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Mu Shen, a Ministry Official, was from Jinan, Shandong. He passed the imperial examination in the Renchen year and lived in retirement after being dismissed. Suddenly, he suffered from an unusual illness: whenever he heard the sound of carriages and horses in his ears, the condition would worsen drastically. One day, he heard voices inside his ear saying, "Let's go for a stroll in the suburbs today." Immediately, it seemed as if loaded donkeys and horses emerged sequentially from his ears, and the ailment vanished instantly. By evening, hearing the return of the strollers and the donkeys and horses re-entering his ears, the suffering returned to its previous state. Despite multiple treatments, he did not recover. One day, he suddenly felt a sense of loss. (From *Bishu Xuan Yu*.)

A man lay in bed, unable to move his four limbs, able only to eat. He liked to loudly discuss what food he wanted to eat; this was called "Shi Shuo Wu Wang Bing" (Illness of Lost Desire-to-Say). The treatment method is: when he says he wants to eat pork, tell him he has eaten a meal of pork. Upon hearing this, the patient becomes happy. Then place the meat before him to see, but do not let him eat it. This satisfies his desire to speak while denying the desire to consume, allowing him to sleep naturally; salivation will occur, and he will heal on his own. (From *Wanbing Huichun*.)

A wealthy family's son, aged seventeen or eighteen, suffered from cracking of muscles all over his body. Huang Zinong was summoned for treatment. Huang went with four or five disciples to examine him. Each presented their observations and discussions, but none were appropriate. Huang then dismissed others and questioned the patient privately: "Did you engage in sexual activity during childhood, violating your innate essence?" The patient replied, "Around thirteen or fourteen, I did." Huang said, "I understand now. Chu Cheng stated: 'If one engages in sexual intercourse before the essence is fully developed, there will be deficiencies in the four limbs, leading later to inexplicable illnesses that are incurable by standard methods.' Indeed, the patient eventually died in agony with profuse foul sweat." (This theory may not be entirely correct.)

In an inn in Jiangnan, an old woman ate without feeling full. Yu Dezhange fed her steamed buns; she finished a whole bamboo tray yet still claimed hunger, consuming a *shi* (a unit of volume) of rice daily. (From *Yucanglang Moca*.)

Cai Sheng, the Magistrate of Liquan, was my friend. He also suffered from a hunger disease; if food was delayed even slightly, he would collapse into unconsciousness. Cai had excellent conduct, was learned and literary, and was a renowned scholar of his time, yet he ultimately died of starvation. No one knew the reason for his refusal to eat, and I often mourned for him. (Note: This is likely *Zhong Xiao* [Middle Consumptive Disease].)

I once went outside the Houqiao Gate to watch the tide and saw a beggar whose palm was double its normal size, with each finger over a foot long, capable only of extension, not flexion. I marveled at the strangeness of his physical formation. He said, "This is my illness. In the past, I wove silk to make a living. Last summer, I contracted *Shanghan* [Cold Damage]. When sweating therapy was indicated, this hand was outside the blanket and did not sweat. After the illness resolved, the pain in this hand persisted, gradually worsening and growing until it reached this state. Now unable to work, I beg for a living." (Same source.)

Qiu Rucheng treated a young woman who could not lower her arms when yawning and stretching. Qiu instructed her mother to undress the girl's upper body and put on a single-layer skirt, saying, "When I lift the curtain, remove the lower garment." The mother complied. Qiu entered loudly shouting; the girl, ashamed, shrank her arms back, and they returned to normal. (From *Hui Chen Xin Tan*.)

Lu Daoguang treated a child with a strange syndrome where the four limbs were stiff and could not bend. Lu said, "This cannot be treated with medicine." He held an umbrella over the child and burned *Anxi Xiang* (Benzoin), *Chen Xiang* (Agarwood), and *Tan Xiang* (Sandalwood) around the bed. The child recovered shortly after. When it relapsed, crushed agarwood was administered orally, leading to a cure. (From *Pinghu County Annals*.)

The son of a commoner in Gaoyang, just over ten years old, suddenly developed a chronic tumor on his arm, causing unbearable pain and itching. Physicians could not identify the syndrome. One day, it spontaneously ruptured, expelling a round egg-like object that soon turned into stone. Liu Gongbu Lin bought it for one gold tael and used it to treat chest obstruction diseases miraculously. (From *Chibei Outan*.)

In Jiangning, a man named Xiao died upon eating fragrant mushrooms. Another man named Wang died upon drinking tea, only reviving after two or three days. Physicians could not discern the cause. Recorded here, awaiting a brilliant physician to explain. (From *Juyi Lu*.)

My friend Yao Wenxie from Tongcheng, courtesy name Jing San, passed the imperial examination in the Jihai year of Shunzhi and was famous for poetry and painting. In his sixties, he suddenly became ill and lost the ability to read, not even recognizing his own name. Physicians did not know the syndrome, and he eventually died from it. According to *Mengxi Biji*, Jiang Yu, magistrate of Songzi, similarly lost the ability to read for several years before partially recovering. Indeed, a rare illness. (Same source.)

Liu Jinshi Zu Xiang recounted that a youth in a certain prefecture was invaded by evil pathogens, with the disease entering the pericardium and lungs. His family deemed him incurable and abandoned him by the road. Suddenly, a Daoist priest passed by, claiming skill in medicine. He ordered a heavy iron hammer weighing dozens of *jin* to strike the patient's head and face. The parents wept, fearing the skull would shatter. The Daoist laughed, "No harm." Upon striking, the patient seemed unaware, and a beautiful woman about two chi tall leaped out of his mouth and vanished. After a hundred strikes, a hundred women emerged, identical in size and shape. The youth was instantly cured, and the Daoist disappeared. (From *Chibei Outan*.)

At the end of the Yuanjia era of Song, a man from Changguang could eat immediately after his illness subsided but could not sleep. With every meal, he felt his body growing; within days, his head protruded outside the house. At that time, Jia Jiu served as Inspector General. People measured him, finding he had grown three *zhang*. Later, he gradually shrank back to normal size before dying. (From *Yi Yuan*.)

Medical texts state that thin people suddenly gaining weight or fat people suddenly losing weight indicate short life expectancy. My contemporary, Xue Weixue, was very fat when passing the jinshi examination. When he became a Censor, he suddenly emaciated. Not long after, on a mission to Yunyang, he died overnight. It was heard that at death, his body had shrunk to the size of a child of over ten years, which is particularly bizarre. (From *Lanyu Man Chao*. Note by Xiong: This illness may be caused by taking hot pills containing cinnabar and sulfur.)

Tao Jiucheng said: A child in the capital suffered from unbearable headache. A Huiyi (Muslim) medical official cut open the scalp and extracted a small crab, hard as stone but still moving, which died shortly after. The pain ceased immediately. The crab should have been preserved and is kept to this day. (From *Zhuo Geng Lu*.)

*History of Song* records that Lu Xiaqing, a jinshi and former Director of the Secretariat, served as Prefect of Chuzhou. At fifty-two, he contracted a strange illness causing his body to shrink; at death, he was only the size of a child. *Shuyuan Zaji* records that Censor Xue Weixue was very fat but suddenly emaciated and died from one illness. At death, he shrank to the size of a ten-year-old child. (Zide's words. Note by Xiong: Liang Yinglai stated that Ge Qiusheng's uncle-in-law died of consumption, with his body and head gradually shrinking, named *Suogu Lao* [Bone-Contracting劳]. I believe this disease name does not exist historically and do not know who created it. I record this to ask experts. As for Dou Cai's suggestion to take Danfu pills, it is most absurd.)

A peasant woman in Guangling suffered from diarrhea, excreting foul matter like oil. A neighbor child dipped a paper torch in it, and the torch was indistinguishable from oil. Physicians could not treat it. Mr. Sun Zijiu heard of this, visited, and prescribed ten doses of *Buzhong Yiqi Tang* [Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction] and four taels of *Tianwang Buxin Wan* [Heavenly Emperor Heart-Nourishing Pills], taken together with the decoction. She recovered. When asked by other physicians, he explained: "Fear causes Qi to sink, leading to distension and damage of the Large Intestine. This woman must have contracted this illness after a fright." Inquiry confirmed she was working in the fields, saw her young child crawling toward fire, and was startled while rescuing him, thus contracting the illness. This is unrecorded in medical formularies. (From *Qiji Fang*.)

Qian Guobin treated Qian Qingli of Zhenjiang. In middle age, without illness, one day his heel made a sudden noise. Hearing it, he felt it was strange. Over months, the noise increased until his head sounded like thunder. Physicians gave various names for the symptoms, and he lived with fear of death for seven years. Passing Kan Kou甘露 Temple, seeking *Cang'er Cao* [Xanthii Fructus] for poison treatment, he casually mentioned this syndrome as "Gu Lei" [Bone Thunder]. Invited home, his pulse was harmonious in five positions, except the Kidney position was *Kou* [hollow] and large, visible only on light pressure, absent on deep pressure, indicating Kidney failure. The noise originating from below relates to the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, which starts under the little toe, runs obliquely to the sole, emerges below Ran Gu, follows behind the medial malleolus, enters the heel, ascends the inner leg, exits above the medial condyle, enters the thigh, passes through the spine. Since the Kidney governs bones, Kidney deficiency leads to empty marrow, emptiness causes resonance, hence bone noise. The head of the white foot is like thunder rising from earth, echoing in the sky. He was given a formula of *Liuwei Wan* [Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia] added with *Ziheche Gao* [Placenta Paste], *Hugu Gao* [Tiger Bone Paste], pig marrow, *Gouqi* [Goji Berry], and *Duzhong* [Eucommia Bark]. He thanked him, saying, "Your analysis broke my seven-year confusion; this good prescription cured my lifelong illness." He bowed deeply and left. The following winter, Qian visited Kan Kou again and reported full recovery.

In the winter of Guihai, a seasonal epidemic occurred in Shanhaiguan. Patients had headache, fever, nausea, thirst, mental confusion, drowsiness, and immobility of limbs. Pushing the flesh formed a mound; smoothing it returned it to normal. Some physicians diagnosed *Shanghan*, others *Shiqi* [Seasonal Qi], administering dispersing herbs, which invariably worsened the condition, killing hundreds. The Commander-in-Chief Sun and his staff each lost a servant. In the spring of Yichou, Qian visited the Grand Preceptor at the pass gate. Discussing this, Qian said: "This is a seasonal epidemic named *Rouxing* [Flesh Movement]. Human flesh belongs to Earth; dry Earth collapses, wet Earth flows. The pathogen affects blood vessels and muscles, unlike *Shanghan*. Unrecorded in ancient and modern collections, found only in official household remedies. Due to dried blood and infection with abnormal seasonal Qi, massive blood tonification is needed. Use *Shouwu* [Polygonum Multiflorum], *Gouqi*, *Danggui* [Angelica Sinensis], *Dihu* [Rehmannia Glutinosa], etc., with a little *Qianghuo* [Notopterygium Rhizome] wind-dispelling herb, sufficient to treat the disease. If dispersed, death is certain." (Note by Xiong: "Wet Earth flows" hits the mark precisely; why not use damp-heat clearing herbs?)

Wu A'er from Huzhou was a silk weaver. Suddenly, more than ten red stripes appeared on both arms. The stripes were thick-headed, pointed-tailed, swollen-bellied, about one chi long and wide. This was the异毒 [strange toxin] of green snake qi. Urgent treatment was required, otherwise the snake form would enter the abdomen and cause death. If appearing on thighs or calves, attacking upward into the abdomen, it was also fatal. Puncture the head and tail with a needle to stop movement, draining foul blood. Grind *Ming Xionghuang* [Realgar], mix with saliva, and apply to the lesion. Internally administer *Qingliang Baidu San* [Cooling and Detoxifying Powder]: *Fangfeng* [Saposhnikovia Root], *Jingjie* [Schizonepeta Spike], *Baizhi* [Angelica Dahurica], *Qianghuo* [Notopterygium Rhizome], *Huanglian* [Coptis Rhizome], *Huangqin* [Scutellaria Root], *Lianqiao* [Forsythia Fruit], *Jinyinhua* [Honeysuckle Flower], *Huai Zi* [Sophora Fruit], *Gancao* [Licorice Root], *Danggui* [Angelica Sinensis], *Shengdi* [Rehmannia Root], each one qian. Two or three doses. (Note by Xiong: This is the severe form of the worldly-called Snake Coiling Syndrome. In Eastern Zhejiang, it is called Chan Shen Long [Body-Coiling Dragon].)

Wu Qiao treated Lü Tingchong, aged twenty-five, who suffered from a strange illness. During attacks, Qi gushed from all orifices, leading to near-death coma. Family members closed his mouth and nose, plugged ears, blocked urine and stool passages, allowing slight recovery. Qi steamed out from pores, stabilizing after a long time. Wu Qiao diagnosed: "The illness originated internally and was triggered by fright, leading to dual collapse of Yin and Yang." Wu could not visit personally but sent a major warming and tonifying formula. Taking the prescription home, the patient recovered in three months. (From *Tai Han Ji*.)

Jin Jie, formerly Ting Shi, initially suffered from tidal fever, nocturnal emissions, red face, and hemoptysis. Treatment provided temporary relief, but then a strange illness arose. Attacks felt like heat surging from Yongquan, traveling from calves to thighs, piercing like a pear core. Listening closely, a rattling sound was heard. Upon attack, limbs became stiff and insensible, skin and flesh like wood or stone, sneezing blocked, fluids unable to enter. After a long while, a sigh was released, and the body relaxed as usual. Occurring monthly, about six to seven times. Physicians withdrew. Wu Qiao examined him: pulse rapid and floating, tender to pressure. The illness resulted from licentiousness and lack of moderation, leading to Yin deficiency and flaming Fire, severely exacerbated. Standard treatment would extinguish a cartload of fire with a cup of water. Alternatively, follow-up treatment using sweet-warm herbs supported by cooling herbs is acceptable. One dose daily, effective, resolving the new illness within ten days. His father, seeing the old illness unresolved, brought a Daoist from Jiuhua, discarding previous medicines, saying: "Cook a duck for him, add Ginseng and Jujube." Soon, fire symptoms recurred, with epigastric distension. Re-examined by Wu Qiao, the six pulses were superficial and wiry; wiry indicates Wood excess. Eating the duck damaged Spleen Qi, allowing Liver Wood to invade the void, threatening to become *Zhongman* [Fullness in the Center]. Urgently treated with warming and tonifying agents, stabilized in two months. (Same source.)