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(The principles of Guizhi Tang are discussed in the chapter on Vomiting, Hiccups, and Diarrhea.) It treats abdominal pain caused by Cold-Hernia (Cold-type Hernia), accompanied by cold extremities and numbness/insensitivity of the hands and feet. If there is also body pain, for symptoms that can be alleviated by moxibustion or acupuncture, Wutou Guizhi Tang should be used as the primary formula.

Wutou (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) (5 pieces).
Take the above single herb, add two jin (approx. 1 kg) of honey, and decoct until the volume is reduced by half. Strain to remove the dregs. Mix the strained liquid with five he (approx. 200 ml) of Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) to dissolve it, resulting in a total volume of one sheng (approx. 200 ml). Initially administer five he. If there is no response (bu zhi),
then continue administering.

Song says: Abdominal pain (due to Internal Cold), Body pain (due to External Cold), Limb insensitivity (The Spleen governs the four limbs; insensitivity occurs because Cold is excessive internally, lacking Yang Qi to warm them.) Medicinal
Formula.) Guizhi

Annotation: The term "jie" (dissolve/mix) refers to dissolving. "Zhi" (know/perceive) refers to efficacy. Appearing in a state resembling drunkenness indicates that External Cold has been resolved; vomiting indicates that Internal Cold has been expelled. These are considered signs of hitting the target (zhong bing, i.e., therapeutic effect achieved).

In the Gengchen year of the Daoguang reign, my eldest son and youngest son were both twenty-six years old. At the onset of the illness, the lower abdomen was distended, with a distance of six cun between the sides, forming two abscesses (yong), each three cun long and two cun wide, without redness or pain, yet the qi seemed connected. There was constipation, alternating chills and fever, and poor appetite. Physicians offered conflicting opinions; some used methods to support the interior and disperse pathogens, while others used purgative methods, but most medications were ineffective. After two or three days, the lower abdominal distension gradually increased, spreading to the upper abdomen and chest/hypochondrium. Rebellious Qi rushed up to the throat, making it impossible to swallow medicine or food. There was panting, cold sweat, and cold extremities. For a period, the eyes stared straight and the mouth hung open. Reluctantly, I administered a large dose of warming and Yang-restoring agents via gavage. Initially, it could not be swallowed, but after approximately one-quarter was ingested, the breathing stabilized somewhat, and the patient regained consciousness. Upon reviewing the history, I learned that he experienced nocturnal emissions every night, sometimes during dreams, sometimes without, remaining conscious during emission. He had to manually compress the penis for two to three ke (approx. 30-45 minutes) to stop it, occurring nightly. Later, due to fright, he feared sleep, and emissions continued until dawn (Ji Ming time). His pulse was wiry (Xian), fine (Xi), hollow (Kou), and slow (Chi). After pondering for a long time, I recalled the phrase from *Jin Gui Yao Lue* regarding "Yin Cold causing spontaneous seminal emission." The formation of the two abscesses was due to the accumulation of Yin Cold. Treating this condition required potent warming and toxic herbs to dissipate the Yin Cold accumulation, and strong Qi-tonifying herbs to withstand the toxicity of the Yin pathogen. Subsequently, several doses of Sini Tang (Frigid Extremities Decoction), Baitong Tang (White Aconite Decoction), Lizhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction), and Jianzhong Tang (Establish the Middle Decoction) were administered, and the symptoms gradually improved. This sufficiently demonstrates the boundless application of the methods of Changsha (Zhang Zhongjing). I hope future students will reflect deeply upon this...