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"Tan Ying" records that a wealthy man in Hangzhou, who was fond of doing good deeds, had a seven-year-old son. The boy developed seven ding sores (malignant skin infections) around his lips, with pain penetrating to the bone marrow, and the condition was extremely critical. All those proficient in traditional Chinese medicine were gathered at his home to discuss prescriptions, but ultimately without effect. The lesions worsened daily, he could not take even water or gruel, and the doctors resigned, claiming incompetence, leaving one by one. The father, worried and helpless, could only sit and wait for his child's death. Suddenly, an old beggar woman came to the door begging, making endless noise. The gatekeeper scolded her. Hearing this, the father came out, reprimanded the gatekeeper, and gave the woman what she asked for. Seeing tears on the father's eyelashes, she asked about his son's illness and said, "This is called 'Seven Stars Gathering Around the Moon,' a critical condition. Only the shed worms (larvae) excreted by children under twelve years old, one hundred of them, pounded into cakes and applied layer by layer to the affected area, can cure it." Upon hearing this, the father went inside to tell everyone, and when he came out to invite the woman, she had disappeared. However, the items given to her remained, and people were amazed, considering her divine. Following her instructions, they hung notices seeking families with young children. Those with children eagerly offered the larvae from their children's laxatives. Applying them indeed cured the disease. Sui notes: The lips correspond to the spleen and stomach. If there are no roundworms, chicken gizzard lining (Jineijin) and Anemarrhena rhizome (Zhimu) can be powdered, mixed with earthworms (Wuguchong), pounded together, and applied topically, which is also effective.

Excess Heat Lurking Inside

It is also recorded that Qian Fuyao was fond of charity and knowledgeable in medicine, treating illnesses without demanding gratitude. On New Year's Day, while walking in the mountains, he saw two elderly men sitting on the ground discussing medicine. One had white hair and a beard hanging to his chest; the other had full cheeks and a slight mustache. Qian Fuyao, touched by their demeanor, bowed and sought advice. The bearded man smiled and asked, "Do you also know medicine?" Qian replied, "Yes." The man said, "Medicine has the 'Three Examinations.' Do you know them?" Qian asked, "What are the Three Examinations?" The man answered, "First examine the complexion, second the tongue, third the pulse." In treating anyone, first examine the facial color to distinguish the Five Elements, determining whether generation or restriction is appropriate; next examine the tongue to discern dryness or moisture; then examine the pulse's floating/sinking and slow/rapid qualities to differentiate exterior/interior and deficiency/excess, thereby deciding between wind-cold, damp-heat, etc. Once these three examinations are accurate, then deliberate on the prescription, ensuring near-perfect success. Just remember my words, comprehend and apply them, and your medical skills will be complete. Qian Fuyao immediately nodded in agreement and asked for their names. The man with the slight mustache pointed to the bearded man and said, "This is Mr. Hua Tuohua (Hua Tuo) from the Three Kingdoms period; I am Sun Simiao from the Tang Dynasty." Qian Fuyao was greatly startled, realizing he had met immortals. He hurriedly prostrated and kowtowed. When he looked up, they had vanished. From then on, his understanding of medical principles advanced daily. Coincidentally, the Prefect's mother fell ill during the summer months. She wore heavy fur coats yet still felt cold. The collective physicians treated her with hot-natured drugs, but to no avail. They invited Qian Fuyao to diagnose her. Observing her red malar flush and black, dry tongue, he confirmed it as excess heat lurking inside. He determined that clearing the internal heat would naturally dispel the external pathogen. He urgently ordered her to drink large amounts of melon juice. After a short while, she evacuated foul stagnation, slept soundly, and upon waking, sweated profusely like rain. Her illness recovered quickly.

Deficiency-Cold Wind-Stroke

It is also recorded that a certain Vice Censor-in-Chief suddenly experienced whitening/redness of the sclera and collapsed abruptly, suffering from limb spasms and convulsions. Many physicians looked at each other, afraid to prescribe. Qian Fuyao observed the official's pale, slightly bluish complexion and white, moist tongue. He reasoned that during the Mid-Autumn Festival, Metal Qi was dominant, and cool winds entered through deficiency, stirring internal wind. The syndrome belonged to deficiency-cold. Treatment should support Fire to drain Metal, cultivate Earth to control Wood. Thus, he administered herbs such as Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen), Astragali Radix (Huangqi), Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu), and Cinnamomi Ramulus (Guizhi). The illness healed instantly.

Dysphagia (Ge Syndrome)

Dongxuan Zhuren's "Shuyi Ji" records: Inside Hanyang Gate in Wuchang Prefecture, Chu, lay the foundation of Chen Youliang's Guangji Granary, now residential land. In the Jiazi year of the Kangxi reign, someone dug up black rice from the ground. It was black as lacquer and hard as stone, becoming loose when roasted, and grinding it into powder cured dysphagia miraculously. Wu Youddan, Teaching Assistant of Linhai, heard this story in Chu.

Loss of Vision

Zu Taizhi's "Zhi Guai Lu" records: Sheng Chong, a Secretary in Wu, was extremely filial. His mother, Lady Wang, lost her sight. Sheng Chong temporarily ordered a maid to feed his mother. The maid fed her minced wireworms (Qicao). Lady Wang found it delicious, though it was not fish or meat. She told Sheng Chong, "Ask the maid." Sheng Chong asked, and the maid admitted eating wireworms. Sheng Chong hugged his mother and wept bitterly. Immediately, his mother's eyes opened. The "Ben Cao Jing" states: "Wireworms, also known as Fanqi, treat blood stasis."

Smallpox

"The Times" records Ling Songhe's "Nine Guidelines for Smallpox": 1. Smallpox should appear fully by the fifth or sixth day. To check if it is complete, verify the soles of the feet; if smallpox appears on the soles, it is complete. However, for sparse cases, this rule does not strictly apply. Generally, once evil heat recedes and pox appear, it is considered complete. If all pox appear at once, the condition will likely be severe. 2. Cases where convulsions precede smallpox are mostly safe; cases where smallpox precedes convulsions are dangerous, named "Convulsive Smallpox." 3. Rubbing the cheeks: if redness turns white upon rubbing and returns to red when lifted, it indicates active blood and is treatable. If it does not turn white upon rubbing or red upon lifting, it indicates dried blood and is difficult to treat despite gentle care. 4. Swelling of the head and face before the pox open indicates severe deficiency of Yuan Qi, named "Deficiency Swelling," not normal swelling. Such pox cannot swell properly. One must strongly tonify Yuan Qi; the swelling will subside, and proper swelling will occur. If swelling persists after pox retract, it is due to severe Yuan Qi deficiency failing to transform toxins into pus, leaving residual toxins in the skin. 5. Pox appearing first on the forehead and cheeks are generally favorable; those on the philtrum, nose, and mouth are risky; swelling on lips or eyelids indicates severe stomach-spleen toxin involvement; appearance on the Taiyang, jaw, cheeks, or ears is unfavorable. Appearance lower rather than upper indicates weak Yuan Qi, delaying pustulation and scabbing. 6. Pox elsewhere do not swell, but those on the face and buttocks develop pus and rupture—this is treatable. Good facial pox but none on the nose, or pox failing to rupture/pustulate, are difficult. Pus on limbs but not body/face is difficult. Full-body pustulation except face is fatal. Red/vibrant full-body pox except scorched/dry face is difficult. Good body pox except absent below knees is ominous. Dense/grey/stagnant upper face vs. clear/lower face is named "Covering the Heavenly Court," difficult to treat. Even if uniform/red elsewhere, dense/grey/painful waist indicates "Waist-Binding," toxin stuck in Yin, failing to pustulate. Dangerous on day 9, death by day 11. 7. Purple/black/scorched pox indicate pure Yang without Yin. Symptoms include dry mouth, aversion to cold, scanty urine, constipation. Clear fire and resolve toxicity. If pustulation occurs, survival is possible. 8. Sparse, ruptured pox with red roots, vibrant spirit, and normal bowels/bladder are auspicious; healing may occur without medication. 9. Purple/black/hard/swollen single pox without red halos, painful or not, are "Ding Sores." Ding sores block other toxins. Before completion, a Ding prevents emergence; after completion, it prevents swelling; during pustulation, it causes collapse. At onset, if purple/black large spots appear, suspect Ding. Pierce with silver needle, drain toxic blood, apply Baling San. Recheck next day; if hard/swollen again, pierce and apply same medicine until red/vibrant. If un-piercable and nodular, it is a formed Ding. Cut sides with needle, extract with forceps (approx. 1 cun long). Apply medicine to wound. Limb pox that are dark/hard/painful, or subcutaneous nodules, are also Ding sores. Burn with moxa or cauterize with lamp wick. Without urgent treatment, pox sink deep, rotting bone, very dangerous. Black spots on Tian Ting (forehead) imply Ding in heart pit/tongue; Di Jiao (jaw corners) imply Ding in genitals; Cheeks imply Ding in armpits; Nose tip implies Ding in limbs. Obvious signs reveal hidden conditions; detail is crucial. Large yellow pox are "Thief Pox"; large black ones are Ding Sores. Pierce, drain, apply Baling San. Formula for Baling San: Water-washed realgar (Xionghuang) 2 qian, cinnabar grains (Yanzhi) 5 qian (or paste). Powder finely. Apply to pierced Thief/Ding sores for instant pain relief and miraculous effect. For tongue Ding sores: mix copper green, vermilion, cinnabar, realgar, and human bone ash equally, grind, and rub.

Eating Duck Causes Mass (Jia)

Song dynasty Liu Jingshu's "Yi Yuan" records: During the Yuanjia era, a person in Zhang'an ate duck meat and developed a mass disorder. His chest and face turned red, and he could not eat. Doctors prescribed cooked millet and atractylodes decoction. Soon, he felt nauseous and vomited a duckling, fully formed except its left foot still attached to the previously eaten meat. The illness healed.

Hair Mass

It is also recorded that someone swallowed hair by mistake and became ill, craving pig fat. Opening his mouth, a head protruded coated in fat. Using a small hook as bait, he pulled out an object over 3 chi long, snake-like, made entirely of pig fat. Hung in the house, it melted away in ten days, leaving only the hair.

Phlegm Strike

Ming dynasty Zheng Zhongkui's "Er Xin" records: Yan Song returned from court and suffered sudden illness. Family failed to revive him. Famous Beijing doctors were consulted, but medicines had little effect. The family panicked, preparing funeral arrangements. Peng Kong, a skilled but unknown doctor, volunteered. After examination, he prescribed one dose for Yan's wife, saying, "Drink this. He will vomit much phlegm. Once phlegm is gone, he will wake at midnight and be fine by morning. If I arrive late, it will be too late." Other doctors laughed. After administration, he vomited several sheng of phlegm, slept again, spoke at midnight, and recovered the next day. Peng became famous and heavily employed by Yan. Sui notes: High officials often believe in deficiency and prefer tonics. Physicians flatter them to avoid blame. Even with clear symptoms, they dare not use aggressive purgatives openly. This is common and lamentable.

Spleen Disease

Bao Kuan's "Nan Zhong Ji Wen" records: Feishan Zhai, twenty li south of Jingzhou, is traditionally believed to be where General Zhu stationed troops at the end of the Yuan Dynasty. Rice grains are sometimes found among wall rubble, slightly black but unrotted, said to be Zhu's leftover rations. Visitors to the shrine temple find them readily. They remain today and can treat spleen diseases. This is a miracle. It is said Hengshan has Immortal Grain; this resembles it. Sui notes: Legend says black rice treats dysphagia; treating spleen/stomach is reasonable.

Mad Dog Bite

Chen Jiru's "Qun Sui Lu" cites "Zuo Zhuan": "A mad dog in the state bites without fail." Du Yu notes: "Chi means mad dog. Now called Zhi dog." "Book of Song" records: "Zhang Shou was bitten by a mad dog and healed by eating frog mince." Also, crushed almonds applied to the wound heal it.

Evil Spirit Intercourse

Wang Zhenfu's "Yin An Suo Yu" records: Cheng Guangli (courtesy name Yixian), a scholar from Xin'an, devoutly worshipped Lü Zu. Suddenly, black air entered his underwear, feeling like a woman's vagina. Upon contact, he ejaculated heavily. Talismans and medicines failed. One day, a Daoist told him wearing musk could cure it. Initially wearing little, no effect. Later wearing over two qian, the evil spirit ceased.

Dysphagia (Ye)

Niu Yuqiao's "Gu Sheng" records: Monk Zijiu of Xianhua Temple outside South Gate of Wuchang suffered dysphagia. Hundred medicines failed. Dying, he told disciples, "I alone suffer this. There must be an object haunting my chest. After death, dissect me to remove it, and I will feel grateful in the underworld." Disciples followed, finding a needle-like bone, kept on scripture desk, passed down. A year later, a military commander stayed at the temple. His servant killed a goose. Before cutting the throat, they saw this bone. Using it to probe, goose blood sprayed, and the bone vanished. Zijiu's disciple also got dysphagia. Realizing goose blood works, he drank it several times and recovered. He shared this formula; all verified. Sui notes: Su Gong said goose feather ash treats dysphagia, not just blood.

Turtle Mass & Childbirth

Yang Xunji's "Pengxuan Wu Ji" records: Ge Kejiu, a famous early Ming physician, had miraculous results. A man had abdominal pain. Ge examined him and told the family, "There is a flesh turtle in the abdomen. Wait until he sleeps deeply, then I will needle it. Do not let him know, or the turtle will hide." The patient asked why. The family lied, "The doctor says cold qi congealed. Drink more wine to disperse it." The patient drank heavily, slept deeply. Family notified Ge. Ge palpated the pulse, needle the abdomen. Patient woke startled. Ge gave medicine. Soon, an object descended, resembling a turtle, with a hole in the head where the needle struck. Illness healed. Another neighbor woman, pregnant and near delivery, had rebellious Qi, unbearable pain. Ge saw her, slapped the table, shouted loudly. Woman startled, delivered a son. Ge comforted her, "Earlier I saw blue complexion and rebellious Qi. The fetus attacked upward. Delay meant death. Sudden shock caused immediate birth." Such miracles. Sui notes: With Three Corpses parasites, one cannot clearly tell the patient the disease or medicine, or the worm avoids drinking it. Shock causes Qi to descend, hence Ge's treatment worked for both.