Library

In the Yuan Dynasty, Du Qingbi practiced Daoism in Wuyi Mountain. Upon arriving in Wuyuan, he suffered from a brain abscess (a severe purulent infection of the head) and failed to heal through self-treatment. Zhu Danxi went to examine him and asked, "Why do you not take Fangfeng Tongsheng San?" Du Qingbi replied, "I have already taken it several times." Zhu Danxi said, "It is likely because you processed the herbs with wine." Du Qingbi suddenly realized his mistake, took the decoction correctly, and was cured before finishing one dose. From then on, he sincerely admired Zhu Danxi.

In the Yichou year of the Hongzhi era, Gong Gou, an instructor at the Confucian School in Suzhou, suffered from a debilitating illness. Doctors in Wu treated him using Sanbai Tang, but without remarkable effect. One day, he visited Zhang Yangzheng for treatment. Zhang also prescribed Sanbai Tang. Zhang's family members said, "Previous doctors used this many times." Zhang spoke sternly, saying, "Do not chatter; the decoction I use is different." He then administered two or three slices of Shu Fuzi (Processed Aconiti Lateralis Radix) boiled in water for him to drink. The illness immediately subsided.

Shi Yanzi of the Song Dynasty recorded in *Beichuang Jiu* that Huang Shiwen treated a woman who had been bedridden for nearly three years, presenting symptoms resembling Laozai (consumptive disease, similar to tuberculosis). Famous physicians all treated it as Xu Sun (deficiency injury), but she did not recover. Huang Shiwen examined her and said, "This illness occurred when you ate yin foods while suddenly experiencing great fright." Upon inquiry, the woman realized and said, "Previously, while eating Shuituan (water dumplings made of glutinous rice), someone suddenly reported that my husband had fallen into water, causing me to be startled. This led to the illness dragging on until now." Huang Shiwen gave her one dose of Qingmuxiang Wan combined with purgative herbs. Soon, she passed a mass; upon inspection, it was found to be a phlegm packet enclosing a Shuituan. It seems that due to the initial shock and melancholy, the food remained undigested in the body without her awareness. She subsequently recovered fully.

Chen Rixin, a pediatrician in recent times, was emaciated and suffered from daily fever, which was particularly severe in the evening. Physicians treated him as Yin Xu (Yin deficiency), while others diagnosed him with Laozai. After half a year, his condition became critical. Chen told his father, "I wish to use Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) to unblock the large intestine for relief, even if I die, I will have no regrets." His father hesitated for a long time but eventually agreed. They prepared Daotan Tang with Xiaoshi (Natrii Sulfas) and Dahuang. From Chen hour to Shen hour, he passed a hard stool the size of a walnut. Inside, they found Fen'er (starch pastry) eaten during the Lantern Festival. Encased in phlegm, it could not be digested, leading to the gradual consumption of his body by heat. Had Chen not understood the properties of medicines, he would long have become a ghost underground. Who says the methods of Liu Wansu and Zhang Yuansu are of no benefit to the world?

Jiang Zhongbin was from Jiangyin and was proficient in medicine. Later, he came to the Wu region, where people were unaware of his miraculous skills. An old soldier was weeping on the road. When asked, he replied, "My son is possessed by demons, and doctors cannot cure him. He is now near death." Jiang went to examine him. The son was naked, staring wide-eyed, cursing loudly, and vomiting, making it impossible for others to approach. Jiang immediately ordered the family to collect dozens of large earthworms, crush them, and put them in water. After removing the mud, Jiang held the water up for the patient to see from afar. Seeing the water, the patient suddenly rose, drank it, and before finishing, lay down peacefully. Another purgative medicine was given, and he recovered. Thus, he became famous in the Wu region (from Wang Zhizhong's *Banxuan Wenji*).