有外因者。如感冒风寒温湿之气而发热者。宜即发散之和解之。以除其热可也。苟失而
不治。热甚发搐。此外因之病也。宜导赤散泻青丸主之。
有内因者。如伤饮食发热者。即宜消导之下之。如保和丸三黄枳术丸之类。以除其热可
苟失而不治。热甚发搐。此内因之病也。当视大小便如何。如大便不通。先去其宿食。宜木
香槟榔丸及胆导法。大便润。以辰砂五苓散琥珀抱龙丸主之。
有不内外因者。如有惊恐。或客忤中恶得之。盖心藏神。惊有伤神。肾藏志与精。恐有
。经云。随神往来谓之魂。并精出入谓之魄。故神伤则魂离。精伤则魄散。小儿神志怯弱。
猝有惊恐。所以精神溃乱。魂魄飞扬。气逆痰聚。乃发搐也。客忤中恶。出其不意。大人且
惊。况小儿乎。宜先去其痰。辰砂膏主之。后安其神。琥珀抱龙丸主之。有热者。东垣安神
丸。下痰之药慎勿用轻粉巴豆之类。恐伤元气。损脾胃。误杀小儿。
钱氏抱龙丸 治小儿风痰。热甚昏睡。急惊。
雄黄（飞四钱） 天竺黄（四钱） 胆星（八钱） 朱砂（水飞净四钱） 麝香（三分） 上为末
。煮甘草膏为丸。芡实大。薄荷汤化下。
辰砂膏 以通心气。
朱砂（飞一钱） 牙硝（二钱五分） 雄黄（飞二钱五分） 麝香（二字） 金箔（十五片） 银
十五片） 白附子（三钱） 枳壳（炒三钱） 川芎（四钱） 白茯苓（四钱） 人参（二钱） 黄连（
二钱） 远志（二钱） 除前六味另碾。后七味共为末和匀。蜜丸芡实大。每服一丸。麦门冬
煎汤化下。此朱砂膏加减。
或问。热甚则生痰。痰甚则发搐。钱氏有利惊丸以下其痰。陈氏有芎蝎散以吐其痰。皆
否。予曰。药不执方。合宜而可用也。儿壮实者。吐之下之病则止。儿弱怯者。不可孟浪。
反伤元气。大抵痰在咽喉之中。壅塞沾滞。药食不能入者。则宜吐而去之。此在上者越而治
之法也。宜用僵蚕牙皂炙焦等分研末。每服少许。以土牛膝根自然汁灌之即吐。吐后却进下
痰药。如五色三黄丸。礞石滚痰丸。辰砂膏。皆可用之。
辰砂膏 下痰甚妙。
飞辰砂（三钱） 硼砂（一钱半） 马牙硝（一钱半） 玄明粉（二钱） 全蝎（去毒一钱） 珍
（一钱） 麝香（一字） 上为末和匀。用好油单纸包起。自然成膏。每用一粒许。治诸惊薄荷
汤下。治胎惊乳汁调枣汤下。
予初习医。治一儿二岁发搐而死。请予至。举家痛哭。乃阻之。告其父曰。此儿面色未
手足未冷。乃气结痰壅而闷绝。非真死也。取艾作小炷。灸两手中冲穴。火方及肉而醒。大
哭。父母皆喜。遂用家传治惊方。以雄黄解毒丸十五丸利其痰。凉惊丸二十五丸去其热。合
之薄荷煎汤送下。须臾利下黄涎。搐止矣。予归。父问用何药。如是速效。全具以告父。父
语母曰。吾有子矣。
一儿发搐痰壅。有医用白饼子下之。不退。凡三下。病益深。合目昏睡。不哭不乳。喉
鸣。上气喘促。大便时下。予曰。五脏气绝。病不可治。转下之过也。彼医曰。白饼子钱氏
下痰神方也。予曰。尽信书则不如无书。钱氏小儿。皆出于门人附会之说也。盖人之有痰。
犹木之有津。时令大热。草木流津。痰自热生。此明验也。痰犹水也。附气自行。过颡在山
。岂水之性哉。乃搏激使之也。今痰随火上。不知降火。而反下之。损其胃气。胃气既败。
五脏俱损。故目不开者。肝绝也。昏睡不乳者。脾绝也。啼声不出者。心绝也。喘促痰响者
。肺绝也。便溺遗失者。肾绝也。果不可治而死。
邑中有儒医。治病有奇方。唯性太执。不知通变。时有小儿发搐。予谓急惊。当用凉泻
赤散泻青丸是也。彼谓惊风者。肝火郁遏而成也。火郁则发之。小续命汤是也。人不能决。
两从之。予所治者一日而安。彼治者死。悔不信吾言。无及矣。
一儿发搐。先取善推法推之止。向后发病益危甚。予曰。推法者。乃针灸摩按之遗意也
曰。无刺大虚人。推搐之法。壮实者可用之。如怯弱者其气不行。推则有汗。反伤元气也。
其家不信予言。予曰。不死必成痫疾。半月后果死。
一儿发搐。因用推法暂退。一月后如期复发。又推之。或一月一发。或一月再发。予曰
成痫矣。推法者乃发表之意。痰聚在心。不得出也。幸初成痫者尚可治。若久则为终身痼疾
。不可治也。因立方用四色断痫丸。
黄连（五钱） 飞朱砂（二钱五分） 胆星（一钱） 白甘遂（三分） 为末。粟米糊丸。兼
猪心血杵匀丸。芡实大。每服一丸。灯草煎汤化下。夜服三次。日服一次。遂安。
癸亥二月。英山县大尹前县吴公。一子发搐。彼医以二陈汤姜汁竹沥治之。不退。公初
过罗。与全有识。承差人请之。全往视。其外候三关青气。两颊赤色。目常直视。指如捻物
。曰。此得之外感。未与发散。热入于里。钱氏曰。肝有热。则目直视。得心热则发搐。又
曰。两颊赤而目直视。必作惊风。小儿肝常有余。又乘木旺之时。当与泻肝。若二陈汤陈皮
半夏生姜之辛。皆助肝之物。经曰。以辛补之。所以无效。乃用泻青丸。以泻肝之有余。导
赤散以泻心之火。一服而搐即止。公喜谓其下曰。所见不同。用药即效。真良医也。彼到时
吾心有主。今果无忧矣。全见其胎禀素怯。脾胃自弱。恐后作搐。便成痫矣。又作琥珀丸与
之常服而安。
蕲水沙 徐淑道。一子患惊风。先求医张姓者治之。数日不效。请予往。痰喘正急。惊
发。予先治其痰。次治其搐。以次而定。唯身热犹炽。张姓者欲用解毒汤竹叶汤小柴胡汤。
予皆不可。谓之曰。小儿肝尝有余。脾尝不足。病发于肝。风木太旺。脾土受伤。此乃虚热
。勿用寒凉。致损中气也。乃用四君子汤加炙黄 炒黑干姜。一服而安。
一小儿年五岁。梦中惊哭。抱其母叫怕。此因被惊吓得之。予制一方。用人参麦门冬白
黄连酸枣仁柏子仁炙甘草朱砂各等分。一半水煎。一半入地黄加炙甘草为末。山药粉糊丸黍
米大。每服二十五丸。灯草煎汤下。未尽剂而安。
一小儿周岁。发热而搐。以泻青丸投之不效。乃问其发搐之状。其母曰。搐过后则好睡
乳与之则饮。不与乳则不思乳。醒时则戏作猫儿声。见人则笑。不发搐便是好了。予曰。医
要识证。药要对证。怪底前药之不效也。以导赤散服之。一剂而安。其父问是何故。予曰。
心脏属火。其声为笑。火生于寅属虎。猫者虎之类也。猫声而笑。知非肝病。乃心病也。故
以导赤散泻其心火而安。闻者叹服。
有外因引起的。比如感受风寒温湿等邪气而发热的，应当立即采用发散和解的方法治疗，以清除热邪即可。如果延误不治疗，热势严重引发抽搐，这是外因导致的疾病。宜用导赤散、泻青丸主治。
有内因引起的。比如饮食积滞发热，应当立即采用消食导滞或攻下的方法治疗，如保和丸、三黄枳术丸之类，以清除热邪即可。如果延误不治疗，热势严重引发抽搐，这是内因导致的疾病。应当观察大小便情况。如果大便不通，先去除积滞的宿食，宜用木香槟榔丸及胆导法（胆汁灌肠）。如果大便通畅，用辰砂五苓散、琥珀抱龙丸主治。
有不内外因引起的。比如受到惊恐，或者被客忤、中恶所导致。因为心藏神，惊会损伤神；肾藏志与精，恐会损伤精。《内经》说：随神往来叫做魂，并精出入叫做魄。所以神受伤则魂离散，精受伤则魄消散。小儿神志怯弱，突然遭受惊恐，所以精神溃乱，魂魄飞扬，气逆痰聚，于是发生抽搐。客忤中恶，出其不意，大人尚且惊恐，何况小儿呢？应当先去其痰，用辰砂膏主治。后安其神，用琥珀抱龙丸主治。如果有热，用东垣安神丸。下痰的药物千万不要使用轻粉、巴豆之类，恐怕损伤元气，损害脾胃，误杀小儿。
钱氏抱龙丸：治疗小儿风痰，热盛昏睡，急惊。
雄黄（飞研四钱） 天竺黄（四钱） 胆星（八钱） 朱砂（水飞净四钱） 麝香（三分） 以上研为细末，煮甘草膏作为丸剂，如芡实大小，薄荷汤化开服用。
辰砂膏：用来通利心气。
朱砂（飞研一钱） 牙硝（二钱五分） 雄黄（飞研二钱五分） 麝香（一字） 金箔（十五片） 银箔（十五片） 白附子（三钱） 枳壳（炒三钱） 川芎（四钱） 白茯苓（四钱） 人参（二钱） 黄连（二钱） 远志（二钱） 除前六味另研成粉，后七味共研为细末混合均匀，蜜丸如芡实大小。每服一丸，麦门冬煎汤化开服用。这是朱砂膏的加减方。
有人问：热盛则生痰，痰盛则发抽搐。钱乙有利惊丸来下其痰，陈氏有芎蝎散来吐其痰，都可以吗？我说：用药不拘泥于固定方剂，合适就可以使用。身体壮实的儿童，可以用吐法和下法，病好了就停止。身体虚弱胆怯的儿童，不可鲁莽行事，反而损伤元气。大抵痰在咽喉之中，壅塞粘滞，药食不能进入的，则适宜用吐法去除它。这是“在上者越之”的治疗方法。宜用僵蚕、牙皂炙焦至等分研末，每次服用少许，用土牛膝根自然汁灌服即吐。吐完后却进服下痰药，如五色三黄丸、礞石滚痰丸、辰砂膏，都可以使用。
辰砂膏：下痰非常奇妙。
飞辰砂（三钱） 硼砂（一钱半） 马牙硝（一钱半） 玄明粉（二钱） 全蝎（去毒一钱） 珍珠（一钱） 麝香（一字） 以上研为细末混合均匀，用好油单纸包裹起来，自然成为膏状。每次用一粒左右，治各种惊风用薄荷汤送下，治胎惊用乳汁调枣汤送下。
我初学医时，治疗一个两岁儿童发抽搐而死。家属请我去，全家痛哭。我阻止了他们，告诉孩子的父亲说：“这个孩子面色未变，手足未冷，是气结痰壅导致闷绝，不是真死。”取艾绒做成小炷，灸两手的中冲穴，火刚接触到皮肤他就醒了，大哭。父母都很高兴，于是用家传治惊方，用雄黄解毒丸十五丸利其痰，凉惊丸二十五丸去其热，合在一起用薄荷煎汤送下。片刻之后拉下黄涎，抽搐停止了。我回家后，父亲问用了什么药，如此速效。我把全部情况告诉了父亲。父亲对母亲说：“我有儿子了。”
一个儿童发抽搐痰壅，有医生用白饼子攻下，不退。凡是攻下三次，病情更加深重，闭目昏睡，不哭不吃奶，喉间鸣响，上气喘促，大便不时排出。我说：五脏气绝，病不可治，这是过度攻下的过错。那个医生说：白饼子是钱乙下痰的神方。我说：尽信书则不如无书。钱乙的小儿医学，都是出于门人的附会之说。大概人之所以有痰，就像树木有津液。时令大热，草木流津，痰自热而生，这是明显的验证。痰就像水一样，依附气自行流动，通过鼻腔流出或在山上积聚，难道是水本身的性质吗？是被搏激使之如此。现在痰随火上炎，不知降火，反而攻下，损伤胃气。胃气既败，五脏俱损。所以眼睛睁不开，是肝绝；昏睡不吃奶，是脾绝；啼哭不出声，是心绝；喘促痰响，是肺绝；大小便失禁，是肾绝。果然不可治而死。
县里有一位儒医，治病有奇方，只是性格太固执，不知变通。当时有小儿发抽搐，我认为急惊风，应当用凉泻法，导赤散、泻青丸就是。他认为惊风是肝火郁遏而成，火郁则发之，用小续命汤就是。人们不能决断，两人分别治疗。我所治疗的患儿一天就安稳了，他治疗的患儿死了，后悔不信我的话，已经来不及了。
一个儿童发抽搐，先用推拿手法推之停止。后来发病更加危险严重。我说：推拿法，是针灸摩按的遗意。《内经》说：不要针刺极度虚弱的人。推拿抽搐之法，壮实者可以使用。如果体质怯弱，其气不行，推拿则有汗出，反而损伤元气。那家人不信我的劝告。我说：不死必然变成痫疾。半个月后果然死亡。
一个儿童发抽搐，因为用推拿法暂时退止。一个月后如期复发，又推拿。或者一月发作一次，或者一月发作两次。我说：这已成痫疾了。推拿法是发表的意思。痰聚在心，不得排出。幸好初成痫疾者尚可治疗，若日久则为终身痼疾，不可治疗。于是立一方用四色断痫丸。
黄连（五钱） 飞朱砂（二钱五分） 胆星（一钱） 白甘遂（三分） 研为细末，粟米糊丸，兼入猪心血杵匀制成丸剂，如芡实大小。每服一丸，灯草煎汤化开服用。夜间服三次，白天服一次。于是痊愈。
癸亥年二月，英山县大尹前任县令吴公，一个儿子发抽搐。那位医生用二陈汤加姜汁竹沥治疗，不退。吴公起初路过罗田，与我相识。承差人请我去。我去诊治，看其外候三关青气，两颊赤色，目常直视，手指像捻物动作。我说：这是得之外感，未予发散，热入于里。钱乙说：肝有热，则目直视。得心热则发抽搐。又说：两颊赤而目直视，必作惊风。小儿肝常有余，又乘木旺之时，当与泻肝。如果二陈汤中陈皮、半夏、生姜之辛，皆助肝之物。《内经》说：以辛补之。所以无效。于是用泻青丸，以泻肝之有余；导赤散以泻心之火。一服而抽搐即止。吴公高兴地对下属说：所见不同，用药即效，真是良医啊。你到时我心中已有主见，现在果然无忧了。我看他胎禀素来怯弱，脾胃自弱，恐怕日后再次抽搐，便成痫疾。又制作琥珀丸让他常服而安宁。
蕲水沙洋徐淑道，一个儿子患惊风。先求医张姓者治疗。数日不效，请我去。痰喘正急，惊风发作。我先治其痰，次治其抽搐，依次而定。唯身热犹炽。张姓者想用解毒汤、竹叶汤、小柴胡汤。我都不同意。我对他说：小儿肝常有余，脾常不足。病发于肝，风木太旺，脾土受伤，此乃虚热。不要用寒凉药物，以致损伤中气。于是用四君子汤加炙黄芪、炒黑干姜。一服而安宁。
一个五岁小儿，梦中惊哭，抱着母亲叫怕。这是因为被惊吓得所致。我制一方，用人参、麦门冬、白茯苓、黄连、酸枣仁、柏子仁、炙甘草、朱砂各等分。一半水煎，一半入地黄加炙甘草为细末，山药粉糊丸如黍米大小。每服二十五丸，灯草煎汤送下。未尽剂而痊愈。
一个周岁小儿，发热而抽搐，用泻青丸投喂不效。于是询问其发抽搐的情况。其母说：抽搐过后则好睡觉，给乳则饮，不给乳则不思乳。醒时则戏作猫儿声，见人则笑，不发抽搐便是好了。我说：医生要识证，药要对证。难怪前药不效。用导赤散服用，一剂而安宁。其父问是何缘故。我说：心脏属火，其声为笑。火生于寅属虎，猫者是虎之类也。发出猫声而笑，知非肝病，乃心病也。故用导赤散泻其心火而安宁。闻者叹服。
There are causes originating from external factors. For instance, when fever arises from contracting wind-cold or warm-damp pathogens, one should immediately employ dispersing and harmonizing methods to eliminate the heat. If neglected and untreated, severe heat may trigger convulsions; this is a disease caused by external factors. It is appropriate to treat with Daochi San (Coptis Decoction) and Xieqing Wan (Drain the Liver Pill).
There are causes originating from internal factors. For example, when fever results from dietary injury, one should immediately employ digestion-promoting and purgative methods, such as Baohe Wan (Preserve Harmony Pill) or Sanhuang Zhizhu Wan (Three-Yellow Atractylodes and Immature Bitter Orange Pill), to eliminate the heat. If neglected and untreated, severe heat may trigger convulsions; this is a disease caused by internal factors. One must observe the condition of urination and defecation. If stool is obstructed, first remove the retained food stagnation using Muxiang Binglang Wan (Costus and Areca Nut Pill) or bile enema method. If stool is moistened, treat with Chensha Wuling San (Cinnabar Five-Ingredient Powder) or Hupo Baolong Wan (Amber Protect Dragon Pill).
There are causes neither purely internal nor external. These arise from fright or shock, or from "Ke Wu" (alien influence) and "Zhong E" (sudden evil invasion). The Heart stores the Shen (Spirit); fright injures the Shen. The Kidney stores the Zhi (Will) and Jing (Essence); fear injures the Jing. The Classics state: "That which accompanies the Spirit and goes forth and returns is called Hun (Ethereal Soul); that which enters and exits with the Essence is called Po (Corporeal Soul)." Therefore, if the Shen is injured, the Hun scatters; if the Jing is injured, the Po dissipates. Children have weak Shen and Zhi; sudden fright causes mental chaos, flying Hun and Po, rebellious Qi, and phlegm accumulation, leading to convulsions. Ke Wu and Zhong E occur unexpectedly; even adults are startled, let alone children. One should first resolve the phlegm using Chensha Gao (Cinnabar Paste), then calm the Shen using Hupo Baolong Wan. If there is heat, use Dongyuan Anshen Wan (Dongyuan's Spirit-Calming Pill). Be cautious not to use heavy-calming or purgative drugs like Qingfen (Calomel) or Badou (Croton Seed), lest they damage Yuan Qi (Primal Qi) and harm the Spleen and Stomach, potentially killing the child.
Qian's Baolong Wan: Treats pediatric wind-phlegm, lethargy due to severe heat, and acute convulsions.
Xionghuang (Calcined Realgar, 4 qian), Tianzhuhuang (Heavenly Bamboo Slime, 4 qian), Danning (Fried Phlegm-resolving Star, 8 qian), Zhusha (Water-triturated Cinnabar, 4 qian), Shexiang (Musk, 3 fen). Grind into powder, mix with licorice paste to form pills the size of an euryale seed. Administer dissolved in mint decoction.
Chensha Gao: Used to unblock Heart Qi.
Zhusha (Calcined Cinnabar, 1 qian), Yaxiao (Saltpeter, 2.5 qian), Xionghuang (Calcined Realgar, 2.5 qian), Shexiang (Musk, 1 zi), Jinbo (Gold Leaf, 15 pieces), Yinbo (Silver Leaf, 15 pieces), Baifuzi (Aconitum heterophyllum, 3 qian), Zhike (Stir-fried Aurantium, 3 qian), Chuanxiong (Ligusticum, 4 qian), Baifuling (Poria, 4 qian), Renshen (Ginseng, 2 qian), Huanglian (Coptis, 2 qian), Yuanzhi (Polygala, 2 qian). The first six ingredients are separately ground; the latter seven are mixed into powder. Form honey pills the size of an euryale seed. Take one pill per dose, dissolved in Ophiopogon decoction. This is a modification of Zhusha Gao.
Question: Severe heat generates phlegm; severe phlegm triggers convulsions. Qian Yi used Lijing Wan to purge phlegm, and Chen Shi used Xiongxie San to induce vomiting for phlegm. Are these acceptable?
Answer: Medicinal formulas are not rigid; they are applied according to appropriateness. For robust children, emetic and purgative methods may be used until the illness ceases. For weak and timid children, do not act rashly, lest you damage Yuan Qi. Generally, if phlegm obstructs the throat, preventing food and medicine intake, emesis is indicated. This follows the principle of "treating disorders above by inducing vomiting." Use equal parts of Jiangcan (Bombyx Batryticatus) and Yazao (Gleditsia Sinensis, roasted) ground into powder. Take a small amount, administer natural juice of Tu Niuxi (Achyranthes root) to induce vomiting. After vomiting, administer phlegm-purging drugs such as Wuse Sanhuang Wan (Five-Color Three-Yellow Pill), Mengshi Gun Tan Wan (Mengshi Rolling Phlegm Pill), or Chensha Gao.
Chensha Gao: Excellent for purging phlegm.
Fei Chensha (Calcined Cinnabar, 3 qian), Pengsha (Borax, 1.5 qian), Mayaxiao (Saltpeter, 1.5 qian), Xuanmingfen (Mirabilite, 2 qian), Quanxie (Scorpion, de-toxicated, 1 qian), Zhenzhu (Pearl, 1 qian), Shexiang (Musk, 1 zi). Mix into powder, wrap in oiled paper to naturally form a paste. Use about one grain per dose. For general convulsions, take with mint decoction; for fetal convulsions, mix with breast milk and jujube decoction.
When I first studied medicine, I treated a two-year-old child who died of convulsions. The family summoned me, weeping bitterly. I stopped them and told the father: "The child's complexion has not changed, and hands and feet are not cold. This is Qi stagnation and phlegm obstruction causing syncope, not true death." I moxa small cones on the Zhongchong points (PC 9) of both hands. As soon as the fire touched the skin, the child woke up and cried loudly. The parents were delighted. I then used a family-prescribed formula for calming convulsions: fifteen pills of Xionghuang Jiedu Wan (Realgar Detoxification Pill) to drain phlegm, and twenty-five pills of Liangjing Wan (Cool Convulsions Pill) to clear heat, taken together with mint decoction. Shortly after, yellow sputum was purged, and convulsions ceased. Upon my return, the father asked what medicine produced such rapid effect. I explained everything. The father said to his wife: "I have my son back."
A child suffered from convulsions and phlegm obstruction. A physician used Baibingzi (White Cake Pill) to purge, but it failed. After three purgations, the condition worsened: eyes closed, lethargic, no crying or suckling, barking breath, upper body panting, and occasional fecal incontinence. I said: "The Qi of the five Zang organs is exhausted; the disease is incurable. This resulted from excessive purgation." The physician replied: "Baibingzi is Qian Yi's divine formula for draining phlegm." I said: "To believe books entirely is worse than having no books. Qian Yi's pediatric theories were largely fabricated by his disciples. Phlegm in humans is like sap in trees. In extreme heat, plants exude sap; thus, phlegm arises from heat. This is evident. Phlegm is like water, moving with Qi. Flowing through the nose or accumulating in mountains is not its nature but forced by agitation. Now phlegm rises with fire. Instead of descending fire, you purged downward, damaging Stomach Qi. Once Stomach Qi fails, all five Zang organs are damaged. Closed eyes indicate Liver exhaustion; lethargy and refusal to suckle indicate Spleen exhaustion; inability to cry indicates Heart exhaustion; panting and rattling phlegm indicate Lung exhaustion; incontinence indicates Kidney exhaustion." The child indeed died.
A scholar-physician in the county had unique prescriptions but was too stubborn and inflexible. When a child presented with convulsions, I diagnosed acute wind-stroke and prescribed cooling and purging methods, specifically Daochi San and Xieqing Wan. He argued that wind-stroke results from constrained Liver Fire and prescribed Xiao Xuming Tang (Minor Continuation of Life Decoction) to disperse constraint. People could not decide. Both treatments were attempted. My patient recovered in one day; his patient died. He regretted not believing me, but it was too late.
A child had convulsions, which stopped after massage therapy. Later, the condition became critical. I said: "Massage is a remnant of acupuncture and moxibustion techniques. The Classics state: 'Do not needle those with extreme deficiency.' Massage for convulsions is suitable only for robust children. For weak children, Qi does not flow freely; massage induces sweating and damages Yuan Qi." The family ignored my advice. I predicted: "If not dead, he will develop epilepsy." Half a month later, he died.
A child had convulsions, temporarily controlled by massage. One month later, it recurred. Massage was repeated. Frequency varied from once to twice a month. I said: "This has become epilepsy. Massage releases the exterior. Phlegm is集聚 in the Heart and cannot exit. Early-stage epilepsy is treatable; chronic cases are incurable lifelong ailments." I formulated Sese Duanxian Wan (Four-Color Epilepsy-Cutting Pill):
Huanglian (Coptis, 5 qian), Fei Zhusha (Calcined Cinnabar, 2.5 qian), Danning (Phlegm-resolving Star, 1 qian), Baigansui (White Kansui, 3 fen). Grind into powder, bind with millet paste and pig heart blood. Form pills the size of an euryale seed. Take one pill per dose, dissolved in Jiedicao (Plantago) decoction. Take three times at night, once during the day. The child recovered.
In the second month of Guihai year, the former magistrate of Yingshan County, Mr. Wu, had a son with convulsions. His doctor used Erchen Tang (Two-Aged Decoction) with ginger juice and bamboo sap, without effect. Mr. Wu had previously met me in Luotian. An official messenger invited me. I examined the child: blue veins visible on the three gates, red cheeks, fixed gaze, fingers moving as if picking something. I said: "This is due to external pathogenic factors not being dispersed, allowing heat to enter the interior. Qian Yi stated: Heat in the Liver causes fixed gaze; Heat in the Heart causes convulsions. Red cheeks and fixed gaze predict wind-stroke. Children often have excess Liver Wood, especially during peak Wood seasons. We must drain the Liver. Erchen Tang contains Chenpi, Banxia, and Shengjiang, which are acrid and assist the Liver. The Classics say: 'Acid nourishes, but acrid tonifies [Liver].' Hence, it was ineffective." I prescribed Xieqing Wan to drain excess Liver Qi and Daochi San to drain Heart Fire. One dose stopped the convulsions. Mr. Wu joyfully told his subordinates: "Different views yield different effects. You were right to trust him; truly a good physician. I felt confident when you arrived, and now I am relieved." Observing his congenital weakness and weak Spleen/Stomach, fearing future convulsions turning into epilepsy, I prescribed Hupo Wan (Amber Pill) for long-term maintenance.
Xu Shudao from Shayang, Qishui, had a son with wind-stroke. He first sought treatment from a Dr. Zhang, with no improvement over several days. I was summoned. The child had urgent phlegm-wheezing and convulsions. I treated the phlegm first, then the convulsions, resolving the issue sequentially. However, body heat remained high. Dr. Zhang wanted to use Jiedu Tang, Zhuye Tang, or Xiao Chaihu Tang. I refused, stating: "Children often have excess Liver and deficient Spleen. Disease originates in the Liver; Wind-Wood is too vigorous, injuring Spleen-Earth. This is deficiency heat. Do not use cold-cooling herbs that damage Middle Qi." I prescribed Sijunzi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) plus Zhi Huangqi (Prepared Astragalus) and Chao Hei Ganjiang (Stir-fried Black Ginger). One dose brought peace.
A five-year-old child cried in fear in dreams, clinging to his mother. This was caused by fright. I formulated a prescription: Renshen (Ginseng), Maidong (Ophiopogon), Baifuben (likely Poria, text error for Baifuling?), Huanglian (Coptis), Suanzaoren (Ziziphus Seed), Baiziren (Biota Seed), Zhi Gancao (Prepared Licorice), Zhusha (Cinnabar), all in equal parts. Half decocted in water; half mixed with Dihuang (Rehmannia) and Zhi Gancao into powder, bound with Yam flour into pills the size of millet seeds. Take 25 pills per dose with Plantago decoction. The child recovered before finishing the course.
A one-year-old child had fever and convulsions. Xieqing Wan was ineffective. I asked about the convulsion characteristics. The mother said: "After convulsions, the child sleeps well. Drinks milk if offered, refuses if not. When awake, makes cat-like sounds, smiles at people. Without convulsions, appears normal." I said: "Physicians must recognize patterns and match medicines. No wonder previous medicines failed." I prescribed Daochi San. One dose cured the child. The father asked why. I said: "The Heart belongs to Fire, and its sound is laughter. Fire is born in Yin, associated with the Tiger. Cats are related to tigers. Cat sounds and laughter indicate Heart pathology, not Liver. Thus, I drained Heart Fire with Daochi San." Listeners were convinced.