穆吏部深者，山东济南人，壬辰进士，罢官里居。忽患异疾，耳中闻车马之声，则疾大作。一日闻耳内议
曰∶今日且遨游郊垌。即有装驮驴马鳞次而出，其恙顿除。至晚复闻游者回，驮马尽返耳，则所苦如故，屡治
不痊。一日忽洒然若失。（《敝帚轩语》。）
一人卧于床，四肢不能动，只进得食，好大言说吃物，谓之失说物望病。治法如说食猪肉时，便云尔吃猪
肉一顿，病者闻之即喜，遂置肉令病患见之，要却不与吃，乃失他物望也，当自睡，涎出自愈。（《万病回春》。）
有富家子年十七八，病遍体肌肉拆裂，召黄子浓治。子浓偕门生四五辈往诊视，各以所见陈论皆未当。子
浓乃屏人诘病者曰∶童幼时曾近女色，犯天真乎？曰∶当十三四，曾近之。子浓曰∶得其说矣。褚澄云∶精未
通而御女，则四体有不满之处，后来有难状之疾，在法为不可疗。后果恶汗淋漉，痛楚而死。（其论抑或未然。）
江南逆旅中一老妇，啖物不知饱，余德占以炊饼啖之，尽一竹箦，犹称饥不已，日饭一石米。（郁沧浪抹擦。）
醴泉主簿蔡绳，予友也，亦得饥疾，食稍迟，则顿仆闷绝。绳有美行，博学有文，为时文人，竟以饥死。
无能知其绝者，每为哀伤。（ 按∶此恐即中消病也。）
予尝至候潮门外观潮，见一人丐食者，一手掌倍大，五指各长尺余，但伸而不能屈，叹其赋形之奇。其人
曰∶予病也，曩业织缣，足以糊口。客夏病伤寒，当发汗时，此手在被外，独不汗，病愈而此手痛不已，渐痛
渐长，以至于此。今手不能作，故乞食耳。（同上。）
邱汝诚治一女子，欠伸臂不下。邱命其母裸女上身，以单裙着之。曰∶俟吾揭帘即去下裳。母如命，邱扬
声而入，女羞缩臂，即复故。（《挥尘新谈》。）
陆道光治一儿染奇症，四肢坚不屈。光曰∶此非药可疗。举伞覆之，绕床焚安息、沉、檀，儿即平复。少
间又发，屑沉香饮之遂瘳。（《平湖县志》。）
高阳民家子方十余岁，忽臂上生宿瘤，痛痒不可忍，医皆不辨何症。一日忽自溃，中有圆卵坠出，寻化为
石。刘工部霖以一金售之，治膈病如神。（《池北偶谈》。）
江宁有萧生者，食香蕈则死，又有王生者，饮茶则死，必二三日始苏。医无能识其故者，志于此，俟明医
或知之。（《居易录》。）
桐城友人姚文燮，字经三，顺治己亥进士，诗画皆有名。年六十余，忽病不识字，即其姓名亦不自知。医
不知为何症也，竟以是终。按《梦溪笔记》松滋令姜愚者，忽不识字者数年，后稍复旧，信奇疾也。（同上。）
刘进士祖向言 州一少年，为邪所侵，疾入膏肓。家人谓不可活，置之路傍。忽一道士过之，自言善医，
命取铁锤重数十斤，锤病者头面。父母泣谓病已至此，铁锤下，首立碎矣。道士笑曰∶无伤也。锤下，病者若
无所知，辄有一美妇人长二尺许，自口中跃出而灭。凡百锤，口出百妇人，大小形状如一，少年立愈，道士亦
不复见。（《池北偶谈》。）
宋元嘉末有长广人，病瘥即能食，却不得卧，每饭辄觉其身增长，数日头遂出屋。时假究为刺史，令人度
之，已长三丈。后复渐缩如旧乃死。（《异苑》。）
医书言瘦人骤肥，肥人骤瘦，皆不久。同年薛为学登进士时，体甚肥，及为御史，忽尔瘦削，未几公干郧
阳，一夕而殁。闻殁时，身躯缩如十余岁小儿，此尤可异也。（《览余漫抄》。雄按∶此疾或因服丹石热药所致。）
陶九成云∶都下一儿患头痛不可忍，有回回医官，用刀割开，割上取一小蟹硬如石，尚能活动，顷焉方死，
痛亦遄止。当求得蟹，至今藏之。（《辍耕录》。）
宋史载吕夏卿举进士，历知制诰，典滁州，年五十二得奇疾，身体缩小，卒时才如小儿。《菽园杂记》载
御史薛为学，身体甚肥，忽尔瘦削，一疾而殁。殁时缩小如十余岁儿。（自得语。雄按∶梁应来云，葛秋生
姑丈病瘵卒，身首渐小，名缩骨劳。余谓自古无此病名，不知何人创立，附识以质大雅。至窦材谓宜服丹附
药，最属不经。）
广陵有田妇患泄泻，下恶如油，邻童以纸捻蘸，捻与油无异，医不能疗。孙滋九先生闻而往视，令买补中
益气汤十剂，天王补心丸四两，以煎剂下丸服讫而愈。众医问之，曰∶人惊恐则气下，大肠胀损所致，此妇必
受惊后得此疾也。问之果力作于场，见幼子匍匐赴火，惊而急救得免，遂得此疾。此方书所未载。（《奇疾方》。）
钱国宾治镇江钱青藜，中年无病，一日足跟偶响，听之有声，自觉怪异，数月渐响，至头竟如雷声。医者
说症名不一，七年怀生死之忧矣。钱过京口甘露寺，寻苍耳草治毒，会于凉亭偶言此症，以骨雷告之。邀至家，
候其脉五部皆和，独肾芤大，举之始见，按之似无，乃肾败也。自下响者，足少阴肾经之脉，起于小指之下，
斜走足心，出然谷之下，循内踝后，别入跟中，以上 内，出 内 上股，入后 贯脊。且肾主骨，肾虚则
髓空，髓空则鸣，所以骨响。白脚之头，即雷从地起，响于天上也。以六味丸加紫河车膏、虎骨膏、猪髓、枸
杞、杜仲方示之，彼谢曰∶公论破七年之迷，良方起终身之病矣。长揖而别。至次年冬，钱复之京口，问已全愈。
癸亥冬，山海关天行时疫，病者头痛发热，恶心口渴，神昏欲寐，四肢不举，其肉推之则一堆，平之则如
故。医有作伤寒者，有作时气者，投以发散药，无不加重，死者数百。时督师阁部孙及赞画各伤一仆。至乙丑
春，钱之关门谒太师，谈次问及，曰∶此症天行时疫，名肉行也。人肉属土，土燥则崩，土湿则流，其邪感于
血脉肌肉，不比伤寒所治也。古今医集不载，止于官邸便方见此异症一款。因人血枯，而感天时不正之气，当
大补血。用首乌、枸杞、归、地等味，少加羌活风药，足以应病矣。若经发散，立死无疑。（雄按∶土湿则流，
深中肯綮，何以不用治湿热之药？）
湖州邬阿二，织丝人也。偶燃两膊红十余条，其红条头粗尾尖腹大，长尺许，阔尺许，此青蛇气异毒也。
急治之，不然蛇形入腹而死。或生大小腿，如头向上攻入腹者亦死。以针挑破头尾，使其不走，流出恶血。又
研明雄黄，唾调搽患处，内服清凉败毒散。防风、荆芥、白芷、羌活、黄连、黄芩、连翘、金银花、槐子、甘
草、当归、生地各一钱，二三帖。（雄按∶此即世称蛇缠症之甚者。浙东人名曰缠身龙。）
吴桥治吕廷充，年二十五，得奇疾，作则众窍气坌出，瞑而垂绝。家人为之闭口鼻，塞两耳，掘小溲，抵
大溲，乃稍回，气蒸蒸出毛孔中，良久始定。逆桥治，桥曰∶病得之内而受惊，阴阳两脱。桥不能往，第以大
温补剂投之，持方药归，三月而愈。（《太函集》。）
金节年如廷始病潮热梦遗，面赤而咳血，医而少间，已而奇疾作，作则如束薪热涌泉，由胫及股，直达如
贯梨。倾耳而听，辘辘有声。至则坚疆不仁，肤革如木石，喷嚏不得通，水浆不入。良久忽发一叹，身柔缓
如常。以月计之，凡六七作。诸医敛手。桥视之，脉数而浮，不任按。病得之荒淫不节，以致阴虚火炎，此其
甚也。为之正治，则以一杯而熄舆薪。无已，则从治之，主以甘温，佐以清凉可也。日一剂，皆有验，迄于旬
日而新疾平。其父以故疾未除，则挟一方士自九华至，乃悉屏前药，曰∶烹一鸭饷之， 以人参，和以大枣。
无何，火症复作，中膈膨胀。乃复逆桥诊之，则六脉浮取加弦，弦为木旺。盖以啖鸭而伤脾气，故肝木乘虚而
克之，将变为中满矣。急以为温补剂治之，两月乃安。（同上。）
穆吏部名深，是山东济南人，壬辰年进士，罢官后居住在家乡。忽然患了一种怪病，耳朵里听到车马的声音，病情就立刻加重。有一天听到耳内有人说：“今天暂且去郊外游玩。”随即仿佛有装载货物的驴马依次从耳中出来，病痛顿时消除。到了晚上又听到游玩的人回来，驮运的驴马全部返回耳中，那么痛苦的症状又像以前一样严重，多次治疗都没有痊愈。一天忽然感觉怅然若失。（出自《敝帚轩语》。）
一个人躺在床上，四肢不能动弹，只能进食，喜欢大声谈论想吃什么东西，这被称为“失说物望病”。治疗方法是：当他说要吃猪肉时，就说你吃了一顿猪肉，病人听了很高兴，于是把肉放在病人面前让他看，却不给他吃，这就是满足了他“说”的愿望而失去了“吃”的愿望，应当让他自己睡觉，口水流出就会自愈。（出自《万病回春》。）
有个富家子弟十七八岁，全身肌肉开裂，请黄子浓诊治。黄子浓带着四五个门生前往诊视，各自根据所见陈述议论都不恰当。黄子浓于是支开旁人审问病人说：“小时候曾接近女色，触犯天真了吗？”回答说：“大概在十三四岁时，曾经有过。”黄子浓说：“我明白其中的道理了。褚澄说：‘精气未通而御女，则四体有不满之处，后来有难状之疾，在法为不可疗。’”后果然恶汗淋漓，痛苦而死。（这种论述或许未必正确。）
江南一家旅店中有一位老妇人，吃东西不知道饱，余德占用炊饼喂她，吃完一竹匾，还称饥饿不止，每天吃米一石。（出自《郁沧浪抹擦》。）
醴泉主簿蔡绳，是我的朋友，也得了饥饿的病，食物稍微晚一点吃，就突然跌倒昏迷。蔡绳品行美好，博学善文，是当时的文人，最终竟因饥饿而死。没有人知道他绝食的原因，每每为此哀伤。（按：这恐怕就是中消病。）
我曾经到候潮门外观看潮水，看见一个乞讨的人，一只手手掌大了一倍，五根手指各长一尺多，只能伸直不能弯曲，感叹他形体构造的奇特。那人说：“这是我的病，过去从事织绢工作，足以糊口。去年夏天患伤寒，该发汗的时候，这只手在被窝外面，唯独没有出汗，病好了但这只手疼痛不止，渐渐疼痛渐渐生长，以至于变成这样。现在手不能劳作，所以乞讨为生。”（同上。）
邱汝诚治疗一个女子，打哈欠伸懒腰时手臂下不来。邱让她的母亲脱掉女子上身的衣服，只穿一条单裙。说：“等我掀帘子进去时就脱下下裳。”母亲照做，邱大声喊着进去，女子羞缩手臂，手臂就恢复了正常。（出自《挥尘新谈》。）
陆道光治疗一个染上奇怪病症的孩子，四肢僵硬不能弯曲。陆光说：“这不是药物可以治疗的。”举起伞覆盖住孩子，绕着床焚烧安息香、沉香、檀香，孩子就平复了。过了一会儿又发作，嚼碎沉香让他服下便痊愈了。（出自《平湖县志》。）
高阳百姓家的儿子才十多岁，忽然臂上生出宿瘤，痛痒难以忍受，医生都不能辨认是什么症。一天忽然自行溃破，里面有一个圆形的卵坠出，很快化为石头。刘工部霖用一个金锭买下了它，治疗膈病如神。（出自《池北偶谈》。）
江宁有个萧生，吃香蕈就会死，还有个王生，喝茶就会死，必须两三天后才苏醒。医生不能识别其中的原因，记录于此，等待明医或许能知道。（出自《居易录》。）
桐城的朋友姚文燮，字经三，顺治己亥年进士，诗画都有名气。六十多岁，忽然生病不识字，连自己的姓名也不知道。医生不知道这是什么症，最终因此去世。按《梦溪笔记》记载，松滋县令姜愚，忽然几年不识字，后来稍微恢复旧状，确实是奇疾。（同上。）
刘进士祖向说，某州的一个少年，被邪气侵袭，病入膏肓。家人认为活不了，把他扔在路边。忽然一个道士经过，自称善于医术，让人取来重达几十斤的铁锤，敲打病人的头面。父母哭着说病已至此，铁锤落下，脑袋立刻会碎。道士笑着说：“不要紧。”铁锤落下，病人好像什么都不知道，随即有一个约两尺高的美丽妇女从口中跳出并消失。总共锤了一百下，口中出一百个妇女，大小形状都一样，少年立刻痊愈，道士也不再见了。（出自《池北偶谈》。）
宋元嘉末年有个长广人，病刚好就能吃东西，却不能睡觉，每顿饭就觉得身体增长，几天后头竟然伸出屋外。当时假究任刺史，让人测量，已经长到三丈。后来逐渐缩小像原来那样才死。（出自《异苑》。）
医书说瘦人突然变胖，胖人突然变瘦，都活不久。同年薛为学考中进士时，身体很胖，等到做御史时，忽然消瘦，不久公干郧阳，一夜之间死亡。听说他死时，身躯缩得像十几岁的小孩，这尤其怪异。（出自《览余漫抄》。雄按：此疾或因服用丹石热药所致。）
陶九成说：京城一个小孩患头痛不可忍受，有回回医官，用刀割开，割开后取出一个小螃蟹硬如石头，还能活动，一会儿才死，痛也立刻停止。应当找到那个螃蟹，至今收藏着。（出自《辍耕录》。）
《宋史》记载吕夏卿考中进士，历任知制诰，掌管滁州，五十二岁得奇疾，身体缩小，死时才像小孩。《菽园杂记》记载御史薛为学，身体很胖，忽然消瘦，一病而死。死时缩小如十几岁的小孩。（自得语。雄按：梁应来说，葛秋生的姑丈患痨病死，身首渐小，名叫缩骨劳。我认为自古没有这个病名，不知是谁创立的，附记以此请教高明。至于窦材说宜服用丹附药，最属荒谬不经。）
广陵有个农妇患泄泻，排泄物恶臭如油，邻居小孩用纸捻蘸取，纸捻与油无异，医生不能治疗。孙滋九先生听说后前往诊视，让人买补中益气汤十剂，天王补心丸四两，用煎剂送服丸药后痊愈。众医生询问原因，说：“人惊恐则气下，大肠胀损所致，这位妇人必定是在受惊后得的这个病。”一问果然她在田里劳作，见幼子爬向火堆，惊吓中急救得免，于是得了这个病。这是方书所未记载的。（出自《奇疾方》。）
钱国宾治疗镇江的钱青藜，中年无病，一天脚后跟偶然响了一声，听着有声，自觉怪异，几个月后响声渐大，直到头部竟然像雷声。医生说的症状名称不一，七年怀着生死之忧。钱路过京口甘露寺，寻找苍耳草治毒，在凉亭偶然谈到这个症，以“骨雷”告知他。邀请到家，候其脉象五部皆和，唯独肾脉芤大，举之始见，按之似无，这是肾败了。自下响者，足少阴肾经之脉，起于小指之下，斜走足心，出然谷之下，循内踝后，别入跟中，以上内，出内上股，入后贯脊。而且肾主骨，肾虚则髓空，髓空则鸣，所以骨响。白脚之头，即雷从地起，响于天上也。用六味丸加紫河车膏、虎骨膏、猪髓、枸杞、杜仲的方子给他看，他谢道：“您的言论破解了七年的迷惑，良方治起了终身的病。”长揖而别。到次年冬天，钱又到京口，问已全愈。
癸亥年冬天，山海关发生天行时疫，病人头痛发热，恶心口渴，神昏欲寐，四肢不能举动，推其肉则成一堆，抚平则如故。医生有的说是伤寒，有的说是时气，投以发散药，无不加重，死者数百人。当时督师阁部孙及赞画各伤一仆。到了乙丑年春天，钱到关门拜谒太师，谈话间问及，说：“此症是天行时疫，名叫肉行。人肉属土，土燥则崩，土湿则流，其邪感于血脉肌肉，不比伤寒所治也。古今医集不载，止于官邸便方见此异症一款。因人血枯，而感天时不正之气，当大补血。用首乌、枸杞、归、地等味，少加羌活风药，足以应病矣。若经发散，立死无疑。”（雄按：土湿则流，深中肯綮，何以不用治湿热之药？）
湖州邬阿二，是织丝的人。偶然胳膊上燃起十余条红痕，红痕头粗尾尖腹大，长约一尺，宽约一尺，这是青蛇气的异毒。急忙治疗，不然蛇形入腹而死。或者生在大小腿，如头向上攻入腹者亦死。用针挑破头尾，使其不走，流出恶血。又研细明雄黄，唾液调匀搽患处，内服清凉败毒散。防风、荆芥、白芷、羌活、黄连、黄芩、连翘、金银花、槐子、甘草、当归、生地各一钱，二三帖。（雄按：此即世称蛇缠症之甚者。浙东人名曰缠身龙。）
吴桥治疗吕廷充，二十五岁，得奇疾，发作时众窍气坌出，闭目垂危。家人为他闭口鼻，塞两耳，挖小便处，堵大便处，才稍缓解，气蒸蒸从毛孔中出，很久才安定。吴桥诊治，说：“病得之内而受惊，阴阳两脱。”吴桥不能前往，只以大温补剂投之，持方药归，三月而愈。（出自《太函集》。）
金节年如廷开始病潮热梦遗，面赤而咳血，医治稍好，不久奇疾发作，发作时如束薪热涌泉，由胫及股，直达如贯梨。倾耳而听，辘辘有声。至则坚疆不仁，肤革如木石，喷嚏不得通，水浆不入。良久忽发一叹，身柔缓如常。以月计之，凡六七作。诸医敛手。吴桥视之，脉数而浮，不任按。病得之荒淫不节，以致阴虚火炎，此其甚也。为之正治，则以一杯而熄舆薪。无已，则从治之，主以甘温，佐以清凉可也。日一剂，皆有验，迄于旬日而新疾平。其父以故疾未除，则挟一方士自九华至，乃悉屏前药，曰：“烹一鸭饷之，以人参，和以大枣。”无何，火症复作，中膈膨胀。乃复逆桥诊之，则六脉浮取加弦，弦为木旺。盖以啖鸭而伤脾气，故肝木乘虚而克之，将变为中满矣。急以为温补剂治之，两月乃安。（同上。）
Mu Shen, a Ministry Official, was from Jinan, Shandong. He passed the imperial examination in the Renchen year and lived in retirement after being dismissed. Suddenly, he suffered from an unusual illness: whenever he heard the sound of carriages and horses in his ears, the condition would worsen drastically. One day, he heard voices inside his ear saying, "Let's go for a stroll in the suburbs today." Immediately, it seemed as if loaded donkeys and horses emerged sequentially from his ears, and the ailment vanished instantly. By evening, hearing the return of the strollers and the donkeys and horses re-entering his ears, the suffering returned to its previous state. Despite multiple treatments, he did not recover. One day, he suddenly felt a sense of loss. (From *Bishu Xuan Yu*.)
A man lay in bed, unable to move his four limbs, able only to eat. He liked to loudly discuss what food he wanted to eat; this was called "Shi Shuo Wu Wang Bing" (Illness of Lost Desire-to-Say). The treatment method is: when he says he wants to eat pork, tell him he has eaten a meal of pork. Upon hearing this, the patient becomes happy. Then place the meat before him to see, but do not let him eat it. This satisfies his desire to speak while denying the desire to consume, allowing him to sleep naturally; salivation will occur, and he will heal on his own. (From *Wanbing Huichun*.)
A wealthy family's son, aged seventeen or eighteen, suffered from cracking of muscles all over his body. Huang Zinong was summoned for treatment. Huang went with four or five disciples to examine him. Each presented their observations and discussions, but none were appropriate. Huang then dismissed others and questioned the patient privately: "Did you engage in sexual activity during childhood, violating your innate essence?" The patient replied, "Around thirteen or fourteen, I did." Huang said, "I understand now. Chu Cheng stated: 'If one engages in sexual intercourse before the essence is fully developed, there will be deficiencies in the four limbs, leading later to inexplicable illnesses that are incurable by standard methods.' Indeed, the patient eventually died in agony with profuse foul sweat." (This theory may not be entirely correct.)
In an inn in Jiangnan, an old woman ate without feeling full. Yu Dezhange fed her steamed buns; she finished a whole bamboo tray yet still claimed hunger, consuming a *shi* (a unit of volume) of rice daily. (From *Yucanglang Moca*.)
Cai Sheng, the Magistrate of Liquan, was my friend. He also suffered from a hunger disease; if food was delayed even slightly, he would collapse into unconsciousness. Cai had excellent conduct, was learned and literary, and was a renowned scholar of his time, yet he ultimately died of starvation. No one knew the reason for his refusal to eat, and I often mourned for him. (Note: This is likely *Zhong Xiao* [Middle Consumptive Disease].)
I once went outside the Houqiao Gate to watch the tide and saw a beggar whose palm was double its normal size, with each finger over a foot long, capable only of extension, not flexion. I marveled at the strangeness of his physical formation. He said, "This is my illness. In the past, I wove silk to make a living. Last summer, I contracted *Shanghan* [Cold Damage]. When sweating therapy was indicated, this hand was outside the blanket and did not sweat. After the illness resolved, the pain in this hand persisted, gradually worsening and growing until it reached this state. Now unable to work, I beg for a living." (Same source.)
Qiu Rucheng treated a young woman who could not lower her arms when yawning and stretching. Qiu instructed her mother to undress the girl's upper body and put on a single-layer skirt, saying, "When I lift the curtain, remove the lower garment." The mother complied. Qiu entered loudly shouting; the girl, ashamed, shrank her arms back, and they returned to normal. (From *Hui Chen Xin Tan*.)
Lu Daoguang treated a child with a strange syndrome where the four limbs were stiff and could not bend. Lu said, "This cannot be treated with medicine." He held an umbrella over the child and burned *Anxi Xiang* (Benzoin), *Chen Xiang* (Agarwood), and *Tan Xiang* (Sandalwood) around the bed. The child recovered shortly after. When it relapsed, crushed agarwood was administered orally, leading to a cure. (From *Pinghu County Annals*.)
The son of a commoner in Gaoyang, just over ten years old, suddenly developed a chronic tumor on his arm, causing unbearable pain and itching. Physicians could not identify the syndrome. One day, it spontaneously ruptured, expelling a round egg-like object that soon turned into stone. Liu Gongbu Lin bought it for one gold tael and used it to treat chest obstruction diseases miraculously. (From *Chibei Outan*.)
In Jiangning, a man named Xiao died upon eating fragrant mushrooms. Another man named Wang died upon drinking tea, only reviving after two or three days. Physicians could not discern the cause. Recorded here, awaiting a brilliant physician to explain. (From *Juyi Lu*.)
My friend Yao Wenxie from Tongcheng, courtesy name Jing San, passed the imperial examination in the Jihai year of Shunzhi and was famous for poetry and painting. In his sixties, he suddenly became ill and lost the ability to read, not even recognizing his own name. Physicians did not know the syndrome, and he eventually died from it. According to *Mengxi Biji*, Jiang Yu, magistrate of Songzi, similarly lost the ability to read for several years before partially recovering. Indeed, a rare illness. (Same source.)
Liu Jinshi Zu Xiang recounted that a youth in a certain prefecture was invaded by evil pathogens, with the disease entering the pericardium and lungs. His family deemed him incurable and abandoned him by the road. Suddenly, a Daoist priest passed by, claiming skill in medicine. He ordered a heavy iron hammer weighing dozens of *jin* to strike the patient's head and face. The parents wept, fearing the skull would shatter. The Daoist laughed, "No harm." Upon striking, the patient seemed unaware, and a beautiful woman about two chi tall leaped out of his mouth and vanished. After a hundred strikes, a hundred women emerged, identical in size and shape. The youth was instantly cured, and the Daoist disappeared. (From *Chibei Outan*.)
At the end of the Yuanjia era of Song, a man from Changguang could eat immediately after his illness subsided but could not sleep. With every meal, he felt his body growing; within days, his head protruded outside the house. At that time, Jia Jiu served as Inspector General. People measured him, finding he had grown three *zhang*. Later, he gradually shrank back to normal size before dying. (From *Yi Yuan*.)
Medical texts state that thin people suddenly gaining weight or fat people suddenly losing weight indicate short life expectancy. My contemporary, Xue Weixue, was very fat when passing the jinshi examination. When he became a Censor, he suddenly emaciated. Not long after, on a mission to Yunyang, he died overnight. It was heard that at death, his body had shrunk to the size of a child of over ten years, which is particularly bizarre. (From *Lanyu Man Chao*. Note by Xiong: This illness may be caused by taking hot pills containing cinnabar and sulfur.)
Tao Jiucheng said: A child in the capital suffered from unbearable headache. A Huiyi (Muslim) medical official cut open the scalp and extracted a small crab, hard as stone but still moving, which died shortly after. The pain ceased immediately. The crab should have been preserved and is kept to this day. (From *Zhuo Geng Lu*.)
*History of Song* records that Lu Xiaqing, a jinshi and former Director of the Secretariat, served as Prefect of Chuzhou. At fifty-two, he contracted a strange illness causing his body to shrink; at death, he was only the size of a child. *Shuyuan Zaji* records that Censor Xue Weixue was very fat but suddenly emaciated and died from one illness. At death, he shrank to the size of a ten-year-old child. (Zide's words. Note by Xiong: Liang Yinglai stated that Ge Qiusheng's uncle-in-law died of consumption, with his body and head gradually shrinking, named *Suogu Lao* [Bone-Contracting劳]. I believe this disease name does not exist historically and do not know who created it. I record this to ask experts. As for Dou Cai's suggestion to take Danfu pills, it is most absurd.)
A peasant woman in Guangling suffered from diarrhea, excreting foul matter like oil. A neighbor child dipped a paper torch in it, and the torch was indistinguishable from oil. Physicians could not treat it. Mr. Sun Zijiu heard of this, visited, and prescribed ten doses of *Buzhong Yiqi Tang* [Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction] and four taels of *Tianwang Buxin Wan* [Heavenly Emperor Heart-Nourishing Pills], taken together with the decoction. She recovered. When asked by other physicians, he explained: "Fear causes Qi to sink, leading to distension and damage of the Large Intestine. This woman must have contracted this illness after a fright." Inquiry confirmed she was working in the fields, saw her young child crawling toward fire, and was startled while rescuing him, thus contracting the illness. This is unrecorded in medical formularies. (From *Qiji Fang*.)
Qian Guobin treated Qian Qingli of Zhenjiang. In middle age, without illness, one day his heel made a sudden noise. Hearing it, he felt it was strange. Over months, the noise increased until his head sounded like thunder. Physicians gave various names for the symptoms, and he lived with fear of death for seven years. Passing Kan Kou甘露 Temple, seeking *Cang'er Cao* [Xanthii Fructus] for poison treatment, he casually mentioned this syndrome as "Gu Lei" [Bone Thunder]. Invited home, his pulse was harmonious in five positions, except the Kidney position was *Kou* [hollow] and large, visible only on light pressure, absent on deep pressure, indicating Kidney failure. The noise originating from below relates to the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, which starts under the little toe, runs obliquely to the sole, emerges below Ran Gu, follows behind the medial malleolus, enters the heel, ascends the inner leg, exits above the medial condyle, enters the thigh, passes through the spine. Since the Kidney governs bones, Kidney deficiency leads to empty marrow, emptiness causes resonance, hence bone noise. The head of the white foot is like thunder rising from earth, echoing in the sky. He was given a formula of *Liuwei Wan* [Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia] added with *Ziheche Gao* [Placenta Paste], *Hugu Gao* [Tiger Bone Paste], pig marrow, *Gouqi* [Goji Berry], and *Duzhong* [Eucommia Bark]. He thanked him, saying, "Your analysis broke my seven-year confusion; this good prescription cured my lifelong illness." He bowed deeply and left. The following winter, Qian visited Kan Kou again and reported full recovery.
In the winter of Guihai, a seasonal epidemic occurred in Shanhaiguan. Patients had headache, fever, nausea, thirst, mental confusion, drowsiness, and immobility of limbs. Pushing the flesh formed a mound; smoothing it returned it to normal. Some physicians diagnosed *Shanghan*, others *Shiqi* [Seasonal Qi], administering dispersing herbs, which invariably worsened the condition, killing hundreds. The Commander-in-Chief Sun and his staff each lost a servant. In the spring of Yichou, Qian visited the Grand Preceptor at the pass gate. Discussing this, Qian said: "This is a seasonal epidemic named *Rouxing* [Flesh Movement]. Human flesh belongs to Earth; dry Earth collapses, wet Earth flows. The pathogen affects blood vessels and muscles, unlike *Shanghan*. Unrecorded in ancient and modern collections, found only in official household remedies. Due to dried blood and infection with abnormal seasonal Qi, massive blood tonification is needed. Use *Shouwu* [Polygonum Multiflorum], *Gouqi*, *Danggui* [Angelica Sinensis], *Dihu* [Rehmannia Glutinosa], etc., with a little *Qianghuo* [Notopterygium Rhizome] wind-dispelling herb, sufficient to treat the disease. If dispersed, death is certain." (Note by Xiong: "Wet Earth flows" hits the mark precisely; why not use damp-heat clearing herbs?)
Wu A'er from Huzhou was a silk weaver. Suddenly, more than ten red stripes appeared on both arms. The stripes were thick-headed, pointed-tailed, swollen-bellied, about one chi long and wide. This was the异毒 [strange toxin] of green snake qi. Urgent treatment was required, otherwise the snake form would enter the abdomen and cause death. If appearing on thighs or calves, attacking upward into the abdomen, it was also fatal. Puncture the head and tail with a needle to stop movement, draining foul blood. Grind *Ming Xionghuang* [Realgar], mix with saliva, and apply to the lesion. Internally administer *Qingliang Baidu San* [Cooling and Detoxifying Powder]: *Fangfeng* [Saposhnikovia Root], *Jingjie* [Schizonepeta Spike], *Baizhi* [Angelica Dahurica], *Qianghuo* [Notopterygium Rhizome], *Huanglian* [Coptis Rhizome], *Huangqin* [Scutellaria Root], *Lianqiao* [Forsythia Fruit], *Jinyinhua* [Honeysuckle Flower], *Huai Zi* [Sophora Fruit], *Gancao* [Licorice Root], *Danggui* [Angelica Sinensis], *Shengdi* [Rehmannia Root], each one qian. Two or three doses. (Note by Xiong: This is the severe form of the worldly-called Snake Coiling Syndrome. In Eastern Zhejiang, it is called Chan Shen Long [Body-Coiling Dragon].)
Wu Qiao treated Lü Tingchong, aged twenty-five, who suffered from a strange illness. During attacks, Qi gushed from all orifices, leading to near-death coma. Family members closed his mouth and nose, plugged ears, blocked urine and stool passages, allowing slight recovery. Qi steamed out from pores, stabilizing after a long time. Wu Qiao diagnosed: "The illness originated internally and was triggered by fright, leading to dual collapse of Yin and Yang." Wu could not visit personally but sent a major warming and tonifying formula. Taking the prescription home, the patient recovered in three months. (From *Tai Han Ji*.)
Jin Jie, formerly Ting Shi, initially suffered from tidal fever, nocturnal emissions, red face, and hemoptysis. Treatment provided temporary relief, but then a strange illness arose. Attacks felt like heat surging from Yongquan, traveling from calves to thighs, piercing like a pear core. Listening closely, a rattling sound was heard. Upon attack, limbs became stiff and insensible, skin and flesh like wood or stone, sneezing blocked, fluids unable to enter. After a long while, a sigh was released, and the body relaxed as usual. Occurring monthly, about six to seven times. Physicians withdrew. Wu Qiao examined him: pulse rapid and floating, tender to pressure. The illness resulted from licentiousness and lack of moderation, leading to Yin deficiency and flaming Fire, severely exacerbated. Standard treatment would extinguish a cartload of fire with a cup of water. Alternatively, follow-up treatment using sweet-warm herbs supported by cooling herbs is acceptable. One dose daily, effective, resolving the new illness within ten days. His father, seeing the old illness unresolved, brought a Daoist from Jiuhua, discarding previous medicines, saying: "Cook a duck for him, add Ginseng and Jujube." Soon, fire symptoms recurred, with epigastric distension. Re-examined by Wu Qiao, the six pulses were superficial and wiry; wiry indicates Wood excess. Eating the duck damaged Spleen Qi, allowing Liver Wood to invade the void, threatening to become *Zhongman* [Fullness in the Center]. Urgently treated with warming and tonifying agents, stabilized in two months. (Same source.)