胡蔚堂,年近古稀,患囊肿,小溲赤短,寒热如疟。孟英曰∶非外感也,乃久蕴之湿热下流,气机尚未宣泄,
予五苓散合滋肾丸加楝实、栀子,木通,两剂后,囊间出腥粘黄水甚多,小溲渐行,寒热亦去,继与知柏八味去
山药、萸肉,加栀子、楝实、芍药、苡仁等,久服而愈。
金元章媳,于甲午新寡后,患脓窠疮,大抵湿热之病耳。疡医连某,疑为遗毒,竟作广疮疗,渐至上吐下利,
不进饮食。另从内科治,亦无寸效。延至春末,更兼腹痛自汗,汛愆肌削,诸医皆见而却走矣。王仲安荐孟英视之,
曰∶此胃气为苦寒所败,肝阳为辛热所煽,前此每服阳刚,即如昏瞀,稍投滋腻,泄泻必增,遂谓不治之证,未免轻
弃,乃以四君子汤加左金(丸)、(川)椒、(乌)梅、莲子、木瓜、余粮、石脂等,出入为方,百日而愈。第信犹
未转也。诸亲友环议∶再不通经,病必有变。孟英力辨此非经阻可通之证,惟有培养生化之源,使其气旺血生,则
流行自裕,若不揣其本而齐其末,则砻(砻糠,即稻谷之粗壳。)糠不能榨油,徒伤正气,尽坠前功,岂不可惜?众议始
息。恪守其方,服至仲冬,天癸至而肌肉充,康复如常矣。
附∶王氏云∶莲子最补胃气而镇虚逆。若反胃由于胃虚之气冲不纳者,皆是热邪伤其胃中清和之气,最宜黄连
苦泄其热,即仗莲子甘镇其胃。盖以莲子清香不浑,镇胃之功独胜。爰附录于此,以备参考。
Hu Weitang, nearing seventy years of age, suffered from scrotal carbuncle (scrotal abscess), with red and scanty urine, and alternating chills and fever resembling malaria. Wang Mengying stated: "This is not caused by external pathogenic factors, but rather by damp-heat accumulating internally for a long time and flowing downward, with the Qi mechanism yet to be vented." He prescribed Wuling San (Five-Ingredient Poria Decoction) combined with Zishen Wan (Kidney-Nourishing Pill), adding Chuan Lian Zi (Fructus Toosendan), Zhi Zi (Gardenia Fruit), and Mu Tong (Akebia Stem). After two doses, a large amount of foul-smelling, sticky yellow fluid was discharged from the scrotum, urination gradually resumed, and the chills and fever subsided. Subsequently, he prescribed Zhibai Bawei Wan (Anemarrhena, Phellodendron and Eight-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill), removing Shan Yao (Dioscorea Rhizome) and Yu Rou (Cornus Fruit), and adding Zhi Zi, Chuan Lian Zi, Shao Yao (Peony Root), and Yi Yi Ren (Coix Seed), among others. Long-term consumption led to recovery.
The daughter-in-law of Jin Yuanzhang, after becoming a widow in the Jiawu year, contracted pustular eczema (nongkechuang), which is generally a disease of damp-heat. The surgeon Lian suspected it was a sequela of syphilis and treated it as a broad sore (syphilitic lesion), leading to progressive vomiting and diarrhea, and inability to eat. Treatment by an internal medicine physician also yielded no effect. By late spring, she developed abdominal pain and spontaneous sweating, irregular menstruation, and emaciation; all physicians who examined her turned away. Wang Zhongan recommended Wang Mengying to examine her. Wang said: "The Stomach Qi has been damaged by bitter-cold herbs, and Liver Yang has been fanned by acrid-hot herbs. Previously, every time yang-warming and rigid herbs were taken, dizziness and confusion occurred; slightly greasy tonics increased diarrhea. Thus, it was deemed incurable, which is perhaps too hasty abandonment. I will use Sijunzi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) added with Zuojin Wan (Left Metal Pill), Chuan Jiao (Sichuan Pepper), Wu Mei (Mume Fruit), Lian Zi (Lotus Seed), Mu Gua (Chaenomeles Fruit), Yuliang Shi (Kaolin), and Shizhi (Red Halloysite), adjusting the formula according to changes. Recovery will take one hundred days." However, her pulse remained weak. Relatives and friends discussed: "If the menses are not unblocked, the disease will surely change." Wang Mengying strongly refuted this, stating this was not a case where unblocking the menses would cure the disease. Only by cultivating the source of bio-transformation (Qi and Blood generation), making Qi vigorous and Blood abundant, would circulation naturally become sufficient. If one does not investigate the root but treats the branch, it is like trying to press oil from husks; it only injures healthy Qi and ruins previous efforts, which is regrettable. The discussion ceased. Adhering strictly to the prescription, by mid-winter, her menses arrived, muscles became full, and she recovered completely.
Appendix: Mr. Wang stated: "Lian Zi (Lotus Seed) best tonifies Stomach Qi and calms deficiency-type rebellious Qi. If regurgitation (fanwei) is due to deficient Stomach Qi failing to receive and descend, it is caused by heat pathogens injuring the clear and harmonious Qi in the Stomach. It is most suitable to use Huang Lian (Coptis Rhizome) to drain heat with its bitterness, relying on Lian Zi's sweetness to calm the Stomach. Because Lian Zi is fragrant and pure without turbidity, its ability to calm the Stomach is superior. This is appended here for reference."