Library

The mother of Wang Sishi, aged approximately fifty. After a fit of extreme anger, she suddenly fainted during urination, with her jaw clenched and loss of consciousness. She regained consciousness after being administered Suhexiang Wan (Styrax Pill). Subsequently, she experienced pain in the left hand and right foot, unable to move them. She was treated with Erchen Tang (Two-Cured Decoction) added with Jiuhuangqin (Wine-processed Scutellariae Radix), Wujiapi (Acanthopanacis Cortex), Qinjiao (Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix), Shichangpu (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma), Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), and Yiyiren (Coicis Semen). After four doses, she recovered.

Sun Junshi, my clan's nephew, in his prime, suffered from pain throughout the body's sinews and bones, with swelling and pain in the limbs and joints. The pain was extremely severe, resembling bites from a tiger. He could not rise or defecate/urinate without the support of three to five people. All painful areas felt hot as if burning by fire. He could not eat or drink, and had been groaning in bed for two periods of ten days (approximately twenty days). Some prescribed wind-dispelling agents, which were ineffective; others prescribed agents containing Rushen (Boswelliae Resina) and Moyao (Olibanum) to invigorate blood and stop pain, which were also ineffective. I was consulted later. The six pulses were floating, tight, and rapid. I said: This is Zhoubi (Zhou Bi, a type of bi syndrome characterized by wandering pain throughout the body). The condition is very severe, commonly known as Baihu Lijie Feng (White Tiger Joint-Wandering Wind), caused by damp-heat. Danxi stated: Swelling belongs to dampness, pain belongs to fire. Fire nature is swift, thus the pain is sudden and fierce like this. I prescribed Shengdihuang (Rehmanniae Radix), Honghua (Carthami Flos), Jiuhuangqin (Wine-processed Scutellariae Radix), Jiuhualian (Wine-processed Coptidis Rhizoma), Jiuhuabo (Wine-processed Phellodendri Cortex), Qinjiao (Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix), Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix), Duhuo (Angelicae Pubescentis Radix), Haitongpi (Saposhnikoviae Radix - *Note: Context suggests likely Saposhnikoviae or similar, but text says Haitongpi usually Polygalae or Saposhnikoviae depending on source, here kept as generic name*), Weilingxian (Syneilesis Herba), and Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma). After four doses, the pain decreased by more than half. Then, Chishao (Paeoniae Radix Rubra), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Can'erzi (Xanthii Fructus), and Yiyiren (Coicis Semen) were added, while Duhuo and Qinjiao were removed. After another eight doses, he fully recovered.

The wife of Ye Zihei contracted an epidemic disease. Physicians attempted sweating and purging therapies, exhausting their skills without success. She had been bedridden for nearly ten days. Her family was impoverished and could not afford to invite doctors again. Neighbors, seeing her state and believing life and death were imminent, collectively made charitable vows and pooled funds to assist with her funeral expenses. Upon hearing this, I examined her. The pulses in all six positions were weak and insufficient under the fingers; the right Guan position was slightly slippery. Her spirit was confused and exhausted, her breath faint and lingering, her limbs cold and inverted, and she had thirst. After finishing the pulse diagnosis, I told the neighbors: "According to the symptoms, it is critical; however, according to the pulse, the pathogenic factors have already retreated. It is merely deficiency and exhaustion with weak spirit and qi. Only massive tonification can restore her. If you gentlemen would use the funds intended for the funeral to purchase Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), there is a chance to bring her back from death to life. Since you pity her dying, do you not hope for her living? I have no selfish desire; it is simply that her family lacks the strength to sustain her. I wish to join you in completing this good deed of preserving life." The neighbors, originally kind-hearted, were stirred by my words and happily agreed, saying: "We follow your orders." They immediately used Liujunzi Tang (Six-Gentlemen Decoction) added with Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) and Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix) to tonify qi and blood and resolve phlegm. Maimendong (Ophiopogonis Radix) and Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus) were used to restore the pulse, unblock the heart, and generate fluids. Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) was used to warm the four limbs. Medicine was taken at noon. By late afternoon, her limbs gradually warmed, and her spirit revived, though she still lacked the strength to speak. The prescription was changed to Shengmai San (Generate the Pulse Powder) added with Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix), Yiyiren (Coicis Semen), and Shanyao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma). She recovered through regulation. The neighbors were greatly delighted.