《贾谊新书》云∶楚惠王食寒 得蛭，恐监食当死，遂吞之，腹有疾而不能食。令尹曰∶天道无亲，惟德是
辅。王有仁德，病不为伤，王病果愈。王充《论衡》云∶蛭乃食血之虫，楚王殆有积血之病，故食蛭而病愈也。
陶弘景曰∶楚王食寒 见蛭，食之果能去结积，虽曰阴 ，亦是物性兼然。（《本草纲目》。）
唐时京盛医人吴元祯治一妇人，从夫南京还，曾误食一虫，常疑之，由是致疾，频治不减。请吴医之，吴
揣知所患，乃择主人姨奶中谨密一人，预戒之曰，今以药探吐，以盆盂盛之，当吐时但言有一小虾蟆走去，然
切不可令病患知之，是诳 也。奶仆如约，此疾顷除。（《北梦琐言》。）
元载不饮酒，人强之，辞以鼻闻酒气即醉，人谓可治。取针挑载鼻尖，出一小青虫。曰∶此犹魔也，闻酒
即畏之，去此无患。是日载酒一斗，五日倍之。（《清赏录》。）
孙兆治向大王宫中有一宫人，七太尉所宠也，忽患一疾，凡恶心则吐虫数条，后仍频作。七太尉甚愍之，
累治不瘥，每用杀虫药，则吐虫愈多。诸医殆遍召。孙诊之，孙曰∶六脉皆细，非虫脉也。今虽吐出，乃脏寒
而虫不安，移居上膈，因而吐出。复用杀虫之药，为药所苦，不能自安，所以吐出愈多也。孙遂用药，不三五
钱，皆一色丸子，虫遂不吐。明日再召孙至，六脉渐大，进前药其病不作。后求方，乃硫黄、附子各一两，并
末，糯米糊为丸。每三十丸，米饮下。（《纲目》。此张景岳治虫用温脏丸之蓝本也。但大寒大热，虫俱不安，
亦未可执一。）
窦材治一妇人，病腹胀，诸药不效。令解腹视之，其皮黄色，光如镜面，乃蛲瘕也。先炙牛肉一片，令食，
后用生麻油调轻粉五分服之取下，下蛲虫一合，如线如须状，后服安虫散而愈。
张子和曰∶汴梁诸匠氏，有木匠赵作头、铁匠杜作头，行次失路，迷至大宅乞宿，主人不纳，曰家中有人
重病，不敢纳君。杜作头 ∶曰∶此赵公乃汴梁太医之家，今蒙上司见召，迷路至此，盖病者当愈，而遇此公
也。主人然而入，良久复出，将邀二人入室，与之食已，主人起请曰∶烦太医看病何如？赵见而笑曰∶一药可
愈。二人窃议曰∶来时所携熟药，寄他车上，此中实无奈何？杜曰∶此甚易耳。潜出门得牛粪一块，作三十粒，
下以温水。少顷病患觉胸中如虫行，一涌而出，状若小蜣 一二升。以手探之，又约一升，顿觉病去。明日主
人出谢曰∶百岁老人，未尝见此神效之药也。礼饯二人遂归。此二子小人也。（欲苟一时之宿，遂以秽物治人，
亦偶得吐法耳。）
周汉卿治武城人，病胃痛，奋掷乞死。汉卿纳药于鼻，俄喷赤虫寸许，口眼悉具，痛旋止。（《明史》。）
钟大延治一僧，嗜盐，每食斤许。众医虽知为虫，然服药辄痛闷欲绝。大延曰∶是虫不受药也，当有以饵
之。以盐笋干用药煮，仍加以盐，令服。越数日，果呕虫数斤许而愈。（《宁波府志》。雄按∶此则诱之以所好也，
治病皆宜如此，而治虫尤宜。）
李明甫东阳人，善医，尤妙针法。义乌令病心痛垂死，明甫视之曰∶有虫在肺下，药所不及，惟砭乃可，
然非易也。谬谓于背上点穴，密取水以 之，令方惊而针已入。曰∶虫已死矣。既而腹大痛，下黑水数升，
虫亦去，遂愈。（《两淅名贤录》）
尹蓬头者，传称骑铁鹤仙，盖异人也。一贵人闺女弱病，形容俱变，医人束手，无药可愈。母钟爱不能舍，
偶邀视之，曰∶有痨虫，尚可医。请用何药？曰∶药力不能治，只消与我同宿一夜，便好也。母信其仙术，决
无戏言，白之于父。父大怒云∶胡说，岂有公侯家女，与一风道士同宿之理！后见女殊无生意，母又涕泣言之，
恳切不已，从之。尹令纸糊一室，室不许留孔，设一榻，不用障。令女去其袒衣，用手摩足心极热如火，抵
女阴户，东西而睡。戒女云∶喉中有虫出，可急叫我。女不能合眼，而尹鼻息如雷。天将明，女报虫从口中飞
出。尹四顾觅之不见，曰；从何处钻去？不能除根，定要害一人也。盖乳母不放心，因开一孔窥之，虫出女口，
已入乳母之腹也。天明，父母视之，女之颜色已变，尹大笑而去。后数月，女方择婿，而乳母死矣。（《续金
陵琐事》。）
冯益斋给谏每发言，腹中辄有声应之，此应声虫病也。遂告病卜居南京。杨守极用小蓝煎饮之，即吐出其
虫。（《续金陵琐事》。）
郭茂倩嫂，金华君，产七日不食，始言头痛，头痛已又心痛作，即而目睛痛，如割如刺，更作更止，相去
无瞬息间。每头痛甚，欲取大石压，良久渐定。心痛作，则以十指抓壁，血流满掌。痛定，目复痛，又以两手
自剜取之。如是十日不已，众医无计。进黑龙丹半粒，疾少间。中夜再服下，瞑目寝如平昔。至平旦下一行约
三升许，如蝗虫子，疾减半。巳刻又行如前，则霍然顿愈矣。（《纲目》。）
孙文垣治一妇人，心痛唇红，痛则大发热头痛，少顷出汗，脉大小不一。（虫脉。）曰∶此虫痛之症，痛吐白沫
可征也。（凡心腹痛而唇红吐白沫者，多属虫症。）槟榔、川椒各二钱，杏仁一钱五分，石菖蒲一钱，乌梅七个，
（太多。）炮姜、草豆仁、陈皮各五分，山栀一钱，一剂痛减半，再服痛全愈。
闵蜃楼乃政，体肥性躁，患痛风，手不能栉沐，足不能步履，痛处略肿，呻吟喊叫。（此风木生虫也。）凡治七，
越月不减。孙诊之曰∶湿痰凝滞经络作痛，（也猜错了。）医作血虚，投以补剂，宜其不愈。乃用二陈汤加乌药叶、
苍术、僵蚕、海桐皮、南星，服至六帖，遂不肯药。强之，曰∶医以疗痛，今反加痛，吾何药焉？时巳申刻，
知其骄蹇性成，亦不再强。改以芫花醋炒过三分，海金沙一钱，为末，白汤调下。（仿更衣丸意。）至晚泻一次，
下稠痰半盏，足痛减大半，稍能动止。初更后忽腹中大痛，促进诊，行至后堂，家人出曰∶病者卒矣。曰∶此
必痛厥，非竟死也。（临症者不可不知。）且视之，至则冷汗淋漓，兀坐溺器，面青息断。诊之，手冷如冰，六
脉俱在，但沉伏耳。知为痛极使然，用姜汤灌之乃苏。徐语侍女适来腹中痛甚，火气迸出，肛门如焚，大响一
声，不知泻下何物。视之，乃血鳅一条，长六寸余，鳞目悉具，尚能游动。众问如何，曰∶此蛔物也，得下幸
耳。但此剂实为行痰，初不如其有虫如是。盖芫花乃杀虫之品，故偶中，亦疾人之福也。次日，手足皆能
动，仍以二陈汤加苡仁、红花、五加皮，四帖脱然。（雄按∶病变万端，病机百出，天下事莫难于医。）
叶润斋年近四十，心膈嘈杂，好啖肉，尤好啖鸡，一日不可缺，缺即身浮力倦，神魂无措，必急得乃大嚼
入腹，腹又大痛，痛极则吐酸水稠涎，然后稍定，少顷又思啖矣。其痛苦之态，喊叫之声，闻见酸鼻，而彼
则甘心焉。或劝其勿啖肉，谓久病脾虚，肉入难化，故作楚也。曰∶吾岂不知？盖痛甚苦尚能熬，若嘈杂则遍
身淫淫苏苏，左右无可奈何，手足无所把捉，顷刻不能自存，有逾于死也。孙诊之，六脉大小不等，观其色，
唇红面黄，曰∶据色脉乃虫病也。先与雄黄丸一服，以腻粉五分，使君子末一钱，用鸡子打饼，五更空心饲之。
（方可录。）辰下长蛲十条，内有二大者，长足有咫，自首贯尾皆红，下午又下小虫百余。自此不嗜肉，而嘈杂良愈。
龚子才治一妇，年四旬，心胃刺痛，时痛时止，（虫痛。）不思饮食，食即吐，手足厥冷，胸中痞闷，口干作渴，
曰∶此胃中有虫也。以二陈汤加槟榔、枳实、乌梅、花椒、黑姜、苦楝根皮、生姜，煎一服，下虫一大碗而愈。
孙一奎在吴下时，有吴生谭震者，博雅士也。一日偶谈及鼓胀，吴乃诘予曰∶鼓有虫否乎？予卒不敢应，
俯思久之，对曰∶或有之。《本事方》云，脐腹四肢悉肿者为水，只腹胀而四肢不肿者为蛊。注曰，蛊即鼓胀
也。由是参之，古人曾以鼓蛊同名矣。且蛊以三虫为首，岂无旨哉。盖鼓胀，即今云气虚中满是也。以其外坚
中空，有似于鼓，故以名之。彼蛊症者，中实有物，积聚既久，理或有之。吴曰∶子诚敏也。予堂嫂病鼓三载，
腹大如箕，时或胀痛，四肢瘦削，三吴名剂，历尝不瘳。吴俗死者多用火葬，烧至腹忽响声如炮，人皆骇然。
乃见虫从腹中爆出，高三丈许，烧所之天为昏，俄尔坠地。细视之，皆蛔也，不下千万数，大者长尺余，虫腹
中复生小虫，多者十五六条。虫在人腹中，蕃息如此，曷不令人胀而死哉？惜诸书未有言及者。予后至淮阴，
有王卿官者，其子年十六，新娶后腹胀大，按之有块，形如稍瓜，发热昼夜不退，已年半矣。医惟以发热消胀
之剂投之，其胀愈甚，喉中、两耳俱疮。诊其脉滑数，望其唇则红，其腹则痛，又多嗜肥甘。（腹痛而唇红好
啖者，皆属虫。）因思凡腹痛者，唇色必淡，不嗜饮食，今其若此，得非虫乎？遂与阿魏积气丸服之，下虫数
十，大者数条，小者亦三四条。虫下则热渐减，腹渐消，三下而愈，益信前闻之不虚也。（《景岳全书》。雄
按∶前条龚氏案，不思饮食，亦虫证也。病情变幻，莫执一端。）
李士材治侯给谏，腹中嘈痛，按其左肱，手不可近。凡饮食到口，喉间若有一物接之者然。曰∶脉大而数，
腹痛呕涎，面色萎黄，此虚而有湿，湿热相兼，虫乃生焉。当用人参汤送槟榔丸，以下虫积。虫若不去，虽服
补汤，竟何益乎？病家畏谨之甚，不敢轻投，终莫能起。（何不改用平善杀虫之剂？）
张远公三年久嗽，服药无效，委命待尽。姑乞诊之，问曰∶饥时胸中痛否？曰∶大痛。视其上唇，白点如
粞者十余处，此虫啮其肺也。用百部膏一味，加乌梅、槟榔与服，不十日而痛若失，咳顿止。令其家人从净
桶中觅之，有寸白虫四十余条，自此永不复发。（立斋案云∶上唇白点，虫蚀上部，下唇白点，虫蚀下部。）
王海藏云∶有杨时者，因患风气冲心，饮食吐逆，遍身枯瘦。日服万病紫菀丸，至二十日，泻出肉块虾蟆
五六枚，白脓二升愈。又赵侍郎，先食后吐，目无所见，耳无所闻，亦服万病紫菀丸，泻出青蛇五七条，下恶
脓三四升方愈。紫菀丸，即浓朴丸加羌活、独活、防风是也。浓朴、蜀椒、川乌头、紫菀、吴茱萸、菖蒲、柴
胡、桔梗、茯苓、官桂、皂角、干姜、人参、黄连、巴豆霜。（雄按∶必有的实证据，始可投之。）
益昌伶人刘清啸，昵一娼，名曰花翠，年逾笄，病好食生米，否则终日不乐，至憔悴萎黄，不思饮食。惠
民局监赵尹，用苍术，米泔水浸一夜，锉焙为末，蒸饼丸梧子大。每服五十丸，食前米饮下，日三服，两旬而
愈。盖生米留滞肠胃，受湿则谷不磨，至生虫。苍术能去湿，温消谷也。（杨氏藏经验。《本草纲目》。）
戴元礼奉太祖命，往治燕王患瘕，见他医所用药良是，念何以不效？乃问王何嗜？曰∶嗜生芹。元礼曰∶
得之矣。投一剂，夜暴下，皆细蝗也。（《明史》。）
葛可久治一人患腹痛。脉之，谓其家曰∶腹有肉龟。视熟寐，吾针之，勿令患者知，知则龟藏矣。患者问
故，家人诳曰∶医云寒气凝结，多饮醇酒自散矣。患者喜引觞剧饮，沉酣而卧。家人亟报葛，以针刺其患处，
病者惊寤，俾以药饵。须萸有物下，俨如龟形，厥首有穴。盖针所中也，病遂愈。（黄日升《蓬窗类记》。雄按∶
俟寐而针，固是治法。至于一诊而知其为龟，一针而恰中龟首，未免神其说矣。）
杭州府通判王某，河间人，病腹胀，服药不效。梦人语云∶鬼蒺藜可治。王觅取煎饮，饮之痛不可忍，俄
顷洞泄，迸出一虫，长丈余，寻愈。（《览余漫抄》。）
山野人好啮虱，在腹生虫，为虱症，用败梳、败篦各一枚，各破作两分，以一分烧研，以一分用水五升，
煮取一升，调服即下出。
张路玉曰∶近有女子咳逆腹痛，后忽喜呼叫，初是呀呷连声，渐至咿唔不已，变易不常，或如母鸡声，或
如水哇鸣，或如舟人打号，每作数十声，日发十余次，忍之则胸中闷闷不安。此为叫虫，即应声虫之类也。复
有一人，忽发热痞满，后常兀兀欲吐，吐中必有虫数枚，状如虾形，跳跃不已，诸治不应。或令服铜绿涌之，
不过二三度遂绝，不复见矣。
黄履素曰∶人阴毛中生虱，名八角子，贴伏毛根最痒恼。人相传此虫不医，延及头髦眉毛，其人当
死。治法以生银杏捣烂，敷合毛上，隔宿其虫尽死。有少年曾患此，此法神效。有友为予言，生此虫者，运会
将否之兆。予患此之后，抱病十余年，备尝苦楚，其言果验。
虫之类能入耳者，不独蚰蜒，凡虫皆然。有人患脑痛，为虫所食，或教以桃叶作枕，一夕虫自鼻出，形
如瓮嘴，人莫能识其名。（《 斋闻觅》。）
有人患脚疮，冬月顿然无事，夏月臭烂，痛不可言。遇一道人云∶尔因行草上，惹蛇交遗沥，疮中有蛇儿，
The *Xin Shu* by Jia Yi records: King Hui of Chu found a leech in his cold food. Fearing that the official in charge of food would be executed, he swallowed it. Subsequently, he suffered from abdominal illness and could not eat. The Lingyin (Prime Minister) said, "The Way of Heaven is impartial; it only assists those with virtue." Since the King possessed benevolence, the illness would not harm him. Indeed, the King's illness was cured. Wang Chong stated in *Lun Heng*: "Leeches are blood-sucking insects. King Chu likely had accumulated blood stagnation, which is why eating the leech cured his illness." Tao Hongjing said: "King Chu saw a leech in his cold food and ate it, which indeed removed the internal accumulation. Although this pertains to Yin pathogens, it also conforms to the nature of the substance." (*Ben Cao Gang Mu*).
During the Tang Dynasty, Wu Yuanzhen, a renowned physician in the capital, treated a woman who had returned from Nanjing with her husband. She had accidentally ingested an insect and harbored constant suspicion about it, leading to illness that did not improve despite frequent treatments. Dr. Wu diagnosed the condition and selected a cautious aunt from the host's family, instructing her beforehand: "I will use medicine to induce vomiting. Catch the vomit in a basin. When she vomits, simply say you saw a small toad run away. Do not let the patient know; this is deception." The aunt followed instructions, and the illness was quickly resolved. (*Bei Meng Suo Yan*).
Yuan Zai did not drink alcohol. When forced, he claimed that smelling wine made him drunk, suggesting it was treatable. A needle was used to prick the tip of his nose, extracting a small green worm. The doctor said, "This is still a demonic influence; fearing wine indicates its presence. Removing this eliminates the danger." On that day, Yuan Zai drank one dou of wine, doubling the amount five days later. (*Qing Shang Lu*).
Sun Zhao treated a palace maid in the household of Prince Xiang, favored by Grand Commandant Qi. She suddenly developed an illness where nausea caused her to vomit several worms, recurring frequently. Grand Commandant Qi pitied her; numerous treatments failed, and each time vermifuges were used, more worms were vomited. Various physicians were summoned. Sun Zhao palpated the pulse and said, "All six pulses are fine and weak, not indicative of a worm disease. Although worms are being vomited, it is due to coldness in the viscera causing the worms to become restless and migrate to the upper diaphragm, leading to their expulsion. Using vermifuges again causes the worms pain and restlessness, resulting in more vomiting." Sun Zhao then prescribed medication consisting of pills weighing less than three or five qian. The worms ceased vomiting. Upon recall the next day, the six pulses had gradually enlarged, and continuing the previous medication prevented recurrence. The prescription consisted of Rhizoma Cynanchi Atrati (Huangjing) and Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata (Fuzi), each one liang, powdered and formed into pills with glutinous rice paste. Thirty pills were taken with rice water per dose. (*Gang Mu*. This served as the basis for Zhang Jingyue's Wenzang Wan for treating worm diseases. However, when there is extreme cold or heat, worms become restless; one should not adhere rigidly to a single method.)
Dou Cai treated a woman with abdominal distension unresponsive to various medicines. Upon examining her abdomen after she undressed, the skin was yellow and smooth as a mirror, indicating a Pinworm Mass (Nao Jia). He first had her eat a slice of roasted beef, then administered half a qian of Calomel (Qingfen) mixed with raw sesame oil. She expelled one he of pinworms, thread-like in shape. She subsequently recovered after taking Anchong San.
Zihehe stated: Among the craftsmen in Bianliang, there were carpenter Zhao Zuotou and blacksmith Du Zuotou. While lost, they sought shelter in a large mansion. The owner refused, citing a serious illness in the family. Du Zuotou replied, "Master Zhao is from the family of the Imperial Physician of Bianliang, now summoned by superiors. His arrival suggests the patient will recover." Believing this, the owner admitted them. After some time, the owner returned, invited them in, fed them, and asked for a diagnosis. Master Zhao smiled and said, "One medicine can cure this." The two discussed privately that their prepared medicines were left on another cart. Du Zuotou said, "This is easy." He secretly obtained a piece of cow dung, shaped it into thirty pills, and took them with warm water. Soon, the patient felt movement in the chest like crawling insects and vomited up approximately one to two sheng of material resembling small dung beetles. Hand exploration yielded another sheng. The patient instantly felt relief. The next day, the owner thanked them, saying no centenarian had seen such efficacy. They were entertained and departed. These two were petty men (seeking temporary shelter, they used filth to treat someone, merely stumbling upon a vomiting method by chance).
Zhou Hanqing treated a man from Wucheng suffering from severe stomach pain, thrashing about begging for death. Zhou Hanqing placed medicine into his nostrils. Shortly after, the man spat out a red worm about one cun long, complete with mouth and eyes. The pain stopped immediately. (*Ming Shi*).
Zhong Dayan treated a monk who craved salt, consuming nearly a jin per meal. Physicians knew it was a worm disease, but medication caused excruciating pain and fainting. Zhong Dayan said, "The worms do not accept medicine; we must bait them." He boiled salted bamboo shoots with medicine and added salt, administering it to the monk. Days later, the monk vomited several jin of worms and recovered. (*Ningbo Fu Zhi*. Xiong notes: This uses attraction to what is desired. Treatment should generally follow this principle, especially for worm diseases.)
Li Mingfu, a native of Dongyang, was skilled in medicine, particularly acupuncture. The magistrate of Yiwu suffered from fatal heart pain. Li Mingfu examined him and said, "There is a worm under the lung, inaccessible to medicine; only needling or scarification works, though it is difficult." He falsely claimed he needed to mark acupoints on the back, secretly using water to distract the patient, and inserted the needle while the patient was startled. He declared, "The worm is dead." The patient then experienced severe abdominal pain and passed several sheng of black water, expelling the worm and recovering. (*Liang Zhe Mingxian Lu*).
Yin Pengtou, known as the Iron Crane Immortal, was considered an extraordinary person. A nobleman's daughter suffered from a wasting disease, changing in appearance. Physicians gave up. Her mother, unable to bear losing her, invited Yin. He said, "There is a consumption worm; it is treatable." Asked for medicine, he replied, "Medicine cannot cure it. Simply sleep with me for one night, and she will be well." Trusting his supernatural powers, the mother informed the father. The father angrily refused, deeming it improper for a duke's daughter to sleep with a mad Daoist. Seeing his daughter near death, the mother pleaded tearfully until the father agreed. Yin instructed them to paper over a room with no holes, set up a bed without screens, have the girl remove her upper garment, and rubbed her soles until extremely hot. He pressed against her vulva and slept facing her. He warned, "If a worm comes out of your throat, call me immediately." The girl could not sleep, while Yin snored loudly. At dawn, the girl reported a worm flying out of her mouth. Yin looked around, couldn't find it, and said, "Where did it钻 go? If not rooted out, it will kill someone." The wet nurse, worried, had peeked through a hole. The worm exited the girl's mouth and entered the wet nurse's abdomen. At daybreak, the parents saw the girl's complexion had changed. Yin laughed and left. Months later, just as the girl was choosing a suitor, the wet nurse died. (*Xu Jinling Suoshi*).
Feng Yizhai, a Remonstrator, heard echoing sounds in his abdomen whenever he spoke, a condition known as Echoing Worm Disease. He resigned and moved to Nanjing. Yang Shouji prescribed a decoction of Indigofera tinctoria (Xiao Lan), causing him to vomit the worm. (*Xu Jinling Suoshi*).
Guo Maoqian's sister-in-law, Lady Jinhua, had not eaten for seven days postpartum. She complained of headache, followed by heart pain, then eye pain described as cutting or stabbing, recurring without pause. Severe headaches made her wish to lie under a heavy stone; heart pain made her scratch walls until her palms bled. Eye pain made her gouge her eyes. This continued for ten days. Physicians were helpless. Half a pill of Heilong Dan provided slight relief. Taken again at midnight, she slept peacefully. At dawn, she passed about three sheng of stool containing substances like locust eggs, reducing the illness by half. By Si hour, passing similar stool led to complete recovery. (*Gang Mu*).
Sun Wenyuan treated a woman with heart pain, red lips, high fever, and headache during pain episodes, followed by sweating. Pulses varied in size. (Worm pulse). He said, "This is worm pain, evidenced by vomiting white foam. (Heart/abdominal pain with red lips and white foam usually indicates worm disease)." Prescription: Areca Seed (Binglang) and Sichuan Pepper (Chuanjiao) 2 qian each, Almond (Xingren) 1.5 qian, Acorus (Shichangpu) 1 qian, Smoked Plum (Wumei) 7 pieces (too many), Fried Ginger (Paojiang), Cardamom (Caodouren), Tangerine Peel (Chenpi) 0.5 qian each, Gardenia (Shanzhi) 1 qian. One dose reduced pain by half; a second dose cured it completely.
Min Shenlou (named Zheng) was obese and irritable, suffering from gout. He could not comb his hair or walk. Painful areas were slightly swollen, accompanied by groaning. (Wind-Wood generating worms). Seven treatments over a month failed. Sun diagnosed: "Damp-phlegm stagnating in collaterals causes pain. (Also incorrect guess). Doctors treated it as Blood Deficiency with tonics, hence no improvement." He prescribed Erchen Tang plus Wuyao Ye, Cangzhu, Silkworm (Jiangcan), Sea Peony Root (Haitongpi), and Arisaema (Nanxing). After six doses, the patient refused further medicine, complaining it increased pain. Knowing his obstinate nature, Sun stopped forcing it. Instead, he prescribed Corn Poppy Root (Yuanhua) stir-fried with vinegar (3 fen) and Goldthread Coptidis Rhizome (Haijinsha) 1 qian, powdered and taken with boiling water (modeled after Gengyi Wan). That evening, one bowel movement occurred, expelling half a cup of thick phlegm. Leg pain reduced significantly. Later that night, severe abdominal pain ensued. Sun rushed to examine him. Family reported death. Sun said, "This is likely syncope from pain, not true death. (Clinicians must know this)." Examination revealed cold sweat, sitting on a chamber pot, blue face, absent breath, ice-cold hands, and deep, hidden pulses. Recognizing it as extreme pain reaction, he administered Ginger Soup, reviving the patient. The servant girl explained severe abdominal pain, sensation of fire bursting from the anus, a loud sound, and unknown excretion. It was a blood loach, over six cun long, with scales and eyes, still moving. Sun said, "This is an Ascaris type; fortunate it passed. This formula actually moves phlegm; I didn't expect so many worms. Yuanhua kills worms, so it worked by chance, blessing the patient." The next day, limbs moved freely. He resumed Erchen Tang plus Coix Seed (Yiren), Safflower (Honghua), and Five-leaved Acanthopanax (Wujia Pi). Four doses led to full recovery. (Xiong notes: Pathological changes are myriad; medicine is the most difficult art.)
Ye Runzhai, nearly forty, suffered from epigastric discomfort, craving meat, especially chicken. Without it, he felt bloated, weak, and disoriented. Eating relieved this but caused severe abdominal pain, sour regurgitation, and thick saliva, providing temporary relief before cravings returned. His agony was audible, yet he persisted. Advised against meat due to Spleen deficiency, he replied, "I know pain is bearable, but this itching/numbness is unbearable, worse than death." Sun diagnosed worm disease based on unequal pulses and red lips/yellow face. First, Xionghuang Wan: Calomel (Nifen) 5 fen, Semen Quisqualis (Shijunzi) powder 1 qian, mixed with egg pancake, given fasting at dawn. (Fang Ke Lu). In Chen hour, ten long roundworms passed, including two large ones, a chi long, entirely red. In the afternoon, over a hundred small worms passed. Craving for meat ceased, and discomfort resolved.
Gong Zicai treated a forty-year-old woman with stabbing heart/stomach pain, intermittent, loss of appetite, vomiting upon eating, cold extremities, chest oppression, and dry mouth/thirst. He said, "Worms in the stomach." Prescribed Erchen Tang plus Binglang, Zhi Shi, Wumei, Huajiao, Heijiang, Cortex Meliae (Kulian Genpi), and Shengjiang. One dose expelled a large bowl of worms, curing her.
When Sun Yikui was in Wu, scholar Tan Zhen asked if drum distension involved worms. Sun hesitated, then recalled *Benshi Fang*: swelling of limbs indicates water retention; isolated abdominal distension is Gu distension. Note: Gu equals Drum Distension. Ancient texts equated them. Gu involves three worms. Drum distension is Qi deficiency with fullness, hollow inside, hard outside. Gu implies solid accumulation. Tan praised him. Sun's cousin had drum distension for three years, belly large as a basket, limbs emaciated. Local remedies failed. In Wu custom, corpses are cremated. During cremation, the belly exploded with a cannon-like sound. Worms burst out, rising thirty zhang, darkening the sky, then falling. They were Ascaris, numbering in the thousands, some over a chi long, containing smaller worms. How could one not die of distension from such reproduction? Books omitted this. Later in Huaiyin, Official Wang's sixteen-year-old son had post-marital abdominal distension, palpable masses, gourd-shaped, unremitting fever for half a year. Doctors used heat-clearing/distension-reducing agents, worsening the condition. Sores appeared in throat and ears. Pulse slippery-rapid, lips red, abdomen painful, craving rich foods. (Abdominal pain, red lips, craving indicate worms). Thinking of typical worm symptoms (pale lips, anorexia), he suspected worms. Prescribed Awei Jiqi Wan. Passed dozens of worms, large and small. Fever subsided, abdomen reduced. Three courses cured him, confirming previous accounts. (*Jingquan Quanshu*. Xiong notes: Lack of appetite in Gong's case was also worm-related. Do not cling to one aspect amidst changing conditions.)
Li Shicai treated Privy Censor Hou. Abdominal discomfort/pain, left arm tender to touch. Sensation of obstruction in throat when eating. Pulse large-rapid, abdominal pain, spitting saliva, sallow complexion. Deficiency with Damp-Heat, generating worms. Should use Ginseng Decoction to deliver Binglang Wan to expel worm accumulation. Without removing worms, tonics are useless. Family feared side effects, refused treatment. Patient died. (Why not use milder vermifuges?)
Zhang Yuangong suffered chronic cough for three years, ineffective medication, awaiting death. Diagnosis: Severe chest pain when hungry. White spots like rice grains on upper lip. Worms biting lungs. Prescribed Baibu Gao alone, plus Wumei and Binglang. Within ten days, pain vanished, cough stopped. Family found over forty Taenia saginata (Cunbai Chong) in the chamber pot. No recurrence. (Lizhai case: Upper lip spots = upper body worms; lower lip spots = lower body worms.)
Wang Haicang recorded: Yang Shi suffered wind-Qi rushing to heart, vomiting, emaciation. Took Wanbing Ziwan daily. After twenty days, expelled 5-6 flesh-like toads and two sheng of white pus. Zhao Shilang, vomiting after eating, blind and deaf, took Wanbing Ziwan. Expelled 5-7 green snakes and 3-4 sheng of foul pus. Wanbing Ziwan is Nongpo Wan plus Qianghuo, Duhuo, Fangfeng. Ingredients: Magnolia Bark (Nongpo), Sichuan Pepper (Shujiao), Aconite (Chuan Wutou), Asters (Ziwan), Evodia (Wuzhuyu), Acorus (Changpu), Bupleurum (Chaihu), Platycodon (Jiegeng), Poria (Fuling), Cinnamon (Guigui), Gleditsia (Zaojiao), Ginger (Ganjiang), Ginseng (Renshen), Coptis (Huanglian), Croton Husk (Badoushuang). (Xiong notes: Only administer with definitive evidence.)
Liu Qingxiao, a performer from Yichang, loved a courtesan named Hua Cui. Over fifteen, she craved raw rice, becoming depressed, emaciated, and jaundiced otherwise. Zhao Yin of Huimin Bureau used Atractylodes Macrocephala (Cangzhu), soaked in rice water overnight, dried, powdered, and formed into pills. Fifty pills taken before meals with rice water, three times daily. Cured in twenty days. Raw rice stagnates in intestines, dampness prevents digestion, generating worms. Cangzhu removes dampness and warms/digests grain. (Yang's Experience. *Ben Cao Gang Mu*).
Dai Yuanli, ordered by Emperor Taizu to treat Prince of Yan's mass, wondered why previous good prescriptions failed. Asked about cravings. Prince liked raw celery. Dai said, "Understood." Prescribed one dose. Violent diarrhea ensued, expelling small locust-like worms. (*Ming Shi*).
Ge Kejiu treated a man with abdominal pain. Diagnosed a "meat turtle" in the abdomen. Told family to keep patient asleep for needling, lest the turtle hide. Patient asked why; family lied, saying cold qi required strong wine. Patient drank heavily and slept. Family notified Ge. Ge needled the affected area. Patient woke, took medicine. Soon expelled something turtle-shaped with a head pore (needle site). Cured. (Huang Risheng *Pengchuang Leiji*. Xiong notes: Needling during sleep is valid. Claiming instant diagnosis and precise needle placement seems exaggerated.)
Prefect Wang of Hangzhou, from Hejian, had abdominal distension unresponsive to medicine. Dreamt of advice: "Ghost Tribulus treats this." Found and decocted it. Severe pain followed, profuse diarrhea, expelling a worm over one zhang long. Recovered. (*Lanyu Man Chao*).
A mountain dweller who bit lice developed abdominal worms (Lice Disease). Treated with broken comb and hairpin halves. One half burned to ash, the other boiled in five sheng water to one sheng. Mixed and taken. Expelled worms.
Zhang Luyu stated: A woman recently had cough, abdominal pain, then sudden shouting. Initially gasping, then muttering, changing voices (hen, frog, boatman). Occurred dozens of times daily, causing chest oppression if suppressed. Called "Calling Worm," similar to Echoing Worm. Another man had fever/fullness, then retching worms shrimp-like, jumping constantly. Treatments failed. Copper Green (Tonglv) induced vomiting twice, ending the issue.
Huang Lvsu stated: Lice in pubic hair, called "Eight-Angled Child," attached to roots, very itchy. Rumor says untreated, it spreads to eyebrows/head, causing death. Treatment: Crush fresh Ginkgo nut, apply to pubic area. Overnight, worms die. Effective for a youth. Friend said infestation signals declining fortune. Huang suffered for ten years, validating the claim.
Insects entering ears include whip scorpions, but any insect can. Brain pain caused by insect feeding. Peach leaf pillow used; worms exited nose overnight, shaped like urn spouts, unidentified. (*Zhai Wen Mi*).
Foot ulcer: Silent in winter, foul/rotting/painful in summer. Daoist said walking on grass introduced snake venom/semen. Snake larvae in wound.