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Yang Jideng's two daughters were both of age (fifteen) and about to be betrothed. The eldest daughter had suffered from amenorrhea for over a year, accompanied by fever, poor appetite, emaciation, and profuse sweating, eventually developing into a consumptive weakness syndrome (Laoqie). Physicians, seeing the profuse sweating, mistakenly diagnosed it as deficiency and administered tonics such as Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen) and Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu), which only caused further stagnation of the menses. Upon my examination, I observed her sweating like steam rising from a steamer, and told her: "The key to treating this condition lies entirely in the presence of sweating. Since the menstrual blood is internally obstructed, there is only one pathway for it to emerge: through the skin and hair follicles. This is because sweat is also derived from blood. If there were no sweating and the blood did not flow, the skin would become dry and withered, leading to death." Therefore, it was appropriate to use extremely bitter-cold herbs to consolidate the internalized blood and guide it downward to connect with the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel). Once the heat subsided and menstruation resumed, the sweating would stop naturally. This could not be achieved with tonic medicines. Thus, Longhui Wan (Longdan Xiegan Wan modified or similar bitter-draining pill) was administered three times daily. After more than a month, she suddenly felt a slight onset of menstruation, and the sweating and fever slightly alleviated. The dosage of the pill was then reduced to once every other day. Another month later, menstruation flowed heavily for five days, and all ailments were completely cured.

The second daughter also suffered from excessive sweating, reduced appetite, and emaciation. During the pulse diagnosis, I noticed twitching of tendons and trembling of muscles in her hands, along with physical fatigue and weak qi. I stated: "This is a sign of severe deficiency following great fright; it should be treated with warming and tonifying methods." Consequently, I added Sclerotium Poriae Cocos (Fushen) and Ziziphi Spinosae Semen (Suanzaoren) to the tonifying formula. After administering more than ten doses, there was no effect. I hesitated regarding the treatment strategy and reflected upon myself, saying: "This is neither an external contraction nor an internal injury, nor a miscellaneous disease. The spontaneous sweating and tremors are unceasing; since she can tolerate tonics yet the condition remains unchanged, and considering she is a maiden who has never experienced family disasters, why does her demeanor resemble that of someone who has suffered a catastrophic loss?" Suddenly, I realized: "This must be a disease caused by evil spirits (Xiesui). Why did her father not mention this? It is suspicious." I went to examine her and asked about her complexion. She replied: "Her face turns red at times and yellow at others." I said: "There is indeed an evil spirit attached to the viscera. I have divine medicine to expel it." Only then did Yang Jideng reveal: "My daughter, after falling asleep each night, foams at the mouth, shivers violently, and loses consciousness. We pour ginger decoction into her mouth for a long time until she revives. We stay awake by lamp light to guard against it, but cannot stop it. Because the sedative medicines used previously seemed appropriate, and fearing rumors from the future husband's family, I dared not speak openly." I said: "Why did you not say so earlier? One dose will cure her." I prepared a powder made from Rhinoceros Horn (Xijiao), Antelope Horn (Lingyangjiao), Dragon Teeth (Longchi), Tiger Bone (Hu Gu - *Note: Modern substitutes often used*), Oyster Shell (Muli), Deer Antler Glue/Residue (Lujiaoshuang), Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen), and Scutellaria Root (Huangqin). Half a jin (approx. 500g) of mutton was boiled to extract three bowls of concentrated broth. The powder was mixed into the broth and taken in one dose. She indeed slept peacefully, and the condition never recurred. People passed it down as miraculous. My reasoning was that when an evil spirit attaches to the body, it contends with the person's Shen Qi (Spirit and Qi), causing mutual discomfort with no outlet. Therefore, I used relics of spiritual animals (bones, teeth, etc.) guided by the strong odor of mutton to attract the evil spirit to attach to the bones and horns, facilitating its expulsion via the large intestine. This imitates ancient practices of exorcism and transformation of spirits, fulfilling their underlying principles.

Mr. Xiong Zhongshu, a gentleman from my hometown, had a young son named Quji. In his childhood, he suffered from a strange illness. His diet and drink were normal, but his pulse was fine/thready, his spirit was dull, his Qi was depleted, and his complexion was sallow/withered. Mr. Xiong asked: "What disease is this?" I replied: "The disease is called 'Yandie' (Chronic debility due to sexual excess or yin pathogens). As mentioned in the Zuo Zhuan, 'approaching women leads to晦 (darkness/yin pathogen)' refers to this condition. That patient suffered because he approached women and encountered yin pathogens, making him incurable. Your son contracted the yin pathogen but did not approach women, so he is curable." I modified the previous formula by adding a small amount of Calculus Bovis (Niuhuang). After ten days of administration, he recovered. By the Renwu year, Quji had already passed the provincial examinations to become a Xiaolian.

Mr. Hu Youchen remarked: "Differentiating symptoms and prescribing medication reaches the level of the divine; its depths are unfathomable."