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Xia Yiwu presented with swelling and pain in the limbs and joints, with particularly severe swelling and pain at the flexures of the hands and feet, rendering him unable to move. All swollen areas were red and hot. The condition initially started in the left hand and right foot, and five days later spread to the left foot and right hand; this is a manifestation of Migratory Bi Syndrome (Xingbi). Additionally, he suffered from wheezing, coughing, and surging qi that prevented him from lying down. The pulse on the left was floating and rapid, becoming wiry upon moderate pressure, while the pulse on the right was slippery and rapid. This was caused by damp-heat, wind, and phlegm obstructing the meridians. He was prescribed a decoction of Maoshan Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma), Jianghuang (Curcumae Longae Rhizoma), Yiren (Coicis Semen), Weilingxian (Syneilesis Herba), Qinjiao (Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix), Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma), Sangbaipi (Mori Cortex), Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex), Jiuhuangqin (Scutellariae Radix prepared with wine), and Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba). After taking it, the swelling in the right hand subsided and pain decreased. At night, he took Qizhi Huatan Wan (Seven-Processed Phlegm-Resolving Pill), which stopped the cough, allowing him to sleep. After two more doses, the swelling in both popliteal fossae reduced by half. The area around Jingqu (LU8) and Lieque (LU7) acupoints on the left hand remained severely swollen and painful. A formula containing Yiren (Coicis Semen), Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma), Qinjiao (Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Tianhuafen (Trichosanthis Radix), Wujiaopi (Acanthopanacis Cortex), Shihu (Dendrobii Caulis), Qianhu (Peucedani Radix), Zhike (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus), Weilingxian (Syneilesis Herba), and Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) was used, yielding immediate improvement and recovery.

The wife of Chuyang’s nephew had previously suffered from coughing, to which various treatments were ineffective. Severe coughing induced vomiting. She was given Biyu San (Jade Green Powder), two qian, mixed with warm water, which stopped the symptoms immediately. Half a year later, she coughed again, experiencing dull pain in the chest and back, frequent internal heat, and expectorating copious amounts of pus resembling peach blossoms, with a foul, fishy odor. There was distending pain in the right hypochondrium and breasts. The pulse was surging and rapid, stool was dry, and she was emaciated with visible bones. This was Lung Abscess (Fei Yong). The prescription included Beimu (Fritillariae Bulbus), Qiangeng (Rubiae Radix), and Baishao Yao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) each 1 qian; Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma), Maimendong (Ophiopogonis Tuber), Shanzhizi (Gardeniae Fructus), and Ziwan (Asternatis Herba) each 8 fen; Sangbaipi (Mori Cortex), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Mudanpi (Moutan Cortex), and Xingren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum) each 7 fen; Yiyiren (Coicis Semen) 1.5 qian; and Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) and Tinglizi (Descurainiae Semen) each 5 fen, decocted in water. After administration, she felt very comfortable, but long-term continuous use was required. If medication was interrupted, the disease would recur. Based on this, it was deduced that there was still significant accumulation of phlegm and blood stasis in the lung orifices, which could not be cleared immediately; thus, slow treatment was appropriate. Medical texts state that one should wait until the pus is completely expelled for natural recovery. I argued that although Danxi held this view, one should not adhere to it rigidly. If drugs are not used to resolve and dissipate the abscess, waiting for spontaneous expulsion might take too long, risking other complications over time. Moreover, how can a middle-aged person endure such a prolonged course? It is better to clear heat, moisten the lungs, resolve phlegm, and transform blood stasis, administering the medicine over a long period to achieve early recovery. Physicians Fang, Huang, Wu, and others believed that chronic cough damages the lungs and frequently administered tonics, which repeatedly disrupted the treatment. Each tonic intake inevitably increased heat, worsened pain and coughing, and produced more pus. I advised them: "Your intentions are indeed good, but what about the worsening condition? This is called 'indulgent care' (guxi). Ancient practitioners did not indulge the disease but sought its removal. Indulgence nourishes the disease rather than curing it." Only Wang Wuhuai agreed with my words, followed my method, and recovered fully after two years, with muscles regaining their original tone.