In the fourth month of the Gui Chou year, Feng Haisu, a student at the Imperial Academy (Guozijian), visited my residence and mentioned that his relative, Mr. Chen, had suffered from dysentery following an epidemic febrile disease. I said, "If treated as dysentery, there is a risk of developing other complications."
By the seventh month, Mr. Feng returned, stating that Mr. Chen had been suffering from flaccidity syndrome (Wei Syndrome) for two months with no effect from various medicines, and invited me to treat him. Upon arrival, I examined his pulse, which was deep (Chen), tight (Jin), wiry (Xuan), and rapid (Shu); observed his complexion, which appeared normal as if he were not ill; noted that he lay supine in bed, unable to turn over or change position; and found severe burning pain below the waist. Reviewing previous prescriptions, they consisted mainly of yin-nourishing and qi-tonifying herbs such as Eucommiae Cortex (Duzhong), Dipsaci Radix (Xuduan), Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix (Niuxi), and Panther Bone (Hujing). I remarked, "For this condition, using such medications seems reasonable on the surface. However, correlating the pulse with symptoms and symptoms with physical presentation, this is caused by heat-toxin flowing downward, not flaccidity syndrome."
I therefore prescribed a small dose of Baidu Yin (Defeat Toxin Decoction) modified with Anemarrhenae Rhizoma (Zhimu), Phellodendri Cortex (Huangbai), Chaenomelis Fructus (Mugua), Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae Rhizoma (Bixie), Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix (Chuan Niuxi), Saposhnikoviae Radix (Weilingxian), and Akebiae Caulis (Mutong). After two doses, the pain decreased, and the legs could move. After six doses, he could stand with support. Before ten doses, he could take steps. Subsequently, decoctions were administered along with Fusang Wan (Mulberry Pill), resulting in recovery within one month.