; it actually refers to curing conditions caused by cold-dampness stagnation and the failure of Yang Qi to circulate freely, not all internal injuries or external contractions. Therefore, Zhang Zhongjing taught, "With a fine and rapid pulse, moxibustion must be avoided," precisely because moxa fire greatly damages Yin.
A few days after moxibustion, he developed symptoms where chills were less frequent but fever was more prominent, resembling Malaria (Nue Ji). Physicians diagnosed this as "Spleen Cold" and administered warming and dispersing herbs, causing the condition to worsen daily. Chunqiao realized the treatment was incorrect and firmly refused further medication. When his father asked why, he casually replied, "For my son to take medicine, Mr. Wang must invite a doctor." Thus, his father invited Meng Ying again. Upon palpating the pulse, it was found to be slippery and rapid, even more so than before. Meng Ying said, "In a body with Yin deficiency, internal heat arises naturally. Moxibustion with moxa causes fire qi to attack internally. At that time, it was sultry summer, with external heat scorching from the sky. These three factors combined, how could the Yin withstand them? If warming and dispersing herbs are administered again, it is like adding fuel to the fire. It should be treated as 'Dan Nue' (a type of malaria with intense heat). By exclusively using sweet-cold herbs to extinguish heat, the Yin fluids will not dry up, and the alternating chills and fever will subside without direct attack. This is what is meant by 'treating disease requires seeking its root.'" Ultimately, he was cured without using a single grain of exterior-dispersing herb.
An elderly scholar-official came to the provincial capital for inspection upon completing his term, suffering from vertigo. A physician attributed it to "Upper Deficiency" and prescribed herbs such as Ginseng [and Astragalus]. Consequently, he lost his appetite, became constipated, and suffered from irritability and rebellious Qi. Meng Ying diagnosed, "This is a 'Lower Deficiency' syndrome. Mistakenly tonifying the upper part has made the Qi level excess and unable to descend. One must first treat the side effects of the medication, then treat the disease." He prescribed Gardenia (Shan Zhi), Fermented Soybean (Dou Chi), Scutellaria (Huang Qin), Platycodon (Jie Geng), Immature Bitter Orange (Zhi Shi), Tangerine Peel (Ju Hong), Perilla Root (Zi Wan), and Fritillaria (Bei Mu). After one dose, he could eat porridge and have a bowel movement. Subsequently, a method of nourishing Yin and extinguishing wind was used, leading to recovery.
The wife of Wang Xueshan suffered from palpitations and vertigo. She widely took tonics. Initially, they seemed very effective, but later her condition worsened day by day. She sweated frequently, her limbs were cold, her breath was faint, and she felt rebellious Qi as if about to collapse. Administering Ginseng Decoction provided some assurance. Over half a year passed, incurring great expense. Zhu Zhijie, a Secretary, invited Meng Ying to diagnose. The pulse was deep, wiry, and slippery. The tongue was crimson with a yellow greasy coating. She had bitter taste in the mouth and hot urine, yet her menstruation continued normally. The disease belonged to Phlegm-Heat obstruction. Mistaken tonification led to Qi mechanism congestion. Large doses of heat-clearing and phlegm-resolving herbs were given, along with swallowing Angelica Sinensis and Dragon Liver Pill (Danggui Longhui Wan). Gradually, she stabilized. In mid-summer, she conceived. In February of the following year, she gave birth to a son. Unfortunately, she stopped medication after pregnancy, leaving residual phlegm. Postpartum, she again suffered from palpitations, vertigo, insomnia, shortness of breath, and anorexia. Treatment for postpartum Blood deficiency was ineffective. Meng Ying was consulted again. The pulse was extremely slippery and rapid. He said, "The root of the disease remains." He employed a method to eliminate phlegm and clear Qi, which proved effective.
The nun Xin Neng had a stout figure and walked slowly. She occasionally suffered from vertigo and palpitations. Physicians considered it a deficiency. Long-term use of warming tonics gradually led to edema and anorexia. In mid-summer, Meng Ying examined her. The pulse was very wiry and slippery; the tongue was bright red and peeled. He advocated clearing Phlegm-Heat and withdrawing all tonics. She did not believe him and continued taking Eight-Ingredient Pill (Bawei Wan) and similar formulas. By late summer, she requested Meng Ying's diagnosis again. The pulse rate reached seven beats per breath. Sleep and eating were completely abandoned; the condition was incurable. Indeed, she died in autumn. (Monks' cremation is called Tupi).
Zeng Jiamai's daughter suffered from vertigo, epigastric pain, muscle twitching, acid regurgitation, thirst with drinking, anorexia, and a sensation of a roasted meat lump stuck in the throat. Zhu treated her with stomach-warming herbs, worsening the condition. Meng Ying palpated the pulse as wiry and slippery. He prescribed Bamboo Shavings (Zhu Ru), Fritillaria (Bei Mu), Evodia (Wuzhuyu), Coptis (Huanglian), Rehdemannia (Xuanfu), Hematite (Zheshi), Gardenia (Zhizi), Melia (Lianshi), Immature Bitter Orange (Zhishi), Curcuma (Yujin), and Snow Soup (Xue Geng). After more than ten doses, she recovered.
Hu Qiugu's daughter was just fifteen years old. In previous years, she suffered from vertigo. Meng Ying palpated a slippery pulse and treated it as Phlegm. After one or two doses, there was no improvement. Another physician diagnosed "Deficiency" and prescribed tonics, which were quite effective. She believed this to be true. This winter, the disease recurred. She directly took tonics. Half a year later, sleep and eating ceased. She startedle at sounds, shivered with spontaneous sweating, and her limbs were cold as ice. It was thought to be long-standing deficiency nearing collapse, so she sought help from Meng Ying. The pulse was extremely fine and rapid. Her eyes were red, and she was constipated. There was fullness and obstruction below the chest. Meng Ying firmly argued against the deficiency diagnosis. It turned out to be caused by Phlegm-Fluid retention. Occasional tonification might seem harmonious, but only those with unique insight are not deceived by the disease. He prescribed Rehdemannia (Xuanfu), Hematite (Zheshi), Bamboo Shavings (Zhu Ru), Fritillaria (Bei Mu), Tridax Shell (Geke), Polygonatum (Huafen), Mulberry Leaf (Sangye), Gardenia (Zhizi), Trichosanthes Fruit (Gualou), Allium Macrostemon (Xiebai), Coptis (Huanglian), and Immature Bitter Orange (Zhishi). After several doses, she was stable, but the vertigo persisted. Therefore, Hematite, Allium, Trichosanthes, and Immature Bitter Orange were removed, and Rehmannia (Yuanshen), Chrysanthemum, Erzhi Wan, and Sanjia Fumai Tang were added. After a month of administration, she could get out of bed.
Li Fuhua's wife suffered from head tremors. Meng Ying palpated a wiry and slippery pulse, diagnosing it as Liver Meridian depression-fire rising. He prescribed Danggui Longhui Wan, and she recovered. However, she could not control her anger. After multiple recurrences, she additionally suffered from urinary retention, abdominal distension, and panting with sweating as if dying. Meng Ying was urgently invited. The pulse was very wiry and choppy. She had a bitter taste, yellow coating, and a purplish-dark tongue. Although menstruation was regular, there was internal blood stasis. He prescribed Xue Geng plus Gold Bell Seed (Jinlingzi), Rehdemannia (Xuanfu), Gardenia (Zhizi), Talc (Huashi), Peach Kernel (Taoren), Chasteberry (Chongwei), Plantago Seed (Cheqianzi), and Akebia Stem (Mutong), while still swallowing Longhui Wan. Externally, river snails, garlic, and plantain grass were mashed and applied to the lower abdomen. After taking the medicine, black blood was discharged first. Urination immediately followed. Then defecation occurred, with black stool, and she was cured.