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Wang Shuquan previously suffered from pain in the heart and spleen regions. Upon onset, the pain was unbearable. Urgently, a tile was placed in charcoal fire until red-hot, then removed and quenched in rice vinegar, producing steam. It was wrapped in two or three layers of paper and applied to the painful area. Once relief was slight, it was replaced when cold. This was a method passed down by elders. Later, reading *Qianjin Fang* (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold), it stated: "For any cold pain in the heart and abdomen, roast one sheng of salt for moxibustion/ironing, or roast mulberry silkworm feces, burn bricks/stones, steam and iron them, taking advantage of warming the interior and middle jiao; or steaming earth is also very good." Only then did I realize that the method used by my family likely originated from *Qianjin Fang*. Another day, the heart pain was severe. Urgently, several moxa cones were burned at Zhongwan (CV12). I felt cold qi rising from both sides of the lower abdomen upwards. Upon reaching the moxibustion site, it dissipated. This was the efficacy of moxibustion. *Ben Shi Fang* (Prescriptions of Capability) records Wang Sihe's discussion on Xin Song (palpitations with anxiety), which is not true palpitations. The great collateral of the Stomach is named Xuli (ST15), connecting the chest/diaphragm and between the two breasts. If this area is deficient and has phlegm-fluids, the pulsation becomes more severe, erupting in bursts every moment; this is its symptom. If indeed so, one could also moxa Xuli, but it is not as crucial as Zhongwan.

The *Zuo Zhuan* records that Wuxin harbored resentment against Zifan due to Xia Ji, saying, "I will surely make you die from exhaustion running back and forth." Thus, Zifan ran on urgent missions seven times in one year, eventually dying of a heart disease. This illustrates illness caused by excessive mental exertion. In daily life, one should nourish the Heart Spirit, keeping it peaceful, so diseases naturally do not arise. Secondly, one should take medicines like Zhenxin Dan (Calming the Heart Pill) to tonify and nourish. If illness is about to occur, acupuncture and moxibustion can be used as secondary measures. (From *Zisheng Jing*.)

A woman suffered from chest fullness and tightness, inability to breathe, and pain upon pressure. Her pulse was rapid and choppy. This was Chest Bi (Obstruction Syndrome). Therefore, Xiao Xianxiong Tang (Minor Inverted Chest Decoction) was administered, and she recovered after two doses.

A twenty-three-year-old man had a pulling pain in the diaphragm, with skin tension upon inhalation. This indicated stagnant blood. One tael of Huashi (Talcum), five qian of Taoren (Peach Kernel), five qian of Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome), one tael of Zhiqiao (Bitter Orange Fruit), and two qian of Zhi Gancao (Honey-fried Licorice Root) were ground into powder. Each dose of 1.5 qian was decocted in natural radish juice and drunk. Five to six doses per day led to recovery.

Miao Zhongchun treated the wife of Gao Cunzhi, who suffered from heart-mouth pain. Suddenly, a severe attack occurred where a sensation rose from the chest striking the heart. Three women pressed down forcefully but could not suppress it; she cried out nearly fainting. Gao had previously sought help. Miao immediately prescribed this formula, which was urgently decocted and taken that day. The rising sensation immediately dropped, and abdominal pain ceased rising. After another dose, abdominal pain also vanished. Two days later, bathing due to feeling better, she suddenly vomited and suffered splitting headache. Gao said, "This is the previous syndrome. Decoct and take the previous medicine for immediate peace." Bai Shao (White Peony Root) wine-fried 3 qian, Zhi Gancao (Honey-fried Licorice Root) 5 fen, Wuzhuyu (Evodia Fruit) soaked in water three times 8 fen, Fuling (Poria) 2 qian, Yanhusuo (Corydalis Rhizome) vinegar-boiled 1 qian, Suzi (Perilla Seed) fried and crushed 1.5 qian, Juhong (Aged Tangerine Peel) salt-water soaked 1.2 qian. Added Banxia (Pinellia Tuber) ginger-juice fried 1 qian, Xuanfuhua (Inula Flower) 1 qian, Mutong (Akebia Stem) 7 fen, Zhuru (Bamboo Shavings) 1 qian. (From *Guang Biji*.)

Li Jiqiu said: My wife suddenly suffered heart pain radiating to the lower abdomen, as if something was colliding up and down, unbearable pain. Urgently pressing heavily with hands slightly relieved it; loosening caused crying out. Zhongchun said, "This must be Blood deficiency." Pulse diagnosis confirmed it. Urgently administered Baishao (White Peony Root) 5 qian, Zhi Gancao (Honey-fried Licorice Root) 7 fen, Juhong (Aged Tangerine Peel) 3 qian, Chao Yan (Fried Salt) 5 fen. Two doses brought slight relief. Then Niuhuang Suhé Wan (Bezoar and Storax Pill) was used to unblock stagnation. After several belches, pain slowly resolved. Son asked why? Zhongchun said: Baishao and Gancao are holy medicines for treating Blood deficiency. Due to long-term depression and rebellious Qi, half the Gancao was reduced. Zhang Zhongjing's theory on Jia-Ji transforming Earth is detailed. Other doctors do not understand. Why Fried Salt? I say: For Heart deficiency, Fried Salt tonifies it, embodying the concept of Water and Fire having achieved balance. I fear vulgar physicians generally attribute heart/abdominal pain to food retention or phlegm-fire, so I detail it below. (Same source.)

Both cases treat the Liver. The former case clears fluids; this case nourishes the Liver and descends rebellious Qi, not purely tonifying deficiency.

In past years, passing Quhe, I met Mrs. Wang Yutai suffering severe heart-mouth pain, sleepless day and night, hot to touch. I asked what medicine was used. She replied: Large doses of Renshen (Ginseng) and Danggui (Angelica Sinensis) provided slight relief, but not cured. (Commentary: For heart/abdominal pain, only Yin Wei vessel deficiency allows Renshen/Danggui; most others are retained phlegm/fluids or Liver Fire invading Stomach. This case description is vague, lacking pulse details.) I asked: "Is there Fire or Qi?" Yutai said: "Taking some Chenpi (Tangerine Peel) and cooling medicines caused fatal bloating. If the master were not a skilled physician, no one would avoid error." I preserved this case to warn those who ignore deficiency/excess and rigidly apply formulas. (Same source.)

Liu Yunmi treated a young woman. During cool summer nights, she suffered heart pain starting from the right hypochondrium, extending to the xiphoid process, under both breasts, radiating to the back, with bone-gap swelling/pain in waist and arms. Right hypochondrium and heart pain were most severe, accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Suspecting cold invasion during sleep causing Qi stagnation, cold-dispersing and Qi-moving herbs failed. Suspecting郁火 (depressed fire) within cold stagnation, adding dispersing herbs also failed. Jiawei Zhuhuang Wan (Modified Boiled Yellow Pill) brought instant cure. Jianghuang (Turmeric Rhizome) 3.5 qian, Xionghuang (Realgar) 3 fen, Ruxiang (Olibanum) 3 fen (oil removed), Jing Badou Shuang (Pure Croton Seed Frost) 8 fen. Ground fine, formed into pills the size of millet seeds with vinegar paste. Deficient patients: 7 pills; Excess patients: 11 pills. Taken with Ginger Decoction. Classic says: "Excess pathogenic factors constitute Excess syndrome." This woman was constitutionally weak but suffered heavy cold, manifesting as excess. Only this acrid-hot agent could guide it out. Previous herbs dispersed but did not reach the disease. Using Jianghuang and Ruxiang has deep meaning, as cold injures Blood. As Shizhen said, proper combination ensures efficacy.

Jinlingzi San (Golden Bell Powder): Chuannanzi (Szechwan Chinaberry Fruit) pitted 1 tael, Yanhusuo (Corydalis Rhizome) 1 tael. Ground fine. Take 3 qian each time, mixed with warm wine. Decoction is also acceptable. Wang Jinshan said: This formula drains Heat from the Qi level and moves Stasis from the Blood level. *Leigong Paozhi Lun* states: "Heart pain wanting death, quickly seek Yanhusuo." Jiegū added Jinlingzi for Reversal Cold Heart Pain. Classics state all pains belong to the Heart, while Reversal Cold belongs to Liver rebellion. Jinlingzi not only drains Liver, but specifically guides Heat from Small Intestine and Bladder downward, leading Pericardium Ministerial Fire down. Yanhusuo harmonizes pains throughout the body. Though small, its preparation is apt, achieving quick cures. Do not neglect it for being mild.

Chronic Liver/Stomach pain unresponsive to other herbs, or abdominal masses (Jia/Zhen), this formula is effective, named Meihua Wan (Plum Blossom Pill). Pregnant women use with caution. Lü'emeirui (Green Plum Bud) 3 liang, Huashi (Talcum) 7 liang, Danpi (Moutan Bark) 4 liang, Zhi Xiangfu (Cyperi Rhizoma processed) 2 liang, Gansong (Nardostachys Root) and Peng'e Zhu (Curcuma Zedoaria Rhizome) 5 qian each, Fuling (Poria) 3.5 qian, Renshen (Ginseng), Neng Huangqi (Young Astragalus Root), Sharen (Amomum Fruit), Yizhi (Alpinia Oxyphylla Fruit) 3 qian each, Yuanzhi Rou (Polygala Root flesh) 2.5 qian, Shanyao (Dioscorea Rhizome), Muxiang (Aucklandia Root) 1.5 qian each, Jiegeng (Platycodon Root) 1 qian, Gancao (Licorice Root) 7 fen. Sixteen ingredients, ground fine, refined white honey 12 liang, pounded into pills the size of dragon eyes, sealed with white wax. Take one pill each time, mixed with boiling water. This formula was transmitted from Shen Yuezhizhi, an elder from Weiyang. When he served as a幕僚 (staff officer) in Suzhou, he suffered chronic heart/abdominal pain unresponsive to drugs, cured by this. He prepared and distributed it; many recovered. The medication is peculiar, and dosages are hard to fathom.

Xue Geng (Snow Broth): Four large Biboli (Water Chestnut), one tael of Haijie (Cuttlefish Bone)漂 washed to remove calcareous properties. Two zhong of water, decoct to eight fen. Wang Jinshan said: Geng refers to harmonizing food flavors; Xue metaphorically implies blandness without peculiarity, possessing subtle internal cooling penetration. Biboli is sweet; Haijie is salty. Both are cold and slippery. For Liver channel Reversal Cold, lower abdomen attacking pain unresponsive to other herbs, using this drains Heat and stops pain, swift as shadow following form.