Library

Sun Zhuye returned from Zhejiang, contracting summerheat during the journey and injuring his spleen and stomach by consuming alcohol and wheat-based foods. This led to vomiting and a sensation of fullness and oppression in the chest and diaphragm. The attending physician administered digestive agents, which dried out and stirred up Spleen fire, resulting in thirst, gastric discomfort (zaocha), restlessness, yellowing of the eyeballs like gold, and generalized jaundice, indicating the formation of Jaundice disease (Dan Zheng). Pulse diagnosis revealed only the right Cun position as surging, large, and forceful. Initially, Wendan Tang (Phlegm-Draining Decoction) was prescribed with doubled doses of Xiangru (Moslae Herba), Huashi (Talcum), and Gegen (Puerariae Radix) to resolve summerheat and stop vomiting as sovereign herbs; Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma) and Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix) were added as minister herbs to clear heat and relieve thirst, aiming to dissipate damp-heat so that jaundice would naturally heal. After three doses, vomiting ceased, appetite improved, and jaundice stabilized. Subsequently, Wuling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria) was given with Qinghao (Artemisiae Annuae Herba), Gegen, Huashi, Huanglian, and Zhishi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus) for eight doses, resulting in the complete resolution of jaundice.

Cheng Juquan suffered from wheezing and coughing during the summer months, with continuous coughing fits and profuse thick sputum. He experienced shortness of breath and restlessness upon movement. At night, he felt thirsty, with chest and diaphragmatic distension and oppression. Both Cun positions were slippery and rapid, while both Guan positions were wiry. This indicated old phlegm in the Lung and stagnant fire in the Gallbladder. As stated in the Neijing: "Stagnant fire should be dispersed." And also: "Exterior wind-cold can be treated by sweating." Zisuzi (Perillae Fructus), Banxiaqu (Pinelliae Fermentatum), and Xingren (Prunus Semen) were each used at 1 qian, Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum) at 2 qian, Kudonghua (Dodecatheonis Flos) and Sangbaipi (Mori Cortex) at 8 fen, Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix) and Zhike (Aurantii Fructus) at 5 fen, and Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba) at 3 fen. However, there was no improvement or deterioration after administration. The prescription was changed to Xingren, Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), Beimu (Fritillariae Bulbus), Kudonghua, and Maidong each at 7 fen, Yiyiren (Coicis Semen) at 1.5 qian, Jiegeng and Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma) each at 5 fen, Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus) at 11 grains, Sangbaipi at 1 qian, and Chenpi at 6 fen. After this, sputum decreased significantly, but chest and diaphragmatic discomfort, dry mouth, and hot feet persisted. Kudonghua and Wuweizi were removed from the previous formula, and Zhike and Tinglizi (Descurainiae Semen seu Lepidii Semen) were added. After two doses, the patient recovered completely.

The elder brother of Cheng Yingzhen frequently experienced pain and distension in the chest, diaphragm, and back, accompanied by dizziness, weak legs, finger pain, and coughing up red sputum. Pulse diagnosis showed the left Guan position as wiry and large, and the right Cun and Guan positions as slippery and large. It was reasoned that this condition resulted from anger after a full meal, causing old phlegm and blood stasis to accumulate in the Upper Jiao, leading to chest and back distension/pain and heat congestion. Treatment should focus on clearing and transforming the Upper Jiao to prevent new phlegm production. Once old stasis is resolved, the case would be fully managed. Using herbs such as Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix) and Shanzhuyu (Corni Fructus) for yin-nourishing and fire-descending would exacerbate stagnation, preventing heat dissipation and stasis resolution, thereby increasing phlegm. The patient replied in astonishment: "Before seeing you, I had already taken medicine for a month." He suspected that dietary injury caused heat to worsen and chest/back pain to prolong. I stated: "It is fortunate that you reversed course early; delaying further would ruin the treatment." Quickly using Qingpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride), Zhike, and Chenpi to promote qi movement and unblock stagnation is essential, as phlegm follows qi. Beimu and Sangbaipi were used to eliminate residual phlegm and clear cough; Mudanpi (Moutan Cortex), Huashi, and Taoren (Persicae Semen) to resolve blood stasis; Zhiziren (Gardeniae Fructus) to open depression and clear heat; Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) to subdue Liver and tonify Spleen; and Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) to harmonize the properties of other herbs, treating slowly to reduce excess symptoms. Half a month later, a letter reported that chest/back distension reduced by two-thirds, bleeding stopped ten days ago, and sputum remained unchanged. The formula was modified to Zhiziren, Mudanpi, Danshen (Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Chishao (Paeoniae Radix Rubra), and Taoren each at 8 fen, Huashi at 3 qian, Wulingzi (Trogopterori Faeces) and Dangguiwei (Angelicae Sinensis Radix caudex) each at 1 qian, Banxiaqu and Qingpi each at 6 fen. All symptoms disappeared except for hot soles. Finally, Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex), Zhimu, Yiyiren, Niuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix), Gancao, Baishao, Fuling (Poria), Chenpi, Beimu, Shihu (Dendrobii Caulis), and Mudanpi were used to regulate the condition until recovery.