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Wan Rong from Jiangyin suffered from *Lao* (Consumption), with his four limbs feeling as if burning, accompanied by alternating chills and fever, and irritability. One night, he dreamed of a person holding a bright moon in their abdomen; the light was so intense it made his heart and bones feel cold. Upon waking, Sun Yuangui sent someone to deliver medicine, which he took, and his condition stabilized. Inquiring about the medicine, he learned it was "Mingyue Dan" (Bright Moon Pill), realizing the dream's significance. The formula uses forty-nine rabbit feces pellets and forty-nine sand cardamom seeds (sized like rabbit feces), ground into powder, formed into pills the size of a Chinese quince seed with raw honey. Before the full moon, licorice root is soaked in water overnight. At dawn (5-7 AM), seven pills are taken with the licorice juice. Worms were expelled; they were immediately caught and fried in oil. If not expelled, repeat the dose; all cases recovered. (From Shen Cunzhong's *Liangfang*, *Bencao Gangmu*.)

A noblewoman suffered from *Zhai* (Tuberculosis/Consumption) and received a prescription called "Shenchuan Gao" (Divine Transmission Paste). It consisted of a single herb, *Jiancao* (Cut Grass), one jin (approx. 500g) per dose, washed clean, dried, and powdered. Two jin of raw honey were added to form a paste, stored in a vessel, avoiding iron. It was steamed once daily for nine times. The patient rose at dawn, sat facing east, remained silent, and took four spoonfuls of the medicine. After some time, it was washed down with thin millet gruel. The medicine must be taken cold, and the gruel should not be too hot. Vomiting or not did not matter. For long-standing lung damage with hemoptysis, one dose was curative. For ordinary coughing with blood, one spoonful per dose sufficed. Nine days later, the medicine was ready. The night before, she dreamed of being warned not to take the medicine the next day. On the second day, as she prepared to take it, dirt fell from the roof into the vessel, rendering it unusable. She remade it, but again felt unable to take it. Before finishing the preparation, she died. Such was the strangeness of this medicine. For minor blood dysregulation, a single sip could cure it. This medicine was exquisite but lost to the world; what a pity. (Same source.)

*Awei San* (Asafoetida Powder) treats *Guzheng Chuanshi Lao* (Bone-stealing Infectious Consumption), characterized by tidal fever, emaciation, weakness, wheezing, and coughing. Recorded in *Xu Yijian Zhi*: Asafoetida 3 qian (powdered), Qinghao (Artemisia annua L.) one handful (finely cut), peach branch growing eastward one handful (finely chopped), Licorice root sized like the patient's middle finger (male: left side, female: right side), Child's urine 3.5 sheng. Soak the herbs in child's urine overnight. Decoct early morning to yield one large sheng. Take warm on an empty stomach, divided into three doses. The second dose involves mixing in 3 qian of Areca nut powder. Take again after walking about ten li. Husband's illness treated with wife's decoction; wife's illness with husband's decoction. During preparation, avoid filial sons, pregnant women, patients, and foul odors; do not let chickens or dogs see it. After taking, avoid greasy, damp wheat noodles, and cold/hard foods. After one or two doses, worms may be vomited or passed via diarrhea; stop remaining medication. If no vomiting/diarrhea, finish the dose. Expelled worms resemble human hair or horse tails; the disease resolves. Post-vomit/diarrhea weakness and restlessness are treated with *Fuling Tang* (Poria Decoction): Poria 1 qian, Poria cocos with pine roots (Fushen) 1 qian, Ginseng 3 qian, Polygala root (Yuanzhi, heart removed) 3 qian, Dragon bone 2 qian, Saposhnikovia root (Fangfeng) 2 qian, Licorice 3 qian, Ophiopogon tuber ( Maidong, heart removed) 4 qian, Rhinoceros horn (Xijiao) 5 qian (chopped/powdered), Raw dried Rehmannia root (Dihuang) 4 qian, Jujube 7 pieces. Decoct in two large sheng of water to eight parts. Take warm, divided into three doses. Take again after walking five li. Avoid wind and cold. If not improved, prepare another dose after one day. Both formulas must be taken continuously. (From *Juyi Lu*.)

Water Qiu's Verse:
Water Qiu Daoist lived to one hundred, refining Dragon Essence and Tiger Soul.
This method spreads among men, aiding Yin Virtue in the Three Heavens.
Do not delay in rescuing the perilous,
This medicine benefits people greatly.
Regardless of Yin/Yang or Cold/Heat,
First harmonize the Spleen and Stomach.
Spleen deficiency-cold easily generates Wind,
Hardest to attack with cold medicines.
If constipation and rebellious Qi occur,
Use more Magnolia bark (N Hou) and Cistanche (Rou Cong Rong).
This method has two pathways of the essence gate,
Patients know its goodness upon ingestion.
But carefully observe the signs,
Do not wrongly use Yang for Yin patterns.
Thick saliva and sticky sputum, red urine,
Dry limbs lacking sinew strength.
Twenty pills of Wulong Paste,
Are the sweet drops for the withered.
Nocturnal emission and dream leakage, distended abdomen,
Cough and Yin heat cause Consumptive disease.
This disease is Yin, must recognize it,
Urgently administer Yulong Paste.
Phlegm-saliva in cough makes lying flat difficult,
Yin-Yang intermingling presents many signs.
Must also take Heluo San,
Treating the root causes the disease to settle. (From *Zhunsheng*.)

Xue Lizhai treated a woman who was usually diligent and hardworking. Due to grief over her son's death, her appetite decreased. Suddenly, she vomited a large amount of blood, which stopped spontaneously. Afterwards, exertion caused her to spit up small amounts of blood; the signs of *Zhai* were present, and she was extremely fatigued. In the morning, she took *Buzhong Yiqi Tang* (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction); in the afternoon, *Guipi Tang* (Restore the Spleen Decoction), followed by *Dihuang Wan* (Rehmannia Pill). She recovered.

A young woman had the previous symptoms, turned back her lips to look, showing white spots. This indicated worms eroding the lungs. Xue said: Urgently seek Otter lung to treat it. They did not believe him. She indeed coughed up pus and died. Later, it was heard that her three brothers also died of this disease. Generally, for chronic cough, examining the lips is the easiest way to understand. White spots on the upper lip indicate worms eroding the upper part; spots on the lower lip indicate erosion of the lower part.

Chen Ziming said: Previously, a daughter suffered from chronic *Lao Zhai*. She was bitten by "Chi Chong" (Ruler Worms). She ground and took one pill of *Shenxian Zhuidu Wan* (Immortal Pursuing Poison Pill), vomiting and purging many small worms. She then took *Suhe Wan* (Styrax Pill) and recovered. (Formula seen in Gu Syndrome section.)

Chen also said: A family suffered from *Chuanshi Lao* (Infectious Consumption). Five brothers, three had died. A physician advised taking *Shenxian Taiyi Dan* (Immortal Supreme One Pill). Each took one ingot. One expelled foul matter like pus; another expelled dead worms resembling moths. All survived. This person used this medicine widely to save those with corpse-transmission diseases, always effective. I have used it for various miscellaneous diseases and carbuncles/sores. For unformed pus, it is very effective. For formed pus, it can suppress the major pathogenic force. Examining the ingredients, although not explicitly tonifying, it works for emaciated people. Truly a miraculous agent. However, by price, three qian of silver yields seventy-two ingots, saving seventy people. Wealthy families should compound it to help others. Recent practitioners add Cinnabar (Zhusha) and Realgar (Xionghuang). Checking various texts, there is no such record. Mixing them may confuse the true nature; experts should know this. (Formula seen in Gu section.)

Sun Wen Yuan treated Cheng Daowu's wife. She was startled by sleep paralysis at night, often fainted, spirit was vague, occurring 3-5 times a day. She coughed, face was blue, rarely desired food, eating only a few slices of beef jerky daily. Treatments failed. Some said it was cold-phlegm causing syncope, giving Aconite (Fuzi) and Cinnamon twig (Rougui), making syncope worse. Pulse: Left wiry, Right slippery, both Cun slightly short. Daowu's first two wives died of consumption, so he knew it was *Chuanshi Zhai* (Infectious Consumption), difficult to treat. He temporarily used spirits-strengthening and tonifying agents, adjusting slowly, waiting for Stomach Qi to recover before using standard treatment. Ginseng, Poria, Biota seed, Acorus, Polygala, Salvia, Angelica, Dendrobium to tonify spirit and Qi; Tangerine peel, Fritillaria, Licorice, Aster to resolve phlegm and treat cough. After half a month, no progress. Then he formulated *Taishang Hunyuan Dan* (Supreme Primal Pill): Placenta (Ziheche) one unit, Cinnabar, Soft-shelled turtle shell, Rhinoceros horn each 1 liang, Deer antler glue, Purple quartz, Dendrobium each 8 qian, Agarwood, Frankincense, Benzoin, Poria with pine roots, Aster, Achyranthes, Ginseng each 5 qian, Musk 5 fen. Honey-pilled, red bean size. Take 36 pills morning and evening with salt water or wine. Also formulated *Pili Chulie Dan* (Thunderbolt Hunting Pill): Buffalo gallstone, Dog gallstone, Asafoetida, Benzoin each 1 qian, Tiger skull bone 5 qian, Beaked bird 1 piece, Otter claw 1 piece, Broken drum heart skin 3 qian, Musk 5 fen, Human skull cap 1 piece. Honey-lard pilled, coated with 3 qian Realgar. Take 5 fen at dawn on empty stomach with scallion white soup, once every 3-5 days, combined with Taishang Hunyuan Dan. Within half a month, spirit drastically improved, no longer vague. Only slight pain in lower left abdomen. Added White Peony root 1 qian to previous decoction. After one month, spirit greatly improved, syncope ceased. Next year, she gave birth to a daughter. (Yu Dongfu said: This is more strange than the formula taught by the Daoist from Yuanzhou. That one focused solely on killing worms; this kills worms while penetrating meridians/collaterals, searching out evil, and tonifying deficiency.)

Zhang Luyu said: Hu Youzeng suffered from deficiency-consumption with hemoptysis. One night, he vomited a creature resembling a gecko, with clear head and feet, cherry-red. He died before noon.

Chai Yuqing treated a prince's son, fifteen years old, coughing and expectorating phlegm, pulses fine and rapid, extreme Yin deficiency. He declined to treat. Forced to prescribe, later invited repeatedly, claiming gradual improvement and increased appetite. Reluctantly visited again, pulse unchanged. Determined he would not survive, which proved true. (Deficiency damage is incurable; if treatment is correct, sudden improvement often occurs due to temporary hiding of deficient Yang. After several doses, symptoms return. Clinicians must know this.)

Zhang Sanxi said: Often seeing weak Qi individuals having many weak children, or mothers with Yin deficiency passing weak constitution. Combined with overwork and premature sexual activity damaging true essence, leading to Yin-deficiency cough, hemoptysis, bone-steaming fever, not infectious. Saw one family of five all suffering, three died. Family sought corpse-worm medicine. I used Danxi's method to strongly tonify Qi and Blood, making Yang flourish to generate Yin, followed by *Dazao Wan* (Great Creation Pill). Two survived.

A noble official in Shu as Inspector General kept this method secret. For Gaohuang ailments, medicine cannot reach, but fumigation is effective. This formula treats persistent cough and bone-steaming fever. Good Realgar 3.5 qian, Rubia cordifolia (Qiancao) 2 qian, Winter flower (Kuandonghua) 2 qian, Scrophularia (Yuanshen) 3 qian, Stemona (Baibu) 3 qian, Mugwort leaf (Aiye) 1 qian, Polyporus (Leiwu), Magnolia bark (N Hou) powdered. Seal in a lidded incense burner, leaving only a small hole for smoke. Patient plugs nose with paper, inhales smoke through mouth. Over time, drink small amounts of clear rice water, three times daily. Worms die, cough stops. Another formula adds Stemona, Coix seed (Wuyiren), Sappan wood (Sumu), melted beeswax spread on paper.

Ye Yuqing, courtesy name Chunshan, from Pingjiang, claimed to have suffered from *Zhai*. He lived across the bridge but could not cross due to illness. A monk moxa-ed his Gaohuang acupoint for 100 moxibustions. Two days later, he could walk several li, climbing and descending without fatigue, becoming healthy. Acupoint location: Stand straight with feet together and arms hanging down, do not bend forward or backward. Locate 3 cun lateral to below the 7th thoracic vertebra, using body-cun. During moxibustion, use a soft pillow, lie face down, arms hanging by sides, or adjust for comfort. Ye also used this method for others. (From *Zhenjiu Sibook*.)

Someone with *Chuanshi Lao Zhai*, alternating chills and fever, chronic cough with hemoptysis, daily emaciation. First use *Sanwu Tang* (Three Things Decoction) and *Lianxin San* (Lotus Heart Powder) decocted. Ten thousand times, never failing. (Same source.)

Previously, a man had intercourse with a woman suffering from *Lao*. The woman died, and he contracted the disease. Telling others: "Lao Qi has entered the Zang organs. Urgently take 2 jin of *Shenshou San* (Divine Bestowal Powder), and the disease will leave." He followed advice, nearly finishing the dose. He passed a worm in stool, snake-shaped, and recovered. Others who took it recovered; many were saved. Method: Sichuan pepper 2 jin, remove seeds and closed ones, stir-fry until sweat appears. Powder. Take 3 qian on empty stomach with rice water, causing brief dizziness/fainting. If intolerable, make pills the size of quince seeds with wine paste, take 30 pills on empty stomach. (From *Weishi Fang*.)

Li Shicai diagnosed Ms. Xu, hemoptysis and phlegm-cough. June diagnosis: Both Cun pulses like rotten cotton, both Chi pulses large and rapid. Said: Metal fears Fire. Lung pulse should be floating and choppy, but is instead surging and large. Thief pulse seen. Autumn brings worry. August 5th re-diagnosis: Lung's surging pulse changed to fine and rapid; Kidney's soft pulse became rapid and forceful. Year Wu Wu, Shaoyin governs Heaven. Chi pulses should not be felt, but now Chi is large; Cun should be large but is deep and fine. Reversal of Cun/Chi indicates death. Lung pulse suspended and absolute leads to death in 12 days. Calculating, he should die on the 16th. However, she could eat past the date. Since 16th and 17th are Metal days, death is not immediate. 18th enters Cold Dew, also a Fire day. Classic says: Taiyin Qi exhaustion, Bing day severe, Ding day death (referring to Fire day). Yin hour is when Qi/Blood flows to Lung. If flow stops, Qi cuts off. Must die on 18th Yin hour. Family disbelieved because she could eat. Indeed, she died just before dawn on the 18th.

Secretary Xu's unmarried daughter, illness resembling *Lao*. Monk doctor Fa Jing diagnosed: Both Cun pulses faint and hidden. This is憂思 (Worry/Thought) obstructing Qi causing *Lao*. Asked for confirmation of disease reality to ensure correct treatment. Xu said: Daughter dreamed of swallowing a snake, gradually developing this illness. Fa Jing said snake is in abdomen, use medicine to expel small snake, disease cured. Jing secretly said it is not a snake disease. Due to dreaming of snake, excessive worry caused illness. Should treat the mind, not the disease. The snake does not come from Zang-Fu, nor did I use medicine to expel it. (From *Mingyi Lu*, *Yishuo Xubian*.)

Fu Qingzhu, a miraculous doctor, taught a person suffering from *Lao Zhai* breathing exercises (*Yunqi*). Recovered in less than three days. (Liu Shi Shao Jiuchou Classical Text.)

Duke Ping of Jin was ill, sought doctors in Qin. Duke Bo of Qin sent a doctor who said: Disease cannot be cured. This is called "approaching the women's chamber." Disease resembles *Gu* (Poison/Worm). Not ghosts, not food, perhaps losing willpower. Good minister will die, Heaven's mandate does not protect. Duke asked: Can women not be approached? Answer: Restrain yourself. Six diseases of excess *Gu* arise from six Qi: Yin/Yang, Wind/Rain, Dark/Bright. Divided into four seasons, ordered into five sections. Excess brings disaster. Yin excess causes cold disease; Yang excess causes heat disease; Wind excess causes extremity disease; Rain excess causes abdominal disease; Dark excess causes confused disease; Bright excess causes heart disease. Women are Yin objects and associated with darkness. Excess at inappropriate times causes internal heat and confused *Gu* disease. Now you do not restrain or time appropriately, how can you avoid this?

Cai Rengzi's wife, daughter of Wang family in Ninth Courtyard, suddenly suffered *Zhai* disease, lingering for years. Died, already prepared for small mourning. Palace heard of it, regretting not giving *Xianbing Dan* (Melting Ice Pill) earlier. Though dead, try to save her. Sent eunuch to rush one pill. Breath had ceased, forcibly灌 (poured) in. Soon revived, stable after several days. But teeth all burned and fell out. Died fifteen years later. (Zhang Bangji *Mo Zhuang Manlu*.)

Wu Yang treated Uncle of Wang Boyu's father, suffering *Zhai*, profuse sweating and thirst, bone-steaming consuming flesh. Yang gave *Renshen Baihu Tang* (Ginseng White Tiger Decoction). Illness halved. Said: This is Stomach dryness. Urgently treat the branch. From now on, focus on tonifying Middle, do not use harsh agents. Only when the year arrives can the root be cut. Two years later, Middle Qi returned, expelling roundworms (Ascaris). Worms were dark and red, one chi long. (From *Taihan Ji*.)

Wu Qiao treated Mrs. Wu, *Zhai* for three years. Neighbor had kitchen activities, 100 paces away. She would first mention food items, then ask for food. Mother pitied her, feeding one chicken daily. Qiao said: This facilitates expulsion of *Chuanshi* worms. Family said: Seven have died of this, wish to eliminate it. Took medicine three days, severe abdominal pain, passed two roundworms, one chi long, thick as chopsticks, red head, dark back/belly, resembling tortoise shell. However, it took seven days to pass seven roundworms, the latter smaller. After roundworms passed, woman no longer sought food. Mother offered chicken, she fed it to the servant. Mother scolded servant, snatching chicken to feed daughter herself. Finally forced to eat, developed diarrhea and died. However, family historically suffered *Chuanshi*, since then no worries. (From *Taihan Ji*.)

Fang Da HT previously suffered *Zhai* nearing completion, relied on Qiao for treatment. Later suffered food obstruction nearly fatal, also relied on Qiao. When Qiao traveled abroad, patient did not guard against relapse, illness returned. Deficient fire blocked middle, relying on porridge drinking 2-3 bowls. Yin fire surged from Yongquan, hoarseness, hemoptysis, night sweats, nocturnal emissions, whole body tidal fever and emaciation, continuous diarrhea. Qiao returned, re-diagnosed: Six pulses deep, rapid, and wiry. Worms eroding inside. Purged, obtained many roundworms, all abnormal shapes, also removed masses, soon recovered.

*Lixu Yuanjian* says: Causes of deficiency syndromes are six. First, congenital cause: At conception, parents either aged, engaged in sex while fatigued, after illness, pregnancy imbalance, or excessive lust. These lead to weak essence/blood, causing weak offspring. Thus, innate Zang-Fu Qi has deficiencies. Around age twenty, prone to *Lao Qie*. Signs appear early: childhood convulsions, soft bones, delayed walking, inability to read aloud, hand tremors when writing, excessive throat phlegm, chest Qi stagnation, head shaking, eye blinking. These are signs of congenital deficiency. Care should be taken before illness, or pre-medicate, or conserve mental energy. Do not rely on absence of cold/fever or ability to eat/drink as safety. Even initial illness is merely fatigue, shortness of breath, weak strength, five-palm heat. How could danger be imminent? Second, acquired cause: Lust injuring Kidney, mental labor injuring Heart, suppressed anger injuring Liver, sorrow injuring Lung, overthinking injuring Spleen. Qi injury reaches Essence; Essence injury reaches Qi. Onset at 15-16, around 20, or 30+. Diseases vary, principle same. Third, post-measles/rubella/post-illness cause: Measles is congenital Yin toxin; Rubella is Yang toxin. Measles should be treated by tonifying Qi/Middle to clear Yin toxin, reducing lifelong Spleen disease. Rubella should be cleared/dispersed/nourishing to clear Yang toxin, reducing lifelong Lung disease. Improper treatment causes later issues. Diarrhea, weak Stomach, abdominal pain, shortness of breath, exhausted spirit, pale complexion, weak legs—all Qi weak/Yang decline—result from measles lacking tonification. Asthma, hoarseness, frequent wind-cold cough—all Yin deficiency/Blood dryness—result from rubella lacking clearing. Post-illness original deficiency, labor injuring Qi, lust exhausting Essence, five Zang damaged instantly, often untreatable. Caution needed. Fourth, external contraction cause: Saying goes, untreated wind-cold becomes *Lao*. If Yuan Qi sufficient, forces evil out. If Kidney strong, Water saves Mother (Metal). If no suppressed fire/heat, Lung Metal not suddenly injured. Merely wind-cold cough. If person indulges in wine/lust, damages Heart blood, Liver fire moves, Yin blood deficient, Lung latent fire exists, wind triggers fire, *Lao Sao* (consumptive cough) arises. Lung governs skin/hair. Lung Qi rebels causing cough. Chronic cough raises latent fire, attacking Metal. Water essence not distributed, Kidney source exhausted. Chronic cough loses Qi, cannot connect to Kidney Water. Child cannot save Mother, *Lao Sao* forms. Fifth, environmental cause: Seven emotions not damaging, five labors not forming. Only true detachment allows non-damage. Otherwise, few escape illness. Orphan ministers weeping blood, illegitimate sons beating hearts, travelers' homesickness, wives' resentment for conscripted husbands, rich/arrogant, poor/desperate—all disturb emotions, damage Qi/Blood. Doctors must examine seven emotions before five Zang, regulate five wills before five labors. Adapt to situation, save defects. Cannot rely solely on medicine. Sixth, medical error: Non-cold illness treated with heavy dispersants; slight stagnation treated with harsh purgatives; no interior heat treated with bitter cold; weak body...