松峰曰∶大黄，瘟疫症尚在表，总不宜服，唯入里宜服。
苏耽最孝，谓母曰∶后三年郴人大疫，宜穿井植橘，病患食橘叶水一盏自愈。
黄德环家烹鳖，用箬笠盖其釜，揭见一鳖，仰把其笠，背皆蒸烂，然头足犹能伸缩，家人悯之，
潜放河中，后此人患热病垂危，因徙于河边将养。夜有一物，徐徐上身，其人顿觉凉爽，及晓，
视胸臆间悉涂淤泥，其鳖在身上，三曳三顾而去，即日病瘥。
臧卢溪曰∶热病者胸腹烦热，用井底泥涂之，亦此意也。又足见放生之报。
范文正公所居之宅，浚井先必纳青术数斤于中以避瘟。
张凤逵司空着《伤暑全书》，力辨仲景《伤寒论》中寒毒藏于肌肤，至春变为瘟
病，至夏变为暑病，与《内经》温根于寒之说，以为此属上古之论，与今风气不合。太古时，洪
水怀山，草木闭塞，天地蒙昧，阴霭拂郁，阳明未舒，以故寒气盛行，元和令少，即当盛夏亦无
燥金之患。后世衣冠文物渐开，五行分布，水火之气各司其权，以此随定暑为火气，一以凉剂投之。
卓哉司空之见，不唯医理入微，亦可谓善读古人书者矣。
赵逵好吹笛为戏，是年，瘟疫盛行，一日吹笛至茶肆，有老妪与逵言∶近有五人来店吃茶，
见吹笛者过，各回避，自后疫遂止，人疑即五瘟使者。后一秀士貌类炳灵公入茶店，嘱老妪云∶
赵逵有济贫之心，必获善果，言讫不见。后老妪以语逵，逵赴庙谢神，闻空中云∶来年必魁天下，
三年后当入相。后果为狱府尚书。
一说部载岷俗畏疫，一人病阖家避之，病者多死。刺史辛公义命皆舆置厅事，暑月，病患填
廊庑，公义昼夜处其间，省问施治，病者愈，乃召其亲戚，谕遣之归，
皆惭谢而去，风俗随变。
松峰曰∶辛公之不染疫，乃清正仁爱，存心得报，世之作吏者，不可不知也。
昔时，山东一家有五百余口，从无伤寒疫症。因每岁三伏日，取葶苈一束，阴干，至冬至日，
为末收贮，俟元旦五更，蜜调，人各一匙，黄酒和服。饮时，先从少始。
吕复，字符膺，号沧洲，吕东莱之后，河东人。治一人患三阳合病，脉长弦，以方涉海受惊，
遂吐血升许，两胁痛，烦渴，谵语，遂投小柴胡，去参加生地。半剂后，俟其胃实，以承气下之，
得利而愈。又治一人，时症逾月，既下而热不已，胁及小腹偏左满，肌肉色不变，俚医以为风，
浃四旬，其毒循宗筋流入睾丸，赤肿若瓠，疡医刺溃之，两胁肿痛如故。吕诊其尺中皆数滑，乃
以云母膏作丸，
衣以乳香，硝黄煎汤送下，下脓五碗，明日再下余脓而愈。
松峰云∶余用小柴胡往往减参，且瘟疫原不宜于参，参之价又贵，权作世间原无此药何如。
余见一人患瘟疫甫愈，外肾忽肿若瓠，想系瘟毒未尽，循宗筋流入睾丸，若急服清热解毒之剂或
可潜消，且其人尚能动履，亦被疡医刺溃，数日而没。
葛干孙，字可久，平江吴人。治时症不得汗，发狂循河而走，公就控置水中，使禁不得出，良
久出之，裹以浓被，得汗而解。
刘南瑛曰∶系实法。
昔有一重囚，于狱中患疫而没，狱卒报明病故。时方薄暮，出尸委弃沟壑，适值天气暴寒，
裸冻一夜而苏，匍匐觅道返里，随免刑戮之难。
孙凤亨曰∶与水浸汗解，其理略同。盖瘟疫无非热症，火盛闷绝，遇寒而解。此囚想必有阴
德。
刘从周，韶州曲江人。言痢疾以手足和暖为热，严冷为寒，又言盛夏发热有进退者为伤暑，
热不止者为伤寒瘟疫。
松峰曰∶此论痢疾不确，论暑与瘟疫发热至当不易。
衡州南灵鹧鸪，解岭南野葛诸菌毒及避瘟瘴。又名KT ，多对啼，其鸣云∶但南不北。又云∶
钩格磔。
松峰曰∶此鸟是处皆有，亦随其方言而命名各殊。齐鲁间则听其鸣云∶光棍夺锄。盖因其鸣于
孟夏，伊芳时正锄田也。余至燕赵，闻此鸟鸣，询之土人，则云∶打公骂婆。昔有一妇不孝翁姑，
随死变此鸟，自鸣其恶，以警众也。又有云烧香拜佛者，余至南中，则有云上山看火者，有云脱
却硬 者，并见苏东坡高青邱诗。
昔耶律文正公下灵武，诸将争掠子女玉帛，公独取书数部，大黄两驼而已。既而军中大疫，
惟得大黄可愈，所活几万人。
晋陵城东遭大疫，传染病者，人不敢过问。有熊礼妻钱氏，归宁后闻翁姑疫，欲趋视，父母不
许，妇曰∶娶妻原为奉事翁姑，今病笃不归，与禽兽何异？随只身就道，既抵舍，其翁姑见鬼相语
曰∶诸神皆卫孝妇至矣，吾等不速避，被谴不小。自是翁姑皆愈，阖门俱不传染。
松峰曰∶邪不侵正，孝可格天，真祛疫之良方也。
吴中秀才刘永清病疫死，复苏云∶死时见冥卒二人持帖来摄，因设饭啖之，不异生人。食毕便
拘清行，至一公署，令清跪伏阶下，见堂上坐者冕旒，侍从俨如玄妙观、东岳庙中之仪。有冥吏按
簿唱名，言此人无大罪恶，发疾疫司听勘，冥卒即押至一曹司，见堂上二大僚偶坐，搜视冥簿谓曰∶
汝虽无大恶，时有小口孽，量罚疮疡三年。右坐者曰∶太轻。左曰∶念其祖簿分，恕之。叱二卒押
放回家。恍如梦觉，清后果患疮三年。
宋绍白曰∶常见一好造口孽者，后长对口而死。又一人好作诗轻薄骂人，亦长舌疔早夭，报应
不爽如此。
黄生嘉玉，吴县人，患疫复苏云∶死后至一城，繁华与世无异，但黑暗无光，忽闻官至，仪
从甚盛，是顾文康公，公与玉父有旧，玉少时曾识其面，便于舆旁呼之，文康命 之行，既达公
暑，宫殿壮丽，见文康与一大僚并坐堂上，阶前罪犯膝行哀啼，大僚阅籍注罪，谕云某某合与作
牛犬等畜，冥吏即取诸皮分覆其身，悉化畜类。玉私询冥吏，云系生前作孽之报。大僚忽问，堂
下安得有生人气？敕狱卒牵玉，文康云∶吾查渠 虽尽，但近行善事，可放还阳，令吏送出，随
冷汗如雨而苏。
蜀遭献忠之乱后，瘟疫流行，有大头瘟，头发肿，赤大几如斗。又有马眼睛瘟，双眸黄大，
森然挺露。又有马蹄瘟，自膝至胫，青肿如一，状似马蹄，三病患者皆不救。
松峰曰∶大头瘟方书各有治法。至于马眼瘟似肝脾湿热所致。盖肝开窍于目，
而黄色属脾，为湿热所郁蒸也。马蹄瘟之青肿，似肝肾流毒所致。根据此立方施治，或不甚瘥，再正
高明。
休宁赵朝奉泛海回，忽热病死。同伴弃之海岸，径返。赵某被海风一吹，复苏。见海天浩荡
无人，乃拨榛莽，历盘曲，上至山椒。见一大寺，入拜众僧，恳求收恤。数月，赵问僧曰∶止见
众师早餐，至午不见，何也？僧曰∶赴施主斋去。赵求一携往观，僧乃令入偏衫大袖中，立即腾空，
移时闻鸡犬人烟。有一家道场，聚众僧宣疏，为已故赵某修斋、礼忏，乃其子为父周忌追场荐也。
赵动念，欲传信厥家，知其尚在，僧已默知，因语赵曰∶我等皆罗汉，因汝素积善，故带汝来，随
出赵袖中，置屋脊上，僧忽不见。赵家睹屋上有人，梯视，乃朝奉也。举家惊喜，实出意外。赵乃
根据海中寺形，创建大庙，额曰建初，现下休宁城内。
松峰曰∶海风寒劲，砭人肌骨，热病之清凉散也，况与积善汤同服，宜其瘳矣。
杭州凤仙桥，一人以炮鳖为业。买鳖生投沸汤中，惨死之状，见者无不恻然。既熟刮肠剔骨，
煎和五味，香及数家。由此获利多年。后忽染瘟疫，初则缩颈，攒手足，伏于床上，数日后，伸手
爬娑，宛如鳖形，后又爬于房内，渐出堂中，家人禁之，辄欲啮人。将死爬至街市，盘旋宛转，
曲尽鳖态，往来观者，皆知炮鳖之报。七日身体臭烂而死。
昆山唐顺泉，其父已死十三年矣。一夕，魂忽归家，附其第三媳云∶余今已为金神宁济候从者，
颇知冥间事。吾家无大罪，止以汝母及童男少女，或倾溺器，或大小便，不洗手辄即上灶，灶神上
告天曹，故特降兹合家疫症，犹幸修醮，少解其愆，然污灶之罪，俱系汝母承当，止有两月在世矣。
至期重感疫而没。
昆山诸生郏鼎，岁饥施粥，全活甚众。其夏疫疠大作，鼎病剧气绝，恍在万倾波涛中，沉溺下
坠，忽闻风雨雷电，见甲士万骑拥一神人，人首龙形。鼎哀恳救援。神曰∶子生平无大罪，无恐。余
当救汝。乃振动鳞甲，水势分开，鼎少苏，
因请问施粥一事，神曰∶俱有案卷，已达帝所。随有侍从开卷呈阅，神曰∶子名在内。命将士送至
新大石桥，曰∶从此去即归家矣。及归，闻眷属悲号，言气绝一昼夜矣。病寻愈。时妻与子亦
垂危而皆瘳。
昔，城中大疫，有白发老人，教一富室合药施城中，病者皆愈，而富室举家卒免于疫。后有人
见二疫鬼过富室之门而相谓曰∶此人阴德无量，吉神拥护，我辈何敢入哉。
松峰曰∶阴德无量，诚祛疫之良方，世人所当着眼。
江西□府泰和县瘟疫大作，有医者视病，中夜而归，忽遇神人，骑马导从而来，医拜伏于地，
神至前叱云∶汝何人也？对曰∶医士。神曰∶汝今治病用何药？对曰∶随病寒热轻重，用药治之。
神曰∶不然，天一类，（三字疑有错误。）用香苏散好。医如其言，试之皆效。
神授香苏散
香附（去皮，炒） 紫苏（各四两） 陈皮 甘草（各一两，生）
共为末。每用三钱，水一盏，煎七分，去渣热服，日三服。戒荤腥酒肉，神效。
松峰曰∶随病寒热轻重用药，诫医家之要诀，不但治瘟疫已也。至于此方，乃温中达表，解散
风寒之剂，瘟疫门从无用处，但神授如此，或更有义蕴耶。
庾衮，字叔褒。咸宁中大疫，二兄俱亡，次兄毗，复病疠气方盛，父母诸弟皆出于外，衮独不
去，父母强之不可。亲自扶持，昼夜不眠，其间又扶柩哀号弗辍，十余旬，疫渐消歇，家人乃返，
毗疾瘥，衮终不染。
松峰曰∶孝弟之人，天之所以佑之者如此。
临川人入山得猿子，持归，猿母自后随至家。此人缚猿子于树上，猿母便搏颊
向人，欲乞哀，此人竟不能放，将猿子击杀之，老猿悲鸣自掷而死。此人破老猿
腹视之，肠皆断裂矣。未半年，其人家疫，一时死尽灭门。
直隶省南皮县弓手张德平，以健勇擒捕有获，然多诬平人，因瘟疫死。半岁，
墓中忽有声，人报其子往视，则墓已穴露其面，破墓欲出之，则身变白蛇。子惊问
曰∶何为异类？父曰∶我以枉杀平人，故获此报。
宋·缙云未达时，元旦出门遇恶鬼数辈，问之曰∶我辈疫鬼，散疫人间。云曰∶
吾家有乎？鬼曰∶无。曰∶何也？曰∶君家三世隐恶扬善，后当贵显，予辈何敢入。
言讫不见。
太湖居人皆事屠 ，独沈文宝举家好善，且买物放生。遇瘟疫时行，有人见
众瘟鬼执旗一束，相语曰∶除沈家放生行善外，余俱插旗。未几，一村尽瘟死，独
沈阖家获免。
江北有五人南渡，其舟子素奉关帝甚虔，梦帝谕云∶明晚有五人过江，莫渡
之，我今书三字于汝手心，若必欲渡，等彼下船时，付之一览。舟子如其言，将手
中三字捻紧。向晚果有五人趁船，舟子随将手放开一照，五人忽不见，遗竹箱一，
启视，尽往江南行疫册籍，舟子至吴下，传写其手中三字∶HT 、HT 、HT ，识者知是
符。凡粘三字于门者，皆不染瘟疫。
松峰说：大黄这味药，在瘟疫病症尚在体表时，总不宜服用，只有当病邪入里时才适宜使用。
苏耽非常孝顺，曾对母亲说：“三年后郴州将爆发大瘟疫，应当挖井并种植橘子树，病患饮用橘叶水一盏即可自愈。”
黄德环家煮鳖，用箬笠盖住锅，揭开时看见一只鳖，仰头顶着箬笠，背部都被蒸烂了，但头和脚还能伸缩。家人怜悯它，偷偷把它放到河里。后来这个人患上热病，生命垂危，于是搬到河边调养。夜里有一个物体慢慢爬到他身上，那人顿时觉得凉爽，到了天亮，查看胸腹部，发现都涂满了淤泥，那只鳖在他身上，拖曳三次、回顾三次后离去，当天他的病就好了。
臧卢溪说：热病患者胸腹烦热，用井底泥涂抹在身上，也是同样的道理。这也足以说明放生会有善报。
范文正公居住的宅院，挖掘水井前必定先放入几斤苍术在其中，以躲避瘟疫。
张凤逵司空撰写了《伤暑全书》，极力辩驳张仲景《伤寒论》中关于寒毒藏于肌肤，到春天变为瘟病，到夏天变为暑病的说法，认为这与《内经》中“温根于寒”的理论相悖。他认为这是上古时期的理论，与当今的气候风气不合。太古时期，洪水漫过山岭，草木闭塞，天地蒙昧，阴云郁结，阳明之气未舒展，因此寒气盛行，元气稀少，即使是盛夏也没有燥金之患。后世衣冠文物逐渐开启，五行分布有序，水火之气各司其职，因此确定暑为火气，一律用凉剂治疗。卓哉！司空先生的见解，不仅医理深入细微，也可以说是善于阅读古人书籍的人了。
赵逵喜欢吹笛子作为消遣。这一年，瘟疫盛行。有一天他吹着笛子来到茶馆，有一位老妇人对赵逵说：“最近有五个人来店里喝茶，看见吹笛子的人经过，各自回避，从那以后瘟疫就停止了。”人们怀疑那五个人就是五瘟使者。后来一位秀才相貌类似炳灵公进入茶馆，嘱咐老妇人说：“赵逵有救济贫苦之心，必定获得善果。”说完就不见了。后来老妇人把这话告诉赵逵，赵逵去庙里谢神，听到空中有人说：“明年你必将在天下科举中夺魁，三年后应当入朝为相。”后来果然成为尚书（或指掌管刑狱的高官）。
另一种说法记载于某部书中：岷地风俗畏惧瘟疫，一人患病，全家都避开他，病人大多死亡。刺史辛公义命令将病人用车抬到大厅安置。暑天里，病患挤满了走廊厢房，辛公义昼夜待在中间，探视慰问并施治。病人痊愈后，便召集他们的亲戚，告知让他们回家，大家都惭愧致谢而离开，风俗随之改变。
松峰说：辛公义不被瘟疫感染，是因为他清正仁爱，心存善念得到回报，世上做官吏的人，不可不知道这一点。
从前，山东有一家有五百多口人，从未得过伤寒瘟疫症。因为每年三伏天，取一把葶苈子，阴干，到冬至日研成粉末收藏起来，等到元旦五更天，用蜂蜜调和，每人一匙，黄酒送服。喝的时候，先从少量开始。
吕复，字符膺，号沧洲，是吕东莱的后代，河东人。治疗一个人患三阳合病，脉象长而弦，因为刚渡海受惊，于是吐血约一升，两胁疼痛，烦躁口渴，胡言乱语。于是投用小柴胡汤，去掉人参，加入生地黄。半剂药后，等待其胃气充实，再用承气汤攻下，得利后痊愈。又治疗一个人，时令病症超过一个月，已经攻下但热势不退，胁部及小腹左侧胀满，肌肉颜色不变，庸医认为是风邪，过了四十天，毒素顺着宗筋流入睾丸，红肿像葫芦一样，外科医生刺破排脓，两胁肿痛依旧。吕复诊察其尺脉皆数且滑，于是用云母膏做成丸药，外面裹上乳香，用硝黄煎汤送下，排出脓液五碗，第二天再排出剩余脓液而痊愈。
松峰说：我使用小柴胡汤往往减去人参，而且瘟疫本来就不宜用人参，人参价格又贵，权且当作世间原本没有这味药怎么样呢？
我看见一个人患瘟疫刚刚痊愈，外肾突然肿胀像葫芦一样，想是瘟毒未尽，顺着宗筋流入睾丸，如果急服清热解毒的药剂或许可以暗中消除，而且那人还能走动，却被外科医生刺破溃烂，几天后就死了。
葛干孙，字可久，平江吴人。治疗时令病症无法发汗，患者发狂沿着河边奔跑，葛公就地控制将其放入水中，使其禁止出来，很久之后放出来，用厚被子包裹，出汗而解。
刘南瑛说：这是实证的治疗方法。
从前有一个重刑犯，在监狱中患瘟疫而死，狱卒报告说是病死。当时正值傍晚，尸体被丢弃在沟壑中，恰逢天气突然变冷，裸身冻了一夜后苏醒，爬行寻找道路返回家乡，从而免除了刑罚杀戮之难。
孙凤亨说：这与用水浸渍发汗解表，道理大致相同。大概瘟疫无非是热症，火热旺盛导致闷绝，遇到寒冷而缓解。这个囚犯想必是有阴德。
刘从周，韶州曲江人。他说痢疾以手足温暖为热证，严冷为寒证；又说盛夏发热有进退变化的是伤暑，热势不止的是伤寒瘟疫。
松峰说：这个关于痢疾的论述不准确，关于暑病与瘟疫发热的论述则恰当无误。
衡州南灵鹧鸪，能解岭南野葛及各种菌类毒素，并能躲避瘟疫瘴气。又名KT（注：原文此处似为异体字或特定称呼），经常对啼，鸣叫声像：“但南不北”。又像：“钩格磔”。
松峰说：这种鸟到处都有，也随着方言不同而命名各异。齐鲁之间听它的鸣叫像是：“光棍夺锄”。大概因为它在孟夏时节鸣叫，那时正是锄田的时候。我到燕赵之地，听到这种鸟鸣，询问当地人，他们说：“打公骂婆”。从前有个媳妇不孝顺公婆，死后变成这种鸟，自己鸣叫自己的恶行，以警示众人。又有说是“烧香拜佛”的，我到南方，则有说是“上山看火”的，有说是“脱却硬...”的，这些都见于苏东坡和高青邱的诗中。
从前耶律文正公攻下灵武，众将领争抢子女玉帛，唯独他取了几部书和两骆驼的大黄而已。后来军中爆发大瘟疫，只有得到大黄才能治愈，救活了几万人。
晋陵城东遭遇大瘟疫，传染的病人，人们不敢过问。熊礼的妻子钱氏，回娘家后听说公婆染疫，想要回去探望，父母不允许。妇女说：“娶妻本就是为了侍奉公婆，现在病重不回，与禽兽有什么不同？”于是独自上路，到达家中，她的公婆梦见鬼神说话说：“诸神都护送孝妇来了，我们如果不迅速避开，受到的责罚不小。”从此公婆都痊愈了，全家都没有被传染。
松峰说：邪气不侵犯正气，孝心可以感动上天，这真是祛除瘟疫的好方法。
吴中秀才刘永清患瘟疫死去，复苏后说：死时看见两个冥卒拿着帖子来拘捕，于是设饭给他们吃，和活人无异。吃完便拘束刘永清前行，到一个公署，让刘永清跪伏在台阶下，看见堂上坐着冕旒之人，侍从仪仗庄严如同玄妙观、东岳庙中的仪式。有冥吏按名册唱名，说此人没有大罪恶，发往疫病司听候勘验，冥卒即押送到一个曹司，看见堂上两大僚偶坐，翻阅冥簿说：“你虽然没有大恶，但时有小口孽，酌情惩罚疮疡三年。”右座者说：“太轻了。”左座者说：“念及其祖先功德簿分，宽恕他。”呵斥二卒押送回家。恍惚如梦醒来，刘永清后果然患疮三年。
宋绍白说：常见一个喜欢造口孽的人，后来长着对口疮而死。又有一人喜欢作诗轻薄骂人，也长了舌疔早夭，报应不爽如此。
黄生嘉玉，吴县人，患瘟疫复苏后说：死后到达一座城，繁华与世间无异，只是黑暗无光。忽然听见官员到来，仪仗很盛大，是顾文康公，顾公与嘉玉父亲有旧交，嘉玉小时候曾见过他的面，便在轿旁呼喊他，文康命他前行，既达到公署，宫殿壮丽，看见文康与一大僚并坐堂上，阶前罪犯膝行哀啼，大僚查阅籍贯登记罪行，谕令说某某应当化作牛犬等畜生，冥吏即取各种皮分别覆盖在他们身上，全都化为畜类。嘉玉私下询问冥吏，说是生前作孽的报应。大僚忽然问，堂下怎么会有生人气？下令狱卒牵出嘉玉，文康说：“我查他寿命虽尽，但近来做善事，可以放回阳间”，令吏送出，随即冷汗如雨般苏醒。
蜀地遭受张献忠之乱后，瘟疫流行，有大头瘟，头发肿胀，赤红大如斗。又有马眼睛瘟，双眼黄大，森然挺露。又有马蹄瘟，自膝盖至小腿，青肿成一团，状似马蹄，这三种病患者都不能救治。
松峰说：大头瘟方书各有治法。至于马眼瘟似乎是由肝脾湿热所致。因为肝开窍于目，而黄色属脾，是被湿热所郁蒸的缘故。马蹄瘟的青肿，似乎是肝肾流毒所致。根据此理立方施治，或许不会不好，再请高明指正。
休宁赵朝奉泛海回来，忽然因热病而死。同伴将他弃置海岸，径直返回。赵某被海风一吹，复苏。看见海天浩荡无人，于是拨开荆棘杂草，经历盘曲山路，上到山顶。看见一座大寺庙，进去拜见众僧，恳求收留照顾。几个月后，赵问僧人说：“只见各位师父早餐，到中午不见，为什么呢？”僧人说：“去赴施主斋饭去了。”赵请求带他去观看，僧人便让他进入偏衫大袖中，立即腾空，过了一会儿听到鸡犬人烟声。有一家做法事，聚集众僧宣疏，为已故的赵某修斋、礼忏，是他的儿子为父亲周年忌日追荐道场。赵动念想传递消息给家里，知道他们还在世，僧人已默知，因而对赵说：“我们都是罗汉，因为你平时积善，所以带你来”，随即从赵袖中出来，放置在屋脊上，僧人忽然不见了。赵家看见屋上有人，梯子上去查看，原来是朝奉。全家惊喜，实出意外。赵乃根据海中寺庙的形状，创建大庙，匾额题为建初，现在休宁城内。
松峰说：海风寒劲，刺人肌骨，是热病的清凉散，何况与积善汤同服，理应痊愈。
杭州凤仙桥，有一人以炮制鳖为生。买活鳖投入沸汤中，惨死的样子，见者无不恻隐。煮熟后刮肠剔骨，煎和五味，香气飘散几家。由此获利多年。后来忽然染上瘟疫，起初缩颈，攒聚手足，伏在床上，几天后，伸手爬动，宛如鳖形，后又爬到房内，渐渐出到堂中，家人禁止他，他却想咬人。临死时爬到街市，盘旋宛转，曲尽鳖的姿态，往来观看的人，都知道这是炮鳖的报应。七天后身体臭烂而死。
昆山唐顺泉，他的父亲已经死了十三年了。一天晚上，魂魄忽然回家，附在第三媳身上说：“我现在已是金神宁济候的随从，颇知冥间事。我家没有大罪，只因为你母亲及童男童女，有时倾倒痰盂，或大小便，不洗手就马上上灶台，灶神上告天曹，所以特意降下这场合家瘟疫，幸好修醮，稍解其罪愆，然而污灶之罪，都由你母亲承担，只剩两个月在世了。”到期果然再次感染瘟疫而死。
昆山秀才郏鼎，年岁饥荒时施粥，保全活很多人。那年夏天瘟疫大作，郏鼎病重气绝，恍惚在万顷波涛中，沉溺下坠，忽然听到风雨雷电，看见甲士万骑拥簇一位神人，人首龙形。郏鼎哀恳救援。神人说：“你生平没有大罪，不要怕。我当救你。”于是振动鳞甲，水势分开，郏鼎稍微苏醒，因而请问施粥一事，神人说：“都有案卷，已达帝所。”随即有侍从开卷呈阅，神人说：“你的名字在内。”命将士送至新大石桥，说：“从此去即归家矣。”等到回家，听见眷属悲号，说气绝已经一昼夜了。病很快痊愈。当时妻子与儿子也垂危而都康复。
从前，城中大瘟疫，有一位白发老人，教一富户合药施舍给城中，病人皆愈，而富户全家最终免于瘟疫。后来有人看见两个疫鬼经过富户之门而互相说：“此人阴德无量，吉神拥护，我们怎敢进入呢。”
松峰说：阴德无量，确实是祛除瘟疫的好方法，世人应当着眼于此。
江西□府泰和县瘟疫大作，有医者看病，半夜归来，忽然遇神人，骑马导从而来，医者拜伏于地，神走到面前呵斥说：“你是什么人？”回答说：“医士。”神说：“你现在治病用什么药？”回答说：“随病寒热轻重，用药治之。”神说：“不对，天一类，（三字疑有错误。）用香苏散好。”医者照此言，试之皆有效。
神授香苏散
香附（去皮，炒） 紫苏（各四两） 陈皮 甘草（各一两，生）
共为末。每用三钱，水一盏，煎七分，去渣热服，日三服。戒荤腥酒肉，神效。
松峰说：随病寒热轻重用药，是诫勉医家的要诀，不仅仅是治瘟疫罢了。至于这个方子，乃是温中达表，解散风寒的药剂，瘟疫门从无用处，但神授如此，或许另有深意吧。
庾衮，字叔褒。咸宁年间大瘟疫，两个哥哥都死了，二哥毗，又患疠气正盛，父母兄弟都赶到外面，庾衮独独不去，父母强迫他也不行。亲自扶持，昼夜不眠，其间又扶柩哀号不停，十余旬，瘟疫渐渐消歇，家人才返回，毗的病好了，庾衮始终没有被感染。
松峰说：孝顺弟弟的人，上天保佑他们就是这样。
临川人进山得到猿猴幼崽，带回家，猿母从后面跟随到家。这人把猿子绑在树上，猿母便拍打脸颊向人，想要乞求哀怜，这人终究不能放手，将猿子击杀，老猿悲鸣自掷而死。这人剖开老猿肚子看，肠子都断裂了。不到半年，这家人发生瘟疫，一时死尽灭门。
直隶省南皮县弓手张德平，以健勇擒捕有获，但多诬陷平民，因瘟疫而死。半年后，墓中忽然有声，人报告其子前往查看，则墓穴已露出其脸，破墓欲出之，则身体变成白蛇。儿子惊恐问道：“为何变成异类？”父亲说：“我以枉杀平民，故获此报应。”
宋代缙云人宋绍白未发达时，元旦出门遇到几个恶鬼，问他们说：“我们是疫鬼，散布瘟疫人间。”宋绍白说：“我家有吗？”鬼说：“没有。”说：“为什么？”说：“你家三世隐恶扬善，后代应当贵显，我们怎敢进入。”说完就不见了。
太湖居民都以屠宰为业，唯独沈文宝全家好善，且买物放生。遇到瘟疫时行，有人看见众瘟鬼执旗一束，互相说：“除沈家放生行善外，其余都插旗。”不久，一村尽瘟死，唯独沈家阖家获免。
江北有五人南渡，船夫素来奉关帝甚虔，梦关帝谕示说：“明晚有五人过江，不要渡他们，我现在写三字在你手心，如果一定要渡，等他们下船时，付之一览。”船夫照此言，将手中三字捻紧。傍晚果然有五人趁船，船夫随即放开手一看，五人忽然不见，遗落竹箱一个，打开看，尽是往江南行疫册籍，船夫到吴下，传写手中三字：HT 、HT 、HT ，识者知道是符。凡粘三字于门者，都不染瘟疫。
Song Feng said: Rhubarb (Da Huang) should generally not be taken when the plague syndrome is still at the exterior level; it is only suitable for use when the pathogen has entered the interior.
Su Dan was extremely filial. He once told his mother, "Three years from now, a great epidemic will break out in Chenzhou. You should dig wells and plant orange trees. Patients who drink one cup of water infused with orange leaves will heal themselves."
When Huang Dehuan's family was boiling a soft-shelled turtle (Bie), they covered the pot with a bamboo hat (Ruoli). Upon lifting the lid, they saw a turtle holding up the hat with its head, its back steamed raw, yet its head and feet could still extend and retract. The family felt pity for it and secretly released it into the river. Later, this person fell critically ill with a febrile disease and moved to the riverside to recuperate. At night, an object slowly climbed onto him, and he suddenly felt cool. By dawn, he found his chest and abdomen smeared with mud. The turtle was on his body, dragging itself three times and looking back three times before leaving. His illness healed that very day.
Zang Luxi stated: For patients with febrile diseases experiencing irritability and heat in the chest and abdomen, applying mud from the bottom of a well is based on the same principle. This also demonstrates the karmic retribution of releasing life.
Fan Zhongyan's residence dug wells by first placing several jin of Atractylodes Rhizome (Cang Zhu) inside to ward off epidemics.
Zhang Fengkui, the Grand Commandant, authored *The Complete Book on Heatstroke* (*Shangshu Quan Shu*), vigorously refuting Zhang Zhongjing's theory in *Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases* (*Shanghan Lun*) that cold toxins hide in the skin and muscles, transforming into plague diseases in spring and heatstroke diseases in summer. Zhang argued this contradicts the *Inner Canon*'s assertion that warmth originates from cold. He believed this was an ancient theory inconsistent with contemporary climatic conditions. In primordial times, floods submerged mountains, vegetation was dense, heaven and earth were obscure, yin clouds were stagnant, and Yangming qi had not yet expanded, leading to prevalent cold qi and scarce yuan qi. Even in midsummer, there was no dryness-metal affliction. Later, as clothing and culture advanced, the Five Elements distributed orderly, and water and fire qi governed their respective domains. Thus, heatstroke was determined to be fire qi, treated uniformly with cooling agents. Magnificent! Master Kong's insights delve deeply into medical principles and exemplify the ability to read ancient texts wisely.
Zhao Kui enjoyed playing the flute for leisure. During a year of rampant plague, while playing at a teahouse, an old woman told him, "Recently, five people came to drink tea. Seeing you pass with your flute, they avoided you. Since then, the plague ceased." People suspected these five were the Five Plague Messengers. Later, a scholar resembling Bingling Gong entered the teahouse and instructed the old woman, "Zhao Kui has a heart to aid the poor and will surely reap good rewards." He then vanished. When the old woman relayed this to Zhao Kui, he went to the temple to give thanks. He heard a voice from the sky say, "Next year you will top the imperial examinations, and in three years, you shall enter the cabinet as a minister." This indeed came to pass, and he became a Minister of Justice (or high official).
Another account records: In Min region customs, fearing plague, if one person fell ill, the whole family would avoid them, resulting in many deaths. Magistrate Xin Gongyi ordered patients to be carried to the main hall. During summer, corridors were filled with patients. Xin stayed among them day and night, visiting, questioning, and treating them. Once recovered, he summoned their relatives, advised them to take the patients home, and everyone left ashamed and grateful, changing local customs.
Song Feng commented: Xin Gongyi remained uninfected due to his integrity, benevolence, and virtuous mind, receiving heavenly reward. Officials today must understand this.
Previously, a family in Shandong with over five hundred members never suffered from cold damage or plague. Every year during the Sanfu days, they collected a bundle of Lepidium Seeds (Tingli Zi), dried them in the shade, and ground them into powder by Winter Solstice. On New Year's Day at the fifth watch, they mixed the powder with honey, taking one spoonful per person with yellow wine. Dosage started low.
Lu Fu, courtesy name Zhiying, pseudonym Cangzhou, a descendant of Lü Donglai from Hedong, treated a patient with combined disease of the three yang channels. The pulse was long and wiry. Having recently crossed the sea and been frightened, the patient vomited blood (about one sheng), suffered bilateral hypochondriac pain, irritability, thirst, and delirium. Lu prescribed Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction), removing Ginseng Root (Renshen) and adding Raw Rehmannia Root (Sheng Dihuang). After half a dose, waiting for the stomach to become solid, he used Cheng Qi Tang (Order the Qi Decoction) to purge, resulting in bowel movement and recovery. He also treated another patient whose seasonal illness lasted over a month. Although purged, fever persisted, with fullness in the hypochondrium and lower left abdomen, muscle color unchanged. Quack doctors attributed it to wind. After forty days, toxin flowed along the zongjin (converging sinews) into the testicles, causing red swelling like a gourd. A surgeon lanced it, but hypochondriac pain remained. Lu palpated the chi pulse as rapid and slippery. He prepared Yunmu Gao (Mica Ointment) pills, coated with Frankincense Resin (Ruxiang), and administered with a decoction of Mirabilite (Xiaoshi) and Rhubarb (Dahuang). The patient expelled five bowls of pus, and more the next day, leading to recovery.
Song Feng remarked: I often reduce the dosage of Ginseng Root (Renshen) in Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction). Moreover, Ginseng Root (Renshen) is generally unsuitable for plague, and it is expensive. One might as well assume it does not exist in the world.
I saw a person whose plague had just healed, but whose external genitalia suddenly swelled like a gourd. I surmised the plague toxin was incomplete, flowing along the zongjin into the testicles. Urgent administration of heat-clearing and detoxifying agents might have resolved it secretly. Since the patient could still walk, being lanced by a surgeon led to death within days.
Ge Gan Sun, courtesy name Kejiu, from Wu, Pingjiang, treated a seasonal illness where sweating failed to occur. The patient ran madly along the riverbank. Ge controlled him, placed him in the water to restrain him, kept him there for a long time, then removed him, wrapped him in thick blankets, and achieved recovery through sweating.
Liu Nanying stated: This is a method for excess syndromes.
Once, a heavy prisoner died of plague in prison. The jailer reported natural causes. It was dusk, and the corpse was discarded in a ditch. Sudden cold weather froze him naked all night, but he revived, crawled back to his village, and thus escaped punishment.
Sun Fengheng said: This is similar to resolving via water immersion and sweating. Plague is essentially a heat syndrome; excessive fire causes stagnation and collapse, relieved by cold. This prisoner likely possessed hidden virtue.
Liu Congzhou, from Qujiang, Shaozhou, stated that for dysentery, warm hands and feet indicate heat, while cold indicates cold. He also said that summer fever with fluctuations is heatstroke, while persistent fever is cold damage plague.
Song Feng commented: This view on dysentery is inaccurate, but the discussion on summer heat and plague fever is appropriate and unchangeable.
The partridge of Nanling in Hengzhou resolves toxicity from wild gnetum and various fungi in Lingnan and wards off plague miasma. Also known as KT, it often calls facing each other, sounding like "Only South, Not North" or "Gou Ge Zhe".
Song Feng noted: This bird is ubiquitous, named differently by dialects. In Qilu, its call sounds like "Thief Snatches Hoe," as it calls in early summer when hoeing begins. In Yan-Zhao, locals hear "Beat Husband, Curse Mother." Legend says an unfilial daughter-in-law transformed into this bird to cry out her evil deeds as a warning. Others hear "Burn Incense, Worship Buddha." In the south, I heard "Go Up Mountain to Watch Fire" or "Take Off Hard...". These appear in poems by Su Dongpo and Gao Qingqiu.
When Yelü Wenzheng Gong conquered Lingwu, generals looted women and treasures, but he took only books and two camels' load of Rhubarb (Dahuang). Later, a plague struck the army, cured only by Rhubarb (Dahuang), saving nearly ten thousand lives.
In eastern Jinling, a severe plague occurred, and people avoided infected individuals. Xiong Li's wife, Qian Shi, returned to her natal home. Hearing her parents-in-law were ill, she wanted to visit. Her parents refused. She said, "A wife serves her parents-in-law. If I do not return when they are dying, how am I different from beasts?" She traveled alone. Upon arrival, her parents-in-law dreamed spirits saying, "The gods protect the filial wife. We must flee or face severe punishment." They recovered, and the whole family remained uninfected.
Song Feng commented: Evil does not invade righteousness; filial piety moves heaven. This is truly an excellent prescription for dispelling plague.
Liu Yongqing, a scholar from Wu, died of plague and revived, recounting: Two underworld soldiers came with a warrant. He fed them rice, indistinguishable from living humans. After eating, they took him to a public office, making him kneel. Seated above was a figure in imperial robes, with attendants solemn as in Xuanmiao Temple or Dongyue Temple. An underworld clerk read names, stating Liu had no major sins but was sent to the Plague Department for review. He was taken to a bureau where two high officials sat. Reviewing the book, one said, "No major evil, but minor verbal transgressions. Punish with sores for three years." The right seat said, "Too light." The left said, "Forgive him for ancestral merit." They released him. He woke up and indeed suffered sores for three years.
Song Shaobai said: I often see those who create verbal karma die of mouth ulcers. Another who wrote insulting poetry died young of tongue carbuncle. Retribution is exact.
Huang Jiayu, from Wu County, revived from plague, saying: He reached a city bustling like the mortal realm but dark. Officials arrived with grand procession; it was Gu Wenkang Gong, an old acquaintance of his father. Huang called out. Wenkang led him to a magnificent palace. Criminals knelt weeping. An official reviewed registers, assigning some to become animals by covering them with skins. Huang asked an underworld clerk, who confirmed it was retribution for past sins. The official asked why a living person was there. Wenkang checked, noting recent good deeds, and ordered his release. Huang woke up drenched in cold sweat.
After Zhang Xianzhong's rebellion in Sichuan, plague spread. There was "Big Head Plague" with swollen, red heads like a dou. "Horse Eye Plague" featured yellow, bulging eyes. "Horse Hoof Plague" caused blue swelling from knee to shin, resembling a hoof. All three were fatal.
Song Feng commented: Big Head Plague has various treatments in formularies. Horse Eye Plague seems caused by liver-spleen damp-heat. The liver opens to the eyes, and yellow belongs to the spleen, oppressed by damp-heat. Horse Hoof Plague's blue swelling suggests liver-kidney toxin flow. Prescriptions based on this logic may work; please correct any errors.
Zhao Chaofeng from Xiuning died of heatstroke at sea. Companions abandoned him on the coast. Sea breeze revived him. He wandered through thorns to a mountain peak, finding a large temple. He begged monks for shelter. Months later, he asked why monks ate only breakfast. They replied they went to lay patrons' homes. He requested to join them. A monk placed him in his sleeve, and they flew to a house performing rituals for Zhao's deceased father. Zhao wished to send news home. The monk knew this and revealed they were Arhats bringing him due to his virtue. They placed him on the roof. His family found him, surprised. Zhao built a temple modeled after the sea temple, named Jianchu, located in Xiuning town.
Song Feng commented: Sea wind is piercing, acting as a cooling agent for heat diseases. Combined with accumulated virtue, recovery was inevitable.
In Fengxian Bridge, Hangzhou, a man made a living boiling turtles alive in boiling water. The gruesome sight moved onlookers. He cooked them with five flavors, gaining wealth for years. Later, he contracted plague. Initially shrinking neck and limbs, lying on bed, he later crawled like a turtle, biting people. Dying, he crawled to the street, twisting like a turtle. Observers recognized this as retribution for boiling turtles. He died rotting after seven days.
Tang Shunquan's father from Kunshan died thirteen years prior. One night, his soul returned, possessing his third daughter-in-law, saying: "I am now an attendant to the Golden God Ningji Hou. Our family has no major sins, but your mother and children sometimes disposed of waste without washing hands before cooking. The Stove God reported this to Heaven, causing this plague. Fortunately, rituals alleviate guilt. However, your mother bears the sin of defiling the stove and has only two months left." She died exactly on schedule.
Jia Ding, a scholar from Kunshan, distributed porridge during famine, saving many. That summer, plague raged. Jia fell critically ill. In a trance, he sank in waves, hearing storms. Soldiers escorted a dragon-headed deity. Jia pleaded for help. The deity said, "No major sins. Do not fear. I will save you." Water parted. Jia revived and asked about his porridge distribution. The deity showed records submitted to the Emperor, confirming his name. Soldiers guided him to a bridge, telling him to go home. He returned to wailing family, having been clinically dead for a day. He recovered, as did his wife and son.
During a city-wide plague, a white-haired elder taught a wealthy family to prepare medicine for the city. Patients healed, and the family avoided plague. Later, two plague ghosts passed their door, saying, "This person has boundless hidden virtue, protected by auspicious gods. How dare we enter?"
Song Feng commented: Boundless hidden virtue is indeed an excellent prescription for dispelling plague. People should focus on this.
In Taihe County, Jiangxi, during a severe plague, a doctor returning at midnight met a deity riding a horse. The doctor bowed. The deity asked, "Who are you?" "A physician." "What medicine do you use?" "According to cold/heat severity." The deity said, "Incorrect. Use Xiang Su San (Fragrant Perilla Powder)." The doctor tried it with success.
Deity-Given Xiang Su San (Fragrant Perilla Powder):
Cyperi Rhizoma (Chufan, peeled, stir-fried) and Perillae Folium (Zisu) (4 liang each); Citrus Reticulatae Pericarpium (Chenpi) and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao, raw) (1 liang each).
Grind to powder. Take 3 qian, decoct in one cup of water until 0.7 cup remains. Strain and drink hot. Three times daily. Avoid meat, alcohol, and greasy food. Divine efficacy.
Song Feng commented: Tailoring medication to cold/heat severity is a key principle for physicians, not just for plague. This formula warms the middle and releases the exterior, dispersing wind-cold. It is rarely used for plague, but since given by a deity, it may hold deeper meaning.
Yu Gun, courtesy name Shubao, lived through the severe plague during Xianning era. His two brothers died. His second brother Pi fell ill with plague while it was raging. Parents and siblings fled outside. Yu stayed, refusing to leave despite parental coercion. He cared for Pi day and night, mourning over coffins continuously. After ten xun (months), the plague subsided. Family returned. Pi recovered, and Yu remained uninfected.
Song Feng commented: This is how heaven protects the filial and fraternal.
A person from Linchuan brought a baby ape home. The mother ape followed. The man tied the baby to a tree. The mother ape slapped her face, begging. The man killed the baby. The old ape mourned and threw herself to death. Opening her belly revealed broken intestines. Within half a year, the man's family died entirely of plague.
Zhang Deping, a bowman from Nanpi County, Hebei, was brave and caught criminals but falsely accused innocents. He died of plague. Six months later, a sound came from his grave. His son visited, finding the grave open and his face exposed. Breaking the tomb further, he turned into a white snake. The son asked why. The father said, "Retribution for killing innocents unjustly."
Song Shaobai, before achieving success in Song dynasty, met evil ghosts on New Year's Day. They said they were plague ghosts spreading disease. Song asked if his family was targeted. Ghosts said no. "Why?" "Your family has concealed evil and promoted good for three generations. Your descendants will be noble. We dare not enter." They vanished.
Residents around Taihu Lake engaged in slaughter, except Shen Wenbao's family, who were kind and released captured animals. During plague, witnesses saw plague ghosts marking houses with flags, sparing only Shen's house due to their kindness. The village died except for the Shen family.
Five men crossing northward to south encountered a boatman devout to Guan Di. Guan Di appeared in dream, instructing the boatman not to ferry them, writing three characters on his palm. If forced, show them upon boarding. Evening came, five men boarded. Boatman opened hand; men vanished, leaving a bamboo box containing plague registration lists. In Wu, scribes copied the characters: HT, HT, HT. Those recognizing them knew it was a talisman. Affixing these three characters to doors prevented plague infection.