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Treats *Shanghan* (Cold Damage) leading to *Pi Qi* (Stagnant Qi Syndrome), characterized by chest fullness and a sensation of impending death.
Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix), Zhike (Aurantii Fructus, roasted and pith removed, each 1 liang).
Crush the above herbs to the size of rice or beans. Use 1.5 sheng of water, decoct until reduced by half. Strain the dregs, and divide into two doses for administration. If purgatives are used too early in *Shanghan*, qi rebels upward, causing distension in the chest. The common people call this *Jie Xiong* (Chest Binding), and often administer harsh purgatives like Badou powder (Crotonis Semen) or Qingfen (Calomel) to purge. This approach leads to death in eight or nine out of ten cases, as it damages the Lower Jiao (Lower Burner). When the Lower Jiao is deficient, qi attacks the chest and diaphragm even more fiercely, often resulting in untreatable conditions. For diseases of chest distension, only the diaphragm should be purged. If palpation reveals hardness and pain, this is indeed *Jie Xiong*. If there is fluid retention in the chest, one must use strong purgatives such as Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) and Gansui (Kansui Radix), as seen in formulas like Daxion Wan. If palpation reveals no significant hardness or pain, it is named *Pi Qi*. This condition arises from upper deficiency and heat steaming causing distension; it can only be resolved with herbs like Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma), and Dahuang. Once, a patient suffered from severe chest distension, critically ill, and neither treatment for *Jie Xiong* nor *Pi Qi* was effective. Dr. Wen administered this decoction to him, after which he excreted about one sheng of yellow fluid, and the illness resolved. I adopted this method and found it miraculous. For *Pi Qi*, recovery is immediate upon administration. In all cases of *Shanghan*-induced chest distension, regardless of whether it is *Jie Xiong* or *Pi Qi*, administer this medicine first. If there is no improvement, then select other medications. This decoction merely moves qi and descends it through the diaphragm, causing no other harm. Furthermore, the *Xi Jin Cui Xinggong Fang* records: In *Shanghan*, whether purged or not, if there is central knotting and fullness, chest and hypochondriac obstruction,急促 breathing, syncope almost reaching extremity, high elevation of the heart and chest, and inability to touch the limbs, death occurs within two or three days. Treatments using Xiexin Tang (Gastrodia and Rhubarb Decoction variants) or Daxion Tang (Major Chest Binding Decoction) fail. This is likely due to post-purgative deficiency and rebellious qi, where the pathogenic toxin attacks upward again. Qi and toxin struggle and knot in the chest.
Renshen (Ginseng Radix), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Gancao (Licorice Radix et Rhizoma, roasted, each 2 liang), Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma, processed, 1.5 liang), Zhishi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus, sixteen slices, bran-fried or roasted), Fuling (Poria, 2 liang).
Grind the above into powder, mix with honey, and form pills the size of bird eggs. If one pill is ineffective, take another. When I used this method, the effect was swift. Upon swallowing, qi connection is restored; administer again. Within five or six pills, the chest becomes clear and open. I have never seen medication act so quickly. For those with thirst, add Gualou (Trichosanthis Radix) 2 liang; for those with dysentery, add Muli (Ostreae Concha) 2 liang. I shared this method with Han Kangbo (Commander-in-Chief), Mao Zhongzu (Right Guard), Wang Daoyu (Guanglu), Gu Junmiao (Palace Attendant), and Yin Zhengan (Historiographer). All used it and marveled at its rapid response. At that time, Zhishi became precious because this disease stems from internal toxin attack, resembling Shaoyin (Lesser Yin) syndrome. After diarrhea, *Pi Jie* (Stagnant Knotting) is expected; although diarrhea has occurred, the toxin remains. Toxin and healthy qi contend, knotting in the chest. Sometimes diarrhea ceases, but the toxin enters the stomach. Stomach qi fails to circulate, forcing toxin to rush upward. Or, qi is initially disordered, or phlegm-solid exists in the Upper Jiao, colliding and knotting together to cause this affliction. Generally, when toxin and qi interfere with each other, circulation is obstructed, and pathways blocked. Thus, Xiexin Tang treats fullness but does not regulate qi; even if taken, cure is unlikely. To treat toxin and resolve stagnation, Lizhong Wan (Regulate the Middle Pill) is unsurpassed; it detoxifies and unblocks qi, allowing *Pi* to dissipate naturally. However, Ganjiang is hot in nature, so its dosage is reduced. Fuling promotes fluid metabolism, Gualou relieves thirst, and Muli stops dysentery. Carefully assessing suitability ensures efficacy. My family member Huang Zhen suffered from the aforementioned illness. His brother sought medicine from Uncle Shangshu. I said, "Give him Lizhong Wan." Several guests doubted this. I decided to give it myself, taking an egg-sized pill from the box and giving it to him. Zhu Fada mocked me, saying, "This person will not survive; you have slight affinity with him." Near dusk, the brother returned, kowtowing and slapping himself. The four guests were startled, thinking his condition worsened. Uncle Shangshu asked how he was. The brother replied, "After taking the medicine once, I felt much better; I beg for more." I told Zhu Fada, "The reply suggests the Master need not worry about forming karma, but fears the patient will come back at night and disturb sleep. What if he comes?" I gave several more pills. He recovered the next day, and this method has been used ever since. Liu Yuanbao (Judicial Officer of the Protector General's Office) had relatives fall ill similarly. Uncle Shangshu gave one dose; an egg-sized pill cured him. Uncle Shangshu knew former civil and military officials, thereby saving many. *Shanghan* is difficult to treat, so I recorded this in detail. This is Cui Xinggong's own account. I use this pill in conjunction with Zhike Tang, and the rationale is invariably verified. The Zhishi used in Lizhong Wan is actually Zhike. Ancients called it Zhishi; later generations separated Zhike into a distinct entry.