一人患阴虚内热，仲淳曰∶当用甘寒，弗用苦寒，非百余剂不效。用二冬滋阴清肺，
苏
一妇彻夜不眠，两月饮食俱废，形体日削，皆谓不治。余延医之，许以可救。盖此症
虽属虚
剂，自然水升火降而愈。用生脉散、加茯、枣、远志、归、地，大剂饮之，因虚甚气怯，佐
以琥珀、辰砂、金银器之类，约百余剂而瘳。
一人患目珠痛如欲堕，胸胁及背如槌碎状，昼夜咳嗽，眠食俱废，自分不起。仲淳令
日进童
红、杷叶，贝母、竹沥以下痰气，青蒿，白芍、鳖甲，以治肝火。久之未痊，病家疑其虚，
促用参、 ，仲淳不可，乃自隐以黄 （二钱）入药尝之，竟夕闷热，目不交睫，始固守前方
，兼服噙化丸，不辍逾月而平。盖此病本于亲丧过哀，更触恼怒，肺经热甚，肝血上冲所致
，故不宜参、 耳！
一童子年十五，患寒热咳嗽，面赤鼻塞，夜剧，家人以为伤风。仲淳视之曰阴虚。盖
伤风面
是以其阴虚也。投鳖甲以除寒热，生地以补肾阴，麦冬、桑皮、贝母、沙参、百部清肺降火
，五味收敛肺火，不四剂而安。
一人气喘自汗，昼夜不眠不食，医以外感治之，益甚。仲淳曰∶此肾虚气不归原，故
火上浮
茯苓、白芍、枣仁，补脾敛肺，不数剂而愈。
一人客邸耽于青楼，且多拂意之事，至冬底发热咳嗽，医皆用发表和解，以外感治之
。神色
，内有瘀血，故脉时一结，肺肝叶损，所以卧不能下，症属不治，况误认外感，多服发散，
复蹈虚虚之戒耶！不数日而没。
一人形体单弱，神气衰少，且素耽酒色，时常齿衄。春间，偶患右乳旁及肩背作痛异
常，手
。邀余延医，六脉虚数，肝肾为甚。余断以阴虚火旺之症，当滋阴养血，扶持脾胃，俾阴血
渐生，虚火下降，则痛不求其止而止矣。如必以和伤治痛为急，则徒败胃气，克削真元，非
所宜也。疏一方付之，用地、芍、杞子、牛膝、麦冬，滋阴养血，石斛、甘草扶持脾胃，桑
皮、续断、丹皮，和调血脉，嘱其十剂方有效，以阴无骤补之法耳！服至八剂后，脉气渐和
，精神渐旺，尚未出房室，至此则能步出中堂，但痛处未尽除，然而生机则跃跃矣。惜其欲
速太过，惑于群小，弃置余方，复以前药杂进。一月后胃气果败，作呕逆，阴血愈耗，发潮
热，脾气伤尽，作腹胀，再半月死矣。
一人患遗精，闻妇人声即泄，瘠甚欲死，医告术穷。仲淳之门人以远志为君，莲须、
石莲子
终剂而愈。
一人因肄业劳心太过，患梦遗症已三四年矣。不数日一发，发过则虚火上炎，头面烘
热，手
、枸杞、萸肉、天冬补肾，麦冬清心，莲须五味涩精，鳔胶填精，车前利湿热之水，使相火
安宁，不终剂而愈。病者初时恐黄柏太寒，不欲用也。余谓尊症之所以久而未愈者，正未用
此药耳！经曰∶肾欲坚，急食苦以坚之，黄柏是也。肾得坚，则心经虽有火，而精自固，何
梦遗之有哉？向徒用补益收涩，而未及此，故难取效。
一人病失血，岁二三发，其后所出渐多，咳嗽发热，食减肌削，屡至平康，不以为意
。夏秋
、术，胸膈迷闷，喉音窒塞，服茯苓、山药，预收红铅末，下黑血数升，胸喉顿舒，面容亦
转，以为得竹破竹补之法也。加用桂、附二剂，于是下痢，昼夜十数行，饮食难进，神识不
清，病转增剧。嘉言诊之，脾脉大而空，肾脉小而乱，肺脉沉而伏，病者问此为何症也？曰
∶此症患在亡阴，况所用峻热之药，如权臣悍师，不至犯上，无等不已。行期在立冬后三日
，以今计之，不过信宿，无以方为也。何以言之？经云∶暴病非阳，久病非阴，则数年失血
，其为阳盛阴虚无疑。况食减而血不生，渐至肌削，而血日槁，虚者益虚，盛者益盛，势必
阴火大炽上炎而伤肺金，咳嗽生痰，清肃下行之令尽壅，由是肾水无母气以生，不足荫养百
骸，柴闸极瘦损，每申酉时洒淅恶寒，转而热，至天明，微汗始退，政如夏日炎蒸，非雨不解
。身中之象，明明有春夏而无秋冬，用药之法，不亟使金寒水冷，以杀其势，一往不返矣。
乃因下利误用参、术补剂，不知肺热已久，止有从皮毛透出一路，今补而不宣，势必移于大
肠，所谓肺热于内，传为肠 是也。至用红铅末下黑血者，盖阳明之血，随清气行者，久已
呕出，其阴分之血，随浊气行至胸中，为募原所闭，久瘀膈间，得经水阴分下出之血，引之
而走下窍，声应气求之妙也。久积顿宽而色稍转，言笑稍适者，得攻之力，非得补之力也。
乃平日预蓄之药，必为方士所惑，见为其阳大虚，放胆加用桂附燥热以尽劫其阴，惜此时未
得止之。今则两尺脉乱，火燔而泉竭，脾胃脉浮，下多亡阴，阳无所附，肺派沉伏，金气缩
敛不行，神识不清，而魄已先丧矣。昔医云∶乱世混浊，有同火化，夫以火济火，董曹秉权
用事，汉数焉能不终也！
一人劳心太过，因食海鲜吐血有痰，喉间如鲠，日晡烦热，士材诊之曰∶六脉不数，
惟左寸
剂，而症减六七，兼服六味丸三月，遂不复发。
一人发热咳嗽，呼吸喘急，用苏子降气汤不应，乃服八味丸，喘益急。士材云∶两颊
俱赤
，喘急顿止。随用地黄丸料，以麦冬、五味煎膏，及龟胶为丸，至十斤而安。
一室女年十七，患瘰 久不愈，天癸未通，发热咳嗽，饮食少思。医欲用巴豆、肉桂
之类，先
禀气不足，阴血未充之故，须养气血，益津液，其经自行。惑于速效，仍服前药。立斋云∶
非其治也。此类剽悍之剂，大助阳火，阴血得之则妄行，脾胃得之则愈虚。经云∶女子二七
而天癸至。若过期不至，是为非常，必有所因。寇宗 云∶夫人之生，以血气为本，人之病
，未有不伤血气者。世有童男室女，积想在心，思虑过当，多致劳损，在男子则神色先败，
在女子则月水先闭。何以致然？盖忧愁思虑则伤心，心伤则逆竭，故神色先败，而月水先闭
也。火既受病，不能营养其子，故不嗜食。脾既虚，则金气亏，故发咳嗽。嗽既作，水气绝
，故四肢干，木气不充，故多怒，须发焦，筋骨痿。俟五脏传遍，虽猝不能死，然终死矣。
此种虚劳，最难疗治，若能改易心志，用药扶持，可得九死一生。又张氏云∶室女经久不行
，切不可用苦寒，以血得冷则凝也。若经候微少，渐渐不通，手足骨内烦疼，日渐羸瘦，潮
热，其脉微数，此由阴虚血弱，火盛水亏，不可以毒药通经，宜常服柏子仁丸、泽兰汤。
一放出宫女，年三十，两胯作痛，肉色不变，大小便中作痛如淋，登厕尤甚。立斋云
∶此瘀
，可见在宫久怀忧郁，既嫁又不能如愿，致生此症，愈见流疰瘰 ，乃七情气血皆已损伤，
不可用攻，其断然矣。按∶精血篇云∶精未通而御女，以通其精，则五脏有不满之处，异日
有难状之疾，阴已痿而思色以降其精，则精不出而内败，小便道涩而为淋，精已耗而复竭之
，则大小便牵痛，愈痛则愈欲便，愈便则愈痛。女人天癸既至，逾十年无男子合则不调，不
调则旧血不出，新血误行，或渍而入骨，或变而为肿，或虽合而难子。合男子多则精枯虚人
，产多则血枯杀人，观其精血，思过半矣。
一妇蚤孀居，时年三十七，患两腿骨作痛，晡时体倦，月经不调，或发寒热，已数年
矣。一
等药，三十余剂，症渐轻安。再用加味归脾等药，年余而痊。
一放出宫人，年四十余，臀腿内股作痛，晡热口干，月经不调。立斋云∶此系肝经血
少，不
剂而痊也。
一放出宫人，臀腿肿痛，内热晡热，恶寒体倦，咳嗽胸痞，月经过期而少。彼以为气
毒流疰
。宜补者脾也，宜制者肝也。彼不信，仍服前药而毙。
一孀妇内热晡热，腹胀胁痛，肢体酸麻，不时吐痰，月经不调，带下青黄。立斋云∶
此郁怒
剂而痊。
一妇因夫经商久出，时发寒热，经行旬日方止。服凉热降火药，内热益甚，自汗盗汗
，月经
一妇发热口干，肢体倦怠，腿痛膝肿，月经不调。立斋云∶此足三阴血虚之症也。用六
味丸、逍遥散，兼服两月，饮食渐进，形体渐健，膝肿渐消而愈。
一人患阴虚内热，咳嗽有痰。余朝用回生丸，以补肾培其根本；午间临卧，用加味清
清肺，理其痰嗽。有时脾气不佳，间服资生丸；有时内热或甚，间用保阴煎加减。喜其遵守
饮食宜忌，及养生却病之法，年余，虚渐退热渐除。三年膏丸汤液，未尝一日间断，竟得全
愈。又延医患前症，皆用上法，全愈多人。数年淹淹不死者，亦多人。或见吐血，则用仲淳
方加减治之；或寒热如疟，则用逍遥散加减治之。
大抵此症伤损未重，内热未甚，初起加谨，调治服药，毋使有间，慎勿躁急求功，自
然悠久
益其气。愚谓参 固为补气之正药，然有肺火炽盛日久，必致肺气索然，又当用润燥清金之
品。清肺热即所以救肺气，亦为益气之本也。凡用药须活泼地如珠走盘，越人所以不立方者
，意在斯矣。损其心者，调其荣卫。心者血之原，荣卫发动之始。古方如归脾汤，乃调荣卫
之法也。损其脾者，调其饮食，适其寒温。如春夏食凉食冷，秋冬食温食热，及衣服起居，
各当其时是也，然亦不可执定。损其肝者，缓其中。经谓∶肝苦急，急食甘以缓之。逍遥散
中用甘草，缓其中之谓也。损其肾者，益其精。凡粘腻滋湿之物，皆益精之品，经所谓精不
足者，补之以味也。此治损之妙法，无有过于是者矣。
一人患阴虚内热，仲淳说：应当使用甘寒药物，不要用苦寒药物，不吃上一百多剂药是不会见效的。用天冬、麦冬滋阴清肺，（原文此处似有缺漏或排版错误，结合上下文推测为方剂或药材名，但原文仅显示“苏”，故保留原意或视为排版残缺，此处依原文直译）……
一妇人整夜不睡觉，两个月饮食都废绝，身体一天天消瘦，大家都认为无法救治。我请医生诊治，许下可以救活的承诺。因为此症虽然属于虚证，（原文此处似有缺漏，结合后文“自然水升火降而愈”及用药，推测意为通过调理使水火既济），自然就能水升火降而痊愈。用生脉散，加入茯苓、枣仁、远志、当归、地黄，大剂量服用，因为虚损严重且气怯，佐以琥珀、辰砂、金银器等物，大约一百多剂后病愈。
一人患眼珠疼痛如要坠落，胸胁及背部像被槌打碎裂一样，昼夜咳嗽，睡眠和饮食都废绝，自己断定活不成了。仲淳命令每天进服童便、枇杷叶，贝母、竹沥以降痰气，青蒿、白芍、鳖甲来治肝火。久了没有痊愈，病家怀疑是虚证，催促用人参、（原文此处似有缺漏，通常为肉桂或附子等温补药，但原文未显，故略过具体药名，仅译语境），仲淳不同意，于是病人偷偷在药中加入黄柏（二钱）尝试服用，结果整晚闷热，眼睛无法闭合，这才坚持固守前方，兼服噙化丸，不停歇地服用超过一个月才平复。这个病本源于亲人去世过度悲哀，又触动恼怒，导致肺经热盛，肝血上冲所致，所以不适合用人参、（原文缺漏之药）！
一个十五岁的童子，患寒热咳嗽，面红鼻塞，夜间加重，家人以为是伤风。仲淳看后说是阴虚。因为伤风的面（原文此处似有缺漏，通常指面色或症状对比），是因为他阴虚啊。投用鳖甲来除寒热，生地来补肾阴，麦冬、桑白皮、贝母、沙参、百部清肺降火，五味子收敛肺火，不到四剂就安好了。
一人气喘自汗，昼夜不眠不食，医生以外感治疗，病情更加严重。仲淳说：这是肾虚气不归元，所以火上浮（原文此处似有缺漏，通常接“故见...”），（原文此处似有缺漏，结合后文用药，推测为描述症状或病机），茯苓、白芍、枣仁，补脾敛肺，不到几剂就好了。
一人在客店沉溺于妓院，且多有失意之事，到了年底发热咳嗽，医生都用发表和解的方法，以外感治疗。（原文此处似有缺漏，描述神色），内有瘀血，所以脉象时而结代，肺肝叶受损，所以卧不能下，症属不治，何况误认外感，多服发散药，又犯了虚虚之戒（即对虚证误用攻伐）耶！没过几天就死了。
一人形体单薄虚弱，神气衰少，而且素来沉溺酒色，时常齿龈出血。春天，偶然患右乳旁及肩背异常疼痛，手（原文此处似有缺漏，可能指手部症状或动作受限）。邀请我延医，六脉虚数，肝肾尤为明显。我断定为阴虚火旺之症，应当滋阴养血，扶持脾胃，使得阴血逐渐生成，虚火下降，那么痛不求止而自止了。如果一定要以调和损伤治疗疼痛为急务，那就徒然败坏胃气，克削真元，是不适宜的。开一方给他，用地黄、白芍、枸杞子、牛膝、麦冬，滋阴养血，石斛、甘草扶持脾胃，桑白皮、续断、丹皮，和调血脉，嘱咐他十剂后才有效，因为阴精没有骤补的方法啊！服用到八剂后，脉气逐渐平和，精神逐渐旺盛，尚未出房室，至此则能步出中堂，但痛处未尽除，然而生机已经跃跃欲试了。可惜他求速太过，被小人迷惑，丢弃我的方子，又以前药杂进。一月后胃气果然败坏，作呕逆，阴血更耗，发潮热，脾气伤尽，作腹胀，再半月就死了。
一人患遗精，听到妇人声音就泄精，瘦弱得要死，医生告之术穷。仲淳的门人以远志为君药，莲须、石莲子（原文此处似有缺漏，通常为其他固涩药），终剂而愈。
一人因学业劳心太过，患梦遗症已三四年了。不几天发作一次，发作过后虚火上炎，头面烘热，手（原文此处似有缺漏，可能指手足心热），枸杞、山茱萸、天冬补肾，麦冬清心，莲须、五味子涩精，鳔胶填精，车前子利湿热之水，使相火安宁，不到一剂就痊愈了。病人起初恐怕黄柏太寒，不想用。我说您的病之所以久而未愈，正是没用这味药啊！经书说：肾欲坚，急食苦以坚之，黄柏就是这样的药。肾得坚，则心经虽有火，而精自固，哪有梦遗呢？先前徒用补益收涩，而未涉及此法，所以难取效。
一人患失血，一年两三次发作，后来所出的血渐多，咳嗽发热，食减肌削，多次到平康（指医院或诊所），不以为意。夏秋（原文此处似有缺漏，可能指季节或时间），术（原文此处似有缺漏，可能指苍术或白术），胸膈迷闷，喉音窒塞，服茯苓、山药，预先收红铅末，下黑血数升，胸喉顿舒，面容也转好，以为得了竹破竹补的方法。加用桂枝、附子二剂，于是下痢，昼夜十数次，饮食难进，神识不清，病转增剧。嘉言诊察，脾脉大而空，肾脉小而乱，肺脉沉而伏，病人问这是什么症？说：此症患在亡阴，况且所用峻热之药，如同权臣悍将，不犯上作乱不止。行期在立冬后三日，以今天计算，不过两三个晚上，没有方子可施了。为什么这么说？经书说：暴病非阳，久病非阴，则数年失血，其为阳盛阴虚无疑。况且食减而血不生，渐至肌削，而血日枯，虚者更虚，盛者更盛，势必阴火大炽上炎而伤肺金，咳嗽生痰，清肃下行之令尽壅塞，由此肾水无母气以生，不足荫养百骸，柴闸极瘦损，每申酉时洒淅恶寒，转而发热，至天明，微汗始退，正如夏日炎蒸，非雨不解。身中之象，明明有春夏而无秋冬，用药之法，不亟使金寒水冷，以杀其势，一往不返矣。乃因下利误用参、术补剂，不知肺热已久，止有从皮毛透出一路，今补而不宣，势必移于大肠，所谓肺热于内，传为肠（原文此处似有缺漏，通常指肠澼或类似病症）是也。至用红铅末下黑血者，盖阳明之血，随清气行者，久已呕出，其阴分之血，随浊气行至胸中，为募原所闭，久瘀膈间，得经水阴分下出之血，引之而走下窍，声应气求之妙也。久积顿宽而色稍转，言笑稍适者，得攻之力，非得补之力也。乃平日预蓄之药，必为方士所惑，见为其阳大虚，放胆加用桂附燥热以尽劫其阴，惜此时未得止之。今则两尺脉乱，火燔而泉竭，脾胃脉浮，下多亡阴，阳无所附，肺派沉伏，金气缩敛不行，神识不清，而魄已先丧矣。昔医云：乱世混浊，有同火化，夫以火济火，董曹秉权用事，汉数焉能不终也！
一人劳心太过，因食海鲜吐血有痰，喉间如鲠，日晡烦热，士材诊之曰：六脉不数，惟左寸（原文此处似有缺漏，可能指左寸脉象），剂，而症减六七，兼服六味丸三月，遂不复发。
一人发热咳嗽，呼吸喘急，用苏子降气汤不应，乃服八味丸，喘益急。士材云：两颊俱赤（原文此处似有缺漏，可能指颧红），喘急顿止。随用地黄丸料，以麦冬、五味煎膏，及龟胶为丸，至十斤而安。
一十七岁处女，患瘰疬久不愈，天癸未通，发热咳嗽，饮食少思。医生想用巴豆、肉桂之类，先（原文此处似有缺漏，可能指告知病机），禀气不足，阴血未充之故，须养气血，益津液，其经自行。惑于速效，仍服前药。立斋说：这不是正确的治法。此类剽悍之剂，大助阳火，阴血得之则妄行，脾胃得之则愈虚。经书说：女子二七而天癸至。若过期不至，是为非常，必有所因。寇宗奭说：人之生，以血气为本，人之病，未有不伤血气者。世有童男室女，积想在心，思虑过当，多致劳损，在男子则神色先败，在女子则月水先闭。何以致然？盖忧愁思虑则伤心，心伤则逆竭，故神色先败，而月水先闭也。火既受病，不能营养其子，故不嗜食。脾既虚，则金气亏，故发咳嗽。嗽既作，水气绝，故四肢干，木气不充，故多怒，须发焦，筋骨痿。俟五脏传遍，虽猝不能死，然终死矣。此种虚劳，最难疗治，若能改易心志，用药扶持，可得九死一生。又张氏说：处女经久不行，切不可用苦寒，以血得冷则凝也。若经候微少，渐渐不通，手足骨内烦疼，日渐羸瘦，潮热，其脉微数，此由阴虚血弱，火盛水亏，不可以毒药通经，宜常服柏子仁丸、泽兰汤。
一放出宫女，年三十，两胯作痛，肉色不变，大小便中作痛如淋，登厕尤甚。立斋说：此瘀（原文此处似有缺漏，可能指瘀血或郁结），可见在宫久怀忧郁，既嫁又不能如愿，致生此症，愈见流疰瘰疬，乃七情气血皆已损伤，不可用攻，其断然矣。按：精血篇说：精未通而御女，以通其精，则五脏有不满之处，异日有难状之疾，阴已痿而思色以降其精，则精不出而内败，小便道涩而为淋，精已耗而复竭之，则大小便牵痛，愈痛则愈欲便，愈便则愈痛。女人天癸既至，逾十年无男子合则不调，不调则旧血不出，新血误行，或渍而入骨，或变而为肿，或虽合而难子。合男子多则精枯虚人，产多则血枯杀人，观其精血，思过半矣。
一妇人早年守寡，时年三十七，患两腿骨作痛，傍晚体倦，月经不调，或发寒热，已数年矣。一（原文此处似有缺漏，可能指某医生或方法），等药，三十余剂，症渐轻安。再用加味归脾等药，年余而痊。
一放出宫人，年四十余，臀腿内股作痛，傍晚发热口干，月经不调。立斋说：此系肝经血少，不（原文此处似有缺漏，可能指疏肝养血），剂而痊也。
一放出宫人，臀腿肿痛，内热傍晚发热，恶寒体倦，咳嗽胸痞，月经过期而少。她以为是气毒流疰（原文此处似有缺漏，可能指某种病症）。宜补者脾也，宜制者肝也。她不信任，仍服前药而死。
一寡妇内热傍晚发热，腹胀胁痛，肢体酸麻，不时吐痰，月经不调，带下青黄。立斋说：此郁怒（原文此处似有缺漏，可能指肝郁化火），剂而痊。
一妇人因丈夫经商久出，时发寒热，经行旬日方止。服凉热降火药，内热益甚，自汗盗汗，月经（原文此处似有缺漏，可能指紊乱或量少）。
一妇发热口干，肢体倦怠，腿痛膝肿，月经不调。立斋说：此足三阴血虚之症也。用六味丸、逍遥散，兼服两月，饮食渐进，形体渐健，膝肿渐消而愈。
一人患阴虚内热，咳嗽有痰。我早晨用回生丸，以补肾培其根本；午间临卧，用加味清（原文此处似有缺漏，可能指清肺汤或类似方剂）清肺，理其痰嗽。有时脾气不佳，间服资生丸；有时内热或甚，间用保阴煎加减。喜其遵守饮食宜忌，及养生却病之法，年余，虚渐退热渐除。三年膏丸汤液，未尝一日间断，竟得全愈。又延医患前症，皆用上法，全愈多人。数年淹淹不死者，亦多人。或见吐血，则用仲淳方加减治之；或寒热如疟，则用逍遥散加减治之。
大抵此症伤损未重，内热未甚，初起加谨，调治服药，毋使有间，慎勿躁急求功，自然悠久（原文此处似有缺漏，可能指疗效持久或康复），益其气。愚谓人参、黄芪固为补气之正药，然有肺火炽盛日久，必致肺气索然，又当用润燥清金之品。清肺热即所以救肺气，亦为益气之本也。凡用药须活泼地如珠走盘，越人所以不立方者，意在斯矣。损其心者，调其荣卫。心者血之原，荣卫发动之始。古方如归脾汤，乃调荣卫之法也。损其脾者，调其饮食，适其寒温。如春夏食凉食冷，秋冬食温食热，及衣服起居，各当其时是也，然亦不可执定。损其肝者，缓其中。经谓：肝苦急，急食甘以缓之。逍遥散中用甘草，缓其中之谓也。损其肾者，益其精。凡粘腻滋湿之物，皆益精之品，经所谓精不足者，补之以味也。此治损之妙法，无有过于是者矣。
One person suffered from Yin deficiency with internal heat. Zhongchun said: "Gan-han (sweet and cold) herbs should be used, not Ku-han (bitter and cold) herbs. It will not take effect without more than a hundred doses." Tian Dong (Asparagi Radix) and Mai Dong (Ophiopogonis Radix) were used to nourish Yin and clear Lung heat...
A woman suffered from insomnia all night long, had no food or drink for two months, and her body wasted away daily. Everyone believed she was incurable. I invited a doctor to treat her, promising that she could be saved. Since this syndrome belongs to deficiency... naturally, Water will ascend and Fire will descend, leading to recovery. Shengmai San (Generate the Pulse Powder) was used, added with Fu Ling (Poria), Zao Ren (Ziziphus Seed), Yuan Zhi (Polygalae Radix), Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), and Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix), administered in large doses. Because the deficiency was severe and Qi was timid, Hu Po (Amber), Chen Sha (Cinnabar), and silver/gold vessels were added as auxiliaries. After approximately a hundred doses, she recovered.
One person suffered from eye pain as if the eyeballs would fall out, chest, hypochondrium, and back feeling as if beaten to pieces, coughing day and night, with sleep and diet abandoned. He judged himself unable to survive. Zhongchun ordered him to consume Tong Bian (Child's Urine) and Pi Pa Ye (Loquat Leaf) daily, along with Bei Mu (Fritillariae Bulbus) and Zhu Li (Bamboo Sap) to descend Phlegm-Qi, Qing Hao (Artemisiae Annuae Herba), Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), and Bie Jia (Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum) to treat Liver Fire. After a long time, there was no cure. The family suspected deficiency and urged the use of Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix)... Zhongchun refused. The patient secretly added Huang Bo (Phellodendri Cortex, 2 qian) to the medicine and tried it. The result was whole-night stifling heat and inability to close eyes. Only then did he firmly adhere to the original prescription, taking Qinhua Wan (Swallow-and-Melt Pill) concurrently. Without stopping for over a month, the condition stabilized. This disease originated from excessive grief over a relative's death, compounded by anger, causing intense Heat in the Lung Meridian and upward rushing of Liver Blood. Therefore, Ren Shen... was unsuitable!
A fifteen-year-old boy suffered from alternating chills and fever with cough, red face, nasal congestion, worsening at night. His family thought it was Wind-Cold invasion. Zhongchun diagnosed it as Yin deficiency. Because [Wind-Cold presents differently], it is due to his Yin deficiency. Bie Jia (Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum) was given to remove chills and fever, Sheng Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata) to tonify Kidney Yin, Mai Dong (Ophiopogonis Radix), Sang Bai Pi (Mori Cortex), Bei Mu (Fritillariae Bulbus), Sha Shen (Glehniae Radix), and Bai Bu (Stemonae Radix) to clear Lung heat and descend fire, Wu Wei Zi (Schisandrae Fructus) to astringe Lung fire. Within four doses, he was calm.
One person suffered from asthma, spontaneous sweating, insomnia, and anorexia day and night. Doctors treated it as an External Contraction, making it worse. Zhongchun said: "This is Kidney deficiency with Qi failing to return to its source, causing Fire to float upward..." [Missing text regarding symptoms/mechanism], Fu Ling (Poria), Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), and Zao Ren (Ziziphus Seed) were used to tonify Spleen and astringe Lung. In a few doses, he recovered.
A man indulged in brothels while staying at an inn and experienced many frustrations. By the end of winter, he had fever and cough. Doctors used releasing-surface and harmonizing methods, treating it as an External Contraction. [Missing description of spirit/color], there was internal Blood stasis, hence the pulse occasionally knotted. Lung and Liver lobes were damaged, so he could not lie flat. The syndrome was incurable. Moreover, mistaking it for an External Contraction and taking many dispersing herbs violated the prohibition against weakening the deficient. He died within a few days.
One person was physically frail, with depleted Spirit and Qi, and had a history of alcohol and sexual indulgence, often suffering from gingival bleeding. In spring, he suddenly had abnormal pain in the right breast area, shoulder, and back... [Missing text]. I was invited to consult. The six pulses were deficient and rapid, especially in the Liver and Kidney. I diagnosed it as Yin deficiency with Fire hyperactivity. Treatment should nourish Yin and tonify Blood, support the Spleen and Stomach, allowing Yin-Blood to gradually generate and Deficient Fire to descend. Then the pain would stop without needing specific pain relief. If one urgently tries to harmonize injury to relieve pain, it merely damages Stomach Qi and depletes True Yuan, which is inappropriate. I prescribed a formula using Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix), Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Gou Qi Zi (Lycii Fructus), Niu Xi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix), and Mai Dong (Ophiopogonis Radix) to nourish Yin and Blood; Shi Hu (Dendrobii Caulis) and Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) to support Spleen and Stomach; Sang Bai Pi (Mori Cortex), Xu Duan (Dipsaci Radix), and Dan Pi (Moutan Cortex) to harmonize blood vessels. I instructed that effects would appear after ten doses, as Yin cannot be replenished abruptly. After eight doses, the pulse became harmonious, and spirit improved. He could walk out to the central hall, though pain remained, but vitality was evident. Regrettably, he was too impatient, misled by petty people, discarded my prescription, and took previous medicines indiscriminately. After a month, Stomach Qi failed, vomiting occurred, Yin-Blood was further depleted, tidal fever appeared, Spleen Qi was exhausted, abdominal distension developed, and he died half a month later.
One person suffered from spermatorrhea, ejaculating upon hearing a woman's voice, becoming emaciated to the point of death. Doctors felt their techniques were exhausted. A disciple of Zhongchun used Yuan Zhi (Polygalae Radix) as the sovereign herb, Lian Xu (Nelumbinis Stamen), and Shi Lian Zi (Nelumbinis Semen) [missing text], completing the course cured him.
One person suffered from nocturnal emission due to excessive mental labor from studies for three or four years. It occurred every few days. After each episode, Deficient Fire flared up, causing hot flashes on the head and face... [Missing text], Gou Qi Zi (Lycii Fructus), Yu Rou (Corni Fructus), and Tian Dong (Asparagi Radix) tonified the Kidney; Mai Dong (Ophiopogonis Radix) cleared the Heart; Lian Xu (Nelumbinis Stamen) and Wu Wei Zi (Schisandrae Fructus) astringed Essence; Biao Jiao (Colla Corii Asini) filled Essence; Che Qian Zi (Plantaginis Semen) drained damp-heat water, calming Ministerial Fire. Cured in less than one dose. Initially, the patient feared Huang Bo (Phellodendri Cortex) was too cold and refused it. I said: "The reason your illness persisted is precisely because you did not use this herb!" The Classic says: "The Kidney desires firmness; hasten to eat bitter to firm it." Huang Bo is such an herb. When the Kidney is firm, even if there is Fire in the Heart Meridian, Essence remains secure. Why would nocturnal emission occur? Previously, only tonifying and astringing herbs were used, missing this key aspect, hence little effect.
One person suffered from hemoptysis/hematemesis, occurring two or three times a year. Later, bleeding increased, accompanied by cough, fever, reduced appetite, and emaciation. He visited Pingkang [hospital/clinic] repeatedly without concern. In summer and autumn... [Missing text], Zhu [Cang Zhu/Bai Zhu]... caused chest and diaphragm stuffiness and hoarseness. He took Fu Ling (Poria) and Shan Yao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma), and previously collected Hong Qian Mo (Red Lead Powder). He passed several sheng of black blood, and his chest and throat instantly relieved, complexion improved. He thought he had found the method of "bamboo broken, bamboo patched" (treating damage with similar nature). Adding Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) and Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata) for two doses led to diarrhea, ten-plus times day and night, difficulty eating, unclear consciousness, and worsening condition. Jiayan diagnosed: Spleen pulse large and empty, Kidney pulse small and chaotic, Lung pulse deep and hidden. The patient asked what syndrome this was. Jiayan said: "This syndrome involves loss of Yin. Moreover, the harsh hot medicines used are like powerful ministers and fierce generals; they will not attack upwards until they have destroyed everything." The predicted date of death was three days after Start of Winter. Calculated from today, it would be no more than two nights. No prescription can help. Why? The Classic says: "Sudden illness is not purely Yang; chronic illness is not purely Yin." Years of blood loss undoubtedly indicate Excess Yang and Deficient Yin. Reduced intake leads to no blood generation, gradual emaciation, and daily drying of blood. The deficient becomes more deficient, the excess becomes more excessive. Yin Fire will blaze upward, damaging Lung Metal, causing cough and phlegm. The descending and clearing function is blocked. Consequently, Kidney Water lacks Mother Qi to generate it and cannot nourish the bones. Extremely emaciated, he felt chilly aversion to wind during Shen and You hours (3-7 PM), turning into fever, with slight sweat subsiding at dawn. Like summer heat requiring rain to resolve. His internal state clearly had Spring/Summer but no Autumn/Winter. Medication must urgently cool Metal and Water to suppress the momentum, otherwise it will go unrestrained. Mistakenly using Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) and Zhu (Atractylodes Rhizoma) tonics for diarrhea ignored the long-standing Lung Heat. There was only one path for release: through the skin/hair. Now, tonifying without venting forces Heat into the Large Intestine, known as "Lung Heat internally transmitting to the Intestines." Using Hong Qian Mo (Red Lead Powder) to pass black blood worked because Yangming Blood following Clear Qi had been vomited out. Yin Branch Blood following Turbid Qi reached the chest, closed by Mouyuan (Diaphragmatic Origin), stagnating in the膈 (diaphragm) for a long time. Getting blood from menstruation (Yin branch flowing downward) guided it to exit via lower orifices, a miracle of resonance between sound and Qi. Long accumulation suddenly relieved, color slightly turned, speech and laughter slightly comfortable—this was due to attacking power, not tonifying power. However, pre-stocked medicines were likely confused by alchemists. Seeing apparent severe Yang deficiency, they boldly added Gui Zhi (Cinnamoni Ramulus) and Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata) dry-heat herbs to exhaust Yin. Pity that it wasn't stopped then. Now, both Chi (Cun-Chi) pulses are chaotic, Fire blazing and springs dried. Spleen/Stomach pulses floating, excessive diarrhea causing Yin loss, Yang has no attachment. Lung branch deep and hidden, Metal Qi contracting and not moving. Consciousness unclear, Soul already lost. Ancient doctors said: "In chaotic times, turbidity is like fire transformation." Using fire to aid fire... [Historical analogy regarding Han Dynasty].
One person suffered excessive mental labor, then vomited blood with phlegm after eating seafood, felt a lump in the throat, afternoon irritability and heat. Shicai diagnosed: Six pulses not rapid, only Left Cun [missing text]... dose, symptoms reduced by 60-70%. Taking Liuwei Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia) for three months, it did not recur.
One person had fever, cough, breathing急促 (rapid), and wheezing. Suzi Jiangqi Tang (Perilla Fruit Decoction to Descend Qi) was ineffective. Then Ba Wei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill) was taken, and wheezing worsened. Shicai said: Both cheeks were red [missing text], wheezing stopped instantly. Then Dihuang Wan material was used, with Mai Dong (Ophiopogonis Radix) and Wu Wei Zi (Schisandrae Fructus) decocted into paste, and Gui Jiao (Colla Cornu Cervi) made into pills. Taking ten jin (5kg) brought peace.
A seventeen-year-old maiden suffered from scrofula (Luoli) for a long time without healing. Tian Gui (Menstruation) had not started. She had fever, cough, and poor appetite. Doctors wanted to use Ba Dou (Crotonis Fructus) and Rou Gui (Cinnamomi Cortex). [Missing text], stating that Qi禀 (constitution) is insufficient, Yin-Blood not filled. Must nourish Qi and Blood, benefit Jin-Ye (Body Fluids), and menstruation will come naturally. Misled by quick results, she still took previous medicines. Lizhai said: "This is not the correct treatment." Such fierce agents greatly assist Yang Fire. Yin-Blood will flow recklessly when exposed to them; Spleen/Stomach will become more deficient. The Classic says: "Girls reach Tian Gui at age fourteen." If overdue, it is abnormal and must have a cause. Kou Zongshi said: "Human life is based on Qi and Blood. Illness always injures Qi and Blood." Chaste men and women, harboring thoughts in heart, overthinking, often lead to consumptive damage. In men, Spirit and Color fail first; in women, menstruation closes first. Why? Worry and thought injure the Heart. Heart injury leads to reversal and exhaustion, so Spirit/Color fails and menstruation stops. Fire being diseased cannot nourish its child (Earth/Spleen), hence poor appetite. Spleen deficiency leads to Metal Qi deficit, causing cough. Once cough starts, Water Qi cuts off, limbs dry, Wood Qi insufficient, leading to anger, scorched hair/nails, and weak sinews/bones. Waiting for transmission among five Zang organs, although sudden death may not occur, death is inevitable. This type of Xu Lao (Consumptive Disease) is hardest to treat. If mindset changes and medicine supports, one chance in nine may exist. Zhang's clan said: For maidens with prolonged amenorrhea, never use Ku-Han (Bitter-Cold) herbs, as Blood congeals when cold. If menstruation is scant and gradually stops, with internal bone pain, wasting, tidal fever, and fine-rapid pulse, this is Yin deficiency, Blood weakness, Fire excess, Water deficit. Do not use toxic herbs to induce menstruation. Regularly take Baizi Ren Wan (Biota Seed Pill) and Zelan Tang (Eclipta Decoction).
A released palace maid, aged thirty, had pain in both hips, unchanged skin color, pain in urination/defecation resembling strangury, worse on toilet. Lizhai said: This is [Blood Stasis/Dampness]... Visible that long depression in the palace, followed by unsuccessful marriage, caused this syndrome. Further seeing Liu Zhu (Contagious Disease) and Luoli (Scrofula), Seven Emotions and Qi/Blood were injured. Attack is contraindicated. Note: Jingxue Pian says: "If sex occurs before Jing (essence) is connected, forcing ejaculation, the Five Zang have unmet needs, leading to difficult diseases later. If Yin is impotent but desiring color to release essence, essence does not exit but rots internally, causing urethral obstruction and strangury. If essence is consumed and exhausted again, urination/defecation pull and hurt. More pain leads to desire to defecate/urinate, more defecation/urination leads to more pain. Women, once Tian Gui arrives, if no intercourse for over ten years, menstruation becomes irregular. Irregular means old blood stays, new blood flows wrongly, soaking into bones or swelling. Even with intercourse, conception is difficult. Many partners lead to essence depletion and weakness; many births lead to blood depletion and death. Observing Jing and Blood, one understands half the truth."
A widow, aged thirty-seven, suffered from leg bone pain, evening fatigue, irregular menstruation, alternating chills and fever for years. [Missing doctor/method]... medicines, over thirty doses, symptoms gradually eased. Using Jiawei Guipi Tang (Modified Return the Spleen Decoction) for over a year, she recovered.
A released palace maid, aged forty+, had pain in buttocks/thighs, evening fever, dry mouth, irregular menstruation. Lizhai said: This is Liver Meridian Blood deficiency... [missing text] doses, she recovered.
A released palace maid, had buttock/thigh swelling/pain, internal heat, evening fever, aversion to cold, fatigue, cough, chest fullness, delayed and scant menstruation. She thought it was Qi toxicity and Liu Zhu (Contagious Disease). [Missing text]. Spleen should be tonified, Liver restrained. She didn't believe it, took previous medicines, and died.
A widow had internal/evening fever, abdominal distension, hypochondriac pain, limb soreness/numbness, occasional phlegm expectoration, irregular menstruation, green/yellow leukorrhea. Lizhai said: This is [Liver Depression/Fire]... [missing text] doses, she recovered.
A woman, husband away trading, had alternating chills/fever, menstruation lasting ten days. Took cooling/fire-descending herbs, internal heat worsened, spontaneous/diaphoresis, menstruation [missing text].
A woman had fever, dry mouth, limb fatigue, leg pain/knee swelling, irregular menstruation. Lizhai said: This is Foot Three Yin Blood deficiency. Used Liuwei Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill) and Xiaoyao San (Free and Easy Wanderer Powder) concurrently for two months. Diet gradually improved, physique strengthened, knee swelling subsided, and she recovered.
One person had Yin deficiency with internal heat and cough with phlegm. I used Huisheng Wan (Return Life Pill) in the morning to tonify Kidney and root the foundation; at noon/bedtime, used Jiawei Qingfei [Tang] (Modified Clear Lung Decoction) to clear Lung and manage phlegm/cough. Sometimes Spleen Qi was poor, taking Zisheng Wan intermittently; sometimes internal heat was severe, taking Baoyin Jian (Preserve Yin Decoction) modified. Glad that he observed dietary taboos and health preservation methods, after over a year, deficiency receded and heat removed. For three years, pastes, pills, and liquids were taken daily without interruption, achieving full recovery. Others with previous symptoms treated with these methods also recovered fully. Many who lingered for years without dying also benefited. For hemoptysis, Zhongchun's formulas were used; for chills/fever like malaria, Xiaoyao San was used.
Generally, for this syndrome, if damage is not severe and internal heat not intense, initial caution, consistent treatment, avoiding gaps, and avoiding impatience for quick results will naturally lead to long-term benefit... [missing text] benefiting Qi. I believe Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) and Huang Qi (Astragali Radix) are indeed correct Qi-tonifying herbs. However, if Lung Fire is blazing for a long time, Lung Qi will become exhausted. One must then use moistening-drying and clearing-Metal herbs. Clearing Lung Heat saves Lung Qi and is the root of benefiting Qi. Medication must be flexible like pearls rolling on a plate. Yue Ren's reason for not prescribing fixed formulas lies here. Damaging the Heart requires regulating Ying and Wei. Heart is the origin of Blood, the start of Ying/Wei movement. Ancient formula Guipi Tang is a method to regulate Ying/Wei. Damaging the Spleen requires adjusting diet and adapting to cold/warmth. Eating cool/cold in Spring/Summer, warm/hot in Autumn/Winter, and clothing/living according to seasons, but do not be rigid. Damaging the Liver requires soothing its center. The Classic says: "Liver suffers from urgency; hasten to eat sweet to soothe it." Using Gan Cao (Licorice Root) in Xiaoyao San refers to soothing the center. Damaging the Kidney requires benefiting Essence. Any sticky/moist substances are Essence-benefiting. The Classic says: "For Essence insufficiency, supplement with flavor." This is the wonderful method for treating Sun (Damage), nothing surpasses it.