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In the household of Zhou Jingxing, Magistrate of Kunshan, a woman suffered from abdominal masses and pain. A specialist in obstetrics diagnosed it as Qi accumulation (Qi Ji) and prescribed decoctions to move Qi and break up accumulations. Someone used a rolling pin on dough cakes to press her abdomen, but it was ineffective. Later, another physician examined her and stated this was fetal Qi (Tai Qi). He treated her with Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) to calm the fetus, and she recovered. She subsequently gave birth to a son.

In Nanjing, the wife of Han Yuliang, Principal Secretary at the Ministry of Revenue, suffered from abdominal pain. Upon palpation, there seemed to be an object to the left and right of the umbilicus. Coincidentally, a renowned physician arrived in the capital, whom they invited to examine her. He diagnosed it as Jia (abdominal mass) and prescribed herbs such as Sanleng (Sparganii Rhizoma) and Pengzhu (Curcumae Rhizoma). When this proved ineffective, the treatment was stopped. Over ten days later, her abdomen gradually enlarged, and months later she delivered twins. Alas, these cases are determined by fate; can one not be cautious? (From *Shuyuan Zaji*)

Ke Jingzhong, Chen Yunqiao, and Conghua, three men from Zhejiang, relied on their robust constitution and took Fengwang Tongsheng San (Fangfeng Tongsheng Powder) daily to prevent carbuncles and sores, finding pleasure in this regimen. Later, all three died suddenly without illness before reaching middle age. Alas, did they not consume too much cooling medicine, thereby depleting their Yuan Qi (Original Qi), leaving them unable to be saved in emergencies? Seeking longevity, they instead brought about their demise. Alas! Zhang Jiegu once said: "Taking medicine when healthy is creating trouble out of nothing." One must beware of this. (From Yang Taishi's *Shanju Xinhua*)

Mubiezi (Strychni Semen) should not be consumed; it is incompatible with pork. Violating this rule leads to immediate death. I once read in Liu Ji's *Feixue Lu* that a wealthy man had two sons whom he doted on, allowing them to eat pork freely, which resulted in the formation of痞块 (Pi Kuai, stagnant masses). His father obtained a prescription using Mubiezi boiled with pork for them to eat together. The younger son died that night, and the elder son died the next day. Recently, I learned of a son of the Wu family from Shantang, aged over twenty, who suffered from Bi Du (perianal abscess). In the morning he took medicine containing Mubiezi, and at noon ate a heavy meal of pork. Shortly thereafter, he cried out and died. This further convinces me that Liu's record is not false.

When elderly people suffer from Phlegm-Qi disorders, or infants suffer from Slow Convulsion due to Spleen Wind approaching collapse, deficient Phlegm attacks upward to the throat, causing coarse breathing and a floating, rapid pulse. This is termed Yin Excess repelling Yang (Yin Sheng Ge Yang). It is often mistakenly believed that Yang Qi has recovered. Another symptom is rattling phlegm in the throat like a saw, followed by closing the eyes for one or two days; this is due to extreme deficiency. Physicians who do not recognize this as the sign of a lamp about to go out may incorrectly administer drugs to drain Phlegm. Often, Phlegm follows the Qi downward, and Qi follows the Phlegm into extinction. Physicians must be cautious. In recent years, the wife of Wu Shihuang suffered from a wasting disease, refusing food and becoming skeletal. They hired a worldly physician who treated her with Zhuwei Gao (Pig Tail Ointment). As soon as the medicine entered her throat, she died. I have seen in the *Luxin Fangshu* that Zhuwei Gao is indicated for blood heat in smallpox, where pustules fail to crust after ten days, accompanied by blazing Heart Fire, dryness, panting, delirious speech, and hallucinations. Now, using it to treat someone with long-standing Qi and Blood deficiency causes rapid death. Observing this physician, how can such practices be accepted as standard medical discourse? I write this to warn those who seek novelty.