Library

Zhu's son, Tiansong, suffered from a seasonal epidemic disease with headache, body heat as intense as burning charcoal, thirst, and shortness of breath. The fever intensified during the Shen and You hours (3 PM to 7 PM). His tongue center was scorched black, purple macules appeared all over his body, his speech was slurred with tongue stiffness, he frequently hiccuped, and was deaf. Previous practitioners mistakenly administered Huoxiang Zhengqi San (Patchouli and Magnolia Bark Powder), which worsened vomiting and caused watery diarrhea. Another physician used Chai Ling Tang (Bupleurum and Poria Decoction), leading to even more severe vomiting and increased fever. I was invited to diagnose him; all six pulses were surging and rapid. This was identified as an epidemic disease involving both Shaoyang and Yangming channels. I prescribed Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum) 5 qian, Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma) and Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix) each 3 qian, Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix) 1.5 qian, Banxia Qu (Prepared Pinellia Fermented with Bran) 1 qian, Maimendong (Ophiopogonis Radix) 1 qian, Zhuru (Bambusae Caulis in Taeniam) 1 qian, Juhong (Exocarpium Citri Reticulatae Rubrum) 1 qian, Gegen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix) 1 qian, Fencacao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Preparatum) and Zhishi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus) each 0.5 qian. After taking this decoction, the fever subsided by seventy percent, and the tongue no longer felt dry. Subsequently, I prescribed Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix) 1 qian, Banxia Qu (Prepared Pinellia Fermented with Bran) 1 qian, Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) 1 qian, Zhuru (Bambusae Caulis in Taeniam) 1 qian, Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum) 3 qian, Maimendong (Ophiopogonis Radix) 1.5 qian, Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma) 1.5 qian, Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma) 0.5 qian, Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) 0.5 qian, and Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) 0.5 qian, decocted in water. The macules receded, and all symptoms resolved completely.

Ms. Zhu Taoyuan, wife of Zhu Taoyuan, suffered from epigastric pain at age fifty-two. Her menstruation continued incessantly, occurring twice a month, with each episode lasting over ten days without clearing. She had continuous leukorrhea (white vaginal discharge) and often suffered from nocturnal emissions. Recently, she also experienced dizziness. Initially, one dose of Jiqi Wan (Qi-Stagnation Pill) was given to stop the epigastric pain. Then, Xiaoyao San (Free and Easy Wanderer Powder) was modified with Shilianzi (Nelumbinis Semen), Lianhua Xin (Plumula Nelumbinis), and Wubeizi (Gallnut) to be processed into pills with refined honey. Two qian were taken morning and evening with warm water, resulting in the complete cessation of nocturnal emissions.

Brother Guting, in his prime, originally had damp-heat and phlegm accumulation. One year, while passing through a narrow pass, he accidentally fell from a sedan chair, injuring his back and flanks. Specialists treated him externally with herbal poultices and internally with medicinal wine, leading to recovery. Fifteen years later, he developed left hypochondriac pain so severe that he could not bear touch. His left pulse was wiry, rapid, firm, and forceful against the fingers. He also had lower abdominal pain. It was determined that old blood stasis and phlegm accumulation were the culprits. Qingpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride), Chishao (Paeoniae Radix Rubra), Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma), and Dangguiwei (Angelicae Sinensis Radix Cauda) were each prescribed at 1 qian, Tao Ren (Persicae Semen) 1.5 qian, Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) 2 qian, and Huashi (Talcum) 3 qian, decocted in water. Xuanmingfen (Mirabilite) 1 qian was mixed in just before administration. After taking it, he vomited over a bowl of phlegm-saliva, and had only one bowel movement. However, his left hip, leg, and knee became painful, and he slept restlessly at night due to severe lower abdominal pain. This indicated that the blood stasis was attempting to move but failed. A second prescription of Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) 1 qian, Dangguiwei (Angelicae Sinensis Radix Cauda) 1 qian, Honghua (Carthami Flos) 1 qian, Mudanpi (Moutan Cortex) 1 qian, Chishao (Paeoniae Radix Rubra) 1 qian, Tao Ren (Persicae Semen) 2 qian, Huashi (Talcum) 3 qian, and Qingpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride) 0.8 qian, with Xuanmingfen (Mirabilite) 1 qian mixed in, was given to purge again. Three bowel movements occurred, discharging dark green, thick, sticky blood stasis. Although abdominal pain ceased, hip pain persisted. A third formula containing Rushiang (Boswelliae Resina), Moyao (Commiphorae Resina), Guiwei (Angelicae Sinensis Radix Cauda), Honghua (Carthami Flos) each 1 qian, Tao Ren (Persicae Semen) 3 qian, Huashi (Talcum) 3 qian, Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) 2 qian, and Chanshanjia (Squama Manis) and Danshen (Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) each 1.5 qian was administered. Four bowel movements followed, discharging countless amounts of purple-black, fascia-like blood stasis. All diseases significantly improved. However, after consuming chicken soup and beef, umbilical and abdominal pain returned with tenesmus, indicating residual pathogenic factors remained. I intended to purge again, but the family was terrified, arguing that for someone over sixty who had been purged several times, spleen deficiency might prevent further purgation. I stated: "Medicine values recognizing the disease correctly; why be constrained by age and number of treatments? Now the drug power has reached the target and the accumulation is moving. Like splitting bamboo, it can be solved easily. If we miss the opportunity and show leniency, fear that it will spread later, making purgation difficult." They agreed to purge first, then tonify, avoiding regret. Using Honghua (Carthami Flos), Tao Ren (Persicae Semen), Dangguiwei (Angelicae Sinensis Radix Cauda), Chishao (Paeoniae Radix Rubra), Shanzhiren (Gardeniae Semen), Yuanhusuo (Corydalis Rhizoma), Mudanpi (Moutan Cortex), Chanshanjia (Squama Manis), and Huashi (Talcum), decocted with Xuanmingfen (Mirabilite), two more discharges of purple-black blood stasis occurred, half the volume of the previous ones. Pain in the legs, hips, and lower abdomen was completely relieved. The next day, Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), Fuling (Poria), Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Fencacao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Preparatum), Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Shanzha (Crataegi Fructus), Guixin (Cinnamomi Ramulus), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), and Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) were used to regulate health for half a month. His spirit, gait, and appetite returned to normal.