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The mother of Wu Tian'guan. She often experienced violent anger in the past, which led to her menstruation stopping after it had started. Since entering autumn, she gradually felt qi rebelling and rushing upward causing Jue (syncope/reversal cold) syndrome, resembling a state of fear of riding on boats, fainting at every move. She lay in bed for a long time, feeling as if heaven and earth were overturning, unable to force herself to rise. Various treatments were ineffective. She then used 3-5 fen of Renshen (Ginseng Radix), which only provided momentary relief. Finally, she took one dose containing 5 qian, costing several taels of gold per day, attempting to survive temporarily to raise her young child. Ultimately, her family fortune was exhausted, and her condition became critical. She exhibited intense heat with excessive thirst, pain in the head as if split by a knife, poor appetite, and frequent diarrhea. Treatment seemed hopeless. Upon hearing that I returned to Lou County, she invited me to diagnose her, promising recovery, and entrusted her life to my care. I reasoned that severe anger causes blood to stagnate in the upper body while qi fails to descend, a condition named "Jue Dian Ji" (Reversal Disease of the Vertex). "Jue" means reversal; "Dian" means high. When both qi and blood reverse to the high vertex, dizziness and vertigo occur frequently. Furthermore, due to excess above and deficiency below, the pathology lies in the Shaoyang (Lesser Yang) channel. Shaoyang refers to the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian. The acupoints of the gallbladder connect to the brain. Fire from repressed anger attacks the brain upward; when tonified, the fire flares up, causing pain like splitting. This is also a form of Jue Dian disease. Wind and fire fanning each other cause tremors and steaming heat; Wood and Earth conflicting result in difficulty eating and frequent diarrhea. Thus, drawing upon the concept of iron filings having a heavy, settling nature from the *Neijing* (Classic of Internal Medicine), I used herbs such as Daizheshi (Ochre), Longdancao (Gentian Root), Lvhua (Aloe), and Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome) to direct the rebellious qi downward. I employed Shuqi (Polygala Tuber), Danpi (Moutan Cortex), and Chishao (Red Peony Root) to move the stagnant blood. I used Muli (Oyster Shell), Longgu (Fossilized Bone), and Wuweizi (Schisandra Fruit) to gather the floating spirit. Most crucially, I added two raw Pig Bile (Zhudanshi) to each decoction. Because the Shaoyang heat was intense, the bile must have been dried up; thus, using a substance of the same kind to supplement it aided in stabilizing the critical condition. As soon as the medicine entered her mouth, it was as if her spirit returned to its residence, forgetting the bitter taste. After taking more than ten doses and over twenty pig bile units, the heat subsided, the body cooled, appetite increased, and diarrhea stopped spontaneously. She could finally get up and walk a few steps. However, she still felt light as a leaf and could not sustain this for long. Fearing the medicine was too bitter for prolonged use, I reduced the dosage of Zhudanshi, Lvhua, and Longgu, adding Danggui (Angelica Sinensis Root) 1 qian, Renshen 3 fen, and using Jiang (Ginger) and Zao (Jujube) as guides. After several days of harmonizing treatment, she fully recovered.
After the mother's illness resolved, Tian'guan developed abdominal pain, shouting incessantly throughout the night with no urination. I administered Zhulian Tang (Evodia and Coptis Decoction) augmented with Xiansuo (Cyperi Rhizoma) and Curcumae Radix (Yanzhusu), after which the pain stabilized. Later, due to food stagnation recurrence, the illness lasted over twenty days, resulting in emaciation and sunken eye sockets, before he found slight relief. Coinciding with a family disaster, his symptoms changed to high fever, red eyes, and swollen cheeks, resembling an exterior excess pattern. I recognized this as true fire being stirred and burning internally, and prescribed Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) supplemented with Zhimu (Anemarrhena Rhizome) and Huangbai (Phellodendron Bark) for over thirty doses, after which the fire subsided. Following the reduction of fire, he developed widespread sores, yellow swelling, and an urgent desire to eat, unable to wait even briefly, crying and fretting all day. I comforted his mother, saying that after ten days, his abdomen would fill slightly, qi would stabilize, and the crying would cease. He was completely cured after consuming Er Dong Gao (Asparagus and Ophiopogon Paste). These two cases of mother and son were extremely difficult to differentiate and treat, yet they were preserved. Is this not gratifying?
Mr. Hu Youchen stated: These two diseases are very common. This case study is deeply beneficial for future learners.