Library

The wife of my old friend, Brother Xie Meisheng, suffered from hardness and pain in the lower abdomen that was aggravated by pressure. A Western physician diagnosed it as Uterine Cancer (Zigong Yan). After repeated examinations, the diagnosis was confirmed without doubt, with the conclusion that apart from anatomical dissection (surgery), there was no physiological treatment available. He consulted me regarding this case. I replied that "Uterine Cancer" is a new disease name; in essence, it is caused by the coagulation of Qi and Blood. Such masses can form anywhere in the body, not just in the uterus, and should be treated by regulating Qi transformation (Qi Hua). I needled the Qihai (CV6) and Shenshu (BL23) acupoints, among others. The pain ceased on the same day, and after several more days, the mass disappeared. For any disease manifesting as a tangible form, the best strategy is to employ methods to dissipate it. If dissipation is truly impossible, then other methods should be devised to resolve it. There are many ways to remove masses: some require urgent treatment, while others allow for gradual treatment. If the condition is excess, potent herbs may be used to attack the pathogen; if the condition is deficiency, supporting the Middle Qi (Spleen/Stomach Qi) allows it to assist the Healthy Qi (Zheng Qi) in expelling the pathogenic factor, which can also gradually yield significant results.

Mr. Mo Minzhuang from Nanhai had been residing in the North for many years. He enjoyed collecting minerals and precious stones throughout his life and thus possessed a rich collection. In the Gengwu year, he sought my treatment for arm pain and inability to lift his arm. I observed that he panted upon movement, his pulse was large and empty, particularly weak at both Chi (Kidney) positions. At night, he experienced thirst, dry throat, and frequent urination. I informed him that his root disease was the Kidney's failure to grasp and retain Qi. The arm pain and inability to lift were merely branch symptoms. If the root were not treated fundamentally, how could one reach the age of sixty (Huajia) with Kidney deficiency and still enjoy longevity? I therefore needled the Shenshu (BL23) and Guanyuan (CV4) acupoints and prescribed a specialized formula to tonify and astringe Kidney Qi, prepared as pills. After two months, both the root and branch diseases were completely cured. Mr. Mo had four screens made featuring seals of emperors from successive dynasties from his collection, and wrote a postscript recording the process of my treatment as a memento.

Mr. Song Ziliang suffered from left arm pain radiating to the hand, lasting for three years. Various treatments proved ineffective. Later, a Western physician performed anatomical examinations six times, yet the pain intensity decreased little, and the specific nature of the disease remained undiagnosed. Finally, he sought my treatment. His physique was strong, clearly indicating a healthy constitution, and his pulse was firm. His diet and daily routine were unexceptionable. However, the muscles on the dorsum of his right palm were abnormally atrophied, leaving only skin and bone, with severe atrophy especially in the thenar eminence (Hukou). Due to the atrophy of muscles at multiple acupoint locations, needle insertion was difficult, so I first needled the Quchi (LI11) acupoint. Upon removal of the needle, he reported feeling very relaxed and comfortable. The next day, he told me, "Previously, I often woke up due to pain; this morning, I woke up without pain." After three days of needling, the pain was completely cured. Unfortunately, the Hegu (LI4) acupoint could not be needled because the muscle had shrunk away, leaving only two layers of skin above and below, with no space remaining for needle insertion. It can be said that anatomical techniques apply only to tangible forms, which can be cut and discarded. If the Qi of the meridians is injured by pathogens, appearing neither in form nor shadow, subjecting such areas to incision might be feasible for a skilled Western physician, but in the therapeutic principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, this approach is entirely unacceptable.