典藏书目

Xiao Hong, aged fourteen, was the disciple-granddaughter of Long Hui. On March 12th, she suffered from sore throat and lethargy, so a friend was invited to diagnose her. The prescription used was *Xiaofeng Baidu San* (Wind-Dispersing and Toxin-Vanquishing Powder), which was unremarkable. For three or four consecutive days, both the interior and exterior of the throat and neck swelled up. White putrid matter protruded high in the throat, the tongue coating was black as ink, and the tongue surface felt prickly like needles. The lips and mouth were also swollen and cracked, deafness occurred, hallucinations of seeing ghosts appeared, consciousness was clouded with incoherent speech, the whole body was burning hot, the skin was red and crimson, resembling a rash that was faint and hidden without sweat. Urination and defecation were blocked. Another friend was invited to diagnose, who was terrified and at a loss, refusing treatment, leaving them helpless and awaiting death. Long Hui suddenly regained consciousness, mistakenly believing it to be a heat disease, and administered *Zixue Dan* (Purple Snow Pill) three or four qian slowly. Black fecal water half a bucket was passed in stool, urination resumed, and mental clarity gradually returned. Thirst and dry throat persisted, requiring constant sipping of cold pear and sugarcane juice. By the 21st day, I returned from Baoying to Yangzhou for diagnosis. Carefully observing the physical appearance and meticulously feeling the pulse, this was identified as an epidemic qi infectious disease; survival beyond ten days was due to fate. Fortunately, she could still swallow a few spoonfuls of thin porridge, indicating that stomach qi remained. Although critical, the disease was treatable. People were unaware of the dangers of excess fire. Subsequently, bitter-cold herbs such as *Longdan Cao* (Gentian Root), *Huanglian* (Coptis Rhizome), and *Mutong* (Akebia Stem) were used, along with sweet-cold herbs like *Xijiao* (Rhinoceros Horn - note: modern substitutes used), *Shigao* (Gypsum Fibrosum), *Zhimu* (Anemarrhena Rhizome), and *Shengdi Huang* (Rehmannia Root). These guided the heat toxin from the Upper Jiao to the Middle and Lower Jiao, eliminating it through the large intestine, small intestine, and bladder. All medicines were bitter-cold and sweet-cold. After continuous administration for half a month, the white putrid matter in the throat fell off and gradually cleared, appetite improved significantly. Suddenly, a small nodule on the right side of the neck enlarged daily. External poultices were applied, but the swelling increased, becoming bowl-sized after ten days. I stated this was residual toxin. The external poultice was washed off, and *Yinteng Gao* (Lonicera Paste) was drunk daily as tea. The swelling gradually subsided, and neck mobility returned. Recovery took two months. I said, "Medicine can cure diseases that are not fatal; this is indeed true."

Wei You suffered from diffuse white swelling in the throat, pain preventing swallowing of saliva, extreme hunger, thirst, dry throat, and difficulty drinking water for five days. Upon examination, he was suffering from *Baihou Feng* (White Throat Wind). Although critical, if untreated for seven days, it would be incurable. Reviewing his previous prescriptions, they contained *Jingjie* (Schizonepeta) and *Fangfeng* (Saposhnikovia Root), which have warm-dispersing properties, causing the toxin to scatter and penetrate deeply into the interior. This is akin to condoning evil. It is unknown that epidemic toxins enter through the nose, and heat-toxins condense in the zang-fu organs. Only potent decoctions can remove the fire-toxin effectively. Acupuncture points were first needled to reduce throat pain, allowing him to eat a bowl of noodles. Four pills of *Xionghuang Jiedu Wan* (Realgar Antidote Pill) were taken, leading to diarrhea. Then, heavy doses of bitter-cold and sweet-cold medicine were administered, enabling peaceful sleep that night. Since the fire had spread like a prairie fire, strong medicine was necessary. Using mild medicine instead of heavy doses would be like pouring a cup of water on a cartload of burning wood—useless. The medicine was consumed over two days, the white coating gradually shed, and recovery occurred in ten days.

Monk Wenfeng suffered from headache, fever, aversion to cold, pain in the joints of the entire body, absence of sweat, swelling inside and outside the neck, white protrusions on both sides inside the throat, dry throat, gray tongue coating, thirst, cracked lips, red-hot head, face, body down to the feet, day-and-night pain, and restlessness. This was an epidemic infectious disease. Other physicians declared it untreatable. I diagnosed it as an excess fire syndrome, stating that wind-drying medicines were incorrect. Acupuncture was used first, followed by emesis. Then, *Huadu Dan* (Toxin-Resolving Pill) was taken, resulting in the passage of black water. Large doses of bitter-cold and sweet-cold medicine were then administered. That night, profuse sweating occurred, and body pain slightly relieved. For severe diseases, fear of using heavy doses leads to error. Five doses were used continuously. Sweat continued, thirst resolved, and light medicine was substituted. He could walk outside after ten days.

Fang San, a three-year-old child, suffered from severe alternating chills and fever, crying, irritability, white putrid matter protruding in the throat, phlegm obstruction, wheezing, black tongue coating, scorched lips, thirst, burning palms and soles, and a faint rash under the skin. Long Hui was too timid to prescribe medication. I stated this was an epidemic infectious disease and advised following ancient methods. First, emesis was induced to expel about one bowl of phlegm, relieving wheezing. Then, acupuncture was performed, and *Jiedu Wan* (Antidote Pill) was taken. Heavy doses of bitter-cold and sweet-cold medicine were prescribed to direct the fire-toxin downward. Within four to five days, sweating occurred, crying stopped, and stability was achieved. As the Classics state, "Fire stagnation should be dispersed." Even for a one-year-old, this medication is necessary; hesitation delays treatment. After five days of medication, sweating and fever cessation occurred, the white coating shed, and light medicine was switched to eliminate residual toxins. Recovery took half a month.

Observer Fang suffered from headache, fever, aversion to cold, absence of sweat, white putrid matter protruding in the throat, pain, faint red rashes under the skin, joint pain, dry throat, thirst, frequent drinking, gray tongue coating, irritability, and restlessness. He was diagnosed with *Baihou Feng*. Acupuncture and emesis were performed, and four pills of *Jiedu Wan* were taken, leading to bowel movement. Heavy doses of bitter-cold and sweet-cold medicine were administered for five doses. Sweating covered the body, loosening occurred, the white coating receded, and recovery took ten days.

The daughter of Jin Guiyuan Zhou Er fell ill on the night of October 3rd. Lai Li diagnosed her with massive white swelling dragging down the throat, fullness and white protrusions in the upper and middle Guan positions, headache, aversion to cold, fever, absence of sweat, dry throat, thirst, cracked lips, surging phlegm, foul breath, and severe pain. This was *Baihou Feng* caused by seasonal epidemic qi. The onset was fierce, with internal toxin accumulation before medication opened the qi and dispersed cold-toxin. Acupuncture and emesis were used first, followed by *Huadu Dan*. By dawn, sweating occurred, fever subsided, body cooled, except for hot palms. She was instructed to vomit again and eat a bowl of noodles. I reasoned that epidemic toxins belong to excess fire syndromes with long-standing internal heat accumulation. Mild medicines would only nurture the evil. Therefore, potent and harsh medicines were required to guide accumulated heat-toxin from the Upper Jiao to the Middle and Lower Jiao, eliminating it via the intestines and bladder. After ten days of consistent prescription, the white putrid matter in the upper and middle throat positions gradually shed, falling off like a shell without damage. The foul odor disappeared. The prescription was changed to light medicine to clear residual toxins and prevent complications. Proper use of medicine proves effective. Previous prescriptions were correct in theory but failed in practice due to improper application or patient refusal. It was fortunate that this family trusted completely.

The daughter of Zhang Da from Jinhe Fish Market was examined by Lai Li. Symptoms included diffuse white swelling in the throat, alternating chills and fever, absence of sweat, dry throat, thirst, resembling spring *Baihou Feng*. It was stated that "without acupuncture, there is no cure." The patient feared needles. Emesis and *Huadu Dan* were used. By the 21st day, the throat was filled with white putrid matter, severe pain, foul breath, hunger but inability to swallow, surging phlegm that could not be expelled, ascending qi, and impending closure. I stated, "Without acupuncture, life is at risk." A large bowl of noodles was prepared. Following ancient methods, various points were needled. After needling, throat looseness was felt, and she managed to eat the noodles. Four pills of *Huadu Dan* were taken, followed by a prescription of bitter-sweet-cold substances. Considering *Baihou Feng* is a fire-epidemic with long-standing internal heat, mild fire-clearing medicines are useless. Potent medicines are needed to guide condensed heat-toxin from the Upper Jiao to the intestines and bladder. Within half a month, the white coating shed, foul odor disappeared, sweating occurred, and appetite returned. The prescription was changed to light medicine. To ensure complete toxin elimination, additional doses were prescribed. The throat is the pathway for food intake; blockage here is critical for life and death. Without my determined effort in prescribing, matching the symptoms would have been difficult. I record these cases as evidence, lest my efforts be considered vain fame-seeking.