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Brother Bao Ziqin had a weak constitution in his childhood. He accidentally contracted an external pathogen accompanied by food stagnation, resulting in fever and abdominal pain. The pediatrician prescribed Jingfang Baidu San (Astragalus and Saposhnikovia Decoction) with added Hawthorn Fruit (Shanzha, 山楂) and Medicated Leaven (Shenqu, 神曲). After administration, the fever subsided and pain ceased, which was regarded as a verification of therapeutic efficacy.

However, on the following day, he suddenly became bedridden, with a heavy head, closed eyes, timid breath, reluctance to speak, and refusal to drink or eat. I was urgently summoned to attend him. Observing his fatigued appearance, I palpated his pulse, which was fine, soft, and devoid of spirit. At that time, his maternal uncle, Brother Liu Yinqian, was present. I told him: "Your nephew's condition is due to the inability of Yuan Qi (Primary Qi) to sustain itself; there is a fear of collapse (Xu Tuo, 虚脱). It is imperative to use vigorous tonification immediately; delay will make rescue difficult."

Uncle Liu said: "My nephew has been ill for only two days. The resolving medicines were not overdosed. Although children's constitutions are inherently deficient, how could it lead to sudden collapse? How can one abruptly administer heavy doses of tonics?"

I replied: "The Qi of the Zang-Fu organs in children is prone to shifts between deficiency and excess. Given that the pulse and symptoms are so exhausted, there is no other strategy but this." Therefore, I imitated the method of Buyuan Jian (Tonify the Origin Decoction) and administered two doses. The illness did not yet turn for the better. His cousin was deeply worried. I said: "In treating diseases, tonifying deficiency differs from attacking excess. Attacking excess can seek rapid effect, whereas tonifying deficiency inherently lacks immediate results. If the condition does not worsen after taking medicine, it indicates that the deficiency can accept tonification, which constitutes a sign of efficacy. The ancients described 'filling' as requiring a pit or depression in the ground to accommodate the fill. If one fills flat ground, it becomes a high mound."

Consequently, I retained the original formula and added Atractylodes Rhizome (Baizhu, 白术), Poria (Fuling, 茯苓), Polygalae Radix (Yuanzhi, 远志), and Ziziphus Seed (Suanzaoren, 酸枣仁), combining them with Guipi Tang (Restore the Spleen Decoction). Adhering to this regimen for ten days (Jia Xun, 浃旬), his head could be held upright, his eyes opened, and his diet returned to normal, appearing as if he were perfectly healthy.

Note by Anbo: In the Gengchen year, I treated a young child surnamed Jin from Yuhang, aged five. His complexion was rather dull/dirty. Suddenly, he suffered from violent diarrhea with tenesmus (Bao Zhu Xia Po, 暴注下迫), causing a sudden decline in form and spirit. His urination was scanty and drop-like. Young physicians employed digestive/resolving agents, trying all available methods. Some attributed the violent diarrhea to heat, requiring herbs like Coptis Rhizoma (Huanglian, 黄连) or Picrorhiza Rhizome (Huhuanglian, 胡黄连); however, the diarrhea intensified. I was then consulted. His pulse was fine, weak, and lacking spirit, feeling empty upon pressure. The tongue coating was slightly black, and he felt no thirst. I diagnosed this as Cold Pathogen directly invading the Taiyin (Spleen/Stomach) channel, stating that only Fuzi Lizhong Tang (Aconite Decoction to Warm the Middle) would suffice; delay might lead to transformation of the disease. The father said: "I have already learned about pathogens invading Taiyin. However, children's bodies are considered Pure Yang (Chun Yang, 纯阳); how can heat be used to assist them?" I replied: "Medicine values flexibility and adaptability; one must not adhere rigidly to a single theory to limit understanding." He agreed, administered the prescription, and the result was indeed effective. This case is similar to the preceding one; it was nearly hindered by superficial views, so I recorded it as a warning for those who are stubborn.