张子和次子,自出妻之后,日瘦,语如瓮中,此病在中也。常捻第三指失笑,此心火也。约半载,日饮冰
雪,更服凉剂。张曰;恶雪则愈矣。其母惧其大寒,张骂曰∶吾用药如鼓之应桴,尚恶寒凉药,宜乎世俗之谤
我也。至五七日,厌水不饮,病日解矣。(雄按∶通才绝技,往往不信于家人,自古已然,亦可叹也。)
邱汝诚一女子,恒笑不止。求诊,问生平所爱何衣,命着之,使母与对饮,故滴酒沾其裙,女大怒,病遂瘥。
先达李其性,归德府鹿邑人也,世为农家,癸卯获隽于乡,伊芳父以喜故,失声大笑。及春举进士,其笑弥
甚。历十年,擢谏垣,遂成痼疾。初犹间发,后宵旦不能休。大谏甚忧之,从容与太医某相商,因得所授,命
家人 乃父云∶大谏已殁。乃父恸绝几殒,如是者十日,病渐瘳。佯而为邮语云∶赵大夫治大谏,绝而复苏。
李因不悲,而症永不作矣。盖医者,意也。喜则伤心,济以悲而乃和,技进乎道矣。
戴元礼治姑苏朱子明之妇,病长号数十声,暂止复如前。人以为厉所凭,莫能疗。戴曰∶此郁病也。痰闭
于上,火郁于下,故长号则气少舒,经云火郁发之是已。遂用重剂涌之,吐痰如胶者数升乃愈。(《两浙名贤
录》。析理甚精,治法亦高。此与上条皆善师子和者也。)
吴孚先治宋小泉,发热自汗,肢体摇振,或时自利,呕哕间作,倏尔喜笑,倏尔悲哭,语言错乱,六脉沉
涩微弱。此阴盛阳虚,四君子加炮姜、茯苓,一剂和,二剂已。(此殆五精相并之症,非仅阴盛阳虚也。)
管先正治一妇,妊娠四五个月,脏燥悲伤,遇昼则惨切泪下数次,象若神灵,如有所凭。医与巫皆无益。
与仲景大枣汤,一投而愈。(《医学纲目》。)
孙文垣表嫂,孀居二十年矣,右瘫不能举动,不出户者三年,今则神情恍惚,口乱言,常悲泣。诘之,答
曰∶自亦不知为何故也。两寸脉短涩。以石菖蒲、远志、当归、茯苓、人参、黄 、白术、附子、晚蚕砂、陈
皮、甘草,服四帖稍愈,但悲泣如旧,夜更泣。因思仲景大枣小麦汤正与此对,两帖而瘳。方用大枣十二枚,
小麦一合,大甘草炙三寸,水煎饮。此忧伤肺,肺脏寒,故多泣也。(忧伤肺二语,本经文。第参、 、术、
附实温肺药,服之更泣。大枣、小麦、甘草实心脾药,服之而瘳,何也?喻嘉言谓为肺脏燥而然,似较脏腑寒
有理。钱仲阳治小儿哭叫,谓为金木相系,亦有见解。)
马元仪治吴氏妇,两寸浮数,余脉虚涩,时悲哀不能自禁,喉间窒塞,火升痰喘、此悒郁过多,肺金受病
也。金病则火动痰生,火痰相搏,气凑于上,故喘促不宁,而气道不利。法当舒通肺郁,则火降痰清,而悲哀
喘促诸症自已。用紫菀、干葛、枳壳、桔梗、半夏曲、橘红、杏仁、苏子,一剂而神气清,再剂而悲哀息。继
以人参、白术、炙甘草补其心气,远志、茯神宁其神志,半夏曲、广皮导其痰涎,肉桂、黄连以交心肾,数剂
而神复脉和,再以归脾汤调理而愈。
王执中母久病,忽泣涕不可禁,知是心病也,灸百会穴而愈。执中凡遇忧愁凄惨,亦必灸此。有疾者,不
可不知也。
吴桥治胡有濡母,中年亲酒而疏谷,忽心乱恍惚,日夜啼泣,如不欲生。桥始诊之,曰∶脉无他,但此病
非岁月可已。假令用药,即积寒凉而他病生。但勿药,听其自愈。顾语不入,遍谒诸医,治逾年病益深。逆桥
复诊,桥曰∶脉稍损于前,然不为害,第勿药而听其自愈耳。母敬诺,每月延桥视之。桥持议如初,勿药逾年而
愈。(《太函集》。雄按∶世之不察病情,妄投药饵以误人者,观此能无愧乎?)
Zihehe's second son, after being divorced by his wife, became increasingly emaciated, and his speech sounded as if coming from a jar; this indicated the disease was located in the middle jiao (middle burner). He often rubbed his third finger to induce laughter, which belonged to hyperactivity of Heart Fire (Xin Huo). For about half a year, he drank ice and snow daily and took cooling prescriptions. Zihehe said, "Disliking cold will lead to recovery." His mother feared he would suffer from severe cold. Zihehe scolded, "My use of medicine is as responsive as a drumstick hitting a drum; yet I am still criticized for using cold medicines. It is only natural that the世俗 (worldly people) slander me." By the fifth or seventh day, the patient developed an aversion to water and refused to drink, and the illness gradually resolved. (Note by Xiong Jiguang: Masters of unique skills are often not trusted by their own families; this has been true since ancient times, which is also lamentable.)
Qiu Rucheng treated a young woman who laughed incessantly. Upon consultation, he asked what clothing she loved most in her life, had her wear it, and instructed her mother to drink with her face-to-face, deliberately spilling wine on her skirt. The young woman became furious, and the illness subsequently healed.
Li Qixing, a distinguished scholar from Luyi County, Guidé Prefecture, came from a farming family for generations. In the Gui Mao year, he passed the provincial examination. His father, out of joy, burst into loud laughter. When Li passed the metropolitan examination in spring, his laughter intensified. Ten years later, upon his appointment as a censor, it became a chronic ailment. Initially, it occurred occasionally, but later ceased neither day nor night. The censor was deeply worried and calmly consulted with a certain Imperial Physician, thereby obtaining a method. He instructed his family to tell his father, "The censor has died." His father fainted from grief, nearly dying. This lasted for ten days, during which the illness gradually improved. Then, a fake message was circulated stating, "Doctor Zhao cured the censor, reviving him from apparent death." Because Li did not grieve, the symptoms never recurred. Essentially, medical treatment relies on mental intent. Joy injures the Heart; balancing it with sorrow brings harmony; thus, skill advances to the level of Dao.
Dai Yuanli treated the wife of Zhu Ziming from Gusu. She would wail loudly for dozens of times, pause briefly, and then resume as before. People believed she was possessed by a malevolent spirit and could not be cured. Dai Yuanli said, "This is a depression disorder. Phlegm obstructs the upper jiao, and fire is constrained in the lower jiao; therefore, wailing allows the qi to relax slightly. As the Classic states, 'When fire is constrained, vent it.' This applies here." He then used a heavy purgative/emetic dose. After vomiting several sheng (a unit of volume) of phlegm like glue, she recovered. (From *Records of Famous Worthies of Zhejiang*. The analysis is profound, and the treatment method is excellent. Both this case and the previous one demonstrate good emulation of Zihehe.)
Wu Fuxian treated Song Xiaoquan, who presented with fever, spontaneous sweating, trembling and shaking of limbs, occasional diarrhea, alternating vomiting and hiccups, intermittent laughter and crying, disordered speech, and deep, choppy, weak pulses in all six positions. This indicated excess yin and deficiency of yang. A prescription of Sijunzi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) with Paojiang (Roasted Ginger) and Fuling (Poria) was used. Symptoms relieved after one dose, and cured after two doses. (This likely represents a syndrome of intermingling of the five essences, not merely excess yin and deficiency of yang.)
Guan Xianzheng treated a pregnant woman at four or five months gestation. She suffered from Zangzao (Visceral Dryness) with sadness, weeping bitterly several times a day, appearing as if possessed by a spirit. Neither doctors nor shamans were effective. Zhongjing's Dazao Tang (Jujube Decoction) was administered, and she recovered after one dose. (From *Medical Outline*.)
Sun Wenyuan's cousin-in-law had been a widow for twenty years. She suffered right-sided hemiplegia and immobility, had not left her house for three years, and now presented with trance-like state, incoherent speech, and frequent weeping. Upon inquiry, she replied, "I do not know why either." Her cun pulses on both wrists were short and choppy. A prescription containing Shichangpu (Acorus), Yuanzhi (Polygala), Danggui (Angelica Sinensis), Fuling (Poria), Renshen (Ginseng), Huangqi (Astragalus), Baizhu (Atractylodes), Fuzi (Aconite), Wancangsha (Silkworm Sand), Chenpi (Citrus Peel), and Gancao (Licorice) was given. After four doses, there was slight improvement, but weeping persisted, worsening at night. Recalling Zhongjing's Dazao Xiaomai Tang (Jujube and Wheat Decoction) as perfectly suited, two doses led to recovery. The formula consisted of twelve Jujubes, one he of wheat, and three cun of roasted Licorice, decocted in water and drunk. This indicates that sorrow injures the Lung, and cold in the Lung organ causes excessive weeping. ("Sorrow injures the Lung" originates from the Classics. However, Ginseng, Astragalus, Atractylodes, and Aconite are warming lung herbs; taking them should worsen weeping. Jujube, Wheat, and Licorice tonify the Heart and Spleen; taking them heals. Why? Yu Jiayan suggested it was due to dryness of the Lung rather than cold, which seems more reasonable. Qian Zhongyang attributed children's crying to the interaction of Metal and Wood, showing insight.)
Ma Yuanyi treated a woman surnamed Wu. Her cun pulses were floating and rapid, while other pulses were deficient and choppy. She frequently experienced uncontrollable sorrow, throat obstruction, rising fire, and phlegmatic wheezing. This was caused by excessive melancholy injuring the Lung Metal. Lung pathology leads to fire stirring and phlegm generation; fire and phlegm struggle, causing qi to rush upward, resulting in panting and restlessness, and impaired airway flow. The treatment principle should be to soothe and unblock Lung depression, so that fire descends, phlegm clears, and symptoms of sorrow and panting cease naturally. A prescription of Ziwan (Aster), Gange (Kudzu Root), Zhike (Bitter Orange), Jiegeng (Platycodon), Banxiaqu (Pinellia Fermented), Juhong (Tangerine Peel), Xingren (Apricot Seed), and Suzi (Perilla Fruit) was used. Spirit cleared after one dose, and sorrow stopped after two doses. Subsequently, Renshen (Ginseng), Baizhu (Atractylodes), and Zhi Gancao (Honey-fried Licorice) were used to tonify Heart Qi; Yuanzhi (Polygala) and Fushen (Poria with Hostwood) to calm the spirit; Banxiaqu (Pinellia Fermented) and Guangpi (Tangerine Peel) to guide out phlegm; Rougui (Cinnamon Bark) and Huanglian (Coptis) to interact Heart and Kidney. After several doses, spirit returned and pulses harmonized. Finally, Guipi Tang (Restore the Spleen Decoction) was used for regulation, leading to recovery.
Wang Zhizhong's mother, suffering from a long-term illness, suddenly wept uncontrollably. Wang knew this was a Heart disease and moxa-busted the Baihui acupoint (GV20), resulting in recovery. Whenever Wang encountered sorrowful or tragic situations, he would also moxa-bust this point. Those with illnesses must know this.
Wu Qiao treated the mother of Hu Youru. In middle age, she favored alcohol over grains. Suddenly, she became mentally confused and trance-like, weeping day and night, feeling as if she did not wish to live. Upon initial diagnosis, Wu Qiao said, "The pulse shows no other abnormalities, but this disease cannot be cured within a few years. If medication is used, it will accumulate cold-cooling properties and generate other diseases. Simply abstain from medication and allow it to heal spontaneously." However, the family ignored his advice, visited various doctors, and after more than a year, the condition worsened. They invited Wu Qiao for a re-examination. Wu Qiao said, "The pulse is slightly weaker than before, but it is not harmful. Just abstain from medication and allow it to heal spontaneously." The mother agreed respectfully and visited Wu Qiao monthly. Wu Qiao maintained his original stance. After abstaining from medication for over a year, she recovered. (From *Taihan Collection*. Note by Xiong Jiguang: Those in the world who fail to examine the condition and recklessly administer drugs, harming others, should feel ashamed when reading this.)