Library

When Fu Lian-gai, the Inspector, served as the Magistrate of Qinghe, his younger brother Nan'an sent him two volumes of medical books by Shenxiu (Wu Qian, courtesy name Shuxiu) and eight volumes of essays from *Donggao Six Books*, which he read with unflagging interest. He inscribed a poem: "The essays of Donggao and the medical books of Shenxiu are like vast waters; who can fathom their depths?" In the Xinyou year, I arrived in Zhili to await appointment, and had the honor of meeting him beyond the realms of Yin-Yang and male-female distinctions; this was a grand event of that time, and also a rare occurrence.

One day, having been commissioned to go to Rehe, I had just reported my departure when I was summoned back to the yamen. He said, "Your elegant works have been copied and carefully annotated, but your collection lacks the syndrome of 'uterine prolapse in women' (Furen Yinting). This syndrome is most common in the North, yet it is also among the most difficult and adverse to treat; it cannot be omitted. When you arrive at Rehe for official duties, please supplement it during your spare time." I replied, "The reason for the recent efficacy in treating two patients lies in the fact that amidst complex and tedious official tasks, I fear my theoretical exposition may not be detailed enough. It would be better if I were to write it down immediately in my residence." After completing the manuscript and presenting it for review, he read it and applauded repeatedly. He then asked, "I heard that twenty years ago, few people suffered from this disease. Since sweet potatoes began to be cultivated and produced here, many women who eat them develop this sore, presumably because the shape of the sore resembles that of a sweet potato." I said, "This is a presumptuous assumption, and actually incorrect. Sweet potatoes originated in Fujian Province, commonly known as 'Di Gua'. Their nature is similar to Chinese Yam (*Dioscorea opposita*), but their sweetness exceeds it. In the coastal areas south of Fuqing and in Zhangzhou and Quanzhou Prefectures of Fujian, people consume it as staple food and rarely suffer from other diseases. *Bencao Congxin* states that it: 'Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach, expels damp-heat, nourishes Qi and Blood, and promotes muscle growth.' The longevity of people along the coast is attributed to consuming this food. *Jinshu Pu* highly praises its merits. Fujianese people treat dysentery by decocting it with white honey, which is very effective; women suffering from leukorrhea (red and white discharge) also find this method effective; thus, its ability to promote the drainage of damp-heat is particularly significant. My opinion is that sweet potatoes can serve as a specific medicine for uterine prolapse. The root cause of uterine prolapse is inseparable from Dampness, and this food treats the root; the protruding shape of uterine prolapse resembles a melon or gourd, and this food corresponds by form. For patients suffering from this, besides taking medication and applying external treatments according to standard methods, using this food as a rice substitute should yield even faster results." The Inspector said, "Excellent! Please append this to your previous works to fill a千古 (ancient/long-standing) gap and resolve contemporary doubts; this is indeed a great convenience."