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Shao Jingpu's wife frequently suffered from epigastric pain (stomach region pain), originating from Qi stagnation (Qi mechanism depression). Recently, due to postpartum dysentery (dysentery with red and white discharge), the epigastric pain persisted, accompanied by profuse sweating. The six pulses were slippery, large, but powerless. The treatment principle should be astringency (to consolidate and stop leakage). Xiao Jianzhong Tang (Minor Construct the Middle Decoction) was used as the main formula: Bai Shao Yao (Radix Paeoniae Alba) stir-fried with wine, 4 qian; Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-fried Radix Glycyrrhizae) 1.5 qian; Gui Pi (Cortex Cinnamomi) and Wu Ling Zhi (Gallus Fermented) each stir-fried with vinegar, 1 qian; Xiang Fu (Rhizoma Cyperi) and Tang Qiu Zi (Fruit of Diospyros kaki or similar astringent fruit, kept as original name) each 8 fen. Decocted in water and drunk. The pain decreased, but sweating had not completely stopped. The next day, Yu Mi Ke (Pericarpium Papaveris Rubi / Poppy Shell) stir-fried with vinegar, 1 qian, was added to the previous formula. After two doses, symptoms ceased completely.

Su Wenxue Wangtai suffered from malaria (Jue disease), occurring once daily, starting with chills followed by fever, with more heat and less cold. He experienced chest and diaphragm fullness and oppression, thirst, turbid urine with a foul, fishy odor. Physicians treated him for five months without effect. His face was sallow, muscles emaciated, food intake reduced, he panted and groaned, spirit was exhausted, and he needed support to stand. He earnestly invited me to treat him. The pulse was deep, wiry, and rapid. I asked, "Is this malaria?" He said, "Yes." I said, "I have heard that true terminal illnesses are untreatable; treating them yields no merit. 'True illness' refers to a death omen. Malaria is likely a common disease, involving merely excess/deficiency, cold/heat, exterior/interior patterns. Some famous physicians considered it an exterior syndrome and induced sweating with Ma Huang (Ephedrae Herba), Qiang Huo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix), Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix), etc.; some considered it an interior syndrome and purged it with Da Chai Hu Tang (Major Bupleurum Decoction); some considered it phlegm-fluid retention and induced vomiting with Chang Shan (Dichroae Radix), Fan Shi (Alumen); some considered it deficiency-cold and administered Fu Zi Li Zhong Tang (Aconite Regulate the Middle Decoction) and Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) totaling three jin; some considered it excess-heat and used Bai Hu Tang (White Tiger Decoction), Zhi Shi (Fructus Aurantii Immaturus), Qing Pi (Exocarpium Citri Reticulatae Viride), Bing Lang (Arecae Semen), Cao Guo (Fructus Tsaoko) to dissipate heat. All methods were tried, yet absolutely no response. Could malaria also be truly incurable leading to death?" Upon finishing speaking, tears flowed down. I said, "Observing your complexion and pulse, the malaria is about to attack. There is no time to debate; just drink my medicine, and you will not die." I used Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix) and Hua Shi (Talcum) each 5 qian as Sovereign drugs; Bie Jia (Carapax et Plastrum Testudinis) 3 qian as Minister drugs; Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma) and Zhi Mu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma) each 1 qian as Assistant drugs; Zhi Shi (Fructus Aurantii Immaturus) and Gan Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae) each 5 fen, and Hei Dou (Sojaes Semen Nigrum) 49 grains as Envoy drugs. Taken with water, accompanied by Kun Bu Bie Jia Wan (Kelp and Turtle Shell Pill). At Shen hour (3-5 PM), the malaria arrived, and by Xu hour (7-9 PM), it had stopped. He rejoiced, saying, "Previously, the malaria started before Shen hour and could not stop until midnight. Even when it stopped, I was listless and reluctant to speak. Just now, after drinking your medicine, it stopped in less than two hours, and I could speak immediately. This is your merit." I said, "It was merely chance. Today the medicine was taken late; tomorrow at Wugeng (3-5 AM), please take it early." After taking it, there was no recurrence all day. On the second day, Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) and Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) were added to the previous formula. The foul smell of urine disappeared, and spirit gradually increased. He rejoiced again, saying, "No suffering for two days, this is your merit." I said, "Also chance." He said, "Alas, I have suffered from malaria for nearly half a year. Distinguished physicians in Xiuyi have all tried, yet with no result. You achieved a miraculous cure but do not claim credit, further revealing your cultivation. I wonder what this formula is named? Please instruct me so as to enlighten future generations." I said, "Why ask for a name? Laozi said: 'Nameless is the beginning of heaven and earth.' How much more so is medicine a Dao? Even 'Dao' is a forced name. Medicine values recognizing the disease. If the disease is recognized, whether using first, second, or third-grade herbs, one can form a prescription and achieve efficacy. The Classics say: 'Constrain the prescription like constraining a bag.' It also says: 'Prescriptions gather by category; prescriptions are established based on diseases.' If the disease is not recognized, even if one takes all 1656 species listed in Ben Cao together, no benefit will be seen. Malaria is indeed a common disease, yet its treatment is not easy. Zhang Zhongjing said: 'Treating malaria requires distinguishing the Six Channels.' I believe that within the Six Channels, there are further distinctions of cold/heat, excess/deficiency, and Yin/Yang, making thirty-six categories. Within these thirty-six, there are cases complicated by phlegm, food stagnation, Qi stagnation, or weak constitution. How can they all be enumerated? Humans are consistent with Heaven, Earth, Yin, and Yang. Heaven and Earth change infinitely; human ailments are diverse. How can they be summarized by merely 113 prescriptions and 397 methods? Wang Jiezhai said: 'The ancients formed prescriptions according to diseases, not formed prescriptions to wait for diseases.' This statement deeply captures the general intent of Huangdi and Qibo in establishing prescriptions. However, the prescription I used today is a harmonizing formula. Zhang Zhongjing stated: 'After sweating, vomiting, or purging, if pathogenic heat does not decrease, it is called a damaged syndrome.' It is treated with Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) plus Bie Jia. I specifically imitated Zhang Zhongjing's Xiao Chai Hu Tang example, adding Yi Yuan San (Benefit Primordial Powder) to eliminate pathogenic heat via urination. Although Bie Jia treats damaged syndromes, it also arrests malaria." He said, "Alas! Previous physicians only spoke of cold, heat, and excess/deficiency. They never offered such profound theories. Truly, it is like hearing footsteps in an empty valley. I hear that you studied principles with officials like Zhu Lingjun and Pan Quhua among the Six Counties, and read your prefaces to 'Da Yi Gou' and 'Yi Fei'. Thus I know you integrate the Three Teachings into medicine. Your medical skill derives from the mysteries of life and nature, which is why you can preserve human life so effectively."