张子和治卫德新之妻，旅中宿于楼上，夜值盗劫人烧舍，惊堕床下，自后每闻有响，则惊倒不知人，家人
辈蹑足而行，莫敢冒触有声，岁余不痊。诸医作心病治之，人参、珍珠及定志丸皆无效。张见而断之曰∶惊者
为阳从外入也，恐者为阴从内出也。惊者谓自不知故也，恐者自知也。足少阳胆经属肝木，胆者敢也，惊怕则
胆伤矣。乃命二侍女执其两手，按高椅之上，当面前置一小几。张曰∶娘子当视此，一木猛击之，其妇大惊。
张曰∶我以木击几，何以惊乎？伺少定击之，惊又缓。又斯须连击三五次，又以杖击门，又遣人画背后之
窗，徐徐惊定而笑，曰∶是何治法？张曰∶《内经》云，惊者平之。平者，常也。平常见之，必无惊。
是夜使人击门窗，自夕达曙。夫惊者神上越，从下击几，使其下视，所以收神也。一二日虽闻雷亦不惊。
德新素不喜张，至是终身压服，如有人言张不知医者，执戈以逐之。（雄按∶分惊恐为外入、内出，可谓一言
破的。古人皆云心主惊，而不知情志字皆从心，惟惊字从马，以马无胆故善惊。惊则伤胆，尤为卓识。其论
治岂常人所能测识哉？余尝谓亘古以来，善治病者，莫如戴人，不仅以汗、吐、下三法见长也。）
卜氏子年二十八岁，病身弱四肢无力，面色苍黄，左胁下体侧上下如臂状，每发则痛无时，食不减，大便
如常，小便微黄，已二三载矣。诸医计穷，求张治之。视其部分，乃足厥阴肝经，兼足少阳胆经也。曰∶甲胆
乙肝，故青。其色黄者，脾也。诊胆脉小，此因惊也。惊则胆受邪，腹中当有惊涎绿水。病患曰∶昔曾屯军被
火，自是而疾作。乃夜以舟车一百五十丸、浚川散四五钱加生姜自然汁，平旦果下绿水四五行。或问大加生姜
何也？曰∶辛能克木也。下后觉微痛，命再下之，比前药三之一，又下绿水三四行，痛止思食，反有力。张谓
卜曰∶汝妻亦当病。卜曰∶太医未见吾妻，何以知之？曰∶尔感此惊几年矣？卜曰∶当被火，我正在草堂中熟
寐，人惊唤我，睡中惊不能言，火已塞门，我父拽出我火中，今已五年矣。张曰∶汝胆伏火惊，甲乙乘脾土，
是少阳相火乘脾。脾中有热，故能食而杀谷。热虽能化谷，其精气不完，汝必无子。盖败经反损妇人，汝妻必
手足热，四肢无力，经血不时。卜曰∶吾妻实如此，亦已五年矣。他日，门人因观《内经》，言先泻所不胜，次
泻所胜之论。其法何如？以问张，张曰∶且如胆木乘脾土，此土不胜木也。不胜之气，寻救于子。己土能生庚金，
庚为大肠，味辛者为金，故大加生姜以伐木。然不开脾土，无由行也。遂用舟车丸，先通其闭塞之路，是先泻其
所不胜，后用姜汁调浚川散大下之，次泻其所胜也。大抵阳干克阳干，腑克腑，脏克脏。（雄按∶的是通人见解，
昔贤皆谓惊入心，治法不镇心安神，病焉能愈哉？后学虽不能用此法，亦当读其书，师其意，其则不远也。无如
曲高和寡，温补风行，专尚补虚，不知治病，医道日晦，谁之过欤？）
张路玉治吴昭如室，年壮体丰，而素有呕血腹胀，脾约便难之恙。两遭回禄，忧恚频，仍近于失血之后，
忽然神气愤乱，口噤目瞠。诊其气口数盛而促，人迎弦大而芤，形神不能自主，似有撮空之状。或谓症犯条款，
疑不出五日当毙。张谓不然，若是撮空，必然手势散漫，今拈着衣被，尽力拉摘，定为挟惊挟怒无疑。爪者，
筋之余，非惊怒而何？况脉来见促，当是痰气中结，殊非代脉之比。询其病因，惊怒俱有。遂用钩藤一两，煎
成入竹沥半盏，姜汁五匙，连夜制服，服后即安寝，六脉亦稍平，但促未退。仍用前方减半，调牛黄一分，其
夕大解三度，去结屎五六十枚，腹胀顿减，脉静人安，数日平复如常。（雄按∶辨证明晰可师，立方轻重可法。）
老僧悟庵心悸善恐，遍服补心养血之药不应，天王补心丹服过数斤，惊悸转增，面目四肢微有浮肿之状，
求张治。察其形肥白不坚，诊其脉濡弱而滑，此气虚，痰饮浸渍于膈上也。以导痰汤稍加参、桂通其阳气，数
服而悸恐悉除。更以六君子加桂，水泛作丸，调补中气而安。（雄按∶此证最多，世皆误治。）
吴孚先治王兵宪，患惊悸，时或烦躁，夜更靡宁，右关虚弱，左寸尤甚，与加味归脾二十剂而全愈。
龚子才治一童子，因用心过度，少寐惊悸，怔忡恶寒，先用补中益气汤加茯苓、枣仁、远志，恶寒渐止。
又用加味归脾汤，惊悸稍安，再用养心汤而安。
杜某治林学士子，居常喜食海蛤，饮食之顷，未尝不设，至十八年，忽面色顿青，形体瘦削，夜多惊悸，
皆谓劳瘵之疾，百疗不瘳。杜脉之曰∶非病。何以知之？虽瘦削面青，精神不减。问学院子，秀才好食甚物？
曰∶多食南海中味。杜曰∶但多服生津液药，病当自愈。如是经两月，面色渐有红润意，夜亦无惊悸。林问所
以然，杜曰∶王冰《素问》云，盐发渴，乃胜血之症。海味如盐，既多食，使心血渐衰，则夜惊悸。今既去咸，
用生津之药，人且少壮，津血易生，故疾去而安矣。
薛立斋治一妇人，劳则心跳怔忡，寒热往来，用归脾汤为主，佐以八珍汤，诸症悉愈。又用加味逍遥散、
宁志丸而安。后复作，服归脾、宁志药即愈。
一妇人患惊悸怔忡，日晡发热，月经过期，饮食少思，用八珍汤加远志、山药、枣仁，三十余剂渐愈，佐
以归脾全愈。后因劳发热，食少体倦，用补中益气汤。又因怒，适月经去血不止，前症复作，先以加味逍遥散，
热退经止，又用养心汤治之而痊。
一妇人惊悸怔忡，自汗盗汗，饮食不甘，怠惰嗜卧，用归脾汤而愈。至年余，怀抱郁结，患前症兼衄血、
便血，仍用前汤而愈。
许绅者京师人，嘉靖初，供事御药局，受知于世宗，累迁太医院使，历加工部尚书，领院事二十年。官婢
杨金英等谋逆，以帛缢帝，气已绝，绅急调峻药下之，辰时下药，未时忽作声，去紫血数升，遂能言，又数剂
而愈。帝德绅，加太子太保，礼部尚书，赐赉盛浓。未几，绅得疾，曰∶吾不起矣。曩者宫变，吾自分不效必
杀身，因此惊悸，非药石能疗也。已而果卒，赐谥恭僖，官其一子，恤典有加。明太医官最显者，止绅一人。（
《明史》、《金陵琐事》亦载此则。其药乃大黄、桃仁、红花等。）
马元仪治一人，患心悸症，肢体倦怠，或以阴虚治之不效。诊其脉浮虚无力，盖得之焦劳思虑伤心也。《内
经》云∶心痹者，脉不通，烦则心下鼓。又《原病式》云∶水衰火旺，心胸躁动。（据此则是阴虚矣，且后面于二
句又无发明，又何必勉强阑入？）其言脉不通者，正以焦劳太过，心脏之脉郁而不通也。郁则伤血而动君火，故
悸动不宁也。心之下脾位，脾受心病，郁而生涎，精液不生，清阳不布，故四肢无气以动而倦怠也。法宜大补
心脾，乃与归脾汤二十剂，即以此方作丸，服之全愈。
章氏妇因失恃于归，劳心悒郁，形志倍伤，遂心悸恍惚，身体如在舟车云雾中，或与降气理痰之剂不应。
诊之，两脉虚微，尺脉倍弱，曰∶忧劳过度则脾损，脾虚必盗母气以自救，故心虚而悸。心藏神，为十二官之
主，虚则无所听命而恍惚不安也。宜大培土气，则脾自复，不仰给于心，而心亦安，神亦守矣。与人参附子理
中汤，一剂而安，四剂神气大复，脉和而愈。
仲氏女因惊恐即发热，神昏，语言错妄。脉之，右结涩，左浮弦。此虽因惊恐而得，实先因悒郁所伤也。
凡郁则肺金必亏，肝脉因之寡畏而妄行，肾水因之失养而不足，加以惊恐则肾益伤而肝愈扰。其发热者，风木
内甚也。神昏者，火热上腾也。宜舒通肺气以制肝生肾，用栝蒌仁、紫菀、枳壳、桔梗、杏仁、苏子、秦艽、胆
星，三剂，右脉透，神气清。加生首乌、黄连，二剂热退。再以生地三钱，首乌五钱，远志一钱，牛膝、知母、
胆星各一钱，贝母、橘红、茯神各一钱，甘草五分而愈。盖金气治，则木受制而水得所养，一举而三善备矣。
若泥惊恐所致，而用金石脑麝之品，不几延寇入室乎？
高逢辰表侄，尝游惠山，暮归遇一巨人醉卧寺门，惊悸不解，自是便溺，日五六十次。李氏云∶心、小肠，
受盛腑也。因惊而心火散，心虚肾冷而然，其伤心、肠之验欤。（《医说续编》。）
按∶经云惊则心无所倚，恐则伤肾，是为水火不交，二脏俱病。脏既受病，腑欲专为，其可得乎？此受
盛职废，运化无权，而渗泄不禁矣。（原注。）
长山徐妪遘惊痰，初发手足颤掉，褫去衣裳裸而奔，或歌或哭，或牵曳如舞木偶。粗工见之吐舌走，以为
鬼魅所惑。周汉卿独刺其十指端出血，已而安。（《续文萃》。）
缪仲淳治顾太学叔夏内人，舟中为火所惊，身热羸弱，几成劳瘵症。医误投参、 ，势危甚。以清肌安神
之剂与之，戒以勿求速效，凡十数剂而安。麦冬、青蒿子、银柴胡、桑白皮、蜜炙枇杷叶各二钱，炙鳖甲、苡仁
各三钱，五味、白芍、生地各一钱。
施沛然治吕孝廉沈仆，患惊悸三月，闻响则甚，遇夜则恐，恐甚则上屋逾垣，旋食旋饥，日啖饭无算。或
谓心偏失神，用补心汤益甚。脉之，右关洪数无伦，两尺浮大，按之极濡。病得于酒且内，肾水枯竭，客热犯
胃。经云∶肾主恐。又曰∶胃热亦令人恐。又曰∶消谷则令人饥。又曰∶足阳明病，闻木音则惕然而惊，甚则
逾垣上屋。此病在胃与肾脾。心属火，是脾之母，补心则胃益实，火盛则水益涸，故药之而病反甚也。但病本
在肾，而标在胃也。先治其标，用泻黄散，后治其本，用肾气丸。一病而寒热并用，补泻兼施。第服泻黄散三
日，当不饥矣，服肾气丸十日，当不恐矣。已而果然。
一儒者苦学久困场屋，得痰吐衄盈盆， 羸骨立，夜卧交睫，即梦斗败争负恐怖之状，不可形容。如是十
载，每劳则发，用正心安神不效。一日读脏气法时论，乃知人魂藏于肝，肝又藏血。作文既苦，衄血又伤，则
魂失养，故交睫若此。知非峻补不奏功，乃以酒溶鹿角胶，空腹饮之，五日而睡卧安，半月而肌肉生，一月而
神气复，始能出户。（来氏撰。）
张景岳治一强壮少年，遭酷吏之恐，病似胀非胀，似热非热，绝食而困。众谓痰火，宜清中焦。诊之曰∶
此恐惧内伤，少阳气索而病及心肾大亏之证也。遂加温补，兼治心脾，一月而起。愈后虽气健如初，而阳寂不
举。告之曰∶根蒂若斯，肾伤已极，非少壮所宜之兆，速宜培养心肾，庶免他虞。彼反以恐吓为疑，全不之信，
未及半载，竟复病而殁。惜哉！
一妇人产后惊悸，闻声辄死，非用力抱持，则虚烦欲死，如是累月。仲淳曰∶此心、脾、肝三经俱虚也。
用人参、枣仁、茯神、远志、芍药、石斛、甘草、麦冬、五味、丹砂为丸，以龙眼汤吞服，弥月而愈。
卢不远治沈君鱼，终日畏死，龟卜筮数无不叩，名医之门无不造。一日就诊，卢为之立方用药，导谕千万
言，略觉释然。次日侵晨，又就诊，以卜当十日死，卢留宿斋中，大壮其胆，指菁山叩问谷禅师授参究法，参
百日，念头始定而全安矣。戊午过东瀛吴对亭大参山房，言及先时恐惧状，盖君鱼善虑，虑出于肝，非思之比。
思则志气凝定，而虑则运动展转，久之伤肝，肝血不足，则善恐矣。情志何物？非世间草木所能变易其性，惟
参禅一着，内忘思虑，外息境缘，研究性命之源，不为生死所感，是君鱼对症之大药也。君鱼病良已，能了知
此药物否？
Zi Hezi treated the wife of Wei Dexin. She was staying in a room upstairs during a journey when, at night, robbers raided and set fire to the building. Startled, she fell from the bed. Since then, every time she heard a noise, she would faint from fright. Her family members walked on tiptoe, daring not make any sound. This lasted for over a year without recovery. Various physicians treated it as a Heart disease, using Ren Shen (Ginseng Root), Zhen Zhu (Pearl), and Ding Zhi Wan (Stabilize Spirit Pill), all without effect. Zi Hezi examined her and diagnosed: "Fright (Jing) is Yang and enters from outside; fear (Kong) is Yin and arises from inside. Fright occurs because one is unaware (sudden onset), while fear involves awareness. The Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian belongs to Liver Wood. The Gallbladder represents courage; being frightened injures the Gallbladder." He ordered two handmaidens to hold her hands, pressing her onto a high chair, with a small table placed in front. Zi Hezi said, "My lady, look at this," and suddenly struck the table hard with a piece of wood. The woman was greatly startled. Zi Hezi asked, "I am striking the table with wood, why are you so alarmed?" Waiting until she calmed slightly, he struck again, and the startle response lessened. After a short while, he struck three or four times consecutively, then knocked on the door with a staff, and had someone knock on the window behind her. Gradually, her fright subsided, and she laughed, asking, "What kind of treatment is this?" Zi Hezi replied, "The *Neijing* states: 'For fright, use normalization (Ping).' Ping means ordinary/common. If something is commonly seen, there will be no fright." That night, he had people knock on doors and windows from dusk until dawn. Fright causes the Spirit (Shen) to float upward and outward; by striking below and making her look down, the Spirit is gathered. Within one or two days, even thunder did not startle her. Dexin had always disliked Zi Hezi, but from then on, he respected him for life. If anyone claimed Zi Hezi did not understand medicine, Dexin would drive them away with a halberd. (Xiong Yingxiong notes: Distinguishing fright as external entry and fear as internal emergence hits the nail on the head. Ancients said the Heart rules fright, not knowing that most emotion characters derive from 'Heart', except 'Fright' which derives from 'Horse', because horses lack gallbladder/courage and thus startle easily. Fright injuring the Gallbladder is a unique insight. His therapeutic theory is beyond common speculation. I have said that since ancient times, no one has been better at treating diseases than Dairen [Zi Hezi], not just excelling in sweating, vomiting, and purging methods.)
Bu's son, aged twenty-eight, suffered from weak body and limbs, sallow complexion, and a mass under the left hypochondrium resembling an arm, moving up and down, causing pain at irregular intervals. Food intake was normal, stool regular, urine slightly yellow. This had persisted for two or three years. Physicians were at a loss and sought Zi Hezi's treatment. Observing the location, it belonged to the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian and Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian. He said, "Jia corresponds to Gallbladder, Yi to Liver, hence the green color. Yellow indicates Spleen. The Gallbladder pulse is small, caused by fright. Fright injures the Gallbladder, leading to 'fright phlegm' (green water) in the abdomen." The patient said, "Previously, during military service, I was caught in a fire, and the illness started then." At night, he administered 150 pills of Zhou Che Wan (Boat Vehicle Pill) and 4-5 qian of Jun Chuan San (Clear River Powder) added with fresh ginger juice. By dawn, he indeed passed four or five movements of green water. Someone asked why so much ginger was added. The answer was: "Pungent flavor controls Liver Wood." After purging, mild pain remained, so another purge was ordered at one-third the previous dose, passing three or four more movements of green water. Pain ceased, appetite returned, and strength recovered. Zi Hezi told Bu, "Your wife must also be ill." Bu asked, "How do you know without seeing her?" Zi Hezi asked, "How many years have you suffered from this fright?" Bu replied, "During the fire, I was sleeping in a cottage, awakened by shouts, unable to speak due to fright. Fire blocked the door; my father pulled me out. It has been five years." Zi Hezi said, "Your Gallbladder harbors fire from fright. Jia-Yi Wood attacks Spleen Earth, meaning Shaoyang Ministerial Fire attacks Spleen. Heat in the Spleen allows eating and digesting grain. Although heat digests grain, essence and Qi are incomplete; you will likely have no sons. Damaged Jing harms women; your wife likely has hot hands and feet, limb weakness, and irregular menstruation." Bu said, "My wife indeed has these symptoms, also for five years." One day, a disciple asked about the *Neijing* principle: "First purge the unsuppressed (Sheng Bu Sheng), then purge the suppressed (Sheng)." How does this work? Zi Hezi explained: "When Gallbladder Wood attacks Spleen Earth, Earth fails to control Wood. The failing Qi seeks help from its child. Ji Earth generates Geng Metal. Geng is Large Intestine; pungent flavors belong to Metal. Thus, large amounts of ginger are used to subdue Wood. However, without opening the Spleen Earth blockage, the medicine cannot act. Therefore, Zhou Che Wan is used first to clear the blockage—this is purging the unsuppressed. Then, Jun Chuan San with ginger juice is used for strong purging—this is purging the suppressed. Generally, Yang stems attack Yang stems, Fu organs attack Fu organs, Zang organs attack Zang organs." (Xiong Yingxiong notes: This is the view of a enlightened person. Past sages believed fright enters the Heart, and treatment should calm the Spirit. How else could the disease heal? Later learners may not use this method but should study his book and learn his intent. Unfortunately, high art finds few appreciators; warm-tonic practices prevail, focusing only on tonifying deficiency, ignoring actual disease treatment. Medicine becomes obscure. Whose fault is this?)
Zhang Luyu treated the wife of Wu Zhaoru. Young and robust, she had a history of hematemesis, abdominal distension, and difficult defecation due to Spleen constraint. After two fires, frequent worry and indignation followed blood loss. Suddenly, her Spirit and Qi became chaotic, mouth locked, eyes staring. Pulse at Qikou was rapid, abundant, and choppy (Cu); at Renying, wiry, large, and hollow (Kou). Form and Spirit lost autonomy, resembling grasping at empty air. Some said the condition met fatal criteria, predicting death within five days. Zhang disagreed. If grasping at empty air, hand movements should be scattered. Here, she grabbed clothes and bedding, pulling forcefully, indicating combined fright and anger. Nails are the surplus of sinews; this must be fright/anger. Moreover, the Cu pulse suggests Phlegm-Qi knotting, distinct from Dai pulse. Inquiry confirmed both fright and anger. Treatment: 1 liang of Gouteng (Uncaria Ramulus), decocted, mixed with half cup of Zhuli (Bamboo Sap), five spoons of Jiangzhi (Ginger Juice). Taken overnight, she slept peacefully, six pulses smoothed, though Cu remained. Same formula halved, mixed with 1 fen of Niuhuang (Calculus Bovis). That night, three bowel movements occurred, expelling 50-60 hard stools. Abdominal distension reduced immediately, pulses quieted, person calmed, recovering fully in days. (Xiong Yingxiong notes: Clear differentiation worthy of emulation; balanced prescription worthy of learning.)
Old monk Wu'an suffered palpitations and fear. Tonifying Heart and nourishing Blood herbs failed. Tianwang Buxin Dan (Emperor of Heaven's Heart-Nourishing Pill) taken in jin quantities worsened palpitations. Face, eyes, and limbs swelled slightly. Seeking Zi Hezi, he appeared fat but flabby. Pulse was soft, weak, and slippery (Ru/Ruo/Hua), indicating Qi deficiency with Phlegm-Fluid soaking above the diaphragm. Daotan Tang (Guide Out Phlegm Decoction) with slight addition of Renshen (Ginseng) and Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig) to unblock Yang Qi. After several doses, palpitations and fear vanished. Liu Junzi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction) plus Guizhi, made into pills, tonified Middle Qi and brought peace. (Xiong Yingxiong notes: Common syndrome often misdiagnosed.)
Wu Fuxian treated Wang Bingxian with palpitations, occasional irritability, worse at night. Right Guan pulse weak, Left Cun especially so. Jiawei Guipi Tang (Modified Return the Spleen Decoction) for 20 doses cured him completely.
Gong Zicai treated a youth with insomnia, palpitations, and aversion to cold due to excessive mental labor. First, Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Boost the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) plus Fuling (Poria), Suanzaoren (Ziziphus Seed), and Yuanzhi (Polygala Root) stopped the cold aversion. Then Jiawei Guipi Tang stabilized palpitations. Finally, Yangxin Tang (Nourish Heart Decoction) brought peace.
Du treated the son of Academician Lin, who loved eating sea clams for 18 years. Suddenly, face turned blue, body emaciated, nighttime palpitations increased. All thought it was consumption (Laozai), treatments failed. Du palpated and said, "Not a disease." Why? Though emaciated and blue-faced, spirit was intact. Asked what the scholar liked to eat, he replied, "Mostly South Sea flavors (salty)." Du said, "Take fluids-generating medicines, and the disease will self-resolve." After two months, face reddened, nighttime palpitations ceased. Lin asked why. Du cited Wang Bing's commentary on *Suwen*: "Salt induces thirst; it defeats Blood." Seafood is salty; excessive intake depletes Heart Blood, causing nighttime palpitations. Removing salt and using fluids-generating herbs allowed young vitality to regenerate fluids and Blood, curing the disease.
Xue Lizhai treated a woman whose palpitations and arrhythmia worsened with fatigue, accompanied by alternating chills and fever. Guipi Tang as main formula, assisted by Bazhen Tang (Eight Treasures Decoction), cured all symptoms. Jiawei Xiaoyao San (Modified Free and Easy Wanderer Powder) and Ningzhi Wan (Calm Spirit Pill) maintained health. Relapse cured by Guipi and Ningzhi pills.
Another woman with palpitations, arrhythmia, afternoon fever, delayed menstruation, and poor appetite improved after 30+ doses of Bazhen Tang plus Yuanzhi, Shanyao (Dioscorea Rhizome), and Suanzaoren, completed by Guipi Tang. Later, fatigue-induced fever and weakness treated with Buzhong Yiqi Tang. Anger-induced menorrhagia and recurrence of prior symptoms treated first with Jiawei Xiaoyao San (stopped bleeding and fever), then Yangxin Tang for full recovery.
A woman with palpitations, arrhythmia, spontaneous/diaphoresis, poor taste, lethargy, and drowsiness cured by Guipi Tang. Over a year later, emotional stagnation caused recurrence with epistaxis and hematochezia, cured again by the same formula.
Xu Shen, from Beijing, served in the Imperial Pharmacy early in the Jiajing reign, favored by Emperor Shizong, rising to Director of the Imperial Medical Bureau and Minister of Works. During a palace coup where eunuch Yang Jinying strangled the Emperor, Xu Shen urgently administered harsh purgatives. Given at Chen hour, the patient spoke at Wei hour, expelling dark blood, and recovered after a few doses. Grateful, the Emperor granted titles and rich rewards. Soon, Xu fell ill, saying, "I shall not recover. During the palace incident, I feared execution if I failed. This fright/palpitation cannot be cured by medicine." He died soon after, posthumously titled Gongxi, his son benefited. He was the most prominent Ming imperial physician. (*Ming Shi*, *Jinling Suoshi* record this. Drugs included Dahuang (Rhubarb Root), Taoren (Peach Kernel), Honghua (Safflower Flower).)
Ma Yuanyi treated a man with palpitations and limb fatigue. Yin-deficiency treatment failed. Pulse floating, deficient, powerless. Caused by anxiety and mental labor injuring the Heart. *Neijing* says: "Heart Bi, pulse unblocked, restlessness causes drumming below the heart." *Yuanbing Shi* says: "Water deficiency, Fire excess, chest/mind agitation." (This implies Yin deficiency, but no further explanation follows, why force it?) Unblocked pulse results from excessive labor causing Heart pulse stagnation. Stagnation injures Blood and agitates Sovereign Fire, causing restless palpitations. Below the Heart is the Spleen. Spleen affected by Heart disease, stagnation produces phlegm, fluids fail to generate, clear Yang fails to distribute, causing limb fatigue. Method: Greatly tonify Heart and Spleen. Guipi Tang for 20 doses, then pills, cured completely.
Madam Zhang, orphaned before marriage, suffered mental labor and depression, injuring form and spirit. Palpitations, confusion, feeling like in a boat/clouds. Qi-descending/phlegm-resolving herbs failed. Pulses virtual, minute, Chi especially weak. "Excessive worry damages Spleen. Spleen deficiency steals Mother Qi (Heart) to save itself, causing Heart deficiency and palpitations. Heart houses Spirit, master of twelve organs. Deficiency leads to confusion. Greatly cultivate Earth Qi. Spleen recovers, no longer relying on Heart, Heart calms, Spirit guards." Ren Shen, Fuzi (Aconite Root), Lizhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction). One dose calm, four doses Spirit restored, pulse harmonized, cured.
Miss Zhong developed fever, coma, and delirious speech after fright. Right pulse knotted/choppy, Left floating/wiry. Though caused by fright, initially injured by depression. Depression injures Lung Metal, causing Liver pulse to act recklessly, Kidney Water to lose nourishment. Fright further injures Kidney and agitates Liver. Fever due to internal Wind-Fire. Coma due to Fire rising. Soothe Lung Qi to control Liver and generate Kidney. Gualou Ren (Trichosanthes Seed), Ziwan (Aster Root), Zhike (Aurantium Fructus), Jiegeng (Platycodon Root), Xingren (Apricot Seed), Suzi (Perilla Fruit), Qinjiao (Gentiana Macrophylla), Dansheng (Armeniacae Semen Amarum processed with bile). Three doses, right pulse opened, Spirit cleared. Add Shouwu (Polygonum Multiflorum), Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome). Two doses, fever subsided. Then Shengdi (Rehmannia Root), Shouwu, Yuanzhi, Niuxi (Achyranthes Root), Zhimu (Anemarrhena Rhizome), Dansheng, Beimu (Fritillaria Bulb), Juhong (Citrus Peel), Fushen (Poria with Hostwood), Gancao (Licorice Root). Cured. Metal regulated, Wood controlled, Water nourished. If stuck on fright and used mineral/musk drugs, it would invite disaster.
Gao Fengchen's cousin visited Huishan, saw a giant drunk at temple gate, suffered fright, then urinary/fecal frequency 50-60 times daily. Li said: Heart and Small Intestine are receiving vessels. Fright scatters Heart Fire, Heart deficiency and Kidney Cold cause this. Is this proof of Heart/Intestine injury? (*Yishuo Xubian*.)
Note: Classics say fright leaves Heart unsupported, fear injures Kidney. Water and Fire do not interact, both Zang injured. If Zang diseased, how can Fu function alone? Receiving function fails, transformation powerless, leakage uncontrollable. (Original note.)
Old woman Xu from Changshan had fright-phlegm. Initially trembling limbs, stripping naked and running, singing/crying, dancing like a puppet. Quack doctors fled, thinking ghost possession. Zhou Hanqing pricked ten fingertips to bleed, then she calmed. (*Xu Wencui*.)
Miu Zhongchun treated Madam Gu, frightened by fire on a boat. Fever, emaciation, nearly consumption. Doctors wrongly used Renshen and Huangqi, critical condition. Qingji Anshen agents (Clear Muscle Calm Spirit) given, warned against seeking quick cure. Ten+ doses brought peace. Maidong (Ophiopogon Tuber), Qinghaozi (Artemisia Annua Seed), Yin Chaihu (Stellariae Radix), Sangbaipi (Morus Bark), Honey-fried Pipaye (Loquat Leaf) each 2 qian; Zhibiejia (Tartaritestudinis Carapax et Plastrum), Yiren (Coix Seed) each 3 qian; Wuweizi (Schisandra Berry), Baishao (White Peony Root), Shengdi (Rehmannia Root) each 1 qian.
Shi Peiran treated Scholar Lv, palpitations 3 months, worse with noise, fearful at night, climbing walls when terrified, hungry immediately after eating, eating endlessly. Heart-Spirit deficiency treatment worsened it. Right Guan pulse flooding/rapid, both Chi floating/large, soft upon pressure. Disease from alcohol and sex, Kidney Water exhausted, guest Heat invades Stomach. Classics: "Kidney rules fear." "Stomach Heat causes fear." "Digesting grain causes hunger." "Foot Yangming disease, hearing wood sounds causes alarm, climbing walls." Disease in Stomach, Kidney, Spleen. Heart is Fire, Mother of Spleen. Tonifying Heart strengthens Stomach, Fire excess depletes Water, worsening disease. Root in Kidney, branch in Stomach. Treat branch first: Xiehuang San (Drain Yellow Powder). Treat root later: Shenqi Wan (Kidney Qi Pill). Cold/Heat mixed, tonification/purging combined. Three days Xiehuang San stops hunger. Ten days Shenqi Wan stops fear. It happened as predicted.
A scholar studied hard, failed exams, coughed blood/sputum, emaciated. Sleep brought nightmares of defeat/fear. Ten years, triggered by fatigue. Zhengxin Anshen ineffective. Reading *Zangqi Fazhi Lun*, learned Soul resides in Liver, Liver stores Blood. Writing exhausted, bleeding injured, Soul lost nourishment. Strong tonification needed. Deer Antler Glue dissolved in wine, taken fasting. Five days sleep peaceful, half month flesh grows, one month Spirit returns, able to go out. (Laishi compiled.)
Zhang Jingyue treated a strong youth frightened by cruel officials. Bloating-like, heat-like, anorexic, exhausted. Crowd thought Phlegm-Fire, suggested clearing Middle Jiao. Zhang said: "Fear internal injury, Shaoyang Qi exhausted, disease affects Heart/Kidney severe deficiency." Added warming/tonifying, treated Heart/Spleen. Rose in one month. Post-recovery, strong Qi but impotence. Zhang said: "Roots like this, Kidney severely damaged, not suitable for youth. Quickly cultivate Heart/Kidney to avoid danger." Youth doubted, didn't believe. Died within half year relapsing. Alas!
Postpartum woman with palpitations, fainting at noise, needing holding to survive, vexation. Months duration. Zhongchun said: "Heart, Spleen, Liver all deficient." Renshen, Suanzaoren, Fushen, Yuanzhi, Shaoyao, Shihu (Dendrobium Stem), Gancao, Maidong, Wuweizi, Zhusha (Cinnabar) made into pills, swallowed with Longyan Tang (Longan Decoction). One month cured.
Lu Buyuan treated Shen Junyu, fearing death daily, consulting diviners/doctors. Visit Lu, prescribed meds, advised thousands of words, felt relieved. Next morning, consulted again, fortune teller said die in 10 days. Lu kept him, strengthened courage, pointed to Zen Master Gu for meditation practice. 100 days meditation, mind settled, fully safe. Years later, discussed fear. Junyu worried excessively. Worry comes from Liver, different from thought. Thought stabilizes Will/Qi; worry moves/tosses, injuring Liver long-term. Liver Blood insufficient causes fear. Emotions cannot be changed by herbs. Only Zen meditation, forgetting thoughts internally, stopping external conditions, researching Life/Death source, unaffected by life/death, is the true medicine for Junyu. Did Junyu understand this medicine?