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The second son of Master Yu, whose physique was robust and plump, had been free from illness. In the late autumn of the Dinghai year, after the full moon day, he suddenly developed alternating chills and fever. His son, Guangchi, invited me to consult. After administering warm-releasing (Wen Jie) prescriptions, the fever subsided. Subsequently, only chills remained without fever; his limbs felt numb, fingers were cold, he spat out cold saliva, experienced dull pain in the umbilical and abdominal regions, suffered from loose stools, and lost his appetite. I determined this to be due to latent cold congealing and freezing deep within. Thus, I changed the prescription to Jiang Fu Liu Jun Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction with Dried Ginger and Aconite). Initially, Aconite (Fuzi) was used at 8 fen, increased to 1 qian, but no loosening or relief was observed. I was invited to deliberate. The pulse was slow, fine, and powerless; the complexion was pale, and the tongue was moist. I said, "This is precisely what Zhongjing described as 'no fever but aversion to cold, originating from the Yin.'" The previous prescription was not erroneous; it is merely feared that the disease is severe while the medicine is light. I increased the dosage of Aconite to 2 qian and added Evodia (Wuyu), Cinnamon Bark (Rougui), Amomum (Sharen), and Sichuan Pepper (Chuanjiao). On the next day's follow-up, the symptoms seemed unchanged. I reasoned that Fire is the mother of Earth; Yang deficiency generates cold. Since warming and regulating Spleen Yang was ineffective, one must employ tonifying Fire to generate Earth. As Wang Bing stated: "Benefit the source of Fire to dissipate the shadows of Yin." I modeled the prescription after Shengsheng Zizhuangyuan Tang, adding Evodia, Trichosanthes Seed (Huluba - *Note: likely refers to Trichosanthes or similar, context implies kidney tonics*), Nutmeg (Rouguo), and Morinda (Bajitian). Aconite was increased to 3 qian, and I believed efficacy would surely follow. The next morning, the pulse and symptoms remained identical. Master Yu asked for an explanation. I replied, "There is nothing else; the medicinal force has not yet reached the site of the disease. The Aconite cultivated in the market has weak potency, especially after being thoroughly processed, making its flavor even lighter. It can be increased to 4 qian, and further supplemented with Deer Antler (Lurong) and Goji Berry (Gouqi) to vigorously tonify True Yang. Naturally, vitality will return like spring reviving the valley." Following this method, the condition remained unchanged. Master Yu's nephew, Zhao Cheng, privately consulted me, saying, "My younger brother's illness, you have diagnosed as Yin-Cold, yet using such large amounts of hot medicines yields no effect, which is hard to understand. Moreover, Aconite is highly toxic. He has already consumed several taels; increasing it over time, could there be no harm?" I said, "Let us set aside other matters. Currently, it is the season of Autumn Dryness. Such purely Yang medicines, if not indicated, cannot be tolerated even in a single dose, let alone so much. All medicines that attack pathogens are toxic; non-toxic substances cannot attack diseases. For Yin syndromes in Cold Damage, only Aconite can expel Yin and restore Yang. When there is disease, the disease receives the medication; where would excess properties remain to become toxic? Even if death occurs due to toxicity, is it not better than dying without treatment?" I adhered to the original prescription, increasing Aconite to 5 qian. At that time, discussions among bystanders boiled over, but fortunately, Master Yu trusted me without doubt. I told him, "This case indeed belongs to entrenched cold and chronic chill. However, the decoction of warm medicines has reached its limit. By supplementing with Sulphur Pill (Liuhuang Wan), there might be some benefit." Thus, decoctions and pills were administered together. Gradually, signs of improvement appeared. The hot medicines were slightly reduced, and prepared Rehmannia (Shudi), Placenta (Heche), and Eucommia (Duzhong) were incorporated. Myself and Guangchi examined him daily. After two months, he fully recovered. In total, he consumed 1 jin of Aconite, 2 liang of Sulphur Pills, 6 liang of Dried Ginger, one rack of Deer Antler, 3 jin of Codonopsis (Dangshen), and over 10 liang of Korean Ginseng (Gaolirenshen). Other herbs like Cinnamon Bark, Evodia, and Sichuan Pepper were countless. Throughout my life, treating Yin syndromes with warm medicines, I have never used such quantities, nor has the therapeutic effect been so delayed.

An Bo's Note: The patient's trust in the physician, and the physician's boldness in treatment, demonstrate that the art of medicine is not an easy undertaking.