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The monk Wuliang of Zhaoqing Temple suffered from a condition where a lump the size of a fist formed in his abdomen, moving left and right, up and down, with ceaseless crying day and night due to unbearable pain. He was extremely emaciated and yellow, had not eaten for over a month, and was on the verge of death. Upon examining his pulse, I said: This is caused by stagnation and obstruction of intestinal Qi, originating from damp-heat and rebellious toxic qi. Other physicians used aromatic and warm herbs like Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix) and Doukou (Amomi Fructus Rotundus) to move Qi. Although Qi moved, the lump became more mobile; the use of aromatic, hot, and drying herbs further constipated the bowels, leading to the symptom of the lump rushing up and down. Three doses of powder medicine cured him.

Powder Formula:
Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, 3 qian), Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma stir-fried with ginger juice, 1 qian), Renzhongbai (Calcinatus Urinae Humanae, 2 qian), Zhiqiao (Aurantii Fructus stir-fried with bran, 3 qian), Houpo (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex stir-fried with ginger juice, 3 qian), Taoren (Persicae Semen, 2 qian).
Grind into powder, divide into three doses.

Lin Fanhai suffered from a condition where his heart felt heavy as if weighed down by a thousand jin. His back was bent and unable to straighten; during each attack, the pain was unbearable, his eyeballs protruded, and his tongue was bitten to pieces, appearing untreatable. Upon examining his pulse, I said: This must be a copper-smith or tinsmith who exerts himself all day, suffers from irregular meals, engages in excessive sexual activity, or is startled while having an illicit affair, causing Qi and Blood to stagnate. Exertion bends the back; startle scatters Heart Blood; stagnation causes Kidney Qi to rebel. Qi envelops Blood, which seeps into the Bao Luo (uterine collaterals), forming this condition. Investigation confirmed he was indeed a copper-smith in Shapi Lane. Two doses inducing sweating lightened the heart; two doses promoting bowel movements straightened the back; one course of Bawei Dihuang Wan (Eight-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) restored his ability to work physically.

Decoction Formula 1:
Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba, 1 qian), Xiangfu (Cyperi Rhizoma, 8 fen), Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix, 1 qian), Fushen (Poria with Hostwood, 8 fen), Guiwei (Angelicae Sinensis Radix tail, 8 fen), Chishao (Paeoniae Rubra Radix, 8 fen), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, 4 fen).

Decoction Formula 2:
Shu Dahuang (Prepared Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, 3 qian), Chishao (Paeoniae Rubra Radix, 1 qian), Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex, 1 qian), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix, 1 qian), Binglang (Arecae Semen, 1 qian), Zhishi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus, 1 qian).

The monk Yuanchen of Linyin Temple suffered from a condition where his body was cool during the day and hot at night, with severe whole-body pain that came and went at regular intervals. Walking during the day was unbearably painful, but sleeping brought relief; sleeping at night was unbearably painful, but walking provided comfort. The monk was in extreme suffering, desiring only a quick death. Upon examining his pulse, I said: This results from blood damage due to prolonged sitting meditation, combined with nocturnal emissions. Initially fearing seminal leakage during sleep, he practiced meditation at night, further damaging Yin Blood. Daytime heavy meals damaged Spleen Qi, leaving it fatigued and desiring rest during the day. Blood belongs to the Yin aspect; when Yin prevails, unrest occurs. Blood deficiency with flourishing Fire causes daytime coolness and nighttime heat. Modified Ziyin Yihuo Tang (Nourishing Yin and Suppressing Fire Decoction) cured him after several doses.

Modified Ziyin Yihuo Tang:
Tianmendong (Asparagi Radix, heart removed), Maimendong (Ophiopogonis Radix), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Digupi (Lycii Cortex), Danpi (Moutan Cortex), Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), Fushen (Poria with Hostwood), Juhua (Chrysanthemi Flos), Zaoren (Ziziphi Spinosae Semen), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma).
Add two red dates and twenty stalks of Dengxincao (Junci Medulla).

Zhu Huazhi suffered from a condition with asthma, excessive phlegm, and extreme emaciation. As dawn approached, he craved food. Eating half a bowl of rice in small bites allowed easy swallowing, enabling him to eat seven or eight bowls. However, dividing one bowl into five or six bites made swallowing difficult; smaller amounts were even harder to swallow, which was inexplicable. After dawn, he no longer sought food, drinking only soup and lying or sitting until morning, suffering from phlegm and asthma all night. Upon examining his pulse, I said: The Kidney Water is not injured. This stems from proper preservation in youth but excessive mental exertion in middle age, dreaming of wealth from night till dawn, depleting Heart Blood. Qi stagnation and Fire flare up, injuring the Lung. Other physicians, knowing the Lung governs Qi and the Kidney stores Qi, attributed the rebellious Qi and weakness to Kidney deficiency failing to grasp Lung Qi, using many tonics, which worsened the asthma and weakness. I used modified San'ao Tang (Three Unblocking Decoction), curing him after several doses. This condition originated from Wind pathogen and accumulated phlegm; mistaken use of Renshen (Ginseng Radix) led to persistent asthma. Using Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba) addresses the root. Craving food at dawn results from mental exertion depleting Heart Blood and sinking Stomach Qi, urgently seeking food to fill the void. Morning Qi is still present... [text missing] ...more food enters easily because it utilizes Stomach Qi... [text missing] ...pressing down... [text missing] ...grain Qi guides Stomach Qi directly, preventing asthma from escaping; if food is scarce, asthma escapes easily, but food enters with difficulty. Not eating during the day is due to lack of desire, dull spirit and Qi, and undigested morning food.

Decoction Formula:
Baifuling (Poria, 2 qian), Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba, untrimmed joints, 2 qian), Xingren (Pruni Armeniaci Semen, unpeeled tips, 24 grains), Zhiqiao (Aurantii Fructus, 1 qian), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, 8 fen), Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens), Dazao (Jujubae Fructus).

Ye Sufang asked me to examine his pulse in November. At that time, he had no symptoms but wanted to prepare a daily tonic pill. I said: The formula is not yet determined, but his pulse already shows pathology; within ten days, it will manifest as alternating chills and fever, becoming a Dan Nue (Febrile Malaria occurring every three days). I traveled to Hangzhou by boat and returned in April the following year. Everything happened exactly as I predicted. He took the prescribed formula and was cured after three doses.

Decoction Formula:
Zhi Houpo (Prepared Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex), Zhi Zhimu (Prepared Anemarrhenae Rhizoma), Xiao Chaihu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction), Qingpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride), Caoguoren (Arecae Semen, kernel), Huoxiangye (Agastaches Herba), Zhi Banxia (Prepared Pinelliae Tuber), Baifuling (Poria), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma).

Ye Chengye suffered from dysentery with accumulation for nearly ten days, with unbearable abdominal pain and tenesmus. Upon examining his pulse, I said: This is neither accumulation nor dysentery, but rather Spleen Blood deficiency interacting with food Qi. After taking the prescribed formula, abdominal pain ceased after one dose, and tenesmus ceased after another dose; the accumulation was completely cured.

Decoction Formula:
Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Baishaoyao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Shengdi (Rehmanniae Radix), Digupi (Lycii Cortex), Baifuling (Poria).

Ye Bawusun suffered from a Shanghan (Cold Damage) syndrome with continuous watery diarrhea day and night, a red-purple complexion, black ears, a fist-sized lump on the chest, incessant asthma, and coldness extending from the lower body to the navel. Other physicians diagnosed it as "Lou Di" (slipping bottom/profuse diarrhea) and tried to stop it, worsening the condition. With a dark face, delirium, blue lips, fixed eyes, incessant coughing and asthma, cold limbs, and cold skin, these were signs of death. Seeking my help, I said: Pulse examination is unnecessary; the symptoms alone indicate it is easily treatable. When the disease was in the Yangming Stomach channel, they should have used Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) and Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), but instead used Jiwei Qianghuo Tang (Nine-Herb Notopterygium Decoction), causing both exterior and interior stagnation. The continuous watery stool occurred because, when the disease was in the Yangming Stomach channel, Dahuang, Huangqin, and Houpo were urgently needed, but Jiwei Qianghuo Tang was used to disperse. Both upper and lower pathways were obstructed; hard feces inside could not exit, blocking the intestines and stomach, causing stagnant Blood to attack upwards, resulting in these symptoms. Modified Dachengqi Tang (Major Order the Qi Decoction) cured him after two doses.

Lu Canglin suffered from malaria for three years, with extremely weak spirit and Spleen/Stomach. I prescribed a formula containing only Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), made into pills and powder, taken for one month, resulting in a cure. Over half a year later, one day upon examining his pulse, I said: Based on the pulse, in three days he will suddenly become unconscious and dizzy, lose consciousness, and suffer pain in all joints. I prepared a formula waiting for the onset. At that time, his Essence and Qi were strong, and friends did not believe me. On the third day, it happened exactly as predicted, and he recovered after taking the medicine.

Lu Chunyuan (Courtesy name Changqing, Art name Xiaoru) suffered from a condition with heavy head, fever, whole-body pain, and inability to eat. Despite consulting many physicians, the condition worsened. He vomited day and night, and administering decoctions aggravated it. Each vomiting episode produced several roundworms; later, even decoctions could not stay down. After over half a month, it was considered incurable. Upon examining his pulse, I said: This was originally not a fatal condition; incorrect medication increased the illness until even decoctions could not be retained. I used only Zhizi Ren (Gardeniae Semen stir-fried with ginger juice) and Doukou (Amomi Fructus Rotundus), administered with plain boiled water. Once past the throat, unbearable chest pain would occur, indicating the disease could be treated. The medication worked exactly as predicted. Taking a modified prescription daily, he recovered fully in half a month. The condition initially arose from external Wind-Cold. Physicians mistakenly used tonics, trapping Cold in the chest. Stomach Qi failed to ascend, transforming into Fire. Intestines and stomach became extremely hot. Roundworms migrated upward to the cold area above the epigastrium to seek refuge, unaware that the cold area was a dead end. The upper Cold was dispersed by Doukou Ren, and the lower Heat was cleared by Zhizi Ren. Since Zhizi Ren is cold and difficult to cross the diaphragm, it was stir-fried, ensuring immediate efficacy.

Li Gongzu (Prefectural Military Dao, Art name Gengsheng)'s eldest daughter-in-law, Wang Shi, suffered from a condition with swollen and red neck, and a surge of Qi from the lower abdomen rushing to the throat, causing extreme pain and inability to eat for seven days. Physicians treated it as a swelling/toxin and attempted to dissipate it, worsening the condition. Upon examining her pulse, I said: This is not a swelling/toxin. Palpating carefully, this is a pregnancy pulse. Is there anyone in the world who can give birth after not eating for seven to eight days? Only pregnant women are different. At conception, strong wind and fog caused righteous Qi to condense into the fetus, while pathogenic Qi manifested as toxicity. Asking about her menstrual period, she had missed it by only six days. I confirmed pregnancy and prescribed a formula to calm Qi, broaden the Spleen, and secure the fetal origin. After several doses, she stabilized, exactly as predicted. Wang Shi eventually followed her husband's changes, ending her life with integrity and righteousness; her chastity and heroism were truly unsurpassable!

Li Gongzu (Prefectural Judicial Office, Art name Anxiu) suffered from a small lump on the chest, initially painless and itchless. Physicians thought it was a swelling/toxin suitable for dispersal, applying plasters. It turned red and painful, increasing daily. Upon examining his pulse, I said: This is Pi Ju (Skin Abscess). Inside is a hard Ding (carbuncle/nodule) the size of a little finger. It requires decoction medicine to expel it externally, and topical application to thin the skin. After twenty days, the nodule suppurated. After pus drainage, he recovered fully.

Decoction Formula:
Heshouwu (Polygoni Multiflori Radix), Jinyinhua (Lonicerae Japonicae Flos), Beimu (Fritillariae Thunbergii Bulbus), Tianhuafen (Trichosanthis Radix), Zaojiaoci (Gleditsiae Spina), Dangguiwei (Angelicae Sinensis Radix tail), Gancaojie (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma joint).

Topical Application Formula:
Heshouwu (Polygoni Multiflori Radix), Tiannanxing (Arisaematis Tuber), Da Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix), Chuanwu (Aconiti Radix), Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma).
Grind into powder, apply around the area mixed with vinegar.

Yu Yongcheng suffered from a condition where food could not go down; forcing food caused vomiting and pain, yet he worked diligently as usual. He drank several cups of Renshen Tang (Ginseng Decoction) daily, but various medicines were ineffective. Upon examining his pulse, I said: This is a condition of excessive labor without moderation. Mental and physical labor without end, eating during labor, and overeating. Thus, immoderate labor injures the Spleen, and immoderate diet injures the Stomach. Stomach injury prevents intake; Spleen injury prevents transformation. However, his vital energy remains intact, making it easy to treat. I selected a quiet room and instructed him to sit quietly inside. On the first day, he ate nothing. By the next day, his spirit felt slightly calmer, and he desired food. I then gave him thin porridge. By the third or fourth day, he strongly desired food. By the seventh day, food passed through the esophagus. This is called treating the person's illness with their own method.

Wife of Xu Yuxuan suffered from a condition where she could not sleep for over a month, sat supported, panted rapidly, and had swollen head, legs, and feet. On the fortieth day, air from her throat and nose was ice-cold. She fainted repeatedly, losing consciousness. Physicians deemed it hopeless. Upon examining her pulse, I said: This is a strange condition, easiest to cure. How can anyone survive forty days without sleep or food, with cold breath from the nose? This resulted from postpartum Blood attacking upwards. The Blood wanted to exit via the mouth but could not, so it died and coagulated in the throat. Although living Qi passed through the dead Blood, the Qi became cold. Coagulated Blood and cold Qi cause distension from drinking fluids, leading to edema of the head, face, hands, and feet. Dead Blood in the throat means lying down blocks Qi from ascending, cutting off vital function. Hence, the month-long insomnia was a struggle for survival. I prescribed modified Moping Yin (Grinding Level Drink) to unblock Blood. After taking the medicine, she could sleep. Upon waking, her Qi warmed. She recovered fully in a few days.

Decoction Formula:
Honghua (Carthami Flos), Taoren (Persicae Semen), Sumu (Sappan Lignum), Peng'e Zhu (Curcumae Phaeocaulis Rhizoma), Zhiqiao (Aurantii Fructus), Wuyao (Linderae Radix), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Jingsanleng (Sparganii Rhizoma), Baishaoyao (Paeoniae Radix Alba).

Ye Chu'e initially suffered from a condition where his body was emaciated but his abdomen gradually enlarged with a mass, preventing food intake. I examined his pulse and prescribed a formula, promising to cure half of it. It happened exactly as predicted; the other half was beyond medicinal reach. He then requested I teach him Jing Gong (Quiet Meditation). Fortunately, the Dao affinity aligned. After seven days of opening the gates, he felt refreshed throughout his body, and the abdominal mass was vomited out. The old illness was completely cured. Four years later, sudden anger over family matters, combined with eating in the wind, caused a recurrence: persistent diarrhea. I treated him. After recovery, another condition arose: coughing, acid regurgitation, limb flaccidity, near-death gasps. Upon examining his pulse, I said: This is Mingmen Fire failing to ascend. I used Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) to ascend it and Rougui (Cinnamomi Cortex) floating medicine to nourish it. Symptoms gradually improved, returning to normal. Months later, during my trip to Lanjiang, Ye Chu'e vomited half a bowl of blood one night. Vomiting brought relief. At this time, Renshen (Ginseng Radix) and Guipi (Astragali Radix) etc. should have been used to secure the Primordial Spirit. Contemporary doctors did not know this and recklessly used cooling medicines. Within two days, the condition changed. Coming to Lanjiang to consult me, I saw his formula: initially using cooling Blood agents, then Hupo (Succinum)... [text missing]