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The pulse at the left Guan position is wiry, rapid, and forceful; the pulses at the right Guan and Chi positions are both floating, large, but weak upon pressure. This indicates a decline of Mingmen Fire (Gate of Life Fire), which fails to generate and warm Liver Wood and Spleen Earth. Consequently, Liver Wood overacts aggressively and subsequently insults Spleen Earth. Initially, herbs such as *Trigonella foenum-graecum* seed (Huluba) and *Corydalis yanhusuo* rhizome (Yuanhuxue) were used in formulas to soothe the Liver and treat the branch (manifestation). Subsequently, *Bawei Wan* (Eight-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia) was administered to tonify the source of Fire, thereby clearing Yin turbidity. Intermittently, herbs like *Panax ginseng* root (Renshen) and *Atractylodes macrocephala* rhizome (Baizhu) were given to tonify the Spleen and treat the root (etiology). The condition gradually stabilized. A chronic ailment lasting several years was cured in less than three months. (Selected by Zhu)

Qian Guobin stated: Chen Siyun, a guest from Huangzhou, carrying goods arrived at an official residence in Dezhou. He had a history of hernia (Shan Qi). Suddenly, his scrotum enlarged gradually to the size of a dou (a unit of volume), leaving him bedridden for half a month. A Daoist priest came to beg for alms, which greatly angered Chen. The priest said, "Your illness can still be cured by me; why are you angry?" He was invited inside, questioned about the cause, and given a red pill made from *Euryale ferox* seed (Qianshi). It was taken with cool water without a source (rainwater or dew). After being served, he was dismissed. The priest said he would return in about three days. After taking the medicine, Chen felt slight rumbling in his abdomen, as if Qi was circulating throughout his body. By the third day, the swelling had reduced by more than half. The priest returned and gave two more pills, to be taken once every three days. After finishing the course, the scrotal swelling returned to normal. Chen offered one tael of silver in gratitude, which the priest refused; instead, the priest asked for and took a purple-flowered cloth Daoist robe before leaving. When Chen requested the prescription, the priest said, "You cannot prepare this medicine yourself. Using Zijin Ding (Purple Gold锭/Plaster) can also eliminate a scrotal swelling the size of a dou." I witnessed this treatment with my co-residents. In nine days, the dou-sized scrotal swelling disappeared; it was truly a celestial elixir.

Jiang Zhongfang treated two patients with hernia on the same day. One experienced pain radiating upward, while the other suffered from dragging pain downward. Both complained of stifling pain bordering on unbearable. For the patient with upward radiation, he prescribed 3 liang of *Psoralea corylifolia* fruit (Guzhi/Bu Gu Zhi), 1 liang of stir-fried black *Pharbitis nil* seed (Hei Qian Niu), and 7 qian of raw sulfur, all powdered. These were formed into pills using flour paste mixed with salted wine, taken with salted wine. For the patient with downward dragging pain, he prescribed *Buzhong Yiqi Tang* (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) supplemented with *Eucommia ulmoides* bark (Duzhong), *Psoralea corylifolia* fruit (Guzhi), *Cinnamomum cassia* bark (Rou Gui), fried ginger (Pao Jiang), *Cyperi rhizoma* (Xiang Fu), and *Ligusticum chuanxiong* rhizome (Chuanxiong). The patients were astonished, saying, "The hernia is the same disease; how can the prescriptions differ so much?" Jiang replied, "Let us try it first." By the next day, both were cured.

Pan Weiqiu suffered from hernia in autumn. Medications such as *Cinnamomum cassia* bark (Rou Gui), *Foeniculum vulgare* fruit (Xiao Hui Xiang), and *Litchi chinensis* seed (Li He) were ineffective. He self-medicated with ginger-infused brown sugar water. After one or two days, he felt slightly better, so he stopped drinking the brown sugar water and recovered. (Copied by Shen Chu's elder brother)

Wu Qiao treated the father of Hu Youru, whose hernia recurred repeatedly causing systemic disharmony. Wu Qiao reasoned that since the patient habitually drank strong alcohol, cooling agents clearing damp-heat were sufficient to cure him. One day, the hernia flared up while Wu Qiao was away. The family consulted Doctor Fang Sheng, showing him Wu Qiao’s previous prescription. Fang Sheng followed the prescription, but it was ineffective. Soon, urination became scanty and difficult, and the lower abdomen became progressively hard. They then consulted Mr. Wenxue, offering two yi of gold placed in his book chest. Mr. Wenxue took charge of the treatment. Upon re-administration of the medicine, the condition worsened: the urinary tract dried up, and the hardness became stone-like. When Wu Qiao returned, he found the patient speaking nonsense. Wu Qiao suspected mental confusion. After palpating the pulse, he said, "It is critical." Hu Youru asked, "My father’s hernia recurred repeatedly, yet your few doses cured him. Now, why did the two gentlemen fail using similar old prescriptions?" Wu Qiao replied, "This is like carving a mark on a moving boat to find the sword. The current pathology originates internally and resides in the Yin aspect. The two doctors again administered Yin-cold medicines, lacking Yang support. Treating Yin with Yin agents causes Yang to lose its vigorous movement, leading to stagnation and obstruction." Investigating the cause, the family discovered the patient had engaged in sexual intercourse with a maid. Wu Qiao withdrew, and the patient died in the middle of the night. Mr. Wenxue retrieved the gold from his chest and left. (*Taihan Ji*)

Wei Yuheng stated: Wang’s nephew had a chronic hernia. During attacks, his scrotum swelled to the size of two sheng of millet, accompanied by aversion to cold and high fever. Sometimes, he took *Foeniculum vulgare* fruit (Xiao Hui Xiang), *Citrus reticulata* pericarp (Qing Pi), *Costus root* (Muxiang), and *Trigonella foenum-graecum* seed (Huluba). This resulted in the scrotal swelling becoming red and extremely painful, threatening to form an abscess. On the second day, the same herbs were given again. The pulse was rapid and excessively large; the face was dark red. Urgently, he was prescribed 2 liang of prepared *Rehmannia glutinosa* root (Shu Di Huang), 1 liang of *Lycium barbarum* fruit (Gouqi Zi), and one *Toosendan fructus* (Chuan Lian Zi). One dose resulted in a cure. Later, after an argument, he was struck on the head with a stick, fell unconscious, and revived. The next day, his scrotum swelled as during a hernia attack. Thus, when head pain was severe, scrotal pain decreased; when scrotal pain was severe, head pain decreased. He experienced alternating chills and fever. Specialist treatments failed. This is because the Jueyin Liver meridian connects below to the genitalia and ascends to the vertex. Therefore, the upper and lower parts are connected, and their pains wax and wane reciprocally. Several doses of the aforementioned formula cured both areas. Many cases of hernia become consumptive due to inappropriate treatment, specifically the excessive use of aromatic, pungent, and drying-hot agents.

Bao Erguan, at age six or seven, suddenly suffered from abdominal pain and fever, worse at night. Some attributed it to wind-cold; dispersing treatments failed. Others blamed cold/raw food; resolving treatments failed. Palpation revealed a pale white complexion with a slight bluish tint. Pressing the Xuli point (located above the heart apex) revealed distinct pulsation. Inquiry confirmed pain in the lower abdomen. Examination showed absent bilateral testicles. Diagnosis: Hernia pain. Prescribed *Rehmannia glutinosa* root (Sheng Di Huang), *Lycium barbarum* fruit (Gan Qi), *Adenophora stricta* root (Shashen), *Ophiopogon japonicus* tuber (Maidong), *Toosendan fructus* (Chuan Lian Zi), and *Coix lacryma-jobi* seed (Yiren). Two doses resulted in complete recovery. Although hernias may differ in etiology (cold, damp, phlegm, Qi stagnation), most of my cures utilized this formula, effective as swiftly as a drumstick striking a drum. Regardless of varying symptoms, the pathology belongs to the Jueyin meridian. Generally, Liver Wood pathologies involve mostly dry-fire rather than cold-dampness. My son, at ten years old, suddenly squatted on the ground, supporting his abdomen with fists, rolling in pain and unable to speak. Observing his blueish face, I identified a hernia flare-up. Urgently, I prescribed 1 liang of *Lycium barbarum* fruit (Gouqi Zi) and one *Toosendan fructus* (Chuan Lian Zi), decocted and administered. Upon swallowing, he recovered immediately.