Library

Xu Yongtang’s mother fell ill, and he requested my treatment. According to the family, after consuming pig liver and wheat flour pancakes, she experienced occasional emotional depression (Fu Yu), which led to abdominal pain. She self-administered a decoction containing Mai Ya (Sprouted Hordeum Vulgare Fruit), Shan Zha (Crataegi Fructus), Shen Qu (Massa Medicata Fermentata), Mu Xiang (Aucklandiae Radix), and Sha Ren (Amomi Fructus), but it was ineffective. Because the pain was located in the lower abdomen, they believed it was due to Cold congealing in the Jueyin channel, so they added Wu Zhu Yu (Evodiae Fructus) and Pao Jiang (Prepared Zingiberis Rhizoma). However, her condition worsened. I asked if the painful area could be pressed; she replied that she rejected pressure. I then asked about her bowel movements over the past few days; she said there had been none. Her pulse was deep and fine, and her tongue coating was yellow with a scorched and dry center. I told Xu: This is a Yangming Fu syndrome (Excess syndrome requiring purgation). Xu said: "I have taken various warming and resolving agents without effect, and I had also considered this possibility. However, because my mother has always had a deficient constitution, and her pulse is deep and fine, I dared not use purgatives." I said: "Severe pain with a hidden pulse is a common phenomenon. Although her constitution is deficient, the pathogenic factor is excess. Medical texts state that for diseases of the Fu organs, unblocking is tonification. Zhang Zhongjing stated: 'Abdominal fullness that does not decrease, even if slightly relieved, is insufficient reason to stop treatment; one must purge.' He also said: 'If the tongue coating is yellow and purgatives have not yet been used, purging will cause the yellow coating to disappear.' Now, with severe pain, fullness, rejection of pressure, and a yellow, scorched-dry tongue, all indications for purgation are present. What is there to doubt?" Therefore, I prescribed Da Cheng Qi Tang (Major Order the Qi Decoction), using Yuan Ming Fen (Natrii Sulfas) instead of Mang Xiao (Glauber's Salt), and still added Mu Xiang, Sha Ren, Shan Zha, and Shen Qu to move Qi stagnation simultaneously. After taking the first decoction, she had one bowel movement, and the pain subsided slightly. She then took the second decoction, and by midnight, she had three consecutive bowel movements. The pain significantly decreased, and her dry tongue became moist. I then switched to a formula to harmonize and nourish the Stomach. Within ten days, her daily activities returned to normal.

My nephew, Xi Fang, contracted measles in childhood. After the measles, his fever persisted for a long time, accompanied by dry cough without phlegm, emaciation, poor appetite, and stool resembling sheep dung. His spirit and physique were exhausted. Various physicians were at a loss, and my sister was deeply worried and anxious, bringing him to my residence. I said: "This is Ma Gan (Measles-related deficiency syndrome). It is a difficult condition to treat. Since your sister has entrusted me with his care, I consider that prolonged fever after measles必然 damages Yin blood, and dry cough with difficulty in defecation indicates depletion of body fluids. Our strategy must be to nourish Yin, preserve fluids, clear the Lungs, and moisten the Intestines. Only then can we hope for efficacy." Thus, I prescribed Mai Di Huang Tang (Ophiopogon and Rehmannia Decoction), adding Shi Hu (Dendrobii Caulis), Sha Shen (Glehniae Radix), Yu Zhu (Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma), Zhi Ma (Sesami Semen), E Jiao (Colla Corii Asini), Li Zhi (Pear Juice), and Bai Mi (White Honey). I also instructed him to drink human milk and eat pig stomach. My sister said that previous physicians, noting that the cough and heat were not cleared, had forbidden meat consumption. I said: "Grains, meats, fruits, and vegetables constitute dietary therapy for complete recovery. Now that the disease has lasted long, the intestines and stomach are dry and withered; we must utilize animal fats and greases to replenish the body's blood. In ancient times, there were formulas such as Zhu Fu Tang (Pig Skin Decoction) and Zhu Du Wan (Pig Stomach Pills), which are worthy of emulation." Consequently, medicine and diet were administered together. The fever and cough gradually diminished, bowel movements became moist, and appetite increased. After one month of regulation, all symptoms resolved, muscle mass regenerated, and he was sent home.