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To rescue sudden death, whether there was prior illness or the person was simply lying in bed and suddenly expired, these are all cases of "Zhong E" (sudden collapse due to evil qi). This is the method for rescue.

One prescription: Take the yellow center of a green onion (Allium fistulosum) and pierce it into the nostril. For males, use the left side; for females, the right side. Insert it seven to eight cun deep. If blood flows from the eyes, it is better. The method of Bian Que is the same. Afterwards, blow air into the ear through a tube. Ge Hong should have stated this as blowing into the nose, so it is listed separately as one method.

Another prescription: Have two people block the patient's mouth with clothes and blow into both ears. When exhausted, switch persons. Alternatively, use a bamboo tube to blow. Simultaneously, support the shoulders, stand sideways and away, and do not lean directly over the deceased.

Another prescription: Pierce the ear with a green onion (Allium fistulosum). Do not be surprised if blood flows from the ear and nose; if no blood flows, it is difficult to treat. Blood flow is a sign of recovery. At this time, hold both hands and suddenly release them. Soon, the deceased will naturally raise their hand to grab people and speak of pain before stopping. For males, pierce the left nostril; for females, the right nostril. Insert it more than seven to eight cun deep. It has great efficacy. It also treats suicide by hanging. This is consistent with the method of Bian Que.

Another prescription: Soak cotton wool in good wine. After a moment, place it in the deceased's nostril. Press with your hand to let the juice enter the nose. Hold the limbs to prevent startling.

Another prescription: Observe the inner upper lip. If there is a white spot the size of a millet seed, puncture and remove it with a needle.

Another prescription: Pour urine onto the face. After several times, speech can resume. This is the method of Bian Que.

Another prescription: Take soap bean (Gleditsia sinensis) the size of a soybean and blow it into both nostrils. Sneezing indicates that the qi pathway is unblocked.

Another prescription: Moxibustion on Chengjiang (CV24), located in the depression below the lower lip. Ten moxa cones. Great efficacy.

Another prescription: Cut the neck of a male rooster and apply the blood to the face. Reapply when dry. Surround the deceased with a circle of ash.

Another prescription: Use a tube to blow into the anus (lower part). Have several people take turns blowing. Life returns when qi flows.

Another prescription: Open a white dog and apply its heart to the chest area. If a white dog is unavailable, a white chicken's heart is also suitable.

Another prescription: Take a male duck, cut off its head above the deceased's mouth, and drip the hot blood into the mouth. Also, use a bamboo tube to blow into the anus. Switch blower when exhausted. Life returns when qi flows downward.

Another prescription: Take fresh cow or horse manure, squeeze out the juice, and pour it into the mouth to reach the throat. If the jaw is clenched, force it open with an object; if it cannot be forced open, tap the teeth below. If fresh manure is unavailable, dissolve dried manure in human urine and squeeze out the juice. This is stated by Bian Que.

Another prescription: Wrap a rope around the wrist/ankle. For males, left; for females, right. Extend the rope from the back down to measure. Apply moxibustion at this point, horizontally half the length of the rope. Perform this moxibustion three times, three cones each time, then the person will rise.

Another prescription: Scratch Renzhong (GV26) until the patient awakens. If not, roll up the hand and perform moxibustion on "Xia Wen Tou" according to the age.

Another prescription: Moxibustion on Renzhong (GV26), three cones.

Another prescription: Moxibustion on the hair tuft near the nail of the big toe on both feet. Seven cones. This is the method of Hua Tuo. Some say twenty-one cones.

Another prescription: Moxibustion on Zhongwan (CV12), the center of the umbilicus. One hundred cones.

Bian Que's methods further state: Cut the pig's tail, drink the blood, and bind a pillow under the head. The deceased will revive shortly.

It also states: Powdered Pinellia ternata (Banxia) the size of a soybean, blown into the nose.

Another prescription: Crush one qianbi weight of skin flakes from a woman's back, insert into the throat with the mouth open, and administer with water and vinegar. Immediate revival.

Note: The four prescriptions for sudden death mentioned earlier, along with the case of Shijue (corpse-like coma) mentioned later, were all transmitted by Zheng Yizhenren, a minister of Wei, who received the method from Changsang Gongzi. Investigating the publication of this text, it appeared about twenty years after Ge Hong, so it is impossible he knew of it. These methods must have been circulating in the world for a long time, hence references to King of Chu or King of Zhao, and discrepancies in the order of statements.

There are also important prescriptions from Zhang Zhongjing: Crush Allium macrostemon (Xie) juice and pour into the nose.

Another prescription: Cut the comb of a red male rooster, collect the blood, and blow it into the nose using a tube.

Another prescription: Apply chicken comb and blood to the face, surround with ash, and the person will rise immediately.

Another prescription: Pig fat the size of a chicken egg, boiled with one sheng of vinegar, poured into the throat.

Another prescription: Fourteen soybeans (Soybean, Glycine max), mixed with egg white and wine, swallowed entirely.

For sudden death accompanied by high fever: Half a jin of Alum (Mingfan), boiled in one and a half dou of water. Soak the feet until the ankles are submerged.

For sudden death with closed eyes: Ride a cow facing the body, crush Allium macrostemon (Xie) juice and pour into the ears, blow Gleditsia sinensis (Zaojiao) powder into the nose. Immediate effect.

For sudden death with open eyes and protruding tongue: Moxibustion on the nails of hands and feet, fourteen cones total. Drink Wudu various ointment powders containing Croton tiglium (Badou).

For sudden death with flaccid limbs and incontinence: One sheng of horse manure, three dou of water, boil to obtain two dou. Wash the body with this liquid. Also, take one sheng of thin cow dung (Niu Dong), warm wine, and pour into the mouth. "Dong" refers to thin dung. Moxibustion on one cun below the heart, three cun above the navel, and four cun below the navel, one hundred cones each. Recovery ensues.

If rescuing a child who died suddenly with vomiting and diarrhea, unknown cause: One pill of horse manure, squeeze juice and swallow. If no wet manure, boil in water to extract juice.

There are also Beiji Sanwu Wan/San and Pei Gong Gao, listed in the subsequent emergency medicine section. They are excellent for sudden death and can be prepared on the spot. Generally, sudden death, Zhong E, and Shijue are caused by the sudden deviation and obstruction of natural Yin and Yang qi of heaven, earth, and the human body, leading to blockage between upper and lower parts and exhaustion. Although appearing dead, they can still be treated and revived because the qi is not completely exhausted. At this time, ghosts and spirits may be involved, so talismans and spells can also be used for rescue.

Attached Prescriptions

Bian Que said: Zhong E, sudden death, and Guiji (ghost strike) are similar. For those already dead, treat them using this prescription.

Crush fresh Rhizoma Acori Tatarinowii (Changpu), squeeze juice, and pour in. Immediate cure.

Shijue disease: Sudden death but pulse still moves, hearing faint whispering sounds in the ear, warmth in the thighs. This is the condition, also treated with this prescription.

Sun Simiao's prescription for sudden death: Blow powdered Gleditsia sinensis (Zaojiao) into the nose.