沈三石别驾公夫人严,产三日而腹不畅。南浔女科陈姓者,为下之,大泻五六次,遂
发热恶心,又用温胆汤止吐,小柴胡退热,服四日,热吐四日,粒米不进亦四日,又进八珍汤加
童便,服后昏愦,耳聋,眼合,口渴,肠鸣,眼胞上下及手足背皆有虚浮。因逆予治。诊其
六脉皆数,时五月初二日也。予曰∶脉书云数脉所主,其邪为热,其症为虚。法当以十全大
补汤加炮姜进之。夜半稍清爽,进粥一盂,始开目言语。次日午时,以承值者倦而药不相接
,且言语太多,复昏昧不知人事。初四日,以人参、白术各三钱,炮姜、茯苓、陈皮各一钱
,甘草五分,煎服讫,体微汗,遍身痱痤,热退而神爽。下午又药不接,又动怒,昏昧复如
前,六脉散乱无伦,状如解索,痱痤没而虚极矣。亟以人参、白术各五钱,炙甘草、炮姜,
大附子各一钱,连进二帖。是夜熟寝,唯呼吸之息尚促。初六日,脉又数,下午发热不退,
环跳穴边发一毒如碗大,红肿微痛。夫人父严翁,与陈女科交谮之,曰∶向之发热恶心,皆
此所致,由附子、干姜温补误也,须急用寒凉解毒之剂。予正色而谕以理曰∶此乃胃中虚火
游行无制,大虚之症,非毒也。若作毒治而用寒凉,速其死尔。《内经》云∶壮者气行则愈
,怯者着而成病。惟大补庶可万全。三石翁然予言,急煎附子理中汤进之,日夕两帖,参、
术皆用七钱,服后痱痤复出,毒散无踪,热亦退,沾沾喜矣。复以参苓白术散调理而全安。
皆由产后误用下药,致变百出,噫唏!彼不达变之专科,其可任哉。
Madam Yan, wife of Shen Sanshi, the Prefect, experienced abdominal discomfort three days after childbirth. A female obstetrician surnamed Chen from Nanxun administered purgatives to her, resulting in severe diarrhea five or six times. Subsequently, she developed fever and nausea. Wendan Tang (Bile-Regulating Decoction) was used to stop vomiting, and Xiaochaihu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) to reduce fever. After four days of administration, fever and vomiting persisted for four days, during which she consumed no food or water. Later, Bazhen Tang (Eight-Treasure Decoction) with child's urine (Tongbian) was given. Following this, she became delirious, deaf, kept her eyes closed, felt thirsty, had borborygmus, and exhibited edema on the upper and lower eyelids as well as the dorsum of hands and feet. She then sought my treatment. Her six pulses were rapid; the date was the second day of the fifth lunar month. I stated: "The pulse classics indicate that a rapid pulse suggests heat pathogen and deficiency symptoms. The method should be to administer Shiquan Dabu Tang (Ten-Accomplished Great Tonifying Decoction) with Paojiang (Prepared Ginger)." By midnight, she felt slightly refreshed, drank a bowl of porridge, opened her eyes, and spoke. At noon the next day, due to the fatigue of the attending staff causing a delay in medication administration, and excessive talking, she relapsed into unconsciousness and confusion. On the fourth day, Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) and Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) each 3 qian, Paojiang (Prepared Ginger), Fuling (Poria), and Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) each 1 qian, and Gancao (Licorice Root) 5 fen were decocted and administered. After taking it, she sweated slightly, developed miliaria-like eruptions all over her body, the fever subsided, and her spirit cleared. In the afternoon, medication was again delayed, and she became angry, leading to a recurrence of unconsciousness. Her six pulses were chaotic and disordered, resembling a broken rope (Xiesuo), the eruptions disappeared, and she was extremely deficient. Urgently, Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) and Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) each 5 qian, Zhi Gancao (Honey-fried Licorice Root), Paojiang (Prepared Ginger), and Da Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Lateralis Radix) each 1 qian were administered continuously for two doses. That night, she slept soundly, though her respiration remained rapid. On the sixth day, her pulse became rapid again, and the fever persisted in the afternoon. A boil the size of a bowl appeared near the Huantiao (GB 30) acupoint, red, swollen, and slightly painful. Madam Yan's father, Old Man Yan, who was friendly with the female doctor Chen, slandered me, saying, "The previous fever and nausea were caused by you, due to the mistaken use of warming and tonifying agents like Fuzi (Aconite) and Ganjiang (Dried Ginger). Cold and cooling detoxifying agents must be used urgently." I solemnly explained the principle: "This is uncontrolled wandering deficiency fire in the stomach, a severe deficiency syndrome, not a toxic boil. If treated as a toxin using cold and cooling herbs, death will be hastened. The *Neijing* states: 'Those who are strong recover when qi moves; those who are weak develop disease when qi stagnates.' Only great tonification can ensure safety." Mr. San Shi agreed with my words and urgently ordered the decoction of Fuzi Lizhong Tang (Aconite Regulate the Middle Decoction) to be administered, two doses morning and evening, with Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) and Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) both at 7 qian. After administration, the miliaria reappeared, the boil dissipated without a trace, and the fever subsided, bringing joy. Subsequently, Shenling Baizhu San (Ginseng, Poria, and Atractylodes Powder) was used for regulation, leading to full recovery. All these complications arose from the mistaken use of purgatives postpartum. Alas! How can such specialists who do not understand variations be entrusted with responsibility?