石芷卿,骤患腹胀,旬日后,脐间出脓。外科视为肠痈,与温补内托之药。遂咳嗽不眠,腹中绞痛异常,痰色
红绿,大便不行。乃延孟英商之。脉弦细以数,舌绛而大渴。曰∶察脉候,是真阴大虚之证。 、桂、归、术皆为
禁剂。以甘露饮加西洋参、花粉、贝母、杏仁、冬瓜子投之,痰咳即安。而外科谓此恙最忌泄泻,润药不宜多服。
孟英曰∶阴虚液燥,津不易生,虽求其泄,不可得也,乌可拘泥一偏,而不知通变哉?仍以前法,去杏仁、贝母、
花粉,加知母、百合、合欢(皮)为方,并嘱另邀老医朱嵩年敷治其外。如法施之,果渐向安。久之,当脐痂落,如
小儿落脐带状,脐内新肉莹然而愈。
吴芸阁,因壮年时患梅疮,过服寒凉之药,疮虽愈,阳气伤残,虚寒病起,改投温补如金液丹、大造丸之类,始
得获安。奈医者昧于(药味为)补偏救弊而设,漫无节制,率以为常,驯至血溢于上,便泻于下,食少痰多,喘逆碍卧,
两足不能屈伸。童某犹云寒湿为患,进以苓姜术桂汤多剂,势益剧,且溲渐少而色绿如胆汁,医皆不明其故。延
孟英诊之,脉弦硬无情。曰∶从前寒药戕阳,今则热药竭阴矣。胃中津液,皆灼烁以为痰,五脏咸失所养,而见证
如上,水源欲绝,小溲自然渐少,木火内焚,乃露东方之色,与章虚谷之所治暑结厥阴,用来复丹攻其邪从溺出而
见深碧之色者相同,然彼实此虚,判分天壤,恐和缓再来,亦难为力矣,寻果殁。
Shi Zhiqing suddenly suffered from abdominal distension. Ten days later, pus discharged from the umbilicus. The surgeons diagnosed it as Changyong (Intestinal Abscess) and administered warming and tonifying medicines to support the interior and expel toxins. Consequently, he developed coughing, insomnia, severe colic in the abdomen, red-and-green sputum, and constipation. He then invited Mengying for consultation. The pulse was wiry, fine, and rapid; the tongue was crimson with extreme thirst. Mengying stated: "Observing the pulse and signs, this is a syndrome of severe deficiency of True Yin (Kidney Yin). Fuzi (Aconite Root), Rougui (Cinnamon Bark), Danggui (Angelica Sinensis), and Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome) are all contraindicated." He prescribed Ganlu Yin (Sweet Dew Decoction) supplemented with Xiyangshen (American Ginseng), Huafen (Trichosanthes Root), Beimu (Fritillaria Bulb), Xingren (Apricot Seed), and Dongguazi (Winter Melon Seed). After administration, the cough and sputum immediately subsided. However, the surgeons argued that this disease strictly forbids diarrhea and that moistening drugs should not be taken in large quantities. Mengying replied: "With Yin deficiency and fluid dryness, body fluids are difficult to generate. Even if one sought to induce diarrhea, it would be impossible. How can one adhere to a partial view without understanding flexibility?" He continued with the previous method, removing Xingren, Beimu, and Huafen, and adding Zhimu (Anemarrhena Rhizome), Baihe (Lily Bulb), and Hehuanpi (Albizia Bark) to the prescription. He also advised inviting the elderly physician Zhu Songnian for external treatment. Following this regimen, the condition gradually improved. Over time, the scab at the umbilicus fell off like a band left after an infant's umbilical cord separation, and the new flesh inside the umbilicus became bright and healthy, leading to recovery.
Wu Yunge had suffered from Meichuang (Syphilitic Chancre) during his prime years. Having overused cold-natured medicines, although the sores healed, his Yang Qi was damaged, giving rise to deficiency-cold syndromes. He switched to warming and tonifying medicines such as Jin Ye Dan (Golden Elixir Pill) and Da Zao Wan (Great Creation Pill), which brought temporary relief. Unfortunately, physicians failed to understand that medicines are designed to correct imbalances and remedy defects. They administered them without restraint, making it a routine practice. This eventually led to bleeding from above (hematemesis or epistaxis), diarrhea below, reduced appetite with excessive phlegm, wheezing and rebellious Qi preventing lying down, and inability to flex and extend both legs. Tong, another physician, still attributed the condition to Cold-Dampness and prescribed Ling Jiang Zhu Gui Tang (Poria, Ginger, Atractylodes, and Cinnamon Decoction) repeatedly, exacerbating the condition. Furthermore, urination decreased in volume and turned green like bile juice. Other physicians could not discern the cause. Mengying was invited to diagnose. The pulse was wiry, hard, and devoid of spirit. Mengying said: "Previously, cold medicines injured Yang Qi; now, hot medicines have exhausted Yin fluids. The fluids in the Stomach are scorched and transformed into phlegm. The Five Viscera lose their nourishment, resulting in the aforementioned manifestations. The source of water is drying up, hence urine naturally decreases. Wood and Fire are burning internally, revealing the color of the East (Liver belongs to Wood, its color is green/cyan). This is similar to cases treated by Zhang Xugu where Summer-Heat binds in the Jueyin channel, using Laifu Dan (Revive Life Pill) to attack pathogens via urination, resulting in dark blue-green urine. However, that case was excess, while this is deficiency; they differ as much as heaven and earth. I fear even if Hua Tuo were reborn, he might struggle to save him." Indeed, the patient died shortly thereafter.