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A villager in Xiangshan County suffered from edema, and everyone believed it was caused by ghosts. After consulting a fortune-teller, the latter prescribed this formula: mix river snails (Sinonovacula constricta), garlic (Allium sativum), and plantain herb (Plantaginis Herba), grind them into a paste, form into large cakes, and apply to the umbilicus. The water dampness was discharged through urination and defecation, and he recovered completely within a few days. (From Qiu Yuan's *Baishi*)

Wang, a native of Xiuning, was traveling in Weiyang (modern Yangzhou). During the Jiajing reign period, he suffered from abdominal distension. Various medicines were ineffective, and his condition worsened with vomiting, loss of appetite, and emaciation. A relative recommended a famous physician. The physician palpated the pulse, criticized the previous doctors' prescriptions, and treated based on the theory that "all cases of abdominal distension belong to heat." However, after a few days, the abdominal distension increased, and food intake decreased further. The famous physician felt ashamed and resigned. Wang's son posted a notice in the market offering 100 taels of silver to anyone who could cure this disease. Soon, a physician surnamed Ze visited Wang's residence, claiming he could cure it. He prepared decoction personally for Wang to take. After taking the medicine, Wang felt refreshed and slept soundly for longer than usual. Upon waking, he found his urine volume had increased significantly, the swelling gradually subsided, and his appetite returned. Everyone was delighted and asked what medicine was so miraculous. Physician Ze said, "I do not understand pulse diagnosis; I only carefully inquire about the origin of the disease and deduce it by intuition." Wang was a wealthy merchant who had overindulged in alcohol and sex. In summer, he ate too many ice-chilled melons and fruits to cool down, causing cold damage to the Spleen Qi. Thus, this syndrome occurred. Other physicians used cold-natured herbs, severely damaging Stomach Qi, which missed the root cause. How could they cure the disease? I used Clove Bud (Caryophylli Flos), Aucklandia Root (Aucklandiae Radix), and Cinnamon Twig (Ramulus Cinnamomi) to strengthen the Spleen and harmonize the Stomach, allowing Lung Qi to descend. Thus, the disease was cured without any other method. Wang rewarded him as promised, and Physician Ze departed. Physician Ze's diagnostic insight was indeed far superior to others.

One person suffered from Qi Gu (Qi Distension/Gu Syndrome), characterized by non-edematous limbs but significant abdominal distension. This is what Dai Yuanli called "Spider Disease." Quack physicians administered purgative diuretics, worsening the condition. It was then the height of summer, and someone treated him with Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang (Clear Summerheat and Augment Qi Decoction). While decocting the medicine, a spider accidentally fell into the pot and was cooked along with the herbs. The young servant boy, fearing reprimand, secretly removed the spider and then administered the medicine to the patient. The patient smelled the medicinal aroma and drank it all at once. Shortly after, sounds were heard in the abdomen, and he tossed and turned unable to sleep peacefully. The family suspected the medicine was wrongly used. Later, the patient passed several dou of urine, the abdominal distension vanished like shaving, and he recovered to his normal health. According to *Bencao* (Materia Medica), spiders are cold in nature and toxic, primarily treating Xiao Er Ding Xi (pediatric gu syndrome with massive abdomen) when roasted and eaten. It has never been recorded that they can treat Qi Gu.

Qie Zongyang from Yangxia came from a family of physicians and served as an Instructor in Jiangyin. The father of a Confucian scholar suffered from abdominal distension and sought his diagnosis. Qie stated, "The pulse is surging and large, indicating a manifestation of damp-heat generating parasites. Moreover, since dietary intake is normal, it is neither Edema nor Gu Distension." He used Pericarpium Granati (Pomegranate Peel), Eastward-growing roots of Toona sinensis (Chunshu Gen), and Areca Seed (Binglang), five qian of each. These were decocted in long-flowing water and taken orally on an empty stomach in one dose. Soon after, severe abdominal pain occurred, and a long parasite approximately one zhang in length was expelled. The patient was then cured. (From *Kezuo Xinwen*)