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The mother of Mr. Wu Hezhou, aged eighty-six, had a long-standing condition of phlegm-fire (a pathological state where phlegm and heat intertwine). Her stool frequency was three to four times daily, with two nocturnal awakenings for defecation. She experienced hyperactive bowel sounds (borborygmi) and distension and swelling in the umbilical and abdominal regions. Her pulse exhibited an intermittent rhythm, stopping every three or four beats, or every seven or eight beats. Various physicians failed to recognize the need for warming and tonifying methods; instead, they erroneously administered Pingwei San (Stomach-Calm Powder), adding Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian, 黄连), Crataegi Fructus (Shanzha, 山楂), and Paeoniae Radix Alba (Baishao, 白芍)—all bitter-cold agents. This excessive purging and attacking led to abdominal pain. Rather than acknowledging their error, they attributed her intermittent pulse and advanced age to an ominous sign, declining further treatment. The family then sought my consultation. I stated: According to pulse classics, a slow pulse with interruptions is called Jie Pulse (Knotted Pulse), while a rapid pulse with interruptions is called Cu Pulse (Surging Pulse). The current Jie Pulse is not an ominous one. It results from the stagnation of cold-dampness phlegm. The appropriate method is to warm and tonify the Lower Yuan (Lower Origin/Kidney Yang), allowing the Fire to generate Earth, which aligns with the principle of "tonifying the mother when deficient." She would likely recover. Mr. Hezhou asked: What is her life expectancy? I replied: Both Chi pulses (Pulse positions reflecting Kidney Qi) are distant and spirited, indicating longevity. Even reaching one hundred years old is possible. The prescription used Psoraleae Fructus (Buguzhi, 补骨脂) and Atractodis Rhizoma Macrocephalae (Baizhu, 白术), each 3 qian, as Sovereign herbs; Eucommiae Cortex (Duzhong, 杜仲) 2 qian as Minister herbs; Poria (Fuling, 白茯苓), Alismatis Rhizoma (Zexie, 泽泻), Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Chenpi, 陈皮), and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao, 甘草), each 1 qian, as Assistant herbs; Myristicae Semen (Roudoukou, 肉豆蔻) and Alpiniae Oxyphyllae Fructus (Yizhiren, 益智仁), each 5 fen, as Guide herbs. After four doses, her stool became firm. Only the borborygmi persisted, so Roudoukou was removed and Zingiberis Rhizoma Preparatum (Paojiang, 炮姜) 5 fen was added, after which she stabilized. She ultimately lived to be ninety-eight.