Library

Wang Haicang treated Master Yang, who had been heavily intoxicated for three consecutive days. Upon waking, he experienced intense thirst and drank three cups of cold water and three cups of iced tea. Subsequently, he fell ill with hematochezia (blood in stool), losing approximately one basin of blood. Initially, Wuzhuyu Wan (Evodia Pill) was administered, followed by a half-and-half combination of Pingwei San (Powder to Level the Stomach) and Wuling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria). After three doses, the bleeding stopped. Later, he developed dysentery with white discharge (white dysentery). Shenying Wan (Miraculous Response Pill) was given, and after four doses, the white dysentery ceased. Someone asked, "Why not use Coptis Rhizome (Huanglian) and similar herbs to detoxify, but instead use warm-hot agents?" I replied, "If cold-cool agents were used, the disease would surely change drastically. Since cold pathogenic factors have injured the interior internally, using cold-cool medicines again is not the correct treatment. Moreover, blood coagulates due to cold; when it infiltrates the large intestine and flows downward, it moves only upon receiving warmth. Therefore, using warm-hot agents allows the blood to stop flowing naturally. The Classic says: 'In treating diseases, one must seek the root cause.' This is what is meant. When the stomach receives warmth, the blood does not coagulate but flows freely, each staying in its proper place. Observing this treatment method, one can see that those treating bloody dysentery cannot rigidly adhere to the notion that it is solely a heat syndrome." Additionally, Haicang stated, "In summer months, for prolonged bloody dysentery, Coptis Rhizome (Huanglian) should not be used, as the yin pathogen is within."

The *Yijian Jiazhi* records: Formerly, Chancellor Yu was summoned from Quchuan. On the journey, exposed to summer heat, he suffered from diarrhea and dysentery for months. He saw a verse inscribed on a wall which read: "Summer-toxin resides in the spleen, warm qi connects to the feet; without diarrhea there is dysentery, without dysentery there is malaria. Only refine Realgar (Xionghuang), mix with medicine using steamed dough, make decoction with Licorice Root (Gancao), take it and find peace. Other treatments are great errors by physicians. Prepare medicine according to this prescription, and the illness will heal immediately." This theory is quite peculiar; although it has not been tried, it is recorded here to preserve the method.

The *Veritable Records of Tang Taizong* states: During the Zhenyuan era, the Emperor suffered from Qi dysentery (dysentery associated with qi stagnation or deficiency), which persisted for a long time without recovery despite various medications. An edict was issued to inquire about cures. At that time, Zhang Baocang, the Chief of Jinwu Guard, had previously suffered from this ailment. He submitted a memorial presenting a formula where Bi Jie (Long Pepper Fruit) was decocted with milk. The Emperor took it and recovered immediately. The formula was presented to the Chancellors and officials of the fifth rank and above. Wei Zheng raised objections, delaying the decision for over six months. When the Emperor's illness recurred, the formula was administered again, and the condition subsided. The Emperor asked his attendants, "The person who offered the formula has merit, yet no appointment has been made. Why?" Fearing reprimand, Wei Zheng replied, "I do not know if he should be appointed as a civil or military official." The Emperor angrily said, "Having cured the Chancellor, he may well be granted a third-rank position. Am I inferior to you?" He immediately ordered the grant of a third-rank civil official position, appointing him as Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial (Honglu Si Qing). The formula uses half a jin (approx. 500g) of cow's milk and three qian (approx. 11.25g) of Long Pepper Fruit (Bijie), decocted together until reduced by half. It is taken in one dose on an empty stomach.