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Outside the Zhengyang Gate, inside the entrance of Jiangjia Hutong, at Xiangtai Cloth Shop, there was a man surnamed Qi from Shanxi. His eldest son suffered from plague (Yi Zheng). The initial physician diagnosed it as incurable, and another physician invited subsequently also deemed it untreatable. By the time I was invited, seven days had passed. Upon examination, the pulse in all six positions was completely hidden (Fu Mai); observing his form, his eyes were red, face flushed, mouth coated with white frost-like coating, head sweating profusely like rain, and limbs cold as ice; examining his symptoms, he alternated between coma and restlessness, spoke deliriously without coherence, suffered from simultaneous vomiting and diarrhea, experienced urinary retention (Long Bi), and had widespread macules and papules on his body, alternating in purple and black colors. Fortunately, they were loose and active, floating on the skin surface; although the toxin was severe, there was still a subtle movement, indicating a sign of life. Reviewing previous prescriptions, Rhinoceros Horn (Xijiao) and Coptis Rhizome (Huanglian) were used, but even in large doses, they amounted to only about one qian, which is like saving a cup of water to quench a cartload of fuel! I said: "Your son's condition is extremely critical. If you do not fear my medicine being too harsh, we can seek life amidst death; otherwise, changes will occur on the fourteenth day." Mr. Qi pleaded earnestly. I prescribed a large dose: Gypsum Fibrosum (Shigao) 8 liang, Rhinoceros Horn (Xijiao) 6 qian, Coptis Rhizome (Huanglian) 5 qian, supplemented with other ingredients of this formula, plus Earth Pillar Clay (Fulonggan) 1 liang, Talcum (Huashi) 5 qian, Akebia Caulis (Mutong) 3 qian, Polyporus (Zhuling) and Alisma Rhizome (Zexie) 2 qian each, plus Rehmannia Root (Shengdi) 1 liang, Arnebia Root (Zicao) 3 qian, Angelica Sinensis Tail (Guiwei) 3 qian, Isatis Leaf (Daqingye) 2 qian. Due to the purple-black color, two doses were administered consecutively. By the ninth day, the pulse became fine and rapid (Xi Shu), hands and feet warmed up, vomiting stopped but diarrhea persisted. The original formula was continued minus Fulonggan, for another two doses. By the eleventh day, the pulse turned surging and rapid (Hong Shu), head sweat ceased, black macules turned purple, urination became smooth, stool solidified, but delirium remained as before. Suddenly, high fever appeared, restlessness intensified, and extreme thirst occurred. This indicated the fire toxin was penetrating outward. The original formula was continued minus Huashi, Mutong, Zhuling, and Zexie, adding Tianhuafen (Trichosanthes Root) and Shandougen (Sophorae Tonkinensis Radix). Due to slight throat pain, ice water was used to administer the medicine to relieve thirst. After two more doses, the macules turned deep red, heat slightly subsided, delirium occurred intermittently, and he still craved ice. The original formula was modified by reducing Shengdi by 5 qian and removing Guiwei, Zicao, Shandougen, and Tianhuafen. After two more doses, symptoms improved by three-tenths, dosage reduced by one-quarter, but he drank water without appetite. Mr. Qi doubted and asked: "Although the illness has lessened, can he survive after ten-plus days without food?" I replied: "He will live. Following this treatment, full recovery will take twenty-one days." After two more doses, more than half of the macules resolved, stomach qi gradually opened, and heat significantly decreased. The dosage was halved again, removing Daqingye. After two more doses, all spots disappeared, he felt hungry shortly after eating, and could sit up. Pulse examination showed six beats per breath (Liu Zhi), indicating residual heat. If not cleared immediately, the pathogen would surge again, making treatment difficult. Gypsum Fibrosum (Shigao) 2 liang 4 qian, Rhinoceros Horn (Xijiao) 3 qian, Coptis Rhizome (Huanglian) 2 qian were used, with other herbs similarly reduced. On the nineteenth day, Gypsum Fibrosum (Shigao) 1 liang 2 qian, Rhinoceros Horn (Xijiao) 2 qian, Coptis Rhizome (Huanglian) 1 qian, plus three Chinese Plum (Wumei) were used to utilize sourness for astringency. I said: "I previously stated success would come on the twenty-first day. It is now the nineteenth day. Your son's condition proves my words were correct." Mr. Qi joyfully said: "If I hadn't made up my mind, I might have been misled by public opinion. Initially, when this prescription was set, Titang Pharmacy refused to sell the medicine. Upon inquiry, they claimed a dosage error, mistaking 8 qian for 8 liang and 6 fen for 6 qian. I cited many fellow townspeople who recovered using this method, so they agreed to sell, advising careful consideration. On the twentieth day, Gypsum Fibrosum (Shigao) 8 qian, Rhinoceros Horn (Xijiao) 1.5 qian, Coptis Rhizome (Huanglian) 0.8 qian, plus American Ginseng (Yangshen) 2 qian, Ophiopogon Tuber (Maidong) 3 qian, Angelica Sinensis Body (Guishen) 2 qian, Ligusticum Rhizome (Chuanxiong) 1 qian were used to regulate Qi and Blood. On the twenty-first day, Bazhen Decoction (Eight Treasures Decoction) added Maidong and Schisandra Berry (Wuweizi) was used; the prescription required a large sheet of paper. Yesterday, the pharmacy refused the initial prescription; today, your son is cured. I record this treatment method before the formula, calculating the total amount of Shigao, Huanglian, and Xijiao used, so they may know the uniqueness of my medication, something even pharmacies have rarely seen."

Recorded: Plague toxin causing macules is the most severe type of epidemic disease, yet there are formulas that guarantee survival. Unfortunately, physicians dare not use them, patients dare not take them, and even pharmacies dare not sell them. With these "three dreads," countless people die from misdiagnosis and mistreatment of plague rashes, which is truly lamentable! Your son's condition, trusting me deeply, led to my invitation. I used large doses continuously for fifteen packs, and now he is fully recovered. Total usage: over 6 jin of Gypsum Fibrosum (Shigao), over 7 liang of Rhinoceros Horn (Xijiao), and over 6 liang of Coptis Rhizome (Huanglian). This is unprecedented by predecessors and unseen by successors, hence recorded in this book to demonstrate its miraculous efficacy.