Library

A servant fell ill with symptoms similar to the previous case, but his body felt as if burning like fire, his headache was severe as if his head were splitting, his stool was not loose, his urine was red, he was thirsty, his nose was dry, he could not sleep, his chest and diaphragm were distended and bloated, his abdomen felt hungry yet he could not eat, and all six pulses were wiry and rapid. He was prescribed Zhuye Shigao Tang (Bamboo Leaf and Gypsum Decoction) with added Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena Rhizome), Zhike (Aurantium Fructus), Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix), and Gegen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix), along with a significantly increased dose of Qinghao (Artemisiae Annuae Herba). After one dose, the heat and pain were reduced by half, and the distension in the chest and diaphragm also eased. However, he still experienced thirst, scanty and difficult urination, and restless sleep. He was then given Sanhua Wen Dan (Three-Transforming Calming Phlegm Pill) three qian, dissolved in well water. His thirst ceased, and he slept slightly, though he subsequently developed dizziness, weak legs, and rapid breathing. Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) was then administered with added Qinghao (Artemisiae Annuae Herba), Jiu Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix processed with wine), Yiyiren (Coicis Semen), and Mugua (Chaenomelis Fructus). After taking this, he fully recovered.

Another servant’s illness was also similar to the previous cases, but after taking medicine from Qiu Yizhai, he suffered severe vomiting and diarrhea, his fever increased further, his headache became unbearable, he was irritable and thirsty, his nose was dry, he vomited, his urination was scanty and difficult, and he had been unable to rest or eat for fourteen days. The situation was critical. Upon inquiry, it was found that the previously taken medicine was Huoxiang Zhengqi San (Agastache Powder to Rectify the Qi) with added Sharen (Amomi Fructus), Houpo (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex), and Shanzha (Crataegi Fructus). These are substances that severely deplete Yuan Qi (Primal Qi). Moreover, in May, when the Fire mandate is dominant and epidemic diseases occur, treatment should employ sweet-cold agents. How could pungent-hot and aromatic-penetrating drugs be used, which would exacerbate the fire and dry up the fluids? The condition was perilous! This resulted from a failure to adapt treatment according to seasonal changes, sticking rigidly to routine practices, thus harming patients. Urgently, Renshen Baitu Tang (Ginseng and White Talcum Decoction) was administered with added Zhuru (Bambusae Caulis in Taeniam), Gegen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix), Qinghao (Artemisiae Annuae Herba), and Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma). After one dose, the fever subsided; after a second dose, the headache stopped, and all symptoms disappeared. Several subsequent patients were treated similarly. Why? Because this type of "non-routine" epidemic disease responds uniformly to this formula. Generally, sweet-cold clearing and resolving agents are used first; once the fever recedes, Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) is used to nourish Yin and blood, with slight additions of heat-clearing agents, among which Qinghao (Artemisiae Annuae Herba) plays the major role. This is indeed my personal insight at the time. I record it to inform colleagues, reminding them that treatment methods must vary with changing times and customs, and one must not remain bound by conventional routines.

Ma Fengyang, a scholar, suffered from cough and internal heat in May, with excessive sweating on the forehead and aversion to wind. His left pulse was wiry and rapid, and his right pulse was slippery and rapid. I stated: A wiry and rapid pulse indicates Yin deficiency, while a slippery pulse suggests the presence of Phlegm. If not treated promptly, it may develop into Xu Que (Deficiency and Emaciation Syndrome). I prescribed Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Chuan Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Fuling (Poria), Wuweizi (Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Beimu (Fritillariae Thunbergii Bulbus), Tianhuafen (Trichosanthis Radix), Jiu Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix processed with wine), Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix), Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena Rhizoma), and Sangbaipi (Mori Cortex). After ten doses, all symptoms resolved. In July, he contracted malaria, occurring every other day, with equal intensity of chills and fever, both being extreme, accompanied by severe thirst and profuse sweating on the upper body. Shi Gao (Gypsum Fibrosum) five qian, Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), Huangqi (Astragali Membranacei Radix), Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), and Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix) two qian each, Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix) three qian, Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), and Beimu (Fritillariae Thunbergii Bulbus) one qian each, and thirty leaves of Zhuye (Bambusae Folium) were prescribed. He recovered after one dose.