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Cheng Shaoxi, in middle age, suffered from *He Xi Feng* (Crane Knee Wind, a condition characterized by knee swelling and wasting of the thigh muscles), with all muscles on both legs, calves, and inner/outer sides wasted away, while both knees were swollen. This was caused by indulgence in alcohol and sexual activity after drinking.

Having undergone treatment
He sought medical care in six prefectures: Suzhou, Songjiang, Jiaxing, Huzhou, Hangzhou, and Yanzhou, but his condition was regarded as an intractable disease. Moreover, pustules and scabs on his four limbs were confluent, oozing and foul-smelling, making him difficult to approach. He considered himself doomed to die. His family, having exhausted their wealth on medical expenses due to his prolonged illness, could no longer afford food and clothing, leaving them with no means to seek survival. A relative of his lived next door to me; he casually mentioned Cheng's peculiar illness and financial distress. Hearing this, I felt compassion. The neighbor knew that I did not shy away from cases involving poverty or unusual symptoms, so he earnestly requested me to examine Cheng. I brought my second son, Tai Lai, along. I instructed Cheng to wash his hands before pulse diagnosis. The pulse at the left Cun and Guan positions was floating and rapid; the right Cun position was short and weak; both Chi positions were deep and faint. These are signs of Qi deficiency and Blood heat. According to therapeutic principles, one should greatly tonify Qi and Blood to strengthen sinews and bones, and there is still hope for survival. Upon hearing this, the patient ordered his daughter-in-law to kowtow on the ground to request prescription. I said, "The pathological heat has become entrenched; it will take at least a hundred days to see results. Tonifying Blood yields no quick effect; it requires daily and monthly nourishment to gradually moisten and hydrate. Once joints become unobstructed, bones align, and sinews soften, leg muscles will naturally regenerate." Initially, I prescribed Gui Ban (Tortoise Shell), Yi Yi Ren (Coix Seed) each 3 qian; Cang Er Zi (Xanthium Fruit), Wu Jia Pi (Acanthopanacis Cortex), Tou Er Can Sha (First and Second Silkworm Feces), Jie Jie Xiang (Sarcandra Glabra Stem) each 1 qian; Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis Root), Ren Shen (Ginseng Root), Huang Qi (Astragalus Root), Cang Zhu (Atractylodes Rhizome), Du Zhong (Eucommia Bark), Huang Bo (Phellodendron Bark) each 8 fen; Hong Hua (Carthamus Flower) 5 fen. Decocted in water and taken orally. After ten doses, the sores and scabs gradually thinned out, and his spirit slightly improved. Subsequently, I prescribed Yi Yi Ren (Coix Seed), Wu Jia Pi (Acanthopanacis Cortex), Gui Ban (Tortoise Shell) each 2 qian; Jie Jie Xiang (Sarcandra Glabra Stem), Cang Er Zi (Xanthium Fruit), Di Huang (Rehmannia Root), Dan Shen (Salvia Miltiorrhiza Root), Cang Zhu (Atractylodes Rhizome), Huang Bo (Phellodendron Bark), He Shou Wu (Polygonum Multiflorum Root) each 1 qian; Ren Shen (Ginseng Root), Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis Root) each 8 fen; Hong Hua (Carthamus Flower), Mu Tong (Akebia Caulis) each 5 fen. After thirty doses, he could walk leaning on a cane, leg muscles gradually regenerated, sores and scabs completely healed, and knee swelling reduced by sixty percent. Later, I used Hu Qian Wan (Tiger Crouch Pill) added with Lu Jiao Jiao (Deer Antler Gelatin), He Shou Wu (Polygonum Multiflorum Root), Jin Mao Gou Ji (Cibotium Rhizome), Jie Jie Xiang (Sarcandra Glabra Stem), Niu Xi (Achyranthes Root), made into pills using Gui Ban Jiao (Tortoise Shell Gelatin). After taking it for three months, leg muscles fully recovered. When he emerged from Shaoshang (place name), locals marveled at his recovery. I recorded the prescriptions in full to disseminate them.