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The elderly mother of Ling Yi, the Vice Minister of Works (Sha Sikong), surnamed Jiang, had been married for a short time when she developed abdominal distension and pain, fever, and her menstrual period had been absent for five days. All physicians attributed the pain to menstruation and prescribed regimens to regulate the menses without effect. Consequently, Ling Yi summoned me to examine her. The pulse at the left Cun position was surging and slippery; both Chi positions were slippery and rapid. Beyond the left Chi, there was an additional sense of "Shen Qi" (Spiritual Energy/Vitality). I rejoiced and said to Ling Yi: "Menstrual cessation is not a disease; it is pregnancy. The delivery will surely be of a male child." Ling Yi generally trusted me, so he inquired about my reasoning. I said: "A slippery pulse is not indicative of menstrual obstruction. The left Chi position especially exhibits vitality, hence I know the delivery will be of a male child." Ling Yi replied: "It is indeed pregnancy, but what of the fever and abdominal pain?" I said: "No harm. It is merely Qi deficiency with Blood heat. Regulation with An Tai Yin (Fetus-Securing Decoction) modified will ensure safety." We used Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix), Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), and Bai Shao Yao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) as Sovereign herbs; Chuan Xiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma) and Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) as Ministers; Xiang Fu (Cyperi Rhizoma), Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix), Su Geng (Perillae Caudatae Caulis), Tiao Qin (Scutellariae Radix), and Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) as Assistants. After four doses, the abdominal pain decreased, and the fever subsided. At the expected time, a son was indeed born. Ling Yi was grateful to me and widely praised me.

The wife of Jin Yuexuan, a Literary Scholar, two days postpartum, suffered from abdominal pain and dysentery consisting purely of blood (pure red stool). Borborygmus persisted for over three months. It was then early autumn, and both pulses were weak and soft. She was treated with Fo Shou San (Buddha's Hand Powder) modified: Chuan Xiong 3 qian, Dang Gui 5 qian, Ai Ye (Artemisiae Argyi Folium) and Pao Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Preparatum) each 1 qian, Gui Xin (Cinnamomi Cortex) 0.5 qian, and Jiu Chao Bai Shao Yao (Alcohol-fried Paeoniae Radix Alba) 2 qian. After three consecutive doses, the illness reduced by half. Later, due to consuming new water chestnuts and new chestnuts, combined with repeated provocation by anger, she fainted in the late afternoon. She was revived by administering fresh ginger soup. Her abdomen and hypochondrium suffered severe pain, intolerable to touch. She was given Er Chen Tang (Two-Cured Decoction) added with Xiang Fu, Sha Ren (Amomi Fructus), Gui Pi (Cinnamomi Cortex), and Pao Jiang. The pain did not subside, and chest and diaphragm distension became severe. She probed her throat with her hand to induce vomiting, expelling the water chestnuts and chestnuts, after which the pain slightly stabilized. Shortly after, pain returned. She vomited again by probing her throat. After vomiting, she had three or four episodes of diarrhea, leading to the collapse of Yuan Qi (Primary Vital Energy). The pulses were scattered and chaotic like untying ropes (Jie Suo Mai, a sign of impending death). Her spiritual energy was exhausted and erratic; she exhibited "Xun Yi Mo Chuang" (groping clothes and bedrails), indicating critical condition. We urgently decocted and administered Ren Shen and Bai Zhu each 5 qian, Jiu Chao Bai Shao Yao 2 qian, Sha Ren, Pao Jiang, Rou Gui (Cinnamomi Cortex), and Gan Cao each 1 qian. Only then did the pain slightly stabilize, and her spirit clear. She still had two episodes of diarrhea. On the next day, the medicine was administered again; pain decreased, and diarrhea stopped. With the addition of more Bai Zhu for four further doses, her diet improved, and her spirit became vigorous. This occurred because initially, during dysentery, the physicians did not prioritize the postpartum state, blindly using bitter-cold agents for dysentery that damaged her Middle Qi (Spleen/Stomach Qi). Furthermore, damage from the cold/raw nature of water chestnuts and chestnuts further ruined the Middle Qi. Can treatment not be cautious?