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Mr. Pan, Grand Marshal, once suffered from Changfeng (intestinal wind, characterized by rectal bleeding). During the Ding sacrifice in August, a scholar bestowed deer blood upon him; after consuming it, he experienced sudden and profuse hemorrhage. I was consulted for treatment and prescribed Huaijiao Zi (Sophorae Fructus Immaturus) 5 qian, along with Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Zhike (Aurantii Fructus), Diyü (Sanguisorbae Radix), and Guanzhong (Cyperi Rhizoma), each 3 qian. After one dose, the bleeding stopped. The Grand Marshal approved of this prescription, wrote it down, and pasted it on his wall. Whenever someone presented with hematochezia, he would apply this formula, resulting in immediate recovery without exception. Overjoyed, he patted his belly and said to his sons: "Previously, my aunt's illness was deemed fatal by all family physicians, yet only Master Sun could save her. This is miraculous! It transcends mere skill." I replied: "In ancient times, Bian Que said, 'I am not capable of making the dead live or the living die; these are cases where life should naturally prevail, and Yu Ren (Bian Que's courtesy name) merely facilitated their recovery.' What ability do I possess? It was also Madam Zhang who should have survived naturally." From then on, the Grand Marshal valued me even more, entrusting me with all illnesses, great or small, and I was thus able to fully utilize my medical skills.

Fenglin, son of Di Lao, having witnessed my successful treatment of his father, took the opportunity to say: "My wife, Ms. Bao, suffers from a hidden ailment. Every time her menstruation occurs, a swelling appears beside the uterus. It is swollen but painless. After three to five days, if pricked with a red-hot silver hairpin, about one cup of white pus drains out, after which it subsides. Without needing plasters, the flesh regenerates without leaving scars. Initially, occasional needle pricking sufficed; recently, simply pressing with fingers releases the pus. However, it recurs with every menstrual cycle, appearing in various positions above, below, left, or right, though always near the uterus. This has persisted for eight years. Various internal and external medicine practitioners have treated her without success, and she has become infertile. Sir, with your profound learning and superior insight, please devise a treatment plan for her." I pondered for two days before realizing: "This is damp-phlegm in the Middle Jiao, flowing downward along the meridians and obstructing the uterus. As menstrual blood flows down, phlegm coagulates, transforming into pus. Since it is not toxic heat, there is no pain. Use Bai Luosi Ke (Concha Melaniae) calcined over fire until its nature remains preserved as the sovereign herb; Nanxing (Arisaematis Rhizoma) and Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) as ministerial herbs; Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix) and Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) as assistant herbs. Form pills with wheat paste, to be taken morning and evening. Before completing one course, the swelling during menstruation ceased, and she gave birth to a daughter the following year."

Zang Gong of Shuntian, father-in-law of Wu Chejia Yonglan, was nearly sixty years old. He was prone to anger and excessive desires, suffering from chest and diaphragmatic fullness and distension, with poor appetite. Physicians initially treated him with Pingwei San, Zhizhu Wan, and Xiangsha Wan, without effect. Subsequently, they administered daily doses of Binglang (Arecae Semen), Sanleng (Sparganii Rhizoma), and Ezhu (Curcumae Rhizoma) to reduce accumulation, leading to loose stools. Swelling appeared in both heels and ankles, gradually extending to the backs of both hands. Physicians, observing the edema of limbs, diagnosed it as Huangpang (yellowish anemia with edema) and prescribed Zhen Sha Wan. Consequently, the swelling worsened, and his complexion became yellowish-black. From February to August, despite various treatments including those for edema, his body became so heavy he could barely move. Chejia, being a close friend, invited me to consult. His pulse was deep, soggy, and weak. I stated: "This is Zhongman syndrome due to Qi deficiency. The treatment method should involve warming tonification combined with lifting. Thus, clear Yang will ascend, firming the stool; turbid Yin will descend, relieving chest oppression." I prescribed Renshen (Ginseng Radix) and Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), each 3 qian; Paojiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Praeparatum), Huiyang (likely referring to Fu Zi/Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata or similar warming agent), and Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), each 1 qian; Fuling (Poria), Huangqi (Astragali Radix), each 2 qian; Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma), Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), Rougui (Cinnamomi Cortex), Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma), and Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), each 7 fen. After thirty doses, he stabilized. A skeptical guest questioned me: "For this condition, other physicians use either reducing/digestive methods or mild diuretics. How did your exclusive use of warming tonification succeed? Through what pathway were the accumulated fullness and swelling expelled?" I replied: "Fullness (Zhàng) differs from edema (Zhǒng). Edema arises from Spleen deficiency failing to control water, causing water to seep into the skin, resulting in generalized shiny swelling. Current fullness stems primarily from Middle Jiao deficiency, causing skin distension that is hard externally and hollow internally, with tight abdominal skin resembling a drum—commonly known as Drum Distension. This results from Qi deficiency forming Middle Fullness. If Qi were not deficient, would Middle Fullness exist? Qi deficiency is the root; Middle Fullness is the branch. Therefore, treatment begins with warming tonification to strengthen Spleen transport and transformation. Once Spleen function is robust, Clear and Turbid separate; once separated, the distension resolves."