Library

According to *Qiji Fang* (Treatise on Strange Diseases): A person suffered from swelling of the head and neck, which was not a Ying tumor (goiter or neck mass). The pain was intermittent, appearing and disappearing. The skin surface displayed five-colored patterns, and upon palpation, it felt half-empty and half-solid. This is caused by the condensation of phlegm-dampness; it resembles a tumor but is not one, and resembles a goiter but is not one. The prescription consists of Haizao (Sargassum Herba), Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), Baijiezi (Sinapis Semen), Nanxing (Arisaematis Rhizoma), Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix), Beimu (Fritillariae Bulbus), each at 3 qian; Fuling (Poria) at 5 qian; Kunbu (Eckloniae Thallus) at 1 qian; Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) at 1 fen; Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) at 1 qian. Decoct in water and take orally. This formula is the supreme medicine for eliminating phlegm in the Upper Jiao (upper burner/chest area). The inclusion of Haizao and Kunbu serves to remove the external appearance of the goiter/tumor and dissipate the strange five-colored patterns. Its brilliance lies in resolving phlegm without damaging healthy Qi, thereby strengthening Stomach Qi so that phlegm can be easily transformed. One dose brings relief, two doses eliminate more than half, three doses result in complete resolution, and after four doses, it will never recur.

According to *Xu Xuanguan Lu* (Continued Records of Mysterious Marvels): Diao Junzhao, an entertainer from Ankang, had a wife named Ba Yu who developed a goiter on her neck. Initially the size of a chicken egg, it gradually enlarged to the capacity of a Sheng (ancient unit of volume). After five years, it grew as heavy as a large Ding (ancient cauldron) holding several Hu (ancient unit of volume), making movement impossible. It emitted sounds resembling music. Years later, small holes appeared on the exterior of the goiter, numbering in the hundreds of millions, each like the tip of a needle. Whenever cloudy weather indicated impending rain, white smoke would blow out from these holes, drifting like threads, rising and spreading to form dark clouds, causing immediate rainfall. The family members, young and old, were terrified and requested to send her away to a cave. Fearing being sent away, she begged for the goiter to be broken. Diao Junzhao then sharpened a blade and, just as he was about to pierce it, a loud noise erupted, and the goiter split into four pieces. A large monkey jumped out and fled. They wrapped it in white cotton wool, and the goiter disease was instantly cured. This occurred during the Dading era; there are further details not fully recounted here.

A woman suddenly developed a lump under her neck, which gradually spread to swell up towards her breast. The nature of the disease was unknown. Accidentally, it was pierced with a knife, releasing a bowl of clear fluid. The wound failed to heal over time. A Daoist priest saw this and said: "This is an ant fistula (leakage caused by ants), resulting from accidentally ingesting food contaminated with ants." Upon inquiry, this proved true. The priest said: "This is easy to treat. Use a few slices of Chuanshanjia (Manis Pentadactyla scales), calcined until carbonized but retaining efficacy, grind into powder, and apply externally. It will heal, because Chuanshanjia is feared by ants."

Xue Ji treated a man who was prone to anger. His left neck suddenly swelled and gradually enlarged to the size of a Sheng. He used formulas to resolve phlegm and regulate Qi, but this induced severe heat and thirst, along with frequent, turbid urination. Xue Ji diagnosed Kidney Yin deficiency (Kidney Water depletion) and prescribed Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia) combined with Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction), leading to recovery. In cases where the chest, hypochondrium, etc., swell to the size of a Sheng or Dou (ancient units), or rupture to resemble fungi or pomegranates, regardless of size, the aforementioned methods should be applied.

Jiang Jiefu, a Jinshi degree holder, had nodules forming in his neck, arms, and hypochondrium. After taking herbs to resolve phlegm, clear fire, and soften hardness, his condition worsened. Xue Ji determined this was due to blood deficiency and dryness-fire in the Liver and Gallbladder meridians. Jiang persisted with the previous medication. By June of the following year, all nodules ulcerated, and his pulse became floating, large, and choppy. Xue Ji predicted that since Metal (Autumn) energy was about to flourish and overcome Wood (Liver), the patient would not survive. This prediction came true.

An elder from my hometown suddenly experienced itching on the side of his neck, which gradually formed a white streak extending towards the throat. The itching was unbearable, and no physician could identify the ailment. A local practitioner lightly incised the streak with a knife, revealing countless white lice, after which the patient recovered. The practitioner stated: "This is a type of louse tumor. Any internal skin itching, marking, or elevation constitutes this syndrome."

Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction)
Huangqi (Astragali Radix, 1.5 qian, honey-fried), Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), each at 0.5 qian; Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), each at 0.3 qian.
Decoct with 3 slices of Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) and 2 dates (Jujubae Fructus).

Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia) (See section on Head diseases)