典藏书目

In the mid-summer of the Guisi year, the parents of Wu Bilu (a member of the Ministry of Justice), concerned that their second son, Mr. Xiantai, was suffering from red and painful eyes, and fearing an inspection by the Education Commissioner, sought rapid results. They followed the advice of eye specialists, using exclusively cold-natured herbs to treat the condition. After two months, there was no improvement.

Another eye specialist examined him and stated that eye diseases should not be treated with excessive cold-natured herbs, as this might cause the blood to congeal like ice. Consequently, warm-tonic formulas were used, consisting of Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) 5 qian and Gou Qi Zi (Lycium Fruit) 1 liang. A total of five to six jin of Ren Shen and Gou Qi Zi were consumed. The result was severe eyelid swelling resembling a peach, making it impossible to open the eyes.

A further specialist remarked: "Redness, swelling, and pain clearly indicate a Heat syndrome. Misusing warm tonics has exacerbated the Heat, inevitably worsening the swelling. Given the current severity, even a hundred doses of cold herbs would hardly cure it. The most expedient method is purgation; this is the technique of 'removing firewood from under the cauldron'." Seeking quick relief, Mr. Xiantai agreed to purgation. Large doses of Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma), Mang Xiao (Natrii Sulfas), and Zhi Qiao (Aurantii Fructus) were administered, resulting in five or six bowel movements. This led to decreased appetite, nausea, and aversion to wind, rendering him unable to leave his room.

Another specialist deemed the previous treatment inappropriate, arguing that after severe purgation, tonification was necessary. Upon resuming tonification, the eye swelling returned to its previous state.

Yet another eye practitioner claimed: "Eye diseases are mostly Heat syndromes and rarely Cold syndromes. One should nourish Kidney Water; when Water ascends, Fire descends naturally, and the eye disease will heal." Relying on Yin-nourishing and Fire-descending formulas, he suffered from seminal emission without control after just a few doses, experiencing nocturnal emissions one or twice a night, leading to significant depletion of Shen (Spirit) and Qi. Tonification aggravated the eye swelling and pain, while Fire-descending methods caused leakage of Jing (Essence). Repeated attempts yielded the same results. All physicians were at a loss and withdrew.

A letter was sent via envoy from Huaiyin to Haiyang, requesting the local magistrate's introduction to invite me for treatment. Initially, I feared the long distance. However, after repeated entreaties from Mr. Zhu, who emphasized my reputation for valuing righteousness, I could not decline due to distance. Thus, I packed my bags and traveled there.

Upon arrival, I took his pulse: the Cun position on the left was very short; the Cun position on the right was large but forceless; the Guan position on the left was wiry and weak; the Guan position on the right was slippery; and both Chi positions were slippery. I observed him sitting within a curtain, afraid to expose himself to even slight wind. I asked about his daily food intake. He replied: "Three times a day, approximately two bowls; I cannot consume any meat or fish." I asked: "Is your sleep peaceful?" He answered: "Recently, sleep has been very distressing. As soon as I close my eyes, I have terrifying nightmares—being bitten by tigers or snakes, having ghosts come to capture my soul, falling off bridges or into wells, or losing arguments over doors. I wake up suddenly in a cold sweat, with limbs paralyzed and unable to move, calming down only after a while. It is fortunate that you have traveled a thousand miles here; it demonstrates your noble character." I said: "You originally had no major illness. Your wretched state is solely due to excessive purgation and excessive tonification. Those specialists are unreliable. The Classics state that the essence of the Five Zang organs flows upward to the eyes. These specialists rigidly adhere to fixed methods, unaware of the fullness or emptiness of the Five Zang, the waxing and waning of Yin and Yang, and the dynamic changes. In my humble opinion, simple regulation will suffice. Based on your pulse, the Heart Shen and Spleen Zhi are mutually deficient, and Liver-Gallbladder Fire is stagnant and undispersed, causing Bi obstruction in the eyes. By nourishing the Heart and Spleen and strengthening Shen and Zhi, your diet will increase, sleep will stabilize, Jing will be retained, and Shen Shui (ocular fluid) will be abundant. How could the eye Bi not heal?"

Mr. Xiantai said: "Very well. Please prescribe." I prescribed Gui Pi Tang (Restore the Spleen Decoction), removing Huang Qi (Astragali Radix) and Mu Xiang (Aucklandiae Radix), and adding Dan Shen (Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix) to tonify the Heart and Spleen. I also prescribed Da An Wan (Great Peace Pill) specifically to assist the Spleen and Stomach in digesting grains, preventing the formation of new Phlegm, thereby allowing Qi and Blood to flourish daily.

After five days, his appetite increased. After ten days, nightmares decreased, and he could go outside without fear of wind or sun. After half a month, muscle mass improved, and his eyes could see chess games, showing signs of complete recovery.

Unexpectedly, the son of the specialist Zhang arrived again, applying white eye drops frequently, seven or eight times a day. Consequently, his eyes became unable to open again, and his eyelids were covered with wind-corns (small bumps). Fortunately, I was traveling to Nanjing at the time, which ultimately led to mismanagement. Later, thanks to Li Shaotang, who removed the wind-corns, his eyes could finally open. Although Li was skilled in manual techniques, he had not yet penetrated the profound mysteries of Xuanti (referring to Yellow Emperor and Qibo, symbols of TCM classics). When I returned from Nanjing, I saw that although the left eye had healed, the right eye had eventually developed Nei Zhang (internal cataract-like opacity). Therefore, I say: "Specialists are unreliable." Is this merely empty talk?