卖疯妇：有钱人而患有麻疯的，其来源往往是从女色上得来。因为女人患了麻疯，在表面上很难看得出，而到外面去勾了一般狂放的子弟来减轻本身的病症，这些上了当的人，也娶了多量的女人来做妾侍，也教他们去卖疯，这样循环不已地增加，是何等的可怖?不过这是以前的话，近来这个卖麻疯的风气，也不大有了。
验麻疯：极轻的麻疯，或得自遗传的三代麻疯(祖父患麻疯者)，外状仍与常人无异，惟皮肤稍呈线纹，却也很难分辨。其唯一验看方法，可于夜间用黄色纸一种(俗称验疯纸)，在被验人的面前燃烧之。患麻疯者，面部立呈青紫之色，成块状。
治麻疯：麻疯虽是不治之症，但也有一个减轻之法，用活马纵腹部割开，使思者裸卧其中，每四十八小时后，又换一马，换马愈多。其病愈轻，可免手足肌肉溃烂之虞。但这是土法，至于科学方法的治疗术，新医界亦渐有发明，但仍未见普遍耳。
如此严重之恶疾，通国皆知其可怖，偏偏西医有意反对，倡言不能传染他人。有香港吕一狂君函问：近日西医倡言，麻疯不能传染他人，及与麻人饮食居处亦无碍云云，未卜其言信否?对于未出面者，有法验否?倘荷不遗，将国医国药之验疯愈疯法明示，俾得刊入报章，亦造福苍生之一道也。
余答：国医论风病，有四百四种(见《病源》)，麻疯属恶风、疠风、蛊风类，均有传染他人之可能性。至于治法，头绪纷繁，须先分经辨证，最要详列各种症状，舌苔脉象。断非简单随便所能答覆。按经言疠者，有营气热胕，其气不清，故使鼻柱坏而色败，皮肤疡溃。风寒客予脉而不去，名目疠风，此病之源，亦病之瘾结也。
西医既有新知识，发明麻疯不会传染，即请该西医亲身实地试验。与麻疯人同卧同食，事实之证明，胜于任何雄辩，质之该西医。谅必首肯也。
姚名达问病记微菌之为物，其形不一，有弓形，有杆形，有球形，有双杆形，单杆形，最球形，单球形。西医于此种种之菌，精究其形状，分析其种类，以为万病之源，皆由乎此。病而一涉乎菌，无不谈虎色变。
在吾中医对于微菌一物，亦知可厌可憎。惟不若西医认为万病之源。吾中医知另有病源，决在微菌之外，决不能张冠李戴，捉生替死，使真真病源反得邋遥法外，肆虐以祸人。
吾中医认人身以内之微菌，犹人身以外之虮虱同属可厌可憎之物。其为可厌，其为可憎，其为有害于人，吾中医亦何尝否认?惟决不肯误认做万病之源，转移吾医者之目光，精神贯注，全注于菌，真真之病源，反致无暇顾及，而病源反得潜滋暗长，肆虐不已。事实之证明，胜于任何雄辩，吾之谓此，并非空言，吾盖有为而言也。民国二十四年四月三十日，乡先辈陈莲舫征君之孙橘璇假西藏路宁波同乡会，行结婚典礼，余以戚谊被邀往观礼，逮宴毕回寓，已十时有半，而老友朱大可、陈澹龠，同新友二人在诊室俟余，大可且携其少君小可。
澹龠为余介绍新友之一，系姚君名达，暨南、复旦两大学教授也。姚君为其夫人之疾求余设计，余问其状，姚君曰：余妻曾产五六胎，现又怀孕，已及六月，前因头痛就西医诊，西医认为肺病颇严重，非先打去其胎，不能治疗。余妻不愿。西医日；不肯打胎亦可，惟不能速愈耳。遂日日为之打针。余问咳嗽否?姚君日：无。余妻之头痛。虽经西医悉心治疗，丝毫未见功效，后来愈痛愈剧，手臂亦遭延及。斯时用爱克斯光照看，始知肺病并不严重。西医又言此手臂之痛，当是风病，于是改打风湿之针，亦未见效。近来则头痛更剧，甚至夜不能眠，项背皆强，西医言此症变成脑脊髓炎矣，非入医院不可。连延数西医，语皆相同。于是送入医院，院医言此症严重，已到不治地步，绝无办法，要余签字，生死凭诸天命之纸。姚君言时，语带江南方音，大可恐余不解，则为之翻译。
大可言，姚夫人乃当代女作家，设女子书店于霞飞路五百二十三号。该书店出品，大半是姚夫人作品。余大为感念，此病者为吾国女界杰出人才，定当竭吾之力，为之诊治。因告姚君：尊夫人既经众多西医细心诊治，认为无办法之不治之症，余何敢以未会诊治之症，认为决有把握?但是病人住院。所以求病之愈。今该院医既言绝无办法，则住院与不住院，效果相等。为君设计，当以赶快出院为先决问题。早一刻出院，即可早一刻设法。姚君要求先与一方药，余于是书一小方，药仅二昧，仍是鲜竹叶六钱，鲜生地二两也。姚君复问对于此症，究竟有无把握。余曰：“须诊过才能下断语。现在最要，就是出医院一事。”次日为五月一日，午后姚君电话来，言病者状况颇佳。余问昨药服否?回已服完。问何时出院?回须明日。二日余晨午晚三次电话于女子书店，问姚夫人已否回家?回仍住医院。爱莫能助也!三日午后，姚君来寓，余劈头就问夫人已出院否?姚言未曾出院。余日：然则病势当已减轻?姚言病者两目已昏不能视。余讶日：肝肾绝矣。姚言院医既无办法，又不许出院，日惟抽病人脊部之水。言次泪承睫，此时余惟有以语言宽慰之而已。
余对于此事。有疑问数个：偶患头痛，何以确知其是肺病?在吾中医，肺之脉不上头，头痛何能断为啼病?西医即不知脉，头与肺之距离当亦知之。此种诊断，余不能解，一也。
即使确是肺病。病在于肺，治肺可也，与胎何涉?胎居胞宫在下，肺居上焦在上。肺与胎风马牛不相关涉，何以必以打胎为先决问题?在吾中医治病，病不由胎，即使同处下焦，亦断无舍病打胎之理。此种诊断，余不能解。二也。人命至重，学识有限，吾中医遇到严重之病，自审不能解决者，必叫病家另请高明，不但口头嘱咐，并且书面写明，决不肯既无办法，又不放手，贻误病机也。贵西医之不放姚夫人出院，吾中医诚莫测高深，此种办法，余不能解，三也。敢请贵西医将以上理由，在报纸上逐一披露，企予望之。
姚名达问病记书后余草姚名达问病记才付刊，遇朱君其石。其石，大可弟也，与姚君亦相识。其石曰：“名达夫人已死医院中，君知否?”余日：“目昏不能视，肝肾两绝，余早决其必死。”其石曰：“姚夫人若早延中医诊治，当不至此。”余日：“中医虽未必尽愈诸病。然分经用药，标本兼顾，比较利多弊少。”其石日：“姚夫人死矣，遗雏呱呱，顿成失母之儿，姚君晚归，幼儿牵衣索母，此情此景，可悯可伤。”余日：“死者不可复生，追悔亦已无及。余愿姚夫人死后。姚夫人之友。姚君之友，常以姚夫人就诊之情形志之于心，刻之于骨，永远不忘。余愿世之人与姚夫人同病者，亦以姚夫人之就诊情况，时时忆及，引姚夫人为前车之鉴，俾一误不致再误。余犹恐姚夫人死，而后之继姚夫人而起者，为姚夫人第二，姚夫人第三，则后顾茫茫，殊可悲耳。”因于姚名达问病记后，复伸纸濡笔，作书后之篇。
枇杷膏市售枇杷膏，观报载广告文字，所述功效，宣传已不遗余力，真若可信。然此种枇杷膏，究竟是枇杷所煎熬，抑是枇杷叶所煎熬?在药性上，则枇杷之功用，与枇杷叶之功用，不大相同。国药铺之枇杷膏，是用枇杷叶煎熬而成，不是用枇杷煎熬而成。考枇杷，甘平润肺，涤热生津，多食即助湿生痰。枇杷叶味苦气平，隆冬不凋，盛夏不萎，禀激浊扬清之性，抱忘炎耐冷之姿。静而能宣，凡风温、温热、暑燥诸邪，在肺者，皆可藉以保柔金而肃治节，香而不燥。凡湿温、疫疠、秽毒之邪在胃者，皆可用以澄浊气而廓中州。所以枇杷叶臂，能清肺化痰止嗽，枇杷果膏能助湿生痰滑肠。现在枇杷上市，尚望熬膏者注意及此。弃果用叶，则于病人较能有益。按枇杷为闲食品，自古从未入药，果与叶品性悬殊，万难通融，不可不知。
电台医学问题士谔大医师道鉴：年来读《金钢钻》，得诵洪篇巨论，不胜敬佩，数载于兹。鄙人素好斯道，第囿于愚陋，勿能有得。昨逢敝处医士某，涉谈及温热一症，彼据“饿不死伤寒”一语，深言温热初起，必不可食。须病痊已后方能纳谷。即使缠绵不解，兼旬累月，亦遵是戒。鄙意人以胃气为本，平人绝谷，尚且伤生，况以抱病之人。岂可使绝食哉?损谷则可耳。此二说未知孰正，敢乞一言以为遵守，不悉能不责其荒谬，而赐以教言否?敬惠然不弃，畀以片言，即请于《金钢钻》上发挥，且公同好，则幸甚。
冒渎清神，不胜抱歉之至。耑恳即祝道安。林×上。
伤寒原属外感之总名，温热亦是伤寒之一种。俗称“饿不死伤寒”，当是指寒湿、湿温而言。缘湿浊阻滞，必有胸闷、胃呆、泛恶诸症。此时胃中满贮湿浊，非但不欲食，亦不能食也。“饿不死”一语，当是对病人家属而言，换一句话，即叫他不欲强劝病人努力加餐，并不是禁止病人进谷。病人如果湿化，知饥索食，亦不禁也。不过不能使之过饱耳。若云一病伤寒，即禁谷食，实是误会，试观仲景《伤寒论》，服桂枝汤后，须啜热稀粥，白虎汤、桃花汤中，俱有粳米，仲景为医圣，其治伤寒之法如此。胃为水谷之海，人生在世，有胃气则生，无胃气则死。谬语流传，实不可信，为吾传语浙东，以免彼此贻误。敬复。
郎中之偷工减料郎中是国医的普通名称，为了通俗起见，秉笔为文，我叫同道。不曰国医，而曰郎中。
郎中瞧见了吾文，休要动恼，就为我自己也是个郎中，记得《聊斋》有“狐谐”一则。
狐向人说，我不骂人骂狐如何?我现在也是狐骂狐的法子，未曾开场先打招呼，诸位郎中，休再怒目相向。
郎中最欢喜偷工减料，有讲话上的偷工减料。有写字上的偷工减料，有作文上的偷工减料。
先提起讲话上的偷工减料，如病证中之麻黄汤证，桂枝汤证，白虎汤证。柴胡汤证，栀豉汤证，总要偷工减料，减去一个“汤”字，称它为麻黄证，桂枝证，白虎证，柴胡证，栀豉证。药品中之枇杷叶膏，是清热泄风、化痰止嗽要药，偏偏偷工减料，减去一个“叶”字。
称它为枇杷膏，这一个字看去很是平常的，却不道关系很是重大，几被它大误苍生，就为普通的人，大都循名而不察实，听说是枇杷膏，只道是枇杷煎熬的，不复知是枇杷叶煎熬的，那里知道枇杷的药性，与枇杷叶的药性，枇杷的功用与枇杷叶的功用，大是不同，万万不可通融，万万不可迁就。枇杷的药性，是甘平润肺；枇杷叶的药性，是味苦气平，这是不同之一。枇杷地功用，是涤痰生津；枇杷叶的功用，是隆冬不凋，盛夏不萎，禀激浊扬清之性，抱忘炎耐冷之姿，静而能宣。凡风温、温热、暑燥诸邪在肺者，皆可藉以保柔金而肃治节；香而不燥，凡湿温、疫疠、秽毒之邪在胃者，皆可用以澄浊气而廓中州，这是不同之二。多啖枇杷，就要助湿生痰。常服枇杷叶可以清暑辟秽，这是不同之三。枇杷是闲食品，不是药品，枇杷煎熬的膏，根本上丝毫没有用处。方子中之柴胡桂枝汤，明明是小柴胡汤与桂枝汤的复方，偏偏偷工减料，减去“胡”字“枝”字两个字，变成了柴桂汤，猛一瞧时，只道此方只有柴胡、桂枝二味药呢，这是讲话上的偷工减料。
再讲那写字上的偷工减料，如人参之参字，写作“参”字，偷工减料也。天门冬、麦门冬之门字，写作“门”字，偷工减料也。泽泻之泻字，写作“泻”字；黄蘖之蘖字，写作“柏”字，偷工减料也。生姜的姜字，写作“姜”字；穀芽之穀字，写作“谷”字，偷工减料也。茈胡之茈字，写作“柴”字；竹筎之筎字，写作“茹”字，偷工减料也。此外如旋覆花之写作“全福花”，神曲之写作“神曲”，薿冬之写作“款冬”，无一非偷工减料，积习既久，习非成是，假使你要矫正它，药名悉书原字。连药店中人都不认识，我在松江时曾经试办过，闹了不少的笑话，结果还是老样子，这是写字上的偷工减料。
谈到作文上的偷工减料，近来的国医作家，对于国医学说是否已经明白，对于本国文字，是否能够畅达，我殊不敢悬断，假使说他国医学说已经明白，本国文字已经畅达，那么一瞧他的大作，血球、液体、原子细胞、淋巴腺、肺管炎、血压、微菌等种种不见经传的名词，为其触目皆是，不说他非驴非马，不中不西。只说他卖野人头，不说他卖野人头，只说他是文思枯窘，不得不做这偷工减料的勾当。这就是作文上的偷工减料。
这几桩都是我们做郎中的偷工减料，事实俱在，欲瞒不得，有人说郎中虽然偷工减料，那国药铺却很认真，凡是国药铺中的枇杷膏，却都是用枇把叶刷净了毛煎熬成膏的，枇杷是一枚也不用，并且加的糖都是冰糖，很靠的住，写字上的偷工减料，作文上的偷工减料，虽然都是事实，幸与一般民众没甚关系，我们民众都可以不问，一任你们郎中自偷自减，我听了之后，简直是无言可答。
【卖疯妇】患有麻风病的有钱人，其病因往往源于女性。因为女性患麻风病时，表面难以察觉，便外出勾引狂放子弟以减轻自身病症；这些上当的男子又娶大量女子为妾，并教唆她们去“卖疯”（传染他人），如此循环往复，病情不断加剧，何等可怕？不过这是过去的情况，近来这种传播麻风的风气已不太常见了。
【验麻风】极轻微的麻风病，或遗传三代以内的麻风病（如祖父患过麻风），外表与常人无异，仅皮肤稍呈线纹，也很难分辨。其唯一的检验方法，是在夜间用一种黄色纸张（俗称“验疯纸”）在受检者面前燃烧。麻风病患者面部会立即呈现青紫色，成块状分布。
【治麻风】麻风虽是不治之症，但也有减轻之法：将活马腹部剖开，让患者裸卧其中，每四十八小时更换一匹马，换马次数越多，病情越轻，可避免手足肌肉溃烂的风险。但这属于土法，至于科学治疗方法，西医界虽有新发明，但尚未普及。
如此严重的恶疾，全国皆知其可怕，偏偏西医有意反对，宣称麻风不会传染给他人。有香港吕一狂先生来信询问：近日西医宣称麻风不能传染他人，且与麻风病人共同饮食起居也无妨碍，不知此言是否可信？对于未发病者，有办法检验吗？若蒙不弃，请将中医国药验证和治愈麻风的方法明示，以便刊登于报章，这也是造福百姓的途径之一。
我回答：中医论述风病，有四百多种（见《诸病源候论》），麻风属于恶风、疠风、蛊风类，均有传染给他人的可能性。至于治疗方法，头绪纷繁，必须先分经辨证，详细列举各种症状、舌苔和脉象。绝非简单随意所能答复。按经典记载，疠风的症状是营气热盛导致足胫浮肿，气血不清，致使鼻梁塌陷、面色败坏、皮肤溃疡。风寒邪气客居血脉而不离去，名为疠风，这就是该病的根源和结聚所在。
既然西医有新知识，发明麻风不会传染，那就请这位西医亲身实地试验。与麻风病人同卧同食，事实胜于雄辩，请问这位西医，想必他会首肯吧。
姚名达问病记：微菌作为一种物质，形状不一，有弓形、杆形、球形、双杆形、单杆形、最球形、单球形等。西医对这些细菌的形状精研细究，分析种类，认为万病之源皆在于此。一旦疾病涉及细菌，人们无不谈虎色变。
在我们中医看来，微菌也是令人厌恶憎恨之物，但不像西医那样将其视为万病之源。中医知道另有病源，决不在微菌之外，绝不能张冠李戴，替死扶生，使真正的病源反而逍遥法外，肆虐害人。
中医认为人体内的微菌，如同人体外的虱子一样，属于令人厌恶憎恨之物。它们令人厌恶、憎恨、有害于人，中医又何曾否认？只是绝不肯误认其为万病之源，从而转移医者的目光和精力，全神贯注于细菌，而真正的病源反而无暇顾及，导致病源潜滋暗长，肆虐不止。事实证明胜于雄辩，我并非空言，而是有感而发。民国二十四年四月三十日，乡先辈陈莲舫征君的孙子橘璇借西藏路宁波同乡会举行婚礼，我以亲戚身份受邀观礼。宴会结束回寓所时，已是十点半，老友朱大可、陈澹龠及两位新朋友在诊室等候我，朱大可还带着他的儿子小可。
澹龠为我介绍新朋友之一，是姚名达先生，暨南大学和复旦大学教授。姚先生为其夫人求医设计，我问病情，姚先生说：“我妻子曾生育五六胎，现又怀孕六个月，此前因头痛看西医，西医认为肺病相当严重，不先打掉胎儿就无法治疗。我妻子不愿打胎。西医说：‘不打胎也可以，但无法速愈。’于是天天给她打针。”我问咳嗽吗？姚先生说：“没有。”我妻子的头痛，虽然经过西医悉心治疗，丝毫未见功效，后来疼痛加剧，手臂也受牵连。此时用X光检查，才知道肺病并不严重。西医又说这手臂疼痛可能是风病，于是改打风湿针，也未见效。近来头痛更剧烈，甚至夜不能寐，项背僵硬，西医说此症变成了脑脊髓炎，必须入院治疗。接连咨询几位西医，说法都一样。于是送入医院，院医说此症严重，已到不治地步，绝无办法，要我签字，生死听天由命。姚先生说话带江南口音，朱大可怕我不懂，便为他翻译。
朱大可说，姚夫人是当代女作家，在霞飞路523号开设女子书店。该书店出品大半是姚夫人的作品。我大为感念，此病者为我国女界杰出人才，定当竭尽全力诊治。于是告诉姚先生：“尊夫人既经众多西医细心诊治，认为是无办法的不治之症，我怎敢以未曾诊治过的病症，声称一定有把握？但是病人住院是为了求愈。现在院医既言绝无办法，则住院与不住院效果相等。为您设计，当以尽快出院为先决问题。早一刻出院，即可早一刻设法。”姚先生要求先开一方药，于是我写了一个小方，药仅两味：鲜竹叶六钱，鲜生地二两。姚先生又问对此症究竟有无把握。我说：“须诊过才能下断语。现在最重要的是出院一事。”次日五月一日午后，姚先生来电，言病人状况颇佳。我问昨日药服了吗？回答说已服完。问何时出院？回答说须明日。二日我晨午晚三次致电女子书店，问姚夫人是否回家？回答说仍住医院。爱莫能助啊！三日午后，姚先生来寓，我劈头就问夫人是否出院？姚先生说未曾出院。我说：“那么病势应当已减轻？”姚先生说病人两眼昏花不能视物。我惊讶地说：“肝肾绝矣。”姚先生说院医既无办法，又不许出院，每天只抽取病人脊部积水。说到此处泪眼婆娑，此时我唯有以言语宽慰而已。
我对此事有几个疑问：偶患头痛，何以确知其是肺病？在我们中医看来，肺之脉不上头，头痛怎能断为肺病？西医即使不懂脉理，也应知道头与肺的距离。此种诊断，我不能理解，这是一。
即使确实是肺病，病在肺，治肺即可，与胎儿何干？胎儿居于胞宫在下，肺居于上焦在上。肺与胎儿风马牛不相及，何以必以打胎为先决问题？我们中医治病，病不由胎引起，即使同处下焦，也绝无舍病打胎的道理。此种诊断，我不能理解，这是二。人命至重，学识有限，我们中医遇到严重疾病，自审不能解决者，必叫病家另请高明，不但口头嘱咐，并且书面写明，决不肯既无办法，又不放手，贻误病机。贵西医不放姚夫人出院，我们中医诚然莫测高深，此种办法，我不能理解，这是三。敢请贵西医将以上理由，在报纸上逐一披露，企盼回应。
姚名达问病记书后：我起草姚名达问病记刚付印，遇到朱其石先生。其石是大可的弟弟，也与姚先生相识。其石说：“名达夫人已死在医院中，您知道吗？”我说：“目昏不能视，肝肾两绝，我早就断定她必死。”其石说：“姚夫人若早延中医诊治，当不至于此。”我说：“中医虽未必尽愈诸病，然分经用药，标本兼顾，比较利多弊少。”其石说：“姚夫人死了，遗雏呱呱啼哭，顿成失母之儿，姚君晚归，幼儿牵衣索母，此情此景，可悯可伤。”我说：“死者不可复生，追悔亦已无及。我愿姚夫人死后，姚夫人的朋友、姚君的朋友，常以姚夫人就诊的情形铭记于心，刻之于骨，永远不忘。我愿世间人与姚夫人同病者，也以姚夫人就诊的情况时时忆及，引姚夫人为前车之鉴，使一误不致再误。我还担心姚夫人死后，后继者成为姚夫人第二、第三，则后顾茫茫，殊可悲耳。”因此在姚名达问病记后，又展纸濡笔，作书后之篇。
枇杷膏：市售枇杷膏，看报纸广告文字，所述功效宣传已不遗余力，真若可信。然而这种枇杷膏，究竟是枇杷果实煎熬而成，还是枇杷叶煎熬而成？在药性上，枇杷果的功效与枇杷叶的功效大不相同。国药铺的枇杷膏，是用枇杷叶煎熬而成，不是用枇杷果实煎熬而成。考枇杷，甘平润肺，涤热生津，多食即助湿生痰。枇杷叶味苦气平，隆冬不凋，盛夏不萎，禀激浊扬清之性，抱忘炎耐冷之姿。静而能宣，凡风温、温热、暑燥诸邪在肺者，皆可藉以保柔金而肃治节，香而不燥。凡湿温、疫疠、秽毒之邪在胃者，皆可用以澄浊气而廓中州。所以枇杷叶能清肺化痰止嗽，枇杷果膏能助湿生痰滑肠。现在枇杷上市，尚望熬膏者注意及此。弃果用叶，则于病人较能有益。按枇杷为闲食品，自古从未入药，果与叶品性悬殊，万难通融，不可不知。
电台医学问题：士谔大医师道鉴：年来读《金刚钻》，得诵洪篇巨论，不胜敬佩，数载于兹。鄙人素好斯道，第囿于愚陋，勿能有得。昨逢敝处医士某，涉谈及温热一症，彼据“饿不死伤寒”一语，深言温热初起，必不可食。须病痊已后方能纳谷。即使缠绵不解，兼旬累月，亦遵是戒。鄙意人以胃气为本，平人绝谷，尚且伤生，况以抱病之人，岂可使绝食哉？损谷则可耳。此二说未知孰正，敢乞一言以为遵守，不悉能不责其荒谬，而赐以教言否？敬惠然不弃，畀以片言，即请于《金刚钻》上发挥，且公同好，则幸甚。冒渎清神，不胜抱歉之至。专恳即祝道安。林×上。
伤寒原属外感之总名，温热亦是伤寒之一种。俗称“饿不死伤寒”，当是指寒湿、湿温而言。缘湿浊阻滞，必有胸闷、胃呆、泛恶诸症。此时胃中满贮湿浊，非但不欲食，亦不能食也。“饿不死”一语，当是对病人家属而言，换一句话，即叫他不欲强劝病人努力加餐，并不是禁止病人进谷。病人如果湿化，知饥索食，亦不禁也。不过不能使之过饱耳。若云一病伤寒，即禁谷食，实是误会，试观仲景《伤寒论》，服桂枝汤后，须啜热稀粥，白虎汤、桃花汤中，俱有粳米，仲景为医圣，其治伤寒之法如此。胃为水谷之海，人生在世，有胃气则生，无胃气则死。谬语流传，实不可信，为吾传语浙东，以免彼此贻误。敬复。
郎中之偷工减料：郎中是国医的普通名称，为了通俗起见，秉笔为文，我叫同道，不曰国医，而曰郎中。郎中瞧见了吾文，休要动恼，就为我自己也是个郎中，记得《聊斋》有“狐谐”一则。狐向人说，我不骂人骂狐如何？我现在也是狐骂狐的法子，未曾开场先打招呼，诸位郎中，休再怒目相向。
郎中最欢喜偷工减料，有讲话上的偷工减料，有写字上的偷工减料，有作文上的偷工减料。
先提起讲话上的偷工减料，如病证中之麻黄汤证，桂枝汤证，白虎汤证，柴胡汤证，栀豉汤证，总要偷工减料，减去一个“汤”字，称它为麻黄证，桂枝证，白虎证，柴胡证，栀豉证。药品中之枇杷叶膏，是清热泄风、化痰止嗽要药，偏偏偷工减料，减去一个“叶”字，称它为枇杷膏。这一个字看去很是平常的，却不道关系很是重大，几被它大误苍生，就为普通的人，大都循名而不察实，听说是枇杷膏，只道是枇杷煎熬的，不复知是枇杷叶煎熬的，那里知道枇杷的药性，与枇杷叶的药性，枇杷的功用与枇杷叶的功用，大是不同，万万不可通融，万万不可迁就。枇杷的药性，是甘平润肺；枇杷叶的药性，是味苦气平，这是不同之一。枇杷的功效，是涤痰生津；枇杷叶的功效，是隆冬不凋，盛夏不萎，禀激浊扬清之性，抱忘炎耐冷之姿，静而能宣。凡风温、温热、暑燥诸邪在肺者，皆可藉以保柔金而肃治节；香而不燥，凡湿温、疫疠、秽毒之邪在胃者，皆可用以澄浊气而廓中州，这是不同之二。多啖枇杷，就要助湿生痰。常服枇杷叶可以清暑辟秽，这是不同之三。枇杷是闲食品，不是药品，枇杷煎熬的膏，根本上丝毫没有用处。方子中之柴胡桂枝汤，明明是小柴胡汤与桂枝汤的复方，偏偏偷工减料，减去“胡”字“枝”字两个字，变成了柴桂汤，猛一瞧时，只道此方只有柴胡、桂枝二味药呢，这是讲话上的偷工减料。
再讲那写字上的偷工减料，如人参之参字，写作“参”字，偷工减料也。天门冬、麦门冬之门字，写作“门”字，偷工减料也。泽泻之泻字，写作“泻”字；黄蘖之蘖字，写作“柏”字，偷工减料也。生姜的姜字，写作“姜”字；穀芽之穀字，写作“谷”字，偷工减料也。茈胡之茈字，写作“柴”字；竹茹之茹字，写作“茹”字，偷工减料也。此外如旋覆花之写作“全福花”，神曲之写作“神曲”，款冬之写作“款冬”，无一非偷工减料，积习既久，习非成是，假使你要矫正它，药名悉书原字，连药店中人都不认识，我在松江时曾经试办过，闹了不少的笑话，结果还是老样子，这是写字上的偷工减料。
谈到作文上的偷工减料，近来的国医作家，对于国医学说是否已经明白，对于本国文字，是否能够畅达，我殊不敢悬断，假使说他国医学说已经明白，本国文字已经畅达，那么一瞧他的大作，血球、液体、原子细胞、淋巴腺、肺管炎、血压、微菌等种种不见经传的名词，为其触目皆是，不说他非驴非马，不中不西，只说他卖野人头，不说他卖野人头，只说他是文思枯窘，不得不做这偷工减料的勾当。这就是作文上的偷工减料。
这几桩都是我们做郎中的偷工减料，事实俱在，欲瞒不得，有人说郎中虽然偷工减料，那国药铺却很认真，凡是国药铺中的枇杷膏，却都是用枇杷叶刷净了毛煎熬成膏的，枇杷是一枚也不用，并且加的糖都是冰糖，很靠得住，写字上的偷工减料，作文上的偷工减料，虽然都是事实，幸与一般民众没甚关系，我们民众都可以不问，一任你们郎中自偷自减，我听了之后，简直是无言可答。
[The Seller of Leprosy] Wealthy individuals suffering from leprosy often acquire the disease through sexual relations with women. Because women infected with leprosy are difficult to detect externally, they may seduce reckless young men to alleviate their own symptoms; these deceived men then marry many women as concubines and instruct them to "sell leprosy" (infect others), creating a vicious cycle that exacerbates the condition, which is truly terrifying. However, this was the situation in the past; recently, this trend of spreading leprosy has become less common.
[Testing for Leprosy] Extremely mild cases of leprosy, or hereditary leprosy within three generations (e.g., if the grandfather had leprosy), appear indistinguishable from normal people, except for slight linear patterns on the skin, making it hard to distinguish. The only method of verification is to burn a specific yellow paper (commonly known as "leprosy-testing paper") in front of the person being tested at night. Patients with leprosy will immediately show a bluish-purple discoloration on their face in patchy areas.
[Treatment of Leprosy] Although leprosy is considered incurable, there is a method to alleviate it: cut open the abdomen of a live horse and let the patient lie naked inside it. Change the horse every 48 hours; the more horses used, the lighter the illness becomes, avoiding the risk of ulceration of muscles in the hands and feet. However, this is a folk remedy. Regarding scientific treatments, although new inventions have emerged in Western medicine, they have not yet become widespread.
Such a severe and dreaded disease is known nationwide, yet Western medicine deliberately opposes this view, claiming that leprosy is not contagious. Mr. Lv Yikuang from Hong Kong wrote to inquire: Recently, Western doctors claim that leprosy cannot be transmitted to others and that sharing food and living quarters with lepers poses no harm. Is this statement credible? Is there a method to test those who have not yet shown symptoms? If you do not disdain me, please clearly explain the methods of Chinese medicine and pharmacology for verifying and curing leprosy, so they can be published in newspapers, thereby benefiting the common people.
My reply: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) discusses wind diseases, listing over four hundred types (see *Zhubing Yuanhou Lun*). Leprosy belongs to categories such as Evil Wind, Li Feng (Leprosy), and Gu Feng, all of which have the potential to be contagious. As for treatment, the approaches are complex and require differentiation by meridian and syndrome, detailing various symptoms, tongue coating, and pulse conditions. It cannot be answered simply or casually. According to classics, the symptoms of Li Feng include heat in the Ying Qi causing swelling of the lower legs, unclear Qi leading to collapse of the nasal bridge, deterioration of complexion, and ulceration of the skin. When Wind-Cold pathogens lodge in the vessels and do not depart, it is named Li Feng; this is the root source and accumulation of the disease.
Since Western medicine claims new knowledge that leprosy is not contagious, I invite this Western doctor to conduct a practical experiment: cohabiting and dining with lepers. Facts speak louder than arguments. I ask this Western doctor, surely he would agree.
Record of Yao Mingda's Inquiry about Illness: Microorganisms, as substances, vary in shape: bow-shaped, rod-shaped, spherical, double-rod shaped, single-rod shaped, most spherical, single spherical, etc. Western medicine studies these bacterial shapes meticulously and analyzes their types, believing that the source of all diseases lies here. Once a disease involves bacteria, people turn pale at the mere mention.
In our TCM perspective, microorganisms are also disgusting and detestable, but unlike Western medicine, we do not consider them the source of all diseases. TCM knows there is another source of disease, definitely not outside of microorganisms. We must not confuse one thing for another or substitute life for death, allowing the true source of disease to escape punishment and wreak havoc.
TCM regards microorganisms inside the human body as similar to lice outside the body—both are disgusting and detestable. Do we deny that they are disgusting, detestable, and harmful? No. But we absolutely refuse to mistakenly identify them as the source of all diseases, which would divert the attention and energy of practitioners solely towards bacteria, neglecting the true source of disease, allowing it to grow secretly and wreak endless havoc. Facts prove better than arguments; I am not speaking empty words but am moved to speak. On April 30, 1935 (Republic of China Year 24), Ju Xuan, grandson of my fellow townsman and senior Chen Lianfang, held his wedding ceremony at the Ningbo Fellow Townsmen Association on Tibet Road. Invited as a relative, I attended. After the banquet, returning home at 10:30 PM, old friends Zhu Dake, Chen Danyue, and two new acquaintances were waiting in my consulting room. Zhu Dake brought his son, Xiao Ke.
Danyue introduced one of the new friends, Mr. Yao Mingda, a professor at Jinan University and Fudan University. Mr. Yao sought advice for his wife's illness. I asked about her condition. Mr. Yao said: "My wife has given birth five or six times and is now six months pregnant. Previously, she consulted Western doctors for headaches. They believed her lung disease was quite serious and insisted that the fetus must be aborted before treatment could proceed. My wife refused. The Western doctor said, 'If you refuse abortion, you cannot expect a quick cure.' Thus, she received daily injections." I asked if she coughed. Mr. Yao said: "No." Despite careful treatment by Western doctors, her headache showed no improvement and worsened, extending to her arms. An X-ray examination revealed that her lung disease was not serious. The Western doctor then suggested the arm pain might be rheumatism and switched to rheumatism injections, which were also ineffective. Recently, her headache became even more severe, preventing sleep, accompanied by stiffness in the neck and back. The Western doctor diagnosed this as meningitis/myelitis, insisting hospitalization was necessary. Several Western doctors gave the same opinion. She was admitted to the hospital. The hospital doctors stated the condition was critical and untreatable, requiring my signature on a document stating life and death depend on fate. Mr. Yao spoke with a Jiangnan accent. Zhu Dake, fearing I might not understand, translated for him.
Zhu Dake said: Mrs. Yao is a contemporary female writer who runs a Women's Bookstore at No. 523 Xiafei Road. Most products sold there are her works. I deeply respect her as an outstanding talent among women in our country and will exert all my efforts to treat her. I told Mr. Yao: "Since your wife has been carefully treated by many Western doctors who deemed it untreatable, how dare I claim certainty for a condition I have not yet examined? However, the patient is hospitalized seeking a cure. Since the hospital doctors say there is no hope, hospitalization makes no difference. For your sake, the priority should be discharge. The sooner she is discharged, the sooner we can find a solution." Mr. Yao requested a prescription first. I wrote a small formula with only two herbs: Fresh Bamboo Leaves (6 qian) and Fresh Rehmannia Root (2 liang). Mr. Yao asked again if I had confidence in this condition. I said: "I must examine the patient before making a judgment. The most urgent matter now is discharge." The next day, May 1st, afternoon, Mr. Yao called to report the patient's condition was quite good. I asked if the medicine was taken. He replied it was finished. I asked when she would be discharged. He said the next day. On the 2nd, I called the Women's Bookstore three times (morning, noon, evening) to ask if Mrs. Yao had returned home. The reply was still in the hospital. Helpless! On the afternoon of the 3rd, Mr. Yao came to my residence. I immediately asked if his wife had been discharged. He said no. I said: "Then the condition must have improved?" He said the patient's eyes were dim and unable to see. I exclaimed: "The Liver and Kidneys are exhausted." Mr. Yao said the hospital doctors had no办法 and did not allow discharge, only draining fluid from the patient's spine. Speaking of this, tears welled up in his eyes. At this moment, I could only offer verbal comfort.
I have several doubts regarding this case: How can occasional headache be definitively diagnosed as lung disease? In TCM, the Lung meridian does not ascend to the head; how can headache be diagnosed as a lung disease? Even if Western doctors do not understand pulses, they should know the distance between the head and the lungs. This diagnosis is incomprehensible to me, point one.
Even if it is indeed lung disease, the pathology is in the Lung; treating the Lung suffices. What does the fetus have to do with it? The fetus resides in the Uterus below, while the Lung resides in the Upper Jiao above. The Lung and the fetus are unrelated. Why must abortion be the prerequisite? In TCM, if the disease is not caused by pregnancy, even if located in the Lower Jiao, there is no logic in abandoning the disease to abort the fetus. This diagnosis is incomprehensible to me, point two. Human life is precious. Our knowledge is limited. When encountering severe diseases that we cannot resolve, TCM practitioners advise families to seek other experts, both verbally and in writing. We never refuse to help while simultaneously refusing to release the patient, thereby delaying the optimal treatment time. Your Western colleagues' refusal to discharge Mrs. Yao is profound and unfathomable to us. This method is incomprehensible to me, point three. I respectfully request that your Western colleagues publish these reasons in the newspaper one by one. I await your response.
Postscript to Record of Yao Mingda's Inquiry: After drafting the Record of Yao Mingda's Inquiry and submitting it for publication, I met Mr. Zhu Qishi. Qishi is Dake's younger brother and also knew Mr. Yao. Qishi said: "Mr. Mingda's wife has died in the hospital. Do you know?" I said: "Her eyes were dim and unable to see; the Liver and Kidneys were exhausted. I had long predicted her death." Qishi said: "If Mrs. Yao had sought TCM treatment earlier, this would not have happened." I said: "Although TCM may not cure all diseases, by prescribing according to meridians and addressing both root and branch, the benefits outweigh the harms." Qishi said: "Mrs. Yao is dead. Her orphan cries loudly, suddenly becoming a motherless child. When Mr. Yao returns late, the toddler pulls his clothes asking for mother. This scene is pitiable and heartbreaking." I said: "The dead cannot be revived; regret is useless. I wish that after Mrs. Yao's death, her friends and Mr. Yao's friends will always remember the circumstances of her medical consultation, engraving it in their hearts and bones. I wish those in the world suffering from similar illnesses to Mrs. Yao will constantly recall her case, using her as a warning to avoid repeating mistakes. I fear that after Mrs. Yao's death, successors will become 'Second Mrs. Yao' or 'Third Mrs. Yao,' leaving the future bleak and tragic." Therefore, after the Record of Yao Mingda's Inquiry, I unrolled the paper and dipped the brush to write this postscript.
Loquat Paste: Commercial Loquat Paste advertisements boast extensively of its efficacy, seeming trustworthy. However, is this paste made from loquat fruit or loquat leaves? Pharmacologically, the functions of loquat fruit and loquat leaves differ significantly. National Drug Stores' Loquat Paste is made from decocting loquat leaves, not loquat fruit. Loquat fruit is sweet and neutral, moistens the Lung, clears heat, and generates fluids; excessive consumption promotes dampness and phlegm production. Loquat leaf is bitter and neutral, remains green in deep winter and does not wither in midsummer. It possesses the nature of clearing turbidity and promoting clarity, enduring cold and heat. Calm yet capable of dispersing, it protects the delicate Metal (Lung) and regulates governance against Wind-Warmth, Warm-Thermal, Summer-Heat-Dryness pathogens in the Lung. Fragrant but not drying, it clarifies turbid Qi and purifies the Middle Jiao against Damp-Warmth, Epidemic Toxins, and Filthy Poisons in the Stomach. Therefore, Loquat Leaf clears Lung heat, transforms phlegm, and stops coughing, whereas Loquat Fruit Paste promotes dampness, generates phlegm, and causes loose stools. With loquats now in season, I hope paste makers pay attention to this. Discarding the fruit for the leaf benefits patients more. Historically, loquat fruit has never been used as medicine. The properties of fruit and leaf are vastly different and cannot be interchanged. This must be known.
Radio Medical Question: Respected Physician Shuo: Over the years, reading *The Diamond*, I have admired your grand treatises. I have loved this field but remain limited by my ignorance. Yesterday, a local physician mentioned Warm-Thermal disease, citing the saying "Starvation does not kill Typhoid," arguing that Warm-Thermal disease at onset strictly forbids eating. One must wait until recovery to eat grains. Even if the disease lingers for weeks or months, this rule applies. My view is that Stomach Qi is the foundation of life. Even healthy people suffer harm from fasting, let alone the sick. Should they be forced to fast? Reducing food intake is acceptable. I do not know which view is correct. I beg for your guidance to follow. If you do not disdain my ignorance, please provide some words for *The Diamond* to share with enthusiasts. I apologize for disturbing your spirit. Respectfully wishing you peace. Lin X.
Typhoid originally belongs to the general category of External Contraction; Warm-Thermal is also a type of Typhoid. The colloquial saying "Starvation does not kill Typhoid" likely refers to Cold-Damp or Damp-Warmth. Due to obstruction by turbid dampness, symptoms such as chest fullness, poor appetite, and nausea inevitably occur. At this time, the stomach is filled with damp-turbidity; not only is there no desire to eat, but eating is also impossible. The phrase "starvation does not kill" is directed at the patient's family, meaning do not force-feed the patient, rather than prohibiting food entirely. If the dampness resolves and the patient feels hungry and asks for food, it is not forbidden, provided they are not overfed. If one claims that contracting Typhoid means banning all food, it is a misunderstanding. Observe Zhang Zhongjing's *Treatise on Cold Damage*: after taking Guizhi Tang, one must drink hot thin porridge; Baizhu Tang and Taohua Tang both contain Coix Seed (Job's Tears). Zhang Zhongjing, the Sage of Medicine, treated Typhoid thus. The Stomach is the sea of water and grain. Life exists with Stomach Qi and dies without it. This erroneous saying is unbelievable. Please convey this to Eastern Zhejiang to avoid mutual delay. Respectfully replying.
Physicians' Cutting Corners: "Langzhong" is the common name for TCM practitioners. For simplicity, I refer to my colleagues as Langzhong rather than TCM physicians. If Langzhongs read this article, do not be angry. Since I am also a Langzhong, recalling a story from *Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio* ("The Fox's Wit"), where a fox says, "Why don't I scold foxes instead of people?" I adopt the same method: scolding foxes. Before starting, I greet you, Langzhongs, please do not glare.
Langzhongs love cutting corners the most, whether in speech, writing characters, or composing texts.
First, cutting corners in speech: For example, in syndromes like Mahuang Tang Syndrome, Guizhi Tang Syndrome, Baihu Tang Syndrome, Chaihu Tang Syndrome, Zhichi Tang Syndrome, practitioners often omit the character "Tang" (Decoction), calling them Mahuang Syndrome, Guizhi Syndrome, etc. Regarding medicines, Pipa Ye Gao (Loquat Leaf Paste) is a crucial herb for clearing heat, expelling wind, transforming phlegm, and stopping coughs. Yet, corner-cutting occurs by omitting the character "Ye" (Leaf), calling it Pipa Gao (Loquat Paste). This seemingly ordinary character causes major confusion. Ordinary people, following names without examining reality, hear "Loquat Paste" and assume it is made from loquat fruit, not realizing it is made from loquat leaves. They fail to realize that the properties and functions of loquat fruit and loquat leaves are vastly different and cannot be interchanged. Loquat fruit is sweet and neutral, moistening the Lung; Loquat leaf is bitter and neutral. This is difference one. Loquat fruit transforms phlegm and generates fluids; Loquat leaf remains evergreen, clearing turbidity and promoting clarity, protecting the Lung against Wind-Warmth and Damp-Warmth, and purifying the Stomach against Epidemic Toxins. This is difference two. Excessive consumption of loquat fruit promotes dampness and phlegm; regular use of Loquat Leaf clears summer-heat and dispels filth. This is difference three. Loquat is a snack, not medicine. Paste made from loquat fruit is fundamentally useless. In formulas, Chaihu Guizhi Tang is clearly a combined formula of Xiaochaihu Tang and Guizhi Tang. Corner-cutting omits "Hu" and "Zhi," turning it into Chaigui Tang. At first glance, one might think it contains only Chaihu and Guizhi. This is cutting corners in speech.
Next, cutting corners in writing characters: Writing "Shen" (Ginseng) as "Can"; writing "Men" (Gate) for Tianmendong and Maimendong as "Men"; writing "Xie" (Drain) for Zexie as "Xie"; writing "Bo" (Cypress) for Huangbai as "Bo"; writing "Jiang" (Ginger) as "Jiang"; writing "Gu" (Grain) for Guya as "Gu"; writing "Chai" (Firewood) for Cihu as "Chai"; writing "Ru" (Bamboo Shoot) for Zhuru as "Ru". Additionally, writing Xuanfuhua as Quanfu Hua, Shenqu as Shenqu, Kuandonghua as Kuandong. All are corner-cutting. Long-standing habits make wrong seem right. If you try to correct it by using original characters, even pharmacy staff won't recognize them. I tried this in Songjiang, causing much ridicule, and the result remained unchanged. This is cutting corners in writing.
Regarding cutting corners in composition: Recent TCM authors' understanding of TCM theory and proficiency in native language are questionable. If they understood theory and language well, their works would not be filled with unorthodox terms like blood cells, liquids, atomic cells, lymph glands, bronchitis, blood pressure, microorganisms, etc. Instead of calling them hybrids of East and West, I call it selling wild heads (making false claims) or simply having dry literary inspiration, forcing them to cut corners. This is cutting corners in composition.
These are the corner-cutting practices of us Langzhongs. Facts are undeniable. Some say that although Langzhongs cut corners, National Drug Stores are rigorous. Their Loquat Paste is made from cleaned Loquat Leaves, using no fruit, and adding rock sugar, making it reliable. While writing and compositional corner-cutting are facts, fortunately, they do not greatly affect the general public. We can ignore them and let Langzhongs cut corners as they wish. Hearing this, I am speechless.