Library

(There are fifteen cases in total.)

When I was in the womb, I was mistakenly treated by a female physician. After birth, I barely took human form, experienced every disease, and took medicine every day. My mother suffered from malaria during pregnancy, was plagued by many illnesses, and passed away early; this was undoubtedly my unfilial burden on her. In the Xin You year, I fell ill in bed, died and then revived. My father and brothers advised me to give up my status as a Shengyuan (student), and subsequently, due to family difficulties, I used my medical skills to earn travel expenses, traveling north and south again. Lamenting my sickly body, yet planning for others' health and peace, it seemed futile. Because of this, I had the opportunity to befriend people across the world. The gentry and heroes often excused my eccentricity, sharing poetry, wine, and medicines with me, so it did not seem that I had encountered bad fortune in this life. Someone said: "Your medical skills, among the common folk in the market, may not be fully understood. Only the scholar-officials have no heart but caution against illness, and some have felt grateful that you cured their parents and saved their children. Why insist on the thought of living in seclusion?" I did not answer. However, I have always been poor. The money spent redeeming herbs was only enough for marriages. I often sigh about the poverty of old friends and the hunger of young children, which is indeed different from those who sell divination in the city or shoes by the road. Therefore, there are many cases of practicing medicine publicly. Now, I will briefly record the essentials below.

Three scholars requested treatment for their elder relative, an elderly person suffering from severe cough, rebellious Qi, and phlegm obstruction. I did not wish to record it as a ordinary case. After careful consideration, I devised a decoction to serve as a nourishing food for filial piety, naming it Sanzi Yangqin Tang (Three Seeds Decoction for Nourishing Parents). It was printed and circulated everywhere. A Grand Secretary praised it: "These three seeds come from old gardeners; their nature is mild and harmonious, fragrant and smooth. They assist dietary nourishment well, bringing joy to parents of being free from medication. Thus, benevolent people adopt them. Respect one's own elders and extend that respect to others' elders; its benefits are extensive." The Book of Songs says: "The filial son's devotion is inexhaustible, forever bestowing blessings upon your kind." This is what is meant.

Twice in the North, encountering long rains in summer and autumn, I treated epidemic cough and headache using the ancient formula Yiyuan San (Benefit Yuan Powder) [Hua Shi (Talcum), 5 liang; Gan Cao (Licorice Root), 1 liang], mixed with ginger and scallion decoction. It worked immediately. Dozens of jin of phlegm were discharged daily, lasting all night. This was likely due to the dampness mandate of the Jia-Ji Earth cycle, where phlegm obstructed the upper orifices of the Lung Qi. By draining the lower orifice of the Bladder, the condition resolved; it did not fall under the category of ordinary cough.

In the Wu year spring, a plague occurred in Chu. People mourned each other. I threw Wuwu Dan (Five Plagues Pill) into spring water and led children to distribute it, curing hundreds daily.

A court noble from the Southeast feared hot-natured medicines. When he had phlegm, he claimed it was fire-phlegm and added Huang Qin (Scutellaria Root) and Lian Zi (Lotus Plumule). One day, in biting winter snow, he fainted, vomited, and died. I used one slice of Hei Fuzi (Black Prepared Aconite Root) and one fen of Pi (Arsenic), pounded into ginger juice to induce vomiting. He vomited profusely, then took one dose of a warming medicine and recovered. This was likely because the local climate constrained the body; how could one rigidly adhere to preconceptions and harm oneself? Moreover, does not phlegm arise from dampness, and dampness from cold?

A scholar was fat with white skin. Believing in the Buyin Wan (Nourish Yin Pill) described in *Mingyi Zazhu*, he thought everyone lacked Yin. He took it for years, became obese, and suffered from shortness of breath. I treated him inversely with Xiatian Gao (Xitian Paste), adding acrid-hot agents to resolve stagnation and dry out excessive Yin, after which he returned to peace and health. This illustrates failing to understand formulas and thus harming oneself; one must beware!

A noble had a nasal polyp, so foul-smelling it couldn't be approached and so painful it couldn't be touched. He waited helplessly for death. I simply blew Bai Fan (Alumen) powder mixed with a little Sha Fen (Borax) onto it. In a moment, it dissolved into water and disappeared. I prescribed Shengshi Tang (Win Over Dampness Decoction) combined with Xiebai San (Drain White Powder). Two doses cured him. This was caused by rich flavors trapping damp-heat, steaming at the Lung gate, like mushrooms sprouting suddenly on ground after rain. I treat many such cases; people call it miraculous, unaware it is merely this principle!

For all chronic stubborn diseases, epilepsy, wind-phlegm, masses, ulcers, all tangible diseases, and women's jia-masses (abdominal masses), I use Xi Tian Gao (Xitian Paste) combined with appropriate decoctions. Through sweating, vomiting, and purging methods, I expel turbid filth. Success is assured. There is a unique subtlety, like the wheelwright's skill.

For paralysis and gu-poison (parasitic disease) of recent onset, where primordial Qi is not yet exhausted, I also use Xi Tian Gao added to the decoctions for these conditions. In the lakes and seas, I revived over ten people. Recently, for syphilis (yangmei chuang), I cured it by adding this paste to Fangfeng Tongsheng San (Saposhnikovia Unblocking Heroic Powder). I separately wrote a volume on *Yangmei Chuang* (Syphilis) treatment and a sheet of *Dian Hu Jianyi Fang* (Simple Formulas from Dian Pot), circulated widely, effective for users.

To treat se-lao (sexual exhaustion), first use the ancient formula Dixian San (Immortal Immune Powder) [Bohe Ye (Mint Leaf), Digupi (Ground Bark), Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia Root), Gancao Shao (Licorice Tip), Wumei Rou (Smoked Plum Flesh), equal parts] decoction to reduce tidal fever. Then massage the waist with external Luxui Wan (Deer Marrow Pill). Gradually restore primordial Qi with internal Luxui Wan or Lurong Wan (Deer Antler Pill). The effect is potent. Alas, deer products are hard to obtain; I merely deliberate based on Ge Kejiu's Ten Divine Medicines Formula.

For children under eight, I forbid administering medicine orally. If ill, I grind suitable herbs into fine powder, mix with sesame oil, heat it, and have someone dip their hand to massage the affected area. Or mix with water to make a paste for application, or decoct and wipe with silk. Use flexible methods, ensuring medicinal qi penetrates through pores and collaterals. Even if no specific formula is used, massaging with oiled hands to induce movement can cure the disease.

To nurture children, I formulated Qiwei Baoyin Tang (Seven-Ingredient Infant Protection Decoction) for oral administration. My elder brother published and commented: "The heart to protect the young is easy to evoke; the heart to care for the old is often neglected. Elders should be rare. If one loves relatives as one loves children, everyone would be like Zeng Shen. Like Sima Junshi loving his brother as his father, I cannot help but sigh thrice after writing these formulas."

Light ailments in public practice: Bai Bing Huanghe Dan (Yellow Crane Pill for Hundred Diseases), Qingnang Wan (Green Bag Pill for Gynecology), Tianyi Wan (Heaven One Pill for Pediatrics). Use as appropriate. People see minor effects, suspect something extraordinary, and inquire endlessly, which is ridiculous. These are recorded in other chapters. Users should ponder the meaning beyond the method.

Ancient acupuncture methods seem different from modern ones. I had the ambition but no teacher, and modern practitioners have not learned them. Ancient Bian stone therapy has no transmission. Current moxibustion relies on experts. I often add herb powder to mugwort for moxa cones and nurture the moxa marks with human warmth. This cannot be a standard rule, so I do not record it. I once saw nobles using a wooden crutch pressing joint method; perhaps this is the remnant intent of Bian stone therapy?

To treat Baihu Lijie Feng (White Tiger Joint Wind) from remote regions, where patients lie long-term, trusting shamans rather than medicine, I use Xi Tian Gao mixed with Baijiezi (White Mustard Seed) powder to write characters, dissolve in water, and drink a full jar at once. Vomiting and diarrhea occur simultaneously, expelling several dou of sticky saliva and foul fluid, leading to recovery. They claim my talisman water is divine. This makes me think of the ancient Zhuyou department (incantation healing), relying entirely on shamans. Was it benevolent people using unconventional means to save lives, thereby losing authenticity? I record my error here.