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The *Ping Ren Qi Xiang Lun* (Treatise on the Pulse of a Healthy Person) states: "When the chi pulse is slow and choppy, it is called Jie Jie (exhaustion/looseness)." (The Five Annotations explain: The chi position belongs to the yin aspect, governed by the abdomen and kidneys. A slow pulse indicates internal heat, while a choppy pulse indicates blood deficiency; therefore, Jie Jie occurs.)

The syndrome of Jie Jie manifests as lassitude, fatigue, and weakness. The aversion to cold is not severe, nor is the fever intense. The patient dislikes seeing people and feels palpitations and fear when encountering others. Some patients have more fever and sweating, with limbs and bones feeling loose and weak, unable to support the body. They have shortness of breath and do not wish to speak, looking left and right, standing still (Zhu sounds like 'neng', meaning weary and weak), unable to describe their condition in words, hence it is called Jie Jie. The syndrome of Zhu Xia (summer fatigue/lethargy) is likely similar, also belonging to deficiency patterns. Treatment uses Da Sheng Mai Tang (Great Life Pulse Decoction), which is sufficient to cure it; add Mu Gua (Chaenomeles Fruit) and Yi Yi Ren (Coix Seed).

The *Records of the Grand Historian* (*Shi Ji*) records: Duke Jian of Zhao fell ill and was unconscious for five days, causing the ministers great fear. Bian Que was summoned. After entering to examine the illness, Bian Que came out, and Dong Anyu asked him about it. Bian Que said, "The blood vessels are normal; why be surprised? In the past, Duke Mu of Qin experienced this as well, and woke up after seven days." On the day he woke, Duke Mu told Gongsun Zhi at Zi Yu, "I was very happy in the realm of the Emperor (Heavenly Lord). The reason I stayed long was that I was learning something. The Emperor told me that Jin would fall into great chaos, remaining unstable for five generations, after which it would become a hegemon. However, I will die before growing old. The son of the hegemon will cause men and women in the state to lose their distinction." Gongsun Zhi wrote this down and stored it in the Qin archives. Later, the chaos of Duke Xian, the hegemony of Duke Wen, and Duke Xiang's defeat of the Qin army at Xiao followed by his licentiousness indeed occurred. This is what I heard. Now, the Lord's illness is the same as mine; within three days he will surely recover, and upon recovery, he will speak." Two and a half days later, Duke Jian woke up and told the ministers, "I was very happy in the Emperor's realm, roaming with a hundred spirits in Jun Tian Guang Yue (Grand Heaven and Broad Music). The nine movements and ten thousand dances were unlike the music of the Three Dynasties; its sound moved my heart. There was a bear that could be drawn; the Emperor commanded me to shoot it. I hit the bear, and it died. A bear-like creature (Pi) came, and I shot it again, hitting the Pi, which died. The Emperor was very pleased. He bestowed two baskets on me, each with a pair. I saw my son beside the Emperor. The Emperor entrusted a Di dog to me, saying, 'When your son grows up, bestow it upon him.' The Emperor told me that Jin would decline generation after generation, perishing in seven generations. The Ying clan would suffer great defeat, and the Zhou people would fail to possess Fan Kui to the west." Dong Anyu received these words, recorded them, and hid them. Upon telling Duke Jian what Bian Que had said, Duke Jian bestowed forty thousand mu of land on Bian Que.

Xia Ziyi's *Qi Ji Fang* (Formulas for Strange Diseases) states: When a person feels their body has split into two, lying side by side, identical with no difference, yet neither speaks. Generally, when a person sleeps, the Hun (Ethereal Soul) returns to the Liver. This occurs due to Liver deficiency and evil invasion, where the Hun does not return to its residence. The disease is named Li Hun (Separate Soul). Use Ren Shen (Ginseng Root), Long Chi (Dragon Teeth), and Chi Fu Ling (Red Poria) each one qian. Add one cup of water, decoct to half a cup, mix with one qian of Shui Fei Chen Sha (Cinnabar powder washed in water). Take warm at bedtime, once per night. After three doses, the true body will feel refreshed, and the false body will dissipate.

Jin Shaoyou treated the daughter of Xu Taiyi, aged sixteen, betrothed to a prominent family. However, Taiyi was daily impoverished. The daughter, worried, did not eat or sleep, lying long with eyes open. Taiyi had gone to the commandery city to sell silk and had not returned. The daughter lay on the bed, speaking to herself, "If betrothed, the silk price is only four qian eight fen, not reaching five." The attendant asked how she knew. She replied, "I am currently following father into the market." When Taiyi returned, Jin Shaoyou first asked about the silk price; Taiyi's stated number matched exactly. Jin Shaoyou said, "This is Li Hun disease." Using Ren Shen (Ginseng Root), Huang Lian (Coptis Rhizome), Long Chi (Dragon Teeth), and other soul-anchoring medicines, she recovered.

Wang Rixin's *Xiao Er Fang* (Pediatric Formulas) states: There is a child suffering from Jing Feng (Wind Agitation) who cries out loudly and then dies, named Lao Ya Jing (Magpie Startle). Wrap San Ma (Hemp Stem) around the hypochondrium and palms/soles, and explode them with a lamp flame. Use dried Lao Ya Suan Miao (Lycoris Leaf Bulb shoots) and Che Qian Zi (Plantago Seed) ground equally into powder, mixed with water and applied to the palm. Also, quench the soles of feet/hands, shoulders, glabella, and nasal tip with a lit rush pith. The patient will wake.
[Shen Yuan notes] Lao Ya Suan is also known as Shi Suan (Rock Amaryllis) or Yi Zhi Jian (One Arrow).

The *Waitai Miyao* (Essential Prescriptions from the Imperial Library) states: Liu Taicheng was from Piling. A neighbor, Zhu Yu, had only one son, over thirty years old, who suddenly died, with no pulse. Taicheng was invited to treat him. He took a large soybean-sized amount of fine powder of Ban Xia (Pinellia Tuber) from Xuzhou, inserted it into the nose. After a long time, the body became slightly warm, and the patient revived, eventually recovering fully. People asked Taicheng, "How can a single herb formula of Ban Xia revive a dead person?" He answered, "This is the formula of Lady Wei of Mount Nan."
[Shen Yuan notes] This formula rescues the Five Extinctions (Wu Jue). One is suicide by hanging, qi extinction; two is death by collapsing walls, qi extinction; three is drowning, qi extinction; four is death by ghost oppression (sleep paralysis), qi extinction; five is death during childbirth, qi extinction. All can be rescued. In the past, Ge Sheng used this formula to save people. Someone asked Ge Sheng how he obtained this divine art to save lives. Ge Sheng said, "While gathering herbs in the mountains, I met a man in white who asked, 'Are you not Doctor Ge? I am the essence of Ban Xia. When you encounter someone with the Five Extinctions, use me to rescue them, and they will live. Just grind me into fine powder and let the patient inhale it dry, and they will revive.'"

The *Jian Yi Zhi* states: Zhang Zigang, Military Commissioner of Chengzhou, named Rui, was famous for his medical skills and resided at the home of Minister of Justice Murong Yanfeng in Zhengzhou. Murong Yanfeng, serving as Attendant Gentleman, had a mother who fell ill. He summoned Rui from Zhengzhou, but by the time he arrived, she had already died. It was June, and preparations for burial were underway. Rui wanted to enter to examine, but Yanfeng, unwilling to let him in and suspecting he sought money, said, "Travel expenses will be fully compensated; truly no need to enter." Rui said, "In the treatment of Shang Han (Cold Damage), there are cases of revival one day and night after death. Why spare one look?" Reluctantly, Yanfeng allowed him in, weeping bitterly. Rui lifted the face cloth and stared, calling the coroner and saying, "Have you ever seen a summer death with a red complexion?" The coroner said, "No." Rui said, "Then it is anoxia without sweating and cold extremities. Not dead. Fortunately, do not hurry to bury. Quickly fetch medicine. Boil three sheng of water until half remains, and pour it into the patient. Guard her well. By midnight, if there is a massive purge, she will live." Rui stayed in an outer guesthouse. At midnight, the watcher felt a vigorous sound, found urine soaking the mat, and expelled over a dou of foul matter. The family rejoiced, knocking urgently to call Rui. Rui said, "My body is too tired to rise now, nor is it necessary. Medicine can be administered tomorrow." As dawn approached, he went out as if to relieve himself and drove straight back to Zhengzhou. Yanfeng visited his room and found only one packet of Ping Wei San (Peaceful Stomach Powder) left. His mother took it and recovered well in a few days. Because Rui suspected Yanfeng of doubting his motives regarding money, he left without explanation. During the Shaoxing era, he drifted into Shu. Wang Guishu asked him, "Is your skill what the ancients called 'perfect ten' (ten cures out of ten)?" He replied, "Not yet, only about seven or eight out of ten." [Rui continued:] My eldest son was ill. Pulse diagnosis and observation indicated extreme heat. I ordered the decoction of Cheng Qi Tang (Descending Qi Decoction) to be drunk. About to drink, I hesitated, repeatedly, as if someone pulled my elbow. I held the cup waiting. The child suddenly trembled and palpitated. Covering him with cotton quilts four or five times, he stabilized slightly, sweating profusely. The next day, he recovered completely. If my medicine had entered his mouth, he would have died. How could it be considered miraculous? Modern mediocre doctors learn prescriptions but know less than one ten-thousandth, thinking themselves correct. Alas, how tragic!

The *Chuang Yang Jing Yan* (Experienced Treatments for Sores and Ulcers) states: An old woman suffered biting pain in her throat and chest, which stopped upon eating. She craved fragrant and dry foods. Once, in summer, a cat circled her feet crying. Since she loved cats, she chewed deer jerky. Suddenly, an object emerged from her throat. She took it out and dropped it on the ground; it had a head and feet, about five cun long. It was a hunger worm.

Xu Zhicang was from the Liang dynasty. Prince Qin Jun was ill, and the Emperor sent urgent summons. Jun dreamed at night that his deceased consort Cui cried, "I intended to welcome you, but hearing Xu Zhicang is coming, he will surely torment me. What shall I do?" The next night, Jun dreamed Cui again, saying, "The outsider has obtained Xu; I must hide in the Ling Fu (Spiritual Mansion)." When Xu Zhicang arrived, he diagnosed Jun's pulse, saying, "The disease has entered the Heart; epilepsy will ensue, and it is incurable." Indeed, as predicted, Jun died after several days.

A person from Qizhou suffered from Kuang Du (Madness Toxin) and sang: "Five Spirits Canopy shines clear at dawn, Tian Fu passes through your mansion. Melancholy, these feelings cannot be fully expressed; One pill of radish burns my palace." He sang again: "Foot Spring Sun, February rain and dust in the human world. After treading through Spring Sun, Autumn winds rise, breaking the hearts of white-haired people in the world." Later, a Daoist priest treated him with magic methods, saying, "In the dream, I saw a woman in red robes leading me into a palace, decorated in red and purple, where Little Sister commanded singing." The Daoist said, "This syndrome violates Da Mai (Large Wheat) toxin. For women, it affects the Heart Spirit; for Little Sister, the Spleen Spirit." According to medical classics, radish treats Mai toxin, hence "burn my palace." Eating medicine along with radish cured him.

Chen Douyan treated a woman with Jue Ni (Reversal Cold). Her pulse was hidden (Fu) for a day and night without regaining consciousness; medicine could not be administered. Chen observed and said, "She can be saved." Needling the Hand and Foot Yangming meridians, the qi returned slightly. Moxibustion at Bai Hui (GV20) caused her to wake. Initially, she wept bitterly, then said, "Several people chased me with weapons into a cabinet. I heard a child crying but could not escape by any means. Then I heard someone striking the cabinet. Through a gap, I saw faint light. Suddenly, fire burned the lid, so I leaped out." The one striking the cabinet was the needle; the one burning the lid was the moxa.

Han Guangwu, residing in Yangzhou, contracted a strange disease. Encountering a divine entity, he lost consciousness, his spirit confused, eating intermittently. Chen Yijian, a national physician, instructed him to take Su He Xiang Wan (Styrax Pill), and he recovered. This is because Su He Xiang Wan can dispel evil influences.

Pan Wensou treated Wang Qi, Magistrate of Guijiang. Wang dreamed of singing and drinking with a woman at night, unable to eat during the day, for three years. Wensou treated him. As the illness subsided, the woman in the dream looked increasingly depressed, drank less leisurely, and sang unhappily. Eventually, she disappeared. Wensou said, "Though the illness has weakened, it is not cured. Only when dreaming of a man in a green turban and white clothes will he recover." Later, he indeed dreamed this and could eat.
[Shen Yuan notes] This syndrome belongs to the Spleen. The Spleen is Kun Earth, and Kun represents Yin imagery. Because Stomach Yang is weak and Kun Yin dominates, one often dreams of women. Singing relates to the *Nei Jing* statement: "The Spleen governs singing." Why specifically wine? Because Stomach Yang is weak and there is no desire to eat. Wine is empty and insubstantial, made from grains, and is what the Spleen likes, hence the dream of drinking it. Wensou's treatment likely involved Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) to gradually move Stomach Yang, causing the Kun Yin pathology to recede. As the *I Ching* says, Kun is extremely soft yet moves with strength; obtaining strength, the dreams cease, and appetite returns. But why still no desire to eat? Because Kun Earth qi begins to recover, akin to the moment of one Yang returning internally at Winter Solstice, but the root of qi is not yet vigorous. This is "Mother deficiency leads to Son deficiency." The Lung is the Son of the Spleen, and the origin of qi arises from the Lung. Thus, the Lung governs Qi, and the Spleen governs Nutritive circulation. Because the Lung is not yet vigorous and Liver Wood is not balanced, the Spleen loses its transport function. Hence, though the illness wanes, it is not cured. Initially, the illness was severe in Kun, so only women were dreamed. Once the Kun Yin dreams receded, but Lung and Liver pathologies remained, the Qi of these two organs was not harmonized, hence dreaming of a man in a green turban and white clothes. Green turbans belong to the Liver; Liver belongs to Wood, color green, hence dreaming of green objects. Lung belongs to Metal, color white, hence dreaming of white people. Only when these dreams cease can the disease be cured and eating resume.
Someone asked, "Why do diseases of the five zang organs appear in dreams?" I said, "When a person sleeps, the Shen (Spirit) returns to the Liver and Kidney. If one zang is diseased, its qi is unharmonious. Unharmonious qi makes the Shen uneasy; unease causes frequent dreaming. If Liver/Kidney are diseased, one dreams of Liver/Kidney related things, as in previous cases; Spleen disease dreams of Spleen-related things; Lung/Liver disease dreams of Lung/Liver related things. However, dreaming of women while singing/drinking, or men in green turbans/white clothes. Green turbans belong to the Liver, worn on the head of a white person. These peculiarities are all caused by Zang Qi changes. The transformation of Qi is truly unfathomable."
Asked again, "Regarding dreams of relatives, elders, juniors, or deceased persons, which zang do they belong to?" I said, "It is the Shen itself that is diseased. Overuse of the Shen prevents it from resting, thus causing such dreams."

Luo Qianfu treated Vice Commissioner Xu Kedao. The pulse varied suddenly large and small, long and short. This indicates uneven Qi and Blood, with evil injuring righteous Qi. Xu said, "On the road to Handan, I dreamed of a woman in blue clothes. I punched her, but struck my own hypochondrium. A sharp pain ensued, alternating endlessly, accompanied by chills, fever, and inability to eat." Luo said, "This is named Gui Ji (Ghost Strike). Take Ba Du Chi Wan (Eight Poisons Red Pill)." He gave three pills, taken at bedtime. The next morning, after passing two dou of clear water, he recovered.
Also, Chen Qingyu's son slept in the Shui Xian Temple during the day, dreamed of receiving a cake, ate it, and felt worried. Soon, he developed fullness and stagnation, reduced appetite, and over a year grew thin with a distended abdomen like Gu (parasite swelling). Multiple physicians failed. Luo diagnosed him, asked for the history, ruling out external wind-cold or internal raw/cold injury. Recalling Li Ziyu's Ba Du Wan, which seemed appropriate, he gave five to seven pills. The patient passed over a dou of clear yellow phlegm. Gradually, his qi regulated, and other medicines resolved the issue, curing him in months.
Asked about the zang affiliation of these dream symptoms, I said, "This is internal infection by incorrect Qi. Because Heart Qi is unsettled, it induces dreams. Evil entering internally injures righteous Qi, causing diverse symptoms. Without dispelling evil, it will not heal. Ba Du Chi Wan works by dispelling evil. For such dreams, the pulse must vary suddenly large/small, present/absent."

Lu Cangzhou treated an unmarried girl with amenorrhea. Various physicians failed to treat appropriately. Her abdomen was large as if pregnant. Observing her complexion and pulse, Lu found it strange, saying, "Your illness stems either from a strange dream or possession by a spirit." The girl did not answer, hurried to her bedroom, and whispered to her maid, "Last summer, passing under the cool temple corridor, at dusk I encountered a Wood God and my heart moved. That night I dreamed of a man like the one I saw at dusk, who intimately embraced me in sleep. Thus I became ill. I am ashamed to report this. The doctor is correct." The maid told Lu. Lu said, "Your complexion turning red and white indicates shame; the pulse varying large and small indicates spiritual influence. Illness matches complexion and pulse. Though severe, there is no harm." He used Tao Ren Jian (Peach Kernel Decoction). The patient passed six or seven pieces of blood resembling pig liver, each with pores like fish eyes. The illness ended.

Zhu Danxi treated a youth who dreamed every night. Zhu diagnosed for two days, observing his movements. The youth did not lift his head but looked down crookedly, indicating lingering Yin evil. Questioning revealed nothing. Asking the servant, he learned the youth had visited a temple, touched a maiden statue for a long time, and fell ill within three days. Zhu ordered a mage to enter the temple, destroy the statue. The mud in the lower abdomen was wet, and the illness healed.

A girl, after being betrothed, waited two years for her husband who was trading abroad. She stopped eating, lay listless like a fool, with no other illness, mostly lying facing inward. Zhu diagnosed a string-like Liver pulse extending beyond the Cun position, saying, "This is Qi knotting from excessive thought. Medicine alone is hard to treat; joy can resolve it. Otherwise, induce anger. The Spleen suffers from excessive thought; thought knots Spleen Qi, causing anorexia. Anger belongs to Liver Wood; Wood controls Earth. Anger causes Qi to rise and break the Spleen knot." He provoked her to great anger and crying for three hours, then comforted her. One dose of medicine made her ask for food and wine. Zhu said, "Although the thought-Qi is resolved, joy must be obtained to prevent recurrence." He falsely claimed her husband had written and would return soon. Three months later, the husband returned, and she recovered.

A woman suffered a burning sensation in the heart, rushing to urinate, with bowel movements occurring simultaneously, for three years. Seeking treatment, her pulse was slippery and rapid. This indicated Minister Fire transmitting to the Small Intestine Meridian. Zhu used Si Wu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) plus fried Huang Bo (Phellodendron Bark), Xiao Hui Xiang (Fennel), and Mu Xiang (Aucklandia Root). Four doses brought relief.

A woman fell unconscious. Upon slight recovery, she screamed several times before fainting again. Zhu diagnosed a stringy and slippery Liver pulse, saying, "This is caused by anger and forced drinking." Pressed, she admitted her husband mistreated her, so she drank heavily every night to soothe her mind. Zhu treated with phlegm-clearing and fire-descending agents, adding Xiang Fu (Cyperus Rhizome) to disperse Liver Qi stagnation. She recovered.

A woman, after long-term worry and grief, suffered heart pain, reduced appetite, emaciation, thirst without desire to drink, alternating pain between heart and head, insomnia, and dry constipation. Given Si Wu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) with Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel) and Gan Cao (Licorice Root) for over a hundred doses, there was no effect. Zhu said, "The Lung has long been constrained by Fire. Qi cannot move, Blood accumulates and blocks, becoming turbid. Qi congestion causes headache; Blood stasis causes heart pain. It is one disease. Treating the Lung should cure it." Following Dong Yuan's Qing Kong Gao example, he finely cut Huang Qin (Scutellaria Root), soaked in wine, stir-fried until red, ground to powder, and taken with hot water. Slight sweating on the head occurred. After ten-plus doses, sweat spread over the body, and she recovered. Because there was no sweat below the knees, she was thin with a choppy pulse, frequent small urination, and difficult large urination, Zhu prescribed blood tonification to prevent future issues: Si Wu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) with Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel), Gan Cao (Licorice Root), Tao Ren (Peach Kernel), and Jiu Ling (Alcohol-processed Poria).

Viscount Xu Wenyi produced phlegm from diet, resulting in Heart-Spleen pain. Later, exposed to wind and snow, he suffered leg bone pain. Physicians treated with Wu Tou (Aconite Root) and Fu Zi (Prepared Aconite Child) for over ten years, using thousands of moxibustion sessions. Exposure to cold worsened the illness. Hip joints became stiff. Spleen pain stopped hip pain, and hip pain stopped spleen pain. Initially, there was food retention and phlegm-fluid in the Zhong Wan (CV12). Subsequent exposure to cold-damp obstructed collaterals, stopping Qi and Blood flow and fluid passage. Phlegm-fluid injected into bone joints, surging like tides. Rising caused Spleen pain; descending caused hip pain. Purging was required. In late autumn, one qian of Gan Sui (Kansui Root) powder was baked inside a pig kidney and eaten. Seven purgative actions followed, allowing walking. Later, severe vomiting, anorexia, irritability, weak Qi, and muteness occurred. The *Jin Gui* states: "Patients without chills/fever but with shortness of breath and insufficient respiration have excess pathology. This disease has been stagnant for years; sudden purging only activates its rampant momentum without controlling drugs." Vomiting agents were used to reach the Upper Jiao, sequentially treating Middle and Lower Jiao. Days of Gua Di (Melon Peduncle), Li Lu (Veratrum Root), and Ku Shen (Sophora Root) failed to induce vomiting, worsening hiccups and dryness. Three points of Fu Zi Jian (Aconite Tip) were mixed with sauce water and honey, inducing massive vomiting of gelatinous phlegm. One jin of Po Xiao (Mirabilite), Hua Shi (Talcum), Huang Qin (Scutellaria Root), Shi Gao (Gypsum), and Lian Qiao (Forsythia Fruit) was decocted strongly, cooled in a well, and drunk ice-cold. Four jin consumed in four days. Later, abdominal fullness, closure of urination/defecation, and intermittent pulse appeared at Mao/You hours. Mao/You correspond to Hand/Foot Yangming; this indicated residual accumulation in Stomach and Large Intestine requiring rapid purging. Confused physicians blocked this. Zi Xue (Purple Snow) was prepared; five liang consumed in two days. Mental clarity improved slightly, abdominal ease increased. Later, painful urinary retention. Half a bowl of Luo Bo Zi (Radish Seed) induced vomiting and immediate relief. Abdominal fullness/pain, unpalpable, poor mental state. Equal parts Da Huang (Rhubarb Root) and Qian Niu (Pharbitis Seed) formed water pills; 300 pills taken. Passed two sheng of rotting fish-intestine-like stool. Mental clarity improved slightly. Pulse no longer intermittent, but severe large urination pain and abdominal fullness. Another 100 pills given. Severe abdominal colic, heavy waist/hips, fiery eyes, muteness. Passed one chi of black tar-like feces. Anus felt like fire, cooled with water. Having fasted and been mute for half a month, sipping thin gruel restored vitality. Peaceful for several days. From vomiting to peace, pulses were normal stringy-large. The next year, Dao Cang Fa (Stomach Purging Method) cured him completely.

A woman suffered Heart-Spleen pain in late spring, claiming abdominal fullness, cold hands/feet, needing wool-wrapped fire heating between knees, chest fearing heat preferring wind/coolness. Pulse was deep, fine, choppy; heavy pressure abolished it; light pressure felt stringy and short. Thirsty for hot drinks, anorexic. Cao Dou Kou Wan (Cardamom Pill) plus Huang Lian (Coptis Rhizome), Hua Shi (Talcum), Shen Qu (Medicated Leaven) formed pills. Bai Zhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome) as Sovereign, Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel) as Envoy. Taken with decoction, 100 pills at a time. Consumed two jin to recover.

Yu Hengde treated a woman in April who ate too many green plums, contracting phlegm-disease. Daytime chest/diaphragm felt like knife/cone piercing. Evening chest Qi pain ceased, but knee KT (likely typo for specific location or term, context implies joint pain) severely hurt. Phlegm-fluid followed...