Library

Wang Jingquan suffered from dizziness and headache, falling down upon rising. His chest and diaphragm felt distended and stifled as if bound by a rope, with vomiting preventing any food or drink from entering. All six pulses were choppy (Se). This is dizziness caused by Phlegm-Fluids (Tan Yin) carrying the momentum of Liver Wood and Heart Fire. Initially treated with Jisheng Zhuru Tang (Life-Sustaining Bamboo Shavings Decoction), but vomiting persisted, accompanied by irritability, palpitations, and fever. Then Lugen Tang (Reed Rhizome Decoction) was administered; after two bowls, the rebellious Qi slightly settled. Next, one liang of Wuzhuyu (Evodiae Fructus) was powdered, mixed with egg white, and applied to both soles to guide Fire downward. Externally, Erchen Tang (Two-Cured Decoction) was modified with Jiangzhi Chao Huangqin (Ginger-fried Scutellariae Radix), Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Xuanfuhua (Inulae Flos), Pipaye (Eriobotryae Folium), Dingxiang (Caryophylli Flos), Baidouren (Amomi Fructus Rotundus), Binglang (Arecae Semen), and Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), decocted in water and taken orally. After ingestion, fever subsided, stool passed, and dizziness and vomiting ceased. Only a painful mass remained in the epigastrium; continuing the previous prescription for two doses resolved the mass.

Zhang Erguan presented with fever, headache, thirst, and constipation for three days without bowel movement. The pulse was surging (Hong) and large (Da), indicating symptoms of the Yangming and Shaoyang meridians. Dachaihu Tang (Major Bupleurum Decoction) was used to promote purgation three to five times. The discharged matter was black stool. At night, foul-smelling sweat appeared. The next day he felt refreshed, except for residual heat on the forehead. Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction) was modified with Gegen (Puerariae Radix) and Tianhuafen (Trichosanthis Radix). Due to consuming porridge too early, fever and cough recurred with severe thirst and nausea. Xiaochaihu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) was modified with Zhishi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus), Shanzhizi (Gardeniae Fructus), and Maiya (Hordei Fructus Germinatus). The next day, thirst became unbearable. The prescription was changed to Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction) plus Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix) and Tianhuafen (Trichosanthis Radix). Additionally, Chensha Yiyuan San (Cinnabar and Primrose Powder) was taken externally, mixed well-water and ingested (5 qian). Fever then subsided, and thirst stabilized. Unexpectedly, due to uncovered sleep at night, cold pathogen invaded again. By dawn, high fever returned with loss of consciousness. Urgently, Xiaochaihu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) was modified with Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), Gegen (Puerariae Radix), Qianhu (Peucedani Radix), and Bohe (Menthae Haplocalycis Herba). Sweating occurred, fever retreated, but spirit was exhausted, limbs cold, speech lazy and fatigued, with cough. Shengmai San (Generate Pulse Powder) was modified with Shihu (Dendrobii Caulis), Baihe (Lilii Bulbus), Dazao (Jujubae Fructus), and Baishao Yao (Paeoniae Radix Alba). Cough stopped quickly, spirit improved daily, diet increased, and condition stabilized.

The third concubine of Grand Marshal Pan Yinchuan, granddaughter of Minister Jiang Gong, aged 25, was constitutionally weak and spoke decorously. Difficult labor depleted her strength. Subsequent disappointment over giving birth to a daughter, followed by grief over the infant's death, led to sudden syncope. Upon waking, she was mentally confused, with convulsions of hands and feet, and eyes rolling upward. I arrived after the event; unable to take pulse due to convulsions, I inquired carefully. Since delivery, lochia had completely ceased. A female physician present, formerly trusted, had fed her large amounts of Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), Du Shen Tang (Single Ginseng Decoction), and porridge. The ginseng and porridge obstructed the diaphragm, causing coma and persistent convulsions. I instructed her to induce vomiting by probing the throat. Fortunately, phlegm-fluids, porridge, and medicine filled the basin, stopping convulsions. Then Chuanxiong (Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Shanzha (Crataegi Fructus), Zelan Ye (Lycopus Herba), Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum), Fuling (Poria), and Xiangfu (Cyperi Rhizoma) were administered. She slept slightly. I retired. Unexpectedly, the female physician privately gave two doses of tonics. At Zi-Chou hours (1-5 AM), she suddenly became manic like spirit possession, babbling: "I am Guanyin Bodhisattva descending." She spoke elegant official language fluently with a strong voice, showing no signs of postpartum deficiency. She never knew Han dialect, yet spoke naturally. People were amazed, believing it divine possession, praying and exorcising. I argued alone, telling attendants: "This is incomplete lochia, a syndrome of Blood Stasis resembling seeing ghosts, not true deity possession." Calmly scolding her silenced her. Qinghun San (Clear Soul Powder) plus Huashi (Talcum) and Tongbian (Child's Urine) was given. By dawn, urination resumed, mania settled. Shortly after I left, the female physician, seeking credit, gave unknown medicine. Mania returned. Chuanxiong 1.5 qian, Danggui 4 qian, Zelan Ye 1 qian, Yimucao 1 qian, with Tongbian added before administration, taken twice without effect. I reasoned that residual phlegm stagnation existed in the chest; the previous formula lacked assistant/guide herbs, so efficacy failed. I used the previous formula adding large amounts of Shanzha. Lochia moved slightly, mind quieted. She slept briefly, moving limbs, touching face, beating chest, remaining confused. Pulse near deficient. Morning face red and shiny; evening face pale. Blood moved, fire retreated, hence pulse deficient requiring tonification. Renshen, Chuanxiong, Zelan Ye each 1 qian, Danggui, Shanzha each 2 qian, Fuling, Chenpi each 0.8 fen, Juan Heye (Lotus Leaf) 1 piece, decocted, mixed with Hupo Mozi (Amber Powder) 0.5 fen. After half an hour, two belches occurred. I rejoiced: "Clear Yang rises, turbid Yin descends." From then on, calm. Nightly lochia flowed, stool cleared, requesting porridge. Asked about yesterday's Han dialect source? Answered: Don't know. Everyone believed the statement on blood stasis resembling ghost vision was true. Qin Yue-ren once said: "Six types of untreatable diseases include trusting sorcerers over physicians." Ancients said prescribing medicine is like using troops. With Guo Ziyi's brilliance, appointing Yu Chaoen as supervisor would lead to failure. I am no Guo Linggong, but this female physician's error exceeded Yu Chaoen. Alas! How can one not be cautious?