二十八、黄××君函：士谔大医士道鉴：敬启者，久仰中医精造，著手回春，拯民疾苦，起沉疴于亿万，治及奇难，披恩泽于遐迩，龙以多病之躯，耳闻大名，夙拟趁轮叩谒求治，奈公务缠身，无暇就医，既阅报载先生有通函论证之例，谨将龙病状经过，及前后医士方案膏丸详细书陈，请先生俯予裁夺，从邮赐方寄下。盖龙早时操劳过度，肾脾两亏，惊悸怔忡，失眠遗精，耳鸣之症，于二十三年五月间患病不起，当绎九江名医诊治，类多归脾汤、天王补心丹之品，食洋参、石柱参、人参膏颇多，经数月调养，吃医士方膏，暨肾脑再造丸，虽觉精神略爽，能眠五六小时，然寐后盗汗，终觉恍惚，继请他医，有谓吃黄蛋鱼肚者，吃后食量顿减，口淡无味，龙现每多只饭一碗，心常郁抑，背心两胁恶寒，天明对脐腹痛，按之暂止，神思不宁，筋惕肉（目闰），手足不暖，梦中惊醒，头晕，目不能久视，口不能多言，间或脑痛，或谓肝旺。盖龙现年只三十岁，所吃之药，如用参附、破故纸辈，恶寒去而盗汗来；用牡蛎、龙骨、芍药辈，盗汗止而精神差。龙现犹气少，四肢无力，佥谓肾阳虚，药偏于阳，则盗汗心火上冲，偏阴则减食无神。谨邮呈诊金，并附呈各原方，请求先生即日掷赐佳方为祷。肃此敬请道安。黄××复函：人身阴阳不能有偏，偏则成病，所谓阴者即是液，阳者即是气，各有界限，不能笼统言之也，总之一切补药，入腹不能即成气血，亦必藉胃力以运行诸经各脉，所以补品之先决要点，必以不碍胃运为前提。拟方如下，试服可也。
宋半夏三钱青陈皮各八分吉林参须二钱大白芍三钱于术一钱白茯苓二钱炙甘草四分夜交藤三钱生谷芽三钱[此乃和中以开胃之法也。]二十九、祝××君函：士谔先生大鉴：鄙人爱读《钻报》，五年于兹，对《医林》一栏更为钦佩，几至一日不可无此君之慨，宗仰先生何似医中之圣，所以每有患恙较深者，莫不介之先生，以期着手回春耳。然所介者十九见愈，鄙人亦以杏林生色为荣，问阅先生解答函问诸案，异乎寻常，益为心仰。兹因敝亲患有疑症，针药毫无见减，以至束手无策，且远在外乡，不能举踵益为憾，故此函达，仰祈付之报端，或能赐函以告，更为感激也。按敝亲系女性，年已37岁，尚属处女，十年前右乳上寸许生一核状物。皮色不红，按之活动，初以为痰核，服药与丹方均无效果，二三年后渐大，惟仍活动，按之微痛。如操劳较重，即觉肝下胁痛，迨至今日，已十一年，尚无异象，不过时有乏力、面黄而已，至本年四五月较甚，经来黄淡。夏季患痢泻旋愈，至七月又操劳过度，觉腰下腿部至足胫筋挛酸麻，尚可步履勉力支持，迨至申造黄鸿舫针治数次，毫无松动，服药亦不效。针两次后反觉终日终夜酸麻肉跳，不能安眠，痛时淫汗不止，恐不克久持，送返乡下，迄有一月馀矣。再有针过十次，服过大活络丹六粒。汤药亦用归身、潞党、黄芪，均归无效，间有好过一天不酸不麻，然夜间又脚凹起胀而渐麻而酸矣，情状可惨。
初起摸之觉松，后来抚摸觉木，故亦不按，然而大腿尻骨以下较不波及，今已移至小腹及脚部，舌苔白腻而糙，未知究属何症，更乞拟方试服为感。杭州陆清洁先生之地址，乞亟指明乃感，并希示明就何医为最妥，事在燃眉。乞即赐示为至感也。此致即颂道安。
祝××复函：此病属于肝，不属于风，乳为肝之部，诸筋皆属于肝，肝为刚脏，在志为怒，投以风药，犹之抱薪救火，非徒无益也。风者善行而数变，安有病风十有一载，未见绝大变动，女子善怀，病肝居多，此症宜请内科诊治，当从解郁舒肝入手，如逍遥散加川贝母、郁金、广陈皮之属。
又函：敬答祝××君。
十年夙恙，积因甚多，块垒从乳至腰，计五六处，筋跳肢麻，二便皆闭，病由肝郁，疗治极难。今以十年之积恙，凭片时之口述，三剂汤药，悉与消除，期望未免太殷矣。女子善怀多郁，确是此病病源。倘服舒郁宣气之药，而病者情志不怡，日增烦恼，犹之马路既已拥塞，复以大量之车辆，努力向此路进发，欲求其通，何可得也。更方遵命照门诊例。惟第一须病者自寻快活，倘迫于环境，不能自乐，日坐愁城中，则服药定然无效，不必劳驾枉顾也，鄙人心热如火，分痛有心，分身乏术，窃意贵地同道，不少高明之士，望以鄙意转述，倘能采及刍荛，撰方从肝郁着手，不啻鄙人亲诊矣。
三十、李××函：士谔医师台鉴：接奉诊例，欣悉悬壶海上，盛名彰著，鄙人多年肝伤，迄未治愈，一因公务忙碌，未能静养；二因药不对症，服而无效，以致迁延日久，幸鄙人，心胸豁达，故病未加重，动作照常。兹将病原病状，另纸录奉，祈作参考，惟肝病之症颇为顽固，尚乞费心酌拟药方。专恳敬颂台安。李××上附病情：病原：本人现年40岁，江苏武进人，体格壮实，于20岁时由苏州北上，旅居故都，因受家庭口角之气，彼时年轻，心胸不宽，愤闷郁结。以致肝气上冲，升入左胁上部，络管破裂，吐血一口，幸蒙姑丈赠以上等厚朴二钱，分二次服用，逆气平愈。旋于23岁时，因入学无力，在津谋得小事，不免受人轻侮，郁郁心中，日久旧病复发，逆气上冲，吐血约六七口即止，惟瘀血虽然吐出，而逆气不降，仍然上胀，虽迭服平肝舒气如厚朴、郁金等药，终不见降，后因本人少年误犯手淫，时患遗精，医者以为肾亏肝旺，迭复补亏平肝，如熟地、白芍等，亦不见效。(此症迄已十多年，时轻时重，胀而不痛，是肝伤太重，非经长期静养，不能下降。)再前二次吐血，血系紫色瘀血，吐后本人仍照常动作，并不卧床，惟心中略有疑虑耳。
现在病状：肝气上冲，升入左胁上部，胀闷为苦，口中津液凝结。大便不燥，每日一次。小便清淡频数。大有上热下寒之势，夜眠有时手心发热，类似微蒸。手指甲在秋燥时有时脆裂(是否血燥)，两足趾有时发隐痛(是否血虚)，两腿皮肤上有时发现大块红斑，时隐时现(是否血气不畅)，两足久立无力，如日间动作过度，夜必遗精，所幸饮食、安眠、动作一如常人，故可求治耳。两脉无力而迟，舌苔略紫。
补述：肝病气冲，系23岁所得；肾亏系三十七八岁觉得；口中津液凝结，系最近一二年所得。
此症以肝气逆冲最苦，口中津液凝结则次之，至肾亏一症，缘本人已一年以上保养，遗精已愈，嗣后格外小心，或可渐愈。故只将逆气下降，口中津液使润，则病去大半矣。敬祈拟方赐治，俾去病根，感恩无尽。
复函：李××君：肝为藏血之脏，怒则伤肝，肝伤则气滞血溢，气滞则胀满，血溢则吐血，此病原也，厚朴虽消胀，性偏刚燥，肝为刚脏，在志为怒，两刚相合，颇非所宜，气冲左胁上部，气伤已兼及乎络，口中津液凝结，显然络气被阻，升降已失常度，法当柔肝舒络，看似平淡，久服可许全愈，若急欲见功，难免流弊矣。余立拟方快邮递去，嘱连服一个月，当见效验，处方如下：旋覆花三钱青陈皮各一钱川广郁金各二钱猩绛纱钱半麸炒枳壳八分代赭石四钱连须葱白三根生香附二钱宋半夏三钱加枇杷叶(去毛，包)二钱竹二青三钱李君又函：士谔大夫台鉴：前接寄下治肝病药方，当即照服十帖，胸胀已轻，惟口中津液仍然凝结亏短，查方单内嘱连服一个月，鄙人系将每帖药分二日服用，第一日服头煎，第二日服二煎，如是连服一个月，未知相同否?又方单内有宋制半夏一味，鄙人现兼有肾亏滑精症(小便后每有薄精带出)，脉沉细，口中津液亏竭，未知相宜否?可否易以生津之药，兹将原方照抄附上，并附回信邮资，祈费神酌拟示复，以便安心服用，迄服用满一个月后，如何情形，再行奉告，敬求医治为荷。此请台安。
李××上余回函告以宋制半夏性极平和，与肾亏绝无关碍，一剂药须一日服完，不能分两日。
三十一、赵××君函：余对于《素问，热论》、仲景《伤寒论》、及温热诸家之学说，未免有所怀疑，祈请函复。
复函：《素问，热论》皆伤寒之类，黄帝所问，岐伯所对，列举六经证据。都是统论外感。仲景《伤寒论》分经论治，分出伤寒、中风、温病、喝病、湿病五种病证。岐伯粗论大体，仲景细辨其各证也，学问之道，其始也简，其继也繁，各种学问都是如是，吾医学当亦不能逃此公例，尊问《素问》传经之病，究为热病，抑或伤寒，实缘未悉岐伯是统论外感之故。
温热诸家不外补充仲景之学说，并不是在仲景之外别树一帜，别立一说，拙著《医学南针》(世界书局出版)、《国医新话》(校经山房出版)早已详论其所以，其学说绝不抵触，总之吾人为学倘能注重证据，见某证知病在何经，某证知病在何腑，则一切高远之理论，无谓之争执，皆可扫去，而论症必以证据为依归，则古今学说，皆可一以贯之矣。
三十二、黄××君函：士谔先生惠鉴：久耳鸿名，恨未瞻韩，敬佩之深，难宣尺素，屡见先生在《新闻报，国医专刊》答复病家质疑，既详且尽，益叹先生之仁心仁术矣。求之世风浇漓，惟个人福利是图之今日，实属罕有。敬有恳者，鄙人患有多年未愈之脑漏痼疾，谨以十二万分诚意，敬求先生费数分钟之宝贵光阴，指示灵验之方。附奉病况经过，藉供参考，想先生慈善为怀，当能不弃也，千里仰教，情出至真，啣草含环，终当图报，临楮不胜拜祷之至。专叩暑安。翘企福音，望切云霓。黄鸣皋拜启病名：中医谓鼻渊，又名脑漏。西医谓慢性鼻膜炎。此病之由来，十年前，每届夏季，两颊红肿，服药数方，旋告全愈。惟口鼻间发生一种臭味，因经济困难，复不知此病之重要，因循自误，至八年之久，未尝延医诊治，此有碍身体健康及社会交际，生平引为憾事。
诊治经过：1、天虚我生主编之《家庭医药常识》载有脑漏药方，系用“斑螯”一枚以薄棉裹之，塞鼻孔立止，曾依法塞鼻数次，依然未止。
2、又承此间名医指用广霍香连枝叶一两加鸡肝捣丸，连服三剂，亦未见止。
3、中法药房之脑漏立止药，亦曾购服数瓶，又未见效。此前后两年之经过。目前病况，精神萎靡不振，办事略久，即觉头晕目眩，不时有黄色水自脑中下，香臭不闻。
现用硼酸水洗涤鼻部，已有两月，亦无效。
复函：贵恙受病之原，由于脑户受风，此症本非易治，所列药品，或补阴，或益脑，或清热，或化湿，皆是好方，皆是良法，就可惜未曾中病，此症主要疗治，当从风邪着手，敬赠小方，望请照服。
细辛一钱羌活二钱薄荷一钱苍耳子三钱清水煎透，去滓，饭后服。三十三、黄××君函：敝人向有遗精之患，不过每月只有三四次而已，因恃着贱躯健强，就没有理会它，那知在两个多月前的早晨遗过一次后，忽觉小腹隐痛，同时睾丸也随之病了起来，并且大作寒热，家父当着敝人是小肠气，就请一位内科孙某诊治，诊后也断为疝气，就开了一张药方，服了一帖药，仍是罔效。不过把寒热除掉，睾丸疼痛依然。最后的第四次，孙内科看敝人没有退动，就对家父说，这样病恐怕已变成囊痈，顶好请一位外科看看，于是家父又请了位外科刘某，看过后据说确是囊痈，并且是双囊痈，便在鄙人睾丸上每边针了一下，贴上两张膏药，又开了一张什么败毒去湿的方子，第一天没有见得大效，第二天又给刘某针了一下，换了两张膏药后，当夜便渐渐的止痛了，消肿了，第三天又针了一次，又换了两张膏药，就一点不痛的恢复原状了。谁料止痛的后二日，鄙人小便忽现白色，好象豆腐浆一般，当时很惊奇的把白尿告知刘外科，他道这是药性把湿毒驱逐得无从容身，便由小便中出来。过了十几天，小便仍是白色，方才疑心道，怎么湿毒这样多，十几天都去不尽，于是复将情形去问孙内科，他说这恐怕是糖尿病，第威德补肾丸是清尿毒的，买些服服看，敝人现已服了两瓶，仍无效验。
28. Letter from Mr. Huang XX: To the esteemed Grand Physician Shi E: Respectfully stated, I have long admired your profound expertise in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), your ability to restore health upon touching, your saving of people from suffering, raising the critically ill from millions, treating rare and difficult diseases, and spreading grace far and wide. With my frail and sickly body, having heard your great name, I had long intended to take a ship to visit you for treatment. However, entangled by official duties, I have had no time to seek medical care. Since I read in the newspaper that you accept letters for case analysis, I hereby meticulously record my condition's history and the prescriptions (pastes and pills) from previous physicians for your consideration. Please kindly review and prescribe via mail. My early life involved overwork, leading to dual deficiency of the Kidney and Spleen. Symptoms included palpitations, insomnia, nocturnal emission, and tinnitus. In May of the 23rd year [of the Republic], I fell ill and could not recover. The famous doctors in Jiujiang mostly prescribed Guipi Tang (Spleen-Restoring Decoction) and Tianwang Buxin Dan (Heavenly Emperor Heart-Nourishing Pill). I consumed much American Ginseng, Dendrobium nobile stem, and Ginseng Paste. After months of recuperation, taking physician-prescribed pastes and Shennao Zaizao Wan (Kidney-Brain Regeneration Pill), I felt slightly more energetic and could sleep 5-6 hours. However, I experienced night sweats after falling asleep and always felt dazed. Subsequently, other doctors suggested eating yellow eggs and fish maw. After consumption, my appetite decreased sharply, and my mouth lost taste. Currently, I eat only one bowl of rice per meal. My heart is often depressed; I feel aversion to cold in the back and hypochondrium. At dawn, I experience abdominal pain opposite the umbilicus, which temporarily stops upon pressure. My mind is restless, muscles twitch and palpitate, hands and feet are not warm, I startle awake in dreams, feel dizzy, cannot look at things for long, nor speak much. Occasionally I have headaches; some say it is due to Liver Excess. I am currently only thirty years old. Medications taken, such as Ginseng and Aconite or Psoralea corylifolia fruit, removed the aversion to cold but brought night sweats; medications like Oyster shell, Dragon bone, and Peony root stopped night sweats but worsened energy levels. I still lack Qi and have weak limbs. Everyone says it is Kidney Yang Deficiency. If medicine leans towards Yang, night sweats occur and Heart Fire rushes up; if it leans towards Yin, appetite decreases and spirit fades. I respectfully mail the consultation fee and attach all original prescriptions, praying for your excellent prescription today. This letter concludes with wishes for your peace.
Reply from Huang XX: Human Yin and Yang must not be biased; bias leads to disease. What is called Yin is essentially fluids, and what is called Yang is essentially Qi. They have distinct boundaries and cannot be discussed generally. In short, all tonics cannot immediately become Qi and Blood upon entering the stomach; they must rely on Stomach power to circulate through the meridians and vessels. Therefore, the prerequisite for tonics is that they do not hinder Stomach transportation. The proposed prescription is as follows; please try it.
Prepared Pinelliae Rhizoma Preparatum 3 qian, Qingpi and Chenpi each 8 fen, Jilin Ginseng Radicula 2 qian, large white Paeoniae Radix Alba 3 qian, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma 1 qian, white Poria 2 qian, honey-fried Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma 4 fen, Polygoni Multiflori Caulis 3 qian, raw Setariae Fructus Germinatus 3 qian. [This is a method to harmonize the middle and open the stomach.]
29. Letter from Mr. Zhu XX: To the esteemed Mr. Shi E: I have loved reading "Zuan Bao" for five years, and I admire the "Medical Forest" column even more, feeling almost that one day without this gentleman's commentary is unbearable. I revere you as the sage among physicians. Thus, whenever someone has a deep-seated illness, I recommend them to you, hoping for a miraculous recovery. Ninety percent of those I recommend recover, and I am proud that the medical field gains luster because of you. Reading your answers to various correspondence cases is extraordinary and further elevates my admiration. Now, my relative suffers from a puzzling illness where acupuncture and herbs show no reduction, leaving us helpless. Being far away in another region, unable to visit, adds to my regret. Hence this letter, hoping you might publish the answer in the newspaper or reply directly, which would be greatly appreciated. My relative is female, 37 years old, and still a virgin. Ten years ago, a nodular mass appeared about an inch above her right breast. The skin color was not red, and it was movable when pressed. Initially thought to be a Phlegm nodule, neither herbal medicine nor alchemical formulas were effective. After two or three years, it gradually enlarged but remained movable and slightly painful when pressed. If she works too hard, she feels pain under the liver in the hypochondrium. Until today, eleven years have passed, with no other symptoms except occasional fatigue and sallow complexion. In April and May of this year, it became worse, and menstruation was pale yellow. She suffered from dysentery and diarrhea in summer, recovering quickly. In July, due to overwork, she felt muscle cramps, soreness, and numbness from the lower waist to the calves. She could barely walk. After several treatments by acupuncturist Huang Hongfang, there was no relief, and herbs were ineffective. After two acupuncture sessions, she felt soreness, numbness, and muscle jumping day and night, unable to sleep. During pain, she sweated profusely. Fearful she couldn't endure much longer, she was sent back to her hometown, where she has been for over a month. She received ten more acupuncture sessions and took six Da Huoluo Dan (Great Meridian-Unblocking Pills). Herbal decoctions used Angelica sinensis root body, Codonopsis pilosula from Lu region, and Astragali Radix, all ineffective. Occasionally she had one day without soreness or numbness, but at night, her ankles swelled and gradually became numb and sore. The situation is miserable.
Initially, it felt loose when touched, later it felt numb, so we stopped pressing it. However, it did not affect below the thigh and sacrum. Now it has moved to the lower abdomen and feet. The tongue coating is white, greasy, and rough. I do not know what disease this is and beg you to prescribe a trial medication. Please urgently indicate the address of Mr. Lu Qingjie in Hangzhou, and advise which doctor is most suitable, as the matter is urgent. I would be extremely grateful for your reply. Wishing you peace.
Reply from Zhu XX: This disease belongs to the Liver, not Wind. The breast is the domain of the Liver, and all tendons belong to the Liver. The Liver is a rigid organ, associated with anger. Administering wind-dispelling drugs is like carrying firewood to put out a fire; it is not only useless but harmful. Wind moves swiftly and changes frequently; how can there be a wind disease for eleven years without major changes? Women are prone to emotional issues, and Liver diseases are common. This case should be treated by internal medicine, starting with soothing the Liver and resolving depression, such as Xiaoyao San (Free and Easy Wanderer Powder) added with Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus, Curcumae Radix, and Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium.
Another letter: Respectfully replying to Mr. Zhu XX.
A decade-long chronic ailment, with many accumulated causes. Lumps extend from the breast to the waist, totaling five or six places. Muscle jumping and limb numbness, with both urination and defecation blocked. The disease stems from Liver Depression, making treatment extremely difficult. Expecting a few doses of decoction to eliminate a decade-long accumulation based on a brief oral description is overly ambitious. Women are indeed prone to depression, which is the source of this disease. If administering medicines to soothe depression and promote Qi circulation, while the patient remains emotionally distressed and increasingly troubled daily, it is like traffic congestion where more vehicles try to enter; achieving flow is impossible. Following orders, I will draft a prescription according to outpatient standards. However, first, the patient must find happiness herself. If forced by circumstances and unable to enjoy life, sitting in a city of sorrow daily, then medication will definitely be ineffective, and there is no need for you to trouble yourself. My heart is hot as fire, willing to share pain, but lacking the means to divide myself. I believe there are many skilled colleagues in your area. I hope you convey my thoughts. If my humble advice is adopted and the prescription addresses Liver Depression, it is equivalent to my personal diagnosis.
30. Letter from Mr. Li XX: To the esteemed Physician Shi E: Having received your consultation examples, I am delighted to hear of your renowned practice in Shanghai. I have suffered from Liver Injury for many years without cure, partly due to busy official duties preventing rest, and partly because the medicine did not match the syndrome, rendering it ineffective, thus prolonging the illness. Fortunately, my broad-mindedness prevented the disease from worsening, and my movements remain normal. I have recorded the cause and symptoms on separate paper for your reference. Liver diseases are quite stubborn; I request you to carefully prescribe a formula. Respectfully wishing you peace. Li XX attached condition details: Cause: I am currently 40 years old, from Wujin, Jiangsu, with a strong physique. At age 20, I traveled north from Suzhou to live in the former capital. Due to family arguments, being young and narrow-minded, I became resentful and depressed. This caused Liver Qi to rush upward into the upper left hypochondrium, rupturing collateral vessels, resulting in one mouthful of hematemesis. Fortunately, my uncle gave me high-quality Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex 2 qian, taken in two doses, calming the rebellious Qi. Later, at age 23, due to inability to afford school fees and getting a minor job in Tianjin, I faced humiliation. Depressed internally, the old disease relapsed after a long time. Rebellious Qi rushed up again, causing about six or seven mouthfuls of hematemesis before stopping. Although stasis blood was vomited, the rebellious Qi did not descend, remaining bloated. Despite repeatedly taking herbs to calm the Liver and soothe Qi like Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex and Curcumae Radix, the Qi did not descend. Later, due to masturbation in my youth, I suffered frequent nocturnal emissions. Physicians diagnosed Kidney Deficiency with Liver Excess and repeatedly prescribed tonics and Liver-calming herbs like Rehmanniae Radix Preparata and Paeoniae Radix Alba, also without effect. (This condition has lasted over ten years, fluctuating in severity, bloating without pain. It indicates severe Liver Injury; without long-term rest, the Qi cannot descend.) The previous two episodes of hematemesis involved purple stasis blood. After vomiting, I continued normal activities without bed rest, though I had some doubts.
Current Symptoms: Liver Qi rebels upward into the upper left hypochondrium, causing bloating and distress. Saliva in the mouth coagulates. Stool is not dry, once daily. Urine is clear and frequent. There is a trend of Upper Heat and Lower Cold. Sometimes palms feel hot at night, resembling slight steaming. Finger nails sometimes crack brittlely in autumn dryness (whether due to Blood Dryness?). Instinctive pain in toes (whether due to Blood Deficiency?). Large red spots appear and disappear on leg skin (whether due to poor Qi and Blood circulation?). Legs feel weak after standing for long periods. If daytime activity is excessive, nocturnal emission occurs at night. Fortunately, diet, sleep, and movement are normal, so I seek treatment. Both pulses are weak and slow; tongue coating is slightly purple.
Supplement: Liver Qi rebellion was acquired at age 23; Kidney Deficiency was felt at age 37-38; saliva coagulation occurred in the last one or two years.
This case is most distressing due to rebellious Liver Qi, followed by saliva coagulation. Regarding Kidney Deficiency, since I have maintained health for over a year and nocturnal emissions have ceased, being extra careful may lead to gradual recovery. Thus, focusing on descending rebellious Qi and moistening saliva will remove most of the disease. I respectfully request a prescription to eradicate the root cause, endless gratitude.
Reply to Mr. Li XX: The Liver is the organ that stores Blood. Anger injures the Liver; Liver injury causes Qi stagnation and Blood extravasation. Qi stagnation leads to bloating; Blood extravasation leads to hematemesis. This is the cause. Although Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex reduces bloating, its nature is rigid and drying. The Liver is a rigid organ associated with anger. Two rigids combined is not suitable. Qi rebelling to the upper left hypochondrium indicates Qi injury involving collaterals. Coagulated saliva clearly indicates collateral Qi obstruction, and ascending/descending functions are abnormal. The method should be to soften the Liver and unblock collaterals. It may seem plain, but long-term use promises full recovery. Impatience for quick results may lead to adverse effects. I have mailed the prescription quickly, advising continuous use for one month, expecting efficacy. Prescription: Inulae Flos 3 qian, Qingpi and Chenpi each 1 qian, Chuan Xiang and Guang Yu Jin each 2 qian, Xingjiang Sha 1.5 qian, Bran-fried Aurantii Fructus Immaturus 8 fen, Haematitum 4 qian, Allii Fistulosi Bulbus with roots 3 stalks, raw Cyperi Rhizoma 2 qian, Prepared Pinelliae Rhizoma 3 qian, add Eriobotryae Folium (de-haired, wrapped) 2 qian, Zhu Er Qing 3 qian.
Mr. Li's subsequent letter: To the esteemed Doctor Shi E: Upon receiving the Liver disease prescription, I took ten doses immediately. Chest bloating has lightened, but saliva in the mouth remains coagulated and insufficient. The prescription instructed continuous use for one month. I divided each dose over two days: first decoction on day one, second decoction on day two. Is this correct for a month? Also, the prescription contains Prepared Pinelliae Rhizoma. I currently have Kidney Deficiency with involuntary seminal emission (thin semen discharged after urination), pulse is deep and fine, and mouth saliva is depleted. Is this compatible? Can it be replaced with a fluid-generating herb? I have copied the original prescription and attached return postage. Please consider and reply so I can take it with peace of mind. I will report the situation after one month. Respectfully requesting treatment. Wishing you peace.
Li XX's reply informed him that Prepared Pinelliae Rhizoma is very mild and has absolutely no relation to Kidney Deficiency. One dose must be taken in one day, not divided over two days.
31. Letter from Mr. Zhao XX: I have some doubts regarding the theories of Suwen: Treatise on Heat Disorders, Zhang Zhongjing's Shanghan Lun (Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases), and various Warm Disease schools. I request a written reply.
Reply: Suwen: Treatise on Heat Disorders belongs to the category of Cold Damage. The questions asked by the Yellow Emperor and answered by Qibo list evidence from the Six Meridians. It uniformly discusses external contractions. Zhang Zhongjing's Shanghan Lun treats by meridian differentiation, distinguishing five syndromes: Cold Damage, Wind-stroke (Cold damage with deficiency syndrome), Warm diseases, Heat exhaustion, and Dampness diseases. Qibo discussed the general outline roughly, while Zhang Zhongjing differentiated specific syndromes in detail. The path of learning starts simple and becomes complex; all fields follow this rule. Our medicine cannot escape this principle. Your question whether the transmitted diseases in Suwen are Heat diseases or Cold Damage actually stems from not realizing that Qibo uniformly discusses external contractions.
The Warm Disease schools merely supplement Zhang Zhongjing's theories; they do not establish new branches outside his work. My books Medical Compass (published by World Book Company) and New Talks on National Medicine (published by Jiaojing Shanfang) have already detailed this. Their theories do not contradict. In short, if we focus on evidence in our studies, knowing which meridian a syndrome belongs to and which fu-organ it affects, all lofty theories and meaningless disputes can be swept away. By basing syndrome differentiation on evidence, ancient and modern theories can be integrated consistently.
32. Letter from Mr. Huang XX: To the esteemed Mr. Shi E: I have long heard your great name and regret not having seen you. My admiration is deep and hard to express in writing. Seeing your detailed responses to patients' doubts in the "News Daily · National Medicine Special Section" makes me sigh at your benevolent heart and skill. In today's world where people only seek personal welfare, this is rare. I respectfully request your help for my chronic Brain Leakage (Chronic Nasal Discharge/Brain Leakage) that has not healed for years. With utmost sincerity, I ask you to spend a few minutes of your precious time to indicate an effective prescription. Attached is my condition history for reference. I trust your charitable heart will not reject me. Seeking teaching from afar, my feelings are true. I will repay you eventually. I bow in prayer. Hoping for good news, longing as clouds rain. Huang Minggao bows. Disease Name: TCM calls it Bi Yuan (Nasal Sinusitis), also known as Brain Leakage. Western medicine calls it Chronic Rhinitis. The origin of this disease: Ten years ago, every summer, my cheeks became red and swollen. After taking several prescriptions, it healed completely. However, a bad odor developed between the mouth and nose. Due to financial difficulties and ignorance of the disease's importance, I delayed seeking medical help for eight years, harming my health and social interactions, a lifelong regret.
Treatment History: 1. "Family Medical Common Sense," edited by Tianxu Woosheng, contained a prescription for Brain Leakage using one Mylabris wrapped in thin cotton, inserted into the nostril to stop discharge immediately. I tried this several times, but it did not stop. 2. A famous local doctor advised using Patchouli Herb with leaves and branches (1 liang) mixed with chicken liver to make pills. Taking three doses showed no effect. 3. I also bought several bottles of "Brain Leakage Immediate Stop" medicine from a Chinese-French pharmacy, with no effect. This covers the past two years. Current Condition: Mental lethargy. Feeling dizzy and vertigo after working for a short time. Yellow fluid occasionally flows down from the brain. Loss of smell and taste. Using boric acid water to wash the nose for two months has been ineffective.
Reply: The cause of your ailment is Wind invading the brain gate. This disease is not easy to treat. The listed medicines either tonify Yin, benefit the brain, clear heat, or resolve dampness. They are all good prescriptions and methods, but unfortunately, they did not hit the target. The main treatment for this case should address the Wind pathogen. I respectfully gift a small prescription; please take it as directed. Asari Radix et Rhizoma 1 qian, Notopterygii Rhizomatis et Radix 2 qian, Menthae Haplocalycis Herba 1 qian, Xanthii Fructus 3 qian. Decoct in clear water thoroughly, remove dregs, take after meals.
33. Letter from Mr. Huang XX: I have always suffered from nocturnal emissions, only three or four times a month. Relying on my strong body, I ignored it. Who knew that after one emission two months ago in the morning, I suddenly felt dull pain in the lower abdomen, and my testicles became diseased simultaneously, accompanied by severe chills and fever. My father thought it was Hernia (Intestinal Qi disorder) and asked an internal medicine doctor named Sun. Dr. Sun also diagnosed Hernia and prescribed a formula. Taking one dose was ineffective. Although chills and fever subsided, testicular pain persisted. On the fourth visit, seeing no improvement, Dr. Sun told my father that the disease might have turned into Scrotal Abscess and recommended a surgeon. My father then consulted Surgeon Liu. After examination, he confirmed Scrotal Abscess, specifically bilateral. He punctured each testicle with a needle, applied two plasters, and prescribed a detoxifying and damp-resolving formula. No significant effect on the first day. On the second day, Surgeon Liu punctured again, changed plasters, and that night the pain gradually subsided, and swelling went down. On the third day, another puncture and plaster change resulted in complete pain-free recovery. Unexpectedly, two days after pain relief, my urine suddenly turned white, like tofu milk. Surprised, I told Surgeon Liu. He said this was the medicinal property driving out damp-toxin without room to stay, so it exited via urine. After ten-plus days, urine remained white. I wondered why there was so much damp-toxin that couldn't be cleared in ten days. I asked Dr. Sun again. He said it might be Diabetes Mellitus and suggested Diweide Kidney-Tonifying Pill clears urinary toxins. I bought and took two bottles, but still no effect.