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Old Man Cao Jin-xuan was a colleague and friend of mine. In summer, he suffered from an exogenous pathogenic condition (wai gan zheng), which he cured by self-administering Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction). Later, due to irregular diet, the illness relapsed with fever and abdominal distension. He took digestive-promoting medicines without effect, and taking Baihu Tang again also proved ineffective. The heat was intense, accompanied by thirst, yellow tongue coating, and constipation. I said: This is "Shi Fu" (relapse caused by improper diet). I prescribed Zhishi Zhichi Tang (Immature Bitter Orange and Fermented Soybean Decoction) with added Dahuang (Rhubarb Rhizome). After one dose, the symptoms harmonized; after two doses, it resolved. Zhang Zhongjing's classic formulas, when applied correctly to the syndrome, yield results as swiftly as a drumstick striking a drum.

Fellow Daoist Old Man Cao Xiao-yan, originally from Yangcun and residing in Yanzhen, fell ill in early spring of the Jia-Yin year of Qianlong's reign with alternating chills and fever, and headache. Self-medication with warming and dispersing agents failed to resolve it. Due to chest and diaphragm fullness and oppression, suspecting food stagnation, he added digestive promoters, but these were also ineffective. By the seventh day, the fever persisted, and his spirit was erratic. Upon examination, I stated: The disease stems from failing to store essence during winter, compounded by cold injury. The pathogen lies latent in the Shaoyin channel (Lesser Yin channel) and is triggered by the seasonal change. This is "Chun Wen Liang Gan Zheng" (Spring-warmth syndrome with dual infection/complex presentation). Fearing inconvenience of seeking medical care while away from home, he returned. The next morning, upon my consultation, his condition worsened: coma, large pulse, red face, and black tongue. I formulated a prescription modeled on Liyin Jian (Nourish Yin Decoction) to tonify the middle and expel pathogens outward. His teacher, Mr. Qiu Xingu, praised the formula. At the next morning's follow-up, I told Mr. Qiu: This case involves complete deficiency of true yuan (original qi) internally, with pathogens latent within, making rapid expulsion difficult. I predict that the heat and irritability will subside only after two five-day periods (approximately ten days). Once the heat recedes, clarity of mind will naturally return. I then prescribed Liuwei Huiyang Yin (Six-Ingredient Decoction to Restore Yang Qi). A day later, upon re-examination, the heat was more intense, tongue dry, irritability present, and pulse rapid. Therefore, I switched to Zuogui Yin (Left Restoring Decoction), instructing him to take two doses. When the second five-day period arrived, indeed, sweating occurred, and the heat subsided. Maintaining treatment for twenty days, his appetite greatly improved, consuming over ten bowls of millet porridge daily, yet stool remained unpassed. His brothers asked for the reason. I said: Normally, the stomach retains three dou and five sheng of food and fluids. Daily intake is five sheng, and output is five sheng. During illness, total inability to eat led to the exhaustion of gastric contents. Although he now consumes porridge daily, it is insufficient to fill the deficit, let alone create surplus; thus, sudden defecation is impossible. I recall reading in medical texts about a patient who, after recovery, ate much but had no urge to defecate, nor any bloating or pain. Others were puzzled. The physician explained: Gastric fluid depletion allows dryness-fire to dominate. Ingested food is immediately metabolized; residues require the restoration of fluids and moistening of dryness before normal bowel movement can resume. It took over a month for this patient to pass stool. Now, only twenty days have passed; why worry? Eventually, after thirty-plus days, stool passed, and the illness completely resolved.