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Xiong Erguan of Jiangyou, after recovering from an epidemic disease, suffered a relapse due to improper diet. He presented with forehead pain, thirst, delirium, and coma, with a cyanotic complexion, black tongue, and grayish residue in the nose, unconsciousness, and scanty urine; the condition was critical. A modified Xiaochaihu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction), with Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) removed and Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum), Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Shanzhizi (Gardeniae Fructus), Douchi (Sojae Semen Praeparatum), and Zhishi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus) added, was administered urgently. After one dose, he sweated slightly, and the fever subsided by more than half. The next day, he was given Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), Huashi (Talcum), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Zhimu, Shigao, Renshen (Ginseng Radix), Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), and Tianhuafen (Trichosanthis Radix). His black tongue coating began to recede, his mental state cleared, and he resumed eating, leading to a full recovery.

The wife of my cousin Dongli suffered from coughing and hemoptysis, fever, dizziness, and weakness in the legs and knees. She had previously taken numerous doses of Yin-nourishing and Fire-descending prescriptions without success. Her food intake gradually decreased, and her spirit became increasingly emaciated, prompting her to seek my treatment. Both Cun pulses were prominent like a string of pearls, while both Chi pulses were weak and soft, indicating a pattern of excess above and deficiency below. The excess above referred to phlegm and blood stasis; the deficiency below referred to weak Kidney Yin. Furthermore, as she habitually consumed alcohol, it likely contributed to internal heat. The treatment principle should first clear the Upper Jiao, resolve the blood stasis and old phlegm, and then conclude with Yin-nourishing herbs to eradicate the root of the disease and prevent consumption (Laozai). Beimu (Fritillariae Bulbus), Zhike (Aurantii Fructus), Sangbaipi (Mori Cortex) were used to clear the lungs and transform phlegm; Huashi, Taoren (Persicae Semen), Mudanpi (Moutan Cortex), and Xiaoji (Cibotii Rhizoma or蓼科植物) were used to eliminate blood stasis; Shanzhizi, Gancao, and Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) were used to nourish blood and dispel residual heat. After three doses, the amount of blood expectorated gradually decreased, and distending pain in the chest and abdomen subsided. However, due to persistent phlegmy cough and dry constipation, Huashi and Taoren were removed, and Gualou (Trichosanthis Fructus), Huangqin, and Ziwan (Asternatis Radix) were added for conditioning, leading to stabilization.

Madam Cheng, wife of Cheng Zhipo from Youxi, aged over sixty, contracted an epidemic disease. She presented with headache, thirst, yellow and dry tongue coating at the front, purple-black coating at the back, heavy feverish sensation, coma, disordered speech, scanty and difficult urination, vomiting, irritability, eyes closed and unable to open, incessant muttering, deafness, and chest and hypochondriac pain. This occurred in early May. I was invited to diagnose her. The left pulse was floating, wiry, and rapid; the right pulse was surging, long, and rapid. After diagnosis, Mr. Qingyi asked, "What is the syndrome?" I replied, "This belongs to the category of Heat Disease." Qingyi asked, "Is it named Heat Disease simply because there is heat in the body?" I said, "No. Zhang Zhongjing stated that if Spring Warmth persists beyond its season, it is called Heat Disease, especially since this is caused by a virulent heat pathogen." The pathogen was located in the Yangming and Shaoyang meridians. He asked again, "Can she survive?" I said, "If the pulse and symptoms correspond, survival is possible. It is not surprising that this disease has spread widely nearby and far away." Qingyi said, "He Yu also mentioned that this is a disease of the Shaoyang and Yangming meridians. Since our views coincide, we request your advice on a prescription." My diagnosis largely aligned with He Yu's. Therefore, I prescribed Chaihu and Shigao as the sovereign drugs, Zhimu, Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix), Tianhuafen, and Zhuru (Bambusae Caulis in Taeniam) as the minister drugs, Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma) as the assistant drug, and Gancao, Zhike, and Jiegeng as the envoy drugs. Two doses were taken consecutively. At Chou hour, she sweated slightly, the fever subsided, and her mind cleared without adverse events. She immediately consumed meat broth. In the afternoon, however, high fever returned, accompanied by delirium and deep stupor, causing panic among the family. I said, "This is a relapse due to food." I immediately prescribed Xiaochaihu Tang with added Shanzhizi, Zhishi, Dan Douchi (Sojae Semen Praeparatum), and Biejia (Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum) for four doses. She sweated again, the heat dispersed, and her mind became clear, though she remained thirsty and irritable. She was stabilized using Shengmai San (Generate the Pulse Powder) with added Huanglian, Xiangru (Elsholtziae Herba), Zhuru, and Zhuye (Bambusae Folium).