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Mr. Wu Xiyun's concubine-born mother suffered from weakness in the sinews and bones, unable to rise or sit up independently, on the verge of developing Wei Syndrome (a condition characterized by flaccidity and weakness of the limbs). She presented with heat above and cold below, was prone to fright and fear, and had pain on the left side of the lower abdomen. She was prescribed a decoction containing Yanhusuo (Corydalis Rhizome), Wulingzhi (Trogopterus Dung), Chenpi (Citrus Reticulatae Pericarpium), Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), Xiangfu (Cyperi Rhizoma), Qingpi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus), Baishao Yao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Fuling (Poria), and Shanzhizi (Gardeniae Fructus). After taking it, the lower abdominal pain decreased, but frequent urination occurred. The prescription was changed to Qinghao (Artemisiae Annuae Herba), Shanzhizi, Yiren (Coicis Semen), Baishao Yao, Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), and Qumai (Dianthi Herba). After taking this, the heat subsided, and urination frequency normalized. However, she experienced slight pain in the chest and diaphragm and did not wish to sleep at night. She was then treated with Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Baishao Yao, Shanzhizi, Xiangfu, Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), Chenpi, Gancao, Fuling, and Qinghao for regulation, resulting in a complete recovery.

The young master of Jiang Jinsi suffered from hypochondriac pain, shortness of breath, chest fullness, sore throat, blood flecks in sputum, afternoon tidal fever, thirst, heavy head, and cold fingertips. He had taken yin-nourishing and fire-descending remedies without effect, and the bleeding increased while the sputum could not be coughed out. I examined his pulse: the right Cun and Guan positions were slippery and large, and the left Chi position was also large. I determined that there was blood stasis in the Lung Meridian, with turbid phlegm obstructing and generating heat. Treatment should prioritize clearing and transforming phlegm rather than tonifying. I prescribed Gualou Ren (Trichosanthis Semen) 3 qian, Honghua (Carthami Flos), Ziwan (Asternis Radix), Danpi (Moutan Cortex), and Zhike (Aurantii Fructus) each 1 qian, Huashi (Talcum) 2 qian, Gancao 5 fen, Qianhu (Peucedani Radix), and Qinghao, decocted in water. Just before administration, a small cup of Tongbian (Child's Urine) was added. After two doses, the fever subsided and bleeding stopped. However, the cough persisted, and the chest and diaphragm felt unrelaxed. He was subsequently regulated with Gualou, Chenpi, Beimu (Fritillariae Bulbus), Luobozzi (Brassicae Semen), Madouling (Aristolochiae Fructus), Baifuling (Poria), Gancao, Ziwan, Huashi, and Xingren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum), leading to recovery.

Academician Xu Jianlao consumed fresh garlic stir-fried with meat in the first lunar month and was exposed to wind-cold, resulting in cough, sore throat, and hoarseness. The elder gentleman originally had internal phlegm-fire, which was constrained by external pathogenic factors, preventing their dispersion, thus causing these symptoms. Treatment should moisten the lungs, clear heat, transform phlegm, and regulate qi to address the root cause, while simultaneously dispersing pathogens and releasing the exterior to address the branch manifestation. This approach would eliminate the sore throat and restore vocal clarity. Initially, he was given Gualou Ren, Juhong (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Rubrum), Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix), Bohe (Menthae Haplocalycis Herba), Beimu, Sangbaipi (Mori Cortex), Digupi (Lycii Cortex), Gegen (Puerariae Radix), Qianhu, and Gancao for four doses. Subsequently, he took Tuntan Wan (Rolling Phlegm Pill) combined with Qizhi Huatan Wan (Seven-Processed Phlegm-Transforming Pill) for two doses at night. All symptoms resolved, and his voice became clear. This is known as the "Removing Firewood from Under the Cauldron" method (eliminating the root cause).