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The clan nephew, He Xi, was eighty years old. In early spring, he was accidentally attacked by cold pathogens, resulting in fever and coughing. A physician administered Xiong Su San (Chuanxiong and Perilla Powder), which immediately caused profuse sweating that would not stop, continuous hiccups, inability to take even a spoonful of food or drink, and confusion lasting for ten days. The sweating increased daily, and the hiccups worsened daily, so he invited me to diagnose him. The pulse at all six positions was floating, large, and powerless; upon heavy pressure, it was irregular with three or five beats followed by an interruption, occurring at a rate of six or seven beats per interval, and the right Guan position was near-slippery. After finishing the diagnosis, I said to his successor, Jing Suo: "Your father contracted pathogens due to surface deficiency caused by fatigue and overwork, hence the pulse is floating, large, and powerless. According to the method of Li Dongyuan, Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) should be used; one or two doses will suffice for recovery." However, the previous physician recklessly employed surface-dispersing methods, causing leakage of sweat, mental fatigue, confusion, and hiccups. For an elderly person to face this, is it not dangerous? Even if he侥幸 (luckily) achieves peace, it would merely be prolonging life for a thousand days. Jing Suo stood up abruptly and replied respectfully: "We had just celebrated my father's birthday recently, unexpectedly contracting this illness. With such emaciation and exhaustion, if we can preserve his life for a hundred days, allowing us to fulfill our duty of providing beans and water (basic sustenance), it would be a great favor from you, Uncle Grandfather. To live a thousand days is beyond our expectations." I then prescribed Liu Jun Zi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction), adding Zhu Ru (Bamboo Shavings) and Shi Di (Persimmon Calyx) to stop hiccups, and further adding Suan Zao Ren (Ziziphus Seed) and Shi Hu (Dendrobium) to arrest sweating. After one dose, the fever subsided and hiccups stopped; after two doses, sweating ceased and eating resumed; after three doses, he appeared peaceful and his spirit recovered. Then, Zhu Ru and Shi Di were removed, and Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis) was added. Half a month later, he was fully recovered. Previously, Magistrate Zhu, considering his high moral character, had invited him as a distinguished guest, but he declined due to illness. When late spring arrived, the Magistrate heard of his longevity and, following precedent, granted him a first-class honor, bestowing a banner with official hat and belt decorations, to manifest imperial grace and glorify the locality. He subsequently passed away three years later.

Madam Jiang, the sister-in-law of Xiaolian Fang Shudu, was only thirty years old when she suffered from abdominal distension. Various renowned physicians applied tonifying, reducing, separating-and-draining, warming, or cooling methods, attempting to manage her condition thoroughly, yet they all left helpless. The entire family was panicked and did not know what to do. Fang Shudu said: "I heard that Sun Zhong'an previously suffered from this same illness, and everyone was helpless until Sun Shengsheng (referring to Sun Yikui) treated him and brought him back to health, causing everyone to bow in admiration. Mr. Zhong'an's uncles are currently in the academy; why not consult them?" He immediately sent a letter, introducing me to follow them to seek advice. The diagnosis revealed a left pulse that was wiry and large, and a right pulse that was slippery and large. I said: "This is a case suitable for Mu Xiang Hua Zhi Tang (Costus Regulating Stagnation Decoction) by Li Dongyuan. The disease originated from worry and thought; if treated according to proper methods, ultimate auspiciousness can be ensured." Fang Shudu joyfully said: "The gentlemen who previously treated her all declared it incurable, yet you say ultimate auspiciousness can be ensured. This aligns with Cang Gong's saying: 'The incompetent are doubtful and hesitant, while the skilled artisans seize the opportunity.' I hope you will prescribe medication soon." I issued four doses according to the original formula. After consumption, the abdomen indeed became half looser. Subsequently, using Ren Shen Xiao Pi Tang (Ginseng Eliminating Glomus Decoction) and Hu Po Tiao Zhong Wan (Amber Regulating Middle Pill) for two months, she made a complete recovery. Fang Shudu began to trust me from this point on, often recommending me among his acquaintances, where many treatments proved remarkably effective, ultimately leading to a close familial friendship.