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Therefore, in diagnosing Qin's illness, the pulse at the left Guan position is exclusively large, while the Qi Kou (Radial Pulse) is tight and full, exceeding the normal state by double. The exclusive largeness of the left Guan position indicates that the Liver governs fatigue and anger. The tightness and fullness of the Qi Kou suggest nothing other than food stagnation. If one were to rigidly adhere to previous formulas, resulting in the error of "reinforcing excess" (Shi Shi), how could one avoid blame?

Gu Kaiyi's wife sought treatment for fullness and stuffiness due to food injury. Upon examining her pulse, the Qi Kou was initially neither tight nor full, but rather deficient and faint. Observing her symptoms, although she felt an obstruction in the chest, her Shen Qi (Spiritual Energy) was significantly short. This aligns with Li Dongyuan's theory regarding illnesses caused by alcohol consumption, diet, and overwork. It is appropriate to tonify the righteous Qi to dispel the pathogen. Thus, Liu Jun Zi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction) was used to strengthen the Spleen, assisted by Ginger and Cinnamon Twig to aid the Middle Jiao in rotting and ripening food and fluids. After one or two doses, the abdominal distension relaxed; this demonstrates the mechanism where the "gentleman" (righteous Qi) advances and the "petty person" (pathogen) retreats. Subsequently, Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) was employed, which immediately stopped the splenic diarrhea, restored normal eating habits, and daily increased her spiritual energy.

Nie Jiwu stated: A maid suffered from abdominal pain due to food retention. Initially, digestive-promoting herbs were used with a slight addition of dispersing herbs, but after one dose, the pain did not decrease. Therefore, a solution of fried salt water was administered, and after drinking two bowls, vomiting occurred, reducing the pain by half. Then, a formula focusing on dispersing with added digestive herbs was given, and after one dose, the pain ceased immediately. From this, it was realized that when cold pathogens and food retention cause pain, dispersing the cold qi causes the food to digest naturally, and the pain stops. Treatment based on this insight thereafter yielded miraculous effects without exception.

Governor Zhang Ju of Liang said: Previously, I obtained a medicinal wine prescription from Military Commander Qi Qitang in Gansu, claiming it could treat deafness, improve vision, blacken hair, and preserve youth. After taking it for one month, my eyesight suddenly improved beyond usual. The prescription consists of Honey-fried Huang Qi (Astragali Radix) 2 liang, Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) 1.2 liang, Fu Shen (Poria with Hostwood) 2 liang, Dang Shen (Codonopsis Radix) 1 liang, Mai Dong (Ophiopogonis Radix) 1 liang, Fu Ling (Poria) 1 liang, Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) 1 liang, Shu Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata) 1.2 liang, Sheng Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix) 1.2 liang, Rou Gui (Cinnamomi Cortex) 6 qian, Wu Wei Zi (Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus) 8 qian, Shan Yu Rou (Corni Fructus) 1 liang, Chuan Xiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma) 1 liang, Gui Jiao (Colla Corii Asini) 1 liang, Qiang Huo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix) 8 qian, Fang Feng (Saposhnikoviae Radix) 1 liang, Gou Qi Zi (Lycii Fructus) 1 liang, Guang Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) 1 liang. These eighteen ingredients are combined with 7 liang of Red Dates, and consumed according to capacity. The commander stated: This is named Zhou Gong Hundred-Year Wine. The formula was obtained from an old man in the frontier regions who claimed to have taken it for forty years, living beyond a hundred years. His family has used this wine for three generations, with no one dying below the age of seventy. A renowned physician examined it and said: Water and Fire are mutually balanced; truly an excellent prescription. The key efficacy lies entirely in Qiang Huo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix). As the saying goes, it enters the smallest and opens the largest. Only those with profound insight and skill can utilize this herb effectively. My brother, Guan Yun Guangwen, had a long-standing preference for alcohol. In middle age, he developed alcohol-induced exhaustion, consuming only a spoonful of porridge daily. His complexion was haggard, and he was emaciated like firewood; physicians would turn away upon seeing him. I copied this prescription and sent it to him. Since he did not drink distilled spirits, he substituted Shaoxing Wine, drinking several cups daily, gradually increasing the amount. After half a month, his sleep and appetite gradually improved. After one month, he recovered his vitality. When I returned to Fuzhou and met him, he appeared clearer and healthier than ten years prior, yet continued to drink heavily. He had been regularly consuming this wine, approximately three jin per day, for five years.

Qing He Jiu (Clear Harmony Wine): For those unable to quit drinking, this method may be used so they can drink without harm. Use Zhen Sheng Di Huang (Fresh Rehmanniae Radix) 8 liang, Tian Dong (Asparagi Radix) 4 liang, Yin Hua (Lonicerae Japonicae Flos) 8 liang, Sheng Zhu Zhi (Raw Porcine Fat) 1 jin, Sheng Lv Dou (Vigna Radiata Semen) 1 sheng, cut-up Shi Bing (Diospyros Kaki Fruit Dried) 1 jin, and Fen Jiu (Fenjiu Liquor) 20 jin. Seal tightly and soak. It can be drunk after one month and remains unspoiled even after long storage.

Jia Jian Si Shi Wan (Modified Formula for Craving Food Pills): Treats deficiency of both Spleen and Stomach, inability to digest food and fluids, chest and diaphragm stuffiness, intermittent abdominal and hypochondriac distension, reduced appetite with drowsiness, bitter taste in the mouth and lack of flavor, physical weakness and wasting with shortness of breath, cold in the chest, difficulty swallowing food, regurgitation and nausea, as well as post-illness heart deficiency where one cannot tolerate grain qi, leading to irregular eating habits. All these conditions are suitable for this formula. Shen Qu (Medicated Leaven) stir-fried yellow, Mai Dong (Ophiopogonis Radix), and Mai Ya (Hordei Fructus Germinatus) stir-fried yellow, each 2 liang; Wu Mei (Mume Fructus) 4 liang; Mu Gua (Chaenomelis Fructus) 0.5 liang; Bai Fu Ling (Poria) and Chao Gan Cao (Stir-fried Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), each 2.5 qian. Made into pills with honey, size of a cherry. Take one pill per dose, chew thoroughly, and swallow with warm water. If thirsty, hold one pill in the mouth to dissolve slowly. Xu Lingtai commented: This is a formula to gather Stomach Qi; the use of Wu Mei (Mume Fructus) and Mu Gua (Chaenomelis Fructus) is very clever.

Pei Zhaoqi stated: There are cases where illness worsens due to medication, and even more severe cases where strange symptoms appear, unrecognized, leading to sudden danger and death. One must know this. Once, a woman suffered from amenorrhea. She took too many blood-invigorating herbs, causing blood stasis and reduced appetite. She then developed alternating chills and fever, along with vomiting and reflux. The physician still believed it was blood stasis attacking the Heart and doubled the dosage of harsh purgatives. Suddenly, the patient became comatose with clenched teeth, drooling from the corner of the mouth, resembling wind-stroke. Her pulse was deep and faint. Pressing below the heart revealed fullness, urgency, and sound. The diagnosis was: This is a fluid retention syndrome. Inquiry revealed she was injured by medicine, requiring emesis. Quickly, Tong You (Tung Oil) was used, and an goose feather was inserted to induce vomiting. Four or five sheng of sour fluid were expelled, and she woke up. First, drying-dampness and widening-the-middle herbs were given, followed by Spleen-tonifying and Stomach-strengthening herbs. Only after her diet and daily activities normalized was Tong Jing Wan (Unblock Menses Pill) administered, allowing the blood to flow.

Another person suffered from malaria for twenty days, experiencing chest fullness and aversion to food, due to unclear Stomach Qi. The physician failed to examine carefully and administered Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) twice, causing the malaria to worsen significantly. Another practitioner tried Bie Jia (Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum) and He Shou Wu (Polygoni Multiflori Radix) to arrest the malaria, resulting in worse distension and vomiting, refusing all soups and drinks. Someone suspected misuse of tonics and gave Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) and Lai Fu Zi (Raphani Semen) decoctions, further aggravating the condition. I examined him; the six pulses were soggy and weak, indicating dampness filling the chest and diaphragm. Cang Zhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma) was used as the sovereign herb, assisted by Ban Xia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), Hou Po (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex), Ze Xie (Alismatis Rhizoma), Yi Ren (Coicis Semen), with a little Ginger Juice and Salt. Administered slowly, within a short time, he suddenly desired to vomit. Induced vomiting expelled much yellow phlegm and foul fluid. The pulse stabilized, and the malaria gradually ceased.

Another child, just three years old, suffered from heart and abdominal pain. The physician prescribed heavy dosages and concentrated decoctions, forcibly灌ing them. After milk and food intake, vomiting increased, accompanied by chills, fever, and wheezing. Multiple physicians failed to cure him, and he gradually became comatose. The family deemed him incurable and stopped medication, waiting for the end. From morning until dusk, sounds were heard moving up and down in the abdomen several times. After expelling about one dou of foul liquid, he revived. Such patients are numerous, and cannot all be listed. In summary, human life relies on Stomach Qi as its root. If Stomach Qi is injured, even correct medicines cannot be transformed and absorbed to take effect, instead generating other symptoms. Today, patients and physicians alike fail to notice this. Whenever there is illness, medicine is administered; if ineffective, another physician and more medicine are tried. Even when food intake ceases, they do not consider protecting the source of transformation and generation, but continue to indiscriminately prescribe decoctions. This injures the Middle Qi, leads to myriad complications, and results in death. There are many such cases. Is it not prudent to be cautious? (From *Yan Yi*).

Wu Shi Cha (Noon Tea Prescription): Treats wind-cold accumulation and dampness, tidal fever with aversion to cold, body-wide pain, dizziness and dim vision, abdominal pain and distension, and loss of appetite. Shan Zha Rou (Crataegi Fructus) 4 liang, Mai Ya (Hordei Fructus Germinatus) 4 liang, Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) 2 liang, Zhi Ke (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus) 2 liang, Hou Po (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex) 2 liang, Zi Su (Perillae Folium) 2 liang, Xiang Fu (Cyperi Rhizoma) 3 liang, Chuan Xiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma) 1 liang, Sha Ren (Amomi Fructus) 2 liang, Mao Cang Zhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma) 1 liang, Bing Lang (Arecae Semen) 1 liang, Bo He (Menthae Haplocalycis Herba) 1 liang, Mu Tong (Akebiae Caulis) 2 liang, Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) 1 liang, Chen Cha (Aged Tea) 10 jin, Wu Yao (Linderae Radix) 2 liang, Ban Xia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) 2 liang. Grind all herbs into powder and package separately. On the fifth day of the fifth lunar month at noon, use 2 qian of Zhu Sha (Cinnabaris), finely ground and washed with water, pour into a large bowl of liquor, mix well, sprinkle over the herb powders to moisten evenly, dry, and store in bottles. Decoct 3 qian with water per dose; reduce dosage for children. Contraindicated for pregnant women. Alternatively, steep in boiling water as tea.