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One liang of Jiangxi white fermented soybeans (Jiangxi Baidouchi), and one qian of white arsenic (Baipi), are both ground into powder. Use three qian of cooked rice, mash it thoroughly, mix in the powder to form pills the size of radish seeds (Laifuzi). Take seven pills each time, and swallow them with plain boiled water. For young boys, this can eradicate the root cause; for older individuals who suffer attacks triggered by cold, taking this can prevent asthma (Xiao) from recurring.

Ma said: This prescription is extremely effective for treating cold asthma (Leng Xiao), but it should not be taken in large quantities.

Take one jin of fresh ginger, crush and extract approximately one bowl of juice. Add five qian each of Guang Jiao (Gelatine), powdered Rhizoma Chuanxiong (Ruxiang), and powdered Myrrh (Moyao). Simmer together until the gelatin melts. Remove from heat, spread the mixture into three or four large plasters, and apply them to the area of epigastric pain. Bind tightly with silk cloth for three shichen (six hours), then remove. Take two pairs of shoes worn by a one-year-old infant, heat them thoroughly on a stove, and use them to hot-compress the area alternately. Continue compressing until the plaster hardens, then replace with a new plaster, bind again for three shichen, and continue hot-compression until cured. Subsequently, take three jin of Zhi Houpo (Prepared Magnolia Bark), and two jin of sliced fresh ginger with peel. Boil in five sheng of water until thoroughly cooked. Discard the ginger and retain the Houpo. Dry the Houpo over fire. Then add two liang of raw Gancao (Licorice Root) and four liang of Ganjiang (Dried Ginger). Boil according to the previous method, discard the Gancao and retain the Ganjiang. Stir-fry the previously prepared Houpo together with the Ganjiang until dry. Grind everything into a fine powder. Separately, take one jin of black date heads (Heizaotou), cook them with two liang of fresh ginger until soft. Remove the skin and pits of the dates, mash them thoroughly, and mix with the powder to form pills. Sun-dry the pills. Take three qian each morning and evening, swallowed with plain boiled water. After finishing the course, the condition will not recur.

Stir-fry Chenpi (Aged Tangerine Peel) with soil until it turns yellow, fragrant, and crisp. Grind into powder. Take three qian each time, decoct in water and drink. The effect is miraculous.

Stir-fry Huajiaozhong (Sichuan Pepper Seeds) until scorched, grind into powder, mix with brown sugar (Huangtang). Take three qian each time, swallowed with plain boiled water. Continue until cured.

Take two qian each of stir-fried Cangzhu (Atractylodes Rhizome) and Cheqianzi (Plantago Seed), and roast them. Decoct with one qian each of Zhaca Tan (Charred Hawthorn Fruit), Houpo (Magnolia Bark), and Tu Chao Chenpi (Soil-stir-fried Aged Tangerine Peel). The cure will be immediate. Reduce the dosage by half for children.

This syndrome is due to Qi obstruction (Qi Bi), not a confusion between urination and defecation. Physicians often use herbs such as Zexie (Alisma Rhizome), Mutong (Akebia Caulis), Cheqian (Plantago Herb), and Zhuling (Polyporus), but they yield no effect. When I encounter this syndrome, I use Yishen Danggui (Angelica Sinensis Root Body) one liang, Chuanxiong five qian, Chaihu (Bupleurum Root) and Shengma (Cimicifuga Rhizome) two and a half qian each. Decoct in two bowls of water until reduced to eight-tenths volume. One dose results in immediate relief. I have saved many people with this; for pregnant women or the elderly, add one qian of Renshen (Ginseng Root).
Ma said: The prescription is extremely appropriate.