典藏书目

Diseases have both constant patterns and variable manifestations, and their treatments likewise possess both standard protocols and flexible adaptations. These are all comprehensively recorded in medical texts; the key lies in the physician's ability to select and apply them judiciously. However, patients' conditions in the world are not only unpredictable in their variations but also difficult to discuss, let alone treat. Moreover, there are rare and unusual symptom complexes that physicians rarely encounter. In such situations, should one sit idle awaiting death, or blindly attempt treatment? Medical literature is extremely vast, containing numerous wonders. Let us cite a few examples.

In the spring of the Xin-Hai year, Shen Changguan, a gravekeeper at Yuanmu, suddenly experienced protrusion of the anal region by approximately one cun (approx. 3.3 cm), accompanied by unbearable pain. When dry, it would retract and fall off; this cycle of protruding and falling occurred three times over more than twenty days. He sought treatment from surgical specialists. Initially, some called it "Gang Yong" (Anal Abscess), but subsequently, no one could treat it. One day, he went to Wang Shilin's home in the city for treatment. Wang Shilin said: "This disease is named 'Jie Chang' (Intestinal Truncation/Rectal Prolapse). It is described in Xia Ziyi's *Guai Ji Qi Fang* (Strange Disease Unusual Prescriptions). It can still be treated now, but if it protrudes and falls again, it will be incurable." He instructed the patient to sit immersed in sesame oil and drink several cups of hemp juice daily. Within a few days, the patient recovered. The book by Xia Ziyi has been lost to time, though fragments appear in *Ben Cao Gang Mu* (Compendium of Materia Medica). That Prince Wang paid attention to this indicates his extensive knowledge.

In the spring of the Si-Hai year, Ying Zhiwen, a resident of Taixing County, was detained due to litigation. Suddenly, blisters erupted all over his body, oozing fluid and breaking the skin, leaving no intact area. He died immediately. His family filed a lawsuit. The Governor-General and the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner ordered the Suzhou Prefecture to investigate. Prefect Yang transferred the case to Weng Gong of the Prefectural Medical School for consultation: Was it toxic eruption? Did such a sore exist? Weng Gong, being an internal medicine practitioner, requested that surgical specialists verify the condition. All surgical practitioners in the prefecture were unable to respond. Weng Gong happened to pass my study and discussed the matter. I said: "I once saw Peng Yongguang's *Pu Ji Liang Fang* (Universal Good Prescriptions) record a disease called 'Lu Chuang' (Barbarian Sore), acquired during military campaigns in the Nan-Yang region during the Jian-Wu era. This matches the current symptoms exactly. It must be treated with honey-boiled Sheng Ma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma) applied externally. If not treated promptly, death will occur within days." This explanation also appears in the Honey entry of *Ben Cao Gang Mu*. Weng Gong borrowed this book, and also obtained it from Tang Lisan, an internal medicine doctor. He submitted a detailed report, which settled the case, clearing the county runners of blame. Had this book not existed then, it would almost have become a wrongful conviction.

In the winter of the Geng-Xu year, a woman surnamed Gao from the South Camp suddenly developed blackish-purple necrosis on her two toes, losing sensation of pain and itch. The condition gradually spread to the dorsum of the foot, shins, and ankles. Multiple surgical doctors were consulted; some diagnosed "Tuo Ju" (Finger/Toe Gangrene), others "Luo Jiao Shang Han" (Lower Limb Cold Damage), and some attributed it to karmic retribution. All declared it incurable. Lu Fengyi from Feng Gate was invited to examine her. He stated: "This is not a severe disease. Simply administer decoctions that warm and unblock Qi and Blood, and wash externally with a decoction from wax troughs. It will heal in a few days." Indeed, it healed as predicted. Everyone was amazed. I witnessed the symptoms nearby and was also surprised. Later, when I asked Mr. Lu for the reason, he replied: "Her pulse was slightly choppy (Se), with no other pathological signs. Upon inquiry, I learned she bound her feet tightly. Thus, I knew this condition was merely cold invading the vessels, causing ice-like stagnation and immobility, leading to muscle ulceration." This demonstrates precise inquiry and detail, without exaggerating credit, which is truly admirable.

In the spring of the Bing-Wu year, Wang Chao, a resident of Haimen, fell ill. Physician Zhang Shenglin prescribed Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) and Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata), and the illness gradually improved. The physician was changed to Chen Ruoshan. Because Wang Chao had a red face and did not feel aversion to cold, Chen used cooling herbs like Xi Jiao (Rhinocerotis Cornu). The next day, the patient died. His father, Wang Defu, beat Chen Ruoshan to death. The Provincial Surveillance Commissioner Chang summoned the case to the provincial capital for trial. Since I held the position of Prefectural Medical Officer, I was ordered to provide an expert opinion. I cited the Shaoyin Disease chapter of *Shang Han Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage): "Interior cold with exterior heat, the body is actually not averse to cold, and the person's face is red; Tong Mai Si Ni Tang (Pulse-Reviving Four Reversals Decoction) governs this." This matched the medication used by the previous physician. Furthermore, Jingyue's *Han Re Zhen Jia Pian* (Chapter on True and False Heat/Cold) states: "True heat inherently causes fever, but false heat also causes fever, presenting with symptoms like red face and restlessness. Ignorant physicians seeing this mistake it for heat and recklessly administer cold/cooling herbs, leading to certain death upon ingestion." This matched the fact that the patient died the day after taking Xi Jiao. It was undoubtedly Chen Ruoshan's misdiagnosis that caused death. After submitting a detailed report, the case was settled. Wang Defu's crime of beating a doctor was mitigated.

In the Si-You year, my cousin-in-law Lu Guanyuan suffered from Malaria (Nüe) for half a year, wasting away until muscles disappeared. He later developed Jaundice (Huang Dan), followed by swelling and pain in both knees, large as crane knees. The popliteal fossae of both thighs turned blackish-blue, with severe pain and icy coldness. Additionally, his upper and lower gums swelled red, resembling pomegranates, colored like vermilion, gradually ulcerating. His mouth felt hot as if branded, his tongue became red-purple and painful, making soup and porridge difficult to swallow. The condition was critical. Surgical doctors were consulted everywhere; they claimed lower body Yin-cold and upper Jiao Fire-hyperactivity, finding it very difficult. I, unfamiliar with surgery, also expressed helplessness. One day, Liu Yuru from Shantang was invited. He said this syndrome is named "Qing Tui Ya Gan" (Blue Legs and Gingival Ulcer), recorded in *Yu Zuan Yi Zong Jin Jian* (Imperially Commissioned Golden Mirror of Medicine). Following the prescription led to recovery. *Yi Zong Jin Jian* is a book everyone should read. Several surgical doctors were consulted, yet none recognized it. Only Liu Yuru knew it, demonstrating his extensive learning.

Considering these five diseases, improper treatment leads to death, while proper treatment leads to life. Life and death depend on the physician's hands. From this, we see: How can books be ignored! How can reading not be broad! Those responsible for human lives, how can they claim competence knowing only rudimentary meridians, herb properties, pulse diagnosis, and decoction formulas?