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Lady Deng, aged fifty, suddenly suffered from Qi pain. After taking Shenbao Wan (Divine Preservation Pill), the pain recurred within one or two days. She took another sixty to seventy pills of Shenbao Wan, which resulted in constipation and worsened her phlegm symptoms. At that time, there were those who wished to use drugs such as Chenxiang (Aquilaria Lignum), Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix), Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens), and Rongui (Cinnamomi Cortex) but dared not administer them. When the pain was severe, she felt as if two crossed firewood sticks were piercing her heart, back, and bilateral hypochondrium, with cries reaching the sky. Liangfu was summoned for diagnosis. The six pulses were deep and hidden, appearing intermittently. Everyone asked about the auspiciousness or inauspiciousness of the pulse. Liangfu replied: "The pulses of the nine types of pain are not reliable indicators. We must differentiate treatment based on symptoms. Observing that the patient has a robust and plump constitution, and asking revealed several days of constipation, I conclude this is Excess Pain. Her abdomen must be distended, and pressing it causes severe pain that repels the hand; this indicates a Great Excess Syndrome. The Classic states: 'In cases of great fullness and excess, purgation may be used.' Therefore, we use Tizhen Wan (Substitute Needle Pill), five to six hundred pills, and she recovered that very night." (From *Yishuo Xubian*.)

Luo Qianfu treated the wife of Transport Commissioner Zhao, aged fifty-eight. In the third month of the Ji Xu year of the Zhiyuan era, she suffered from cold pain in the umbilical and abdominal region, radiating to the hypochondrium with unbearable pain, accompanied by recurrent restlessness and inability to lie down comfortably. He prescribed Danggui Sini Tang (Angelica Sinensis Decoction for Cold Extremities) and moxa-needled the Zhongting (CV 15) acupoint. (Ibid.)

Zhu Danxi treated a woman whose Qi rushed upward from the Dantian (Sea of Qi) in the lower abdomen, followed by vomiting of clear fluid. This was due to Fire Qi rebelling upward, caused by deficiency-cold in the Dantian. He used Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), two liang, and Baidoukou (Cardamomi Fructus), five qian, ground into powder. It was taken after breakfast with warm water. Baizhu tonifies the Spleen, and Baidoukou warms the Lung. Taking this medicine promotes the mutual generation of Metal and Water, and the disease would heal spontaneously. If this occurred in a man with pure Yin and no Yang, it would be an incurable condition. (Commentary: Since it is Dantian deficiency-cold, why use only Spleen-tonifying herbs? The theory of Metal-Water mutual generation is also imprecise; these two herbs merely tonify the Spleen and support Qi.)

Chen Sansan treated a man who contracted cold due to anger. There was a mass in his lower abdomen, Qi rebelled upward causing panting and discomfort. Others used Qi-scattering and Qi-descending medicines, which exacerbated the condition. Chen said: "This is because excessive sweating and purging damaged Stomach Qi. Deficient Stomach Qi allows the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) to rebel, running counter to the Shaoyang channels under the hypochondrium, leading to Jue Ni (reversal cold/convulsion)." He prescribed Tiaozhong Yiqi Tang (Regulate Middle and Boost Qi Decoction) with fried Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex) and fried Qingpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride), resulting in recovery after one dose.

An elderly man, enraged, felt Qi attacking upward from below the navel, causing pain in both hypochondria, panting, and inability to lie flat. This stirred the Fire of Shaoyang. The hypochondria belong to the Liver and Gallbladder; anger injures the Liver, stirring the Dragon and Thunder Fire, causing rebellious Qi and pain. He used Fulonggan (Dragon's House Earth) decoction to wash down Zuojin Wan (Left Metal Pill), achieving cure. (Commentary: Tonifying Spleen, draining Liver, and containing descending action; how concise and exquisite the prescription.)

A nobleman suffered from Qi attacking upward from the lower abdomen, causing acute distension and pain throughout the chest, hypochondria, head, neck, and body. Various treatments failed. Chen said: "This is a disease of the Du Mai (Governing Vessel). The Classic states: 'Disease of the Du Mai causes rebellious Qi and internal urgency.'" He used Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) with fried-black Huangbai and vinegar-fried Qingpi, curing him in one dose.

Zhu Danxi treated Zheng Zhongyou, aged twenty-three, who had a localized pulling pain in the diaphragm, with skin tightness upon inhalation. He used Huashi (Talcum), fried Zhike (Aurantii Fructus), each one liang; Taoren (Persicae Semen), fried Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma), each half liang; and Zhi Gancao (Prepared Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), two qian, ground into powder. Each dose was one and a half qian, ground with natural radish juice, decocted until cooked, and drunk three to five times a day. (Treated as Blood Stasis.)

Zheng Zhongben, aged twenty-seven, consumed hot tonic medicines and recklessly practiced Tu Na (breathing exercises), leading to chaotic Qi and hot Blood, coughing blood, and emaciation. He underwent Dao Cang Fa (Stomach Purging Method). Although the coughing blood and emaciation resolved, eating fried beans caused a sensation of Qi blockage and pain in the diaphragm, resembling a thread hanging to the waist, with lower abdominal pain, predominantly on the left side. This indicated incomplete elimination of evil Blood in the Liver region. He used Huashi, Zhike (one liang); Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), Huanglian (five fen); Taoren (two liang); Huangdan (Minii Oxidum Rubrum, three qian); Sheng Gancao (two qian); Honghua (Carthami Flos, one qian). Administration method same as before.

Miu Zhongchun treated Pu Sheng, son-in-law of Gao Cunzhi, who suffered from rebellious Qi. After swallowing one or two mouthfuls of food, he belched dozens of times. Repeated eating led to repeated belching, occurring three or four times per meal. Miu said: "This is Qi failing to return to its origin, with failure of Middle Jiao transportation. Each dose requires Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix), two qian." The patient did not believe this and took Qi-moving medicines, worsening the condition. After two or three months, Miu said: "Now you need four qian of Ren Shen." The patient still refused. After another two or three months, Miu said: "Now you need six qian." Still refusing, after another month, he could not eat or drink, vomiting cold Qi in clumps, with upper and lower Qi disconnected. Death was certain. Gao Cunzhi sat at his home, forcing him to take Miu's medicine. The first decoction did not move, the second did not move, but unlike other decoctions, it did not cause vomiting. After three doses, suddenly there was a sound like an explosion below the heart; above, he belched; below, he urinated involuntarily. Upper and lower pathways became clear. He immediately asked for porridge and ate three or four bowls without rebellion. After five or six doses, reducing Ren Shen by two qian caused the belching and rebellion to recur; returning to six qian brought peace. Only after one month was Ren Shen reduced by two qian. After half a year, full recovery was achieved. Prescription: Ren Shen (six qian), Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix, three qian), Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus, two qian), Juhong (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, one qian), Sharen (Amomi Fructus, one qian), Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba, two qian), Chenxiang (Aquilaria Lignum, five fen), Yizhiren (Alpiniae Oxyphyllae Fructus, one qian and five fen), Shanzhuyu (Corni Fructus, three qian), Suzi (Perillae Fructus, two qian), Pipaye (Eriobotryae Folium, three large slices). Decoct in water, add Chenxiang juice (fifteen spoons) and Nishui Lugenzhi (Reed Rhizome Juice from reverse-flowing water, one large cup) just before drinking. For long-term maintenance, ten times the amount was ground into powder, formed into pills with Yam paste, and swallowed with warm water on an empty stomach. (From *Guang Biji*.)

A woman from Liangxi felt a lump in her throat obstructing up and down, with rigid pain front and back. She was cured after twenty doses of Miu Zhongchun's formula. Prescription: Jiangxiang (Daemonorops Draconis Resina), Tongcao (Tetrapanacis Medulla), Suzi, Juhong, Pipaye, Ren Shen, Zhi Gancao, Shichangpu (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma), Maidong, Ganju (Chrysanthemi Flos), Baishao, Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix), Baidouren (Arecae Semen), Mugua (Chaenomelis Fructus), Shihu (Dendrobii Caulis), plus Lugenzhi (Reed Rhizome Juice, one bell) decocted together to eight-tenths volume, adding Ginger Juice (two spoons). (Ibid.)