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Sun Shuban, over fifty years old, indulged in alcohol and sexual activity without restraint, and suddenly suffered from Xiaoxiao (Lower Wasting-Thirst syndrome). He urinated more than twenty times a day and night; the urine was clear, long, sweet-tasting, and soon coagulated like fat with an oily sheen. After half a year of treatment with no effect, his waist and knees below were weak and soft, unable to support his body; his food intake was halved, and his spirit and complexion were greatly exhausted. Palpation revealed that the pulses in all six positions were large but powerless. The classic text states: "When the pulse appears compliant upon superficial palpation but fails to throb upon deep pressure, this applies to all Yang pulses." The method should be to warm and tonify the Lower Jiao (Lower Burner). Prepared Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata (Shu Dihuang) 6 liang served as the Sovereign herb; Deer Antler Frost (Lujiaoshuang) and Cornus Officinalis Fructus (Shanzhuyu), each 4 liang, along with Mantis Egg Case (Sangpiaoxiao), Deer Antler Glue (Lujiaojiao), Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen), Poria (Baifuling), Lycii Fructus (Gouqizi), Polygalae Radix (Yuanzhi), Cuscutae Semen (Tusizi), and Dioscoreae Rhizoma (Huai Shanyao), each 3 liang, served as the Minister herbs; Alpinia Oxyphylla Fruit (Yizhiren) 1 liang served as the Assistant herb; Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (Da Fuzi) and Cinnamomi Cortex (Guixin), each 7 qian, served as the Guide herbs. These were processed with refined honey into pills, sized like Sophora japonica seeds, taken morning and evening with light salt water, 70-80 pills per dose. The illness was cured before the course of medication was finished. Someone asked: "All conditions termed 'Xiao' (Wasting-Thirst) are typically Heat syndromes. When you first prescribed this formula, many people criticized it. Now it has indeed succeeded through warming and tonifying. Why is this?" I replied: "The disease arises from deficiency of the Lower Yuan (Kidney and Mingmen). Qi lacks the strength to ascend to the upper part, causing thirst and excessive drinking. Due to excessive drinking, urination is also excessive. Now, by greatly tonifying the Lower Yuan, Yang Qi becomes abundant and steams upward, so the mouth naturally does not feel dry. It is like a pot lid: although there is water in the pot, if there is no fire underneath, the water vapor cannot rise, and the lid remains dry. Only when there is fire at the bottom can the water vapor in the pot rise and steam upward, making the lid moist and not dry. I have detailed this in my book *Yizhi Xuyu*, so I will not repeat it here."

The wife of the son of Elder Han Yuezhai, who held the title of Jinxian, experienced restless sleep at night whenever she became angry, feeling as though she saw ghosts or demons. Her urination was dribbling and scanty. Currently, she also suffers from severe constipation, abdominal pain, and a distending and bearing-down sensation in the waist and hips resembling labor pains. She is restless sitting or lying down due to the pain, and her pulse is often imperceptible due to the pain. This is caused by Stagnant Fire in the Liver Meridian. The method should be to promote free flow and unblock. Apricot Seed (Xingren) and Peach Kernel (Taoren), each 3 qian, Bark Root (Shugenpi - likely referring to a specific bark, kept as literal translation), Gardenia Seed (Shanzhiren), and Green Tangerine Peel (Qingpi), each 1 qian, Areca Seed (Binglang) 5 fen, and Aurantium Fructus Immaturum (Zhiqiao) 8 fen were decocted in water and administered. Shortly after, bowel movement was unblocked, and the pain and distension decreased accordingly.