Library

A prescription for treating cholerae with vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal distension and fullness, indigestion, and heart and abdominal pain.
Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix), Gan Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma), Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) [each 3 liang].
The above four herbs are coarsely powdered. Boil in 8 sheng of water to obtain 3 sheng. Divide into three doses. If not cured, take all three doses at once. For preventing cholerae during long journeys, prepare as pills the size of wu zi (seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica). Take 30 pills per dose. If prepared as powder, take one fang cun bi (a square-inch measure) per dose. Taking with wine is also acceptable. If muscle cramps occur, add Shi Gao (Gypsum Fibrosum) 3 liang. (Zhang Zhongjing stated: If there is a pulsating sensation above the umbilicus, it indicates Kidney Qi moving; remove Bai Zhu and add Gui Xin (Cinnamomi Ramulus) 4 liang. If vomiting is predominant, remove Bai Zhu and add Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) 3 liang. If diarrhea is predominant, reuse Bai Zhu. If palpitations occur, add Fu Ling (Poria) 3 liang. If thirsty and desiring water, increase the total amount of Bai Zhu to 4.5 liang. If abdominal pain occurs, increase the total amount of Ren Shen to 4.5 liang. If feeling cold, increase the total amount of Gan Jiang to 4.5 liang. If abdominal fullness occurs, remove Bai Zhu and add Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) one piece. After taking the decoction, wait for the duration of one meal, then drink one sheng of hot porridge to maintain slight warmth; do not uncover clothes or blankets.)

For cases where vomiting and diarrhea have ceased but body pain persists, one should adjust according to circumstances to harmonize and resolve the exterior; use this decoction to gently harmonize (see Volume 11).

A prescription for treating excessive cold, cold extremities, and a fine pulse nearly imperceptible.
Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) [5 liang], Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Shao Yao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Xi Xin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma), Gui Xin (Cinnamomi Ramulus) [each 3 liang], Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Tong Cao (Tetrapanacis Medulla) [each 2 liang], Wu Zhu Yu (Evodiae Fructus) [2 sheng].
The above nine herbs are coarsely powdered. Boil together in 6 sheng of water and 6 sheng of wine to obtain 5 sheng. Divide into five doses. Old prescriptions used 30 dates (Da Zao); however, since patients with cholerae often suffer from epigastric fullness/stagnation, dates are removed. If replacing dates, adding Ge Gen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix) 2 liang is better. For cholerae, add Ban Xia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) 1 he and a small Fu Zi one piece to Si Ni Tang (Four Counterflow Decoction). If aversion to cold is severe, administer a large Fu Zi.

A prescription for treating vomiting and diarrhea accompanied by sweating, free urination, or passage of undigested food in stool, interior cold with exterior heat, a faint pulse nearly imperceptible, fever with aversion to cold, limb stiffness and spasms, and cold extremities.
Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) [1 liang], Gan Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma) [1.5 liang], Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) [one piece].
The above three herbs are coarsely powdered. Boil in 3 sheng of water to obtain 1.2 sheng. Take warm, divided into two doses. For robust individuals, one may administer a large Fu Zi one piece and increase Gan Jiang to 3 liang. (Guang Ji Fang states: If after vomiting there is shortness of breath with shallow inhalation, or if abdominal fullness follows diarrhea, add Ren Shen 1 liang.)