Tan Shiyu (Attendant Gentleman Tan) experienced vomiting of clear fluid whenever he had a headache, regardless of the season. Taking ginger provided relief. This condition persisted for three years. I diagnosed it as deficiency-cold of the Middle Qi (Middle Jiao energy). Using Liujunzi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction) added with Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Huangqi (Astragali Radix), Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix), and Paojiang (Prepared Ginger Rhizome), the patient recovered.

A scholar preferred extremely hot food and drinks throughout the four seasons. He sometimes experienced acid regurgitation and belching with a putrid odor, loose stools, and dampness with itching between the toes. This was diagnosed as deficiency-cold of the Spleen Qi with sinking. Treatment with Liujunzi Tang added with Ganjiang (Dried Ginger Rhizome) and Rougui (Cinnamon Bark) resulted in recovery. However, any slight dietary indiscretion caused the various ailments to recur. Adding about one qian of Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) to the previous prescription and administering several doses prevented further recurrence.

A male patient presented with physical fatigue and lassitude, adequate food intake, dampness and itching between the toes, and a sensation of heaviness and sinking after prolonged walking or sitting. This was diagnosed as deficiency and sinking of Spleen and Stomach Qi. Treatment with Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) added with Fuling (Poria) and Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) led to recovery.

Another male patient suffered from poor appetite, chest and epigastric fullness, cold extremities, aversion to cold foods, fever with expectoration, and frequent nausea. Self-medication with Qingqi Huatan Wan (Clear Qi and Resolve Phlegm Pills) and Erchen Tang (Two Aged Things Decoction) along with Zhishi (Aurantii Fructus) caused abdominal distension, vomiting of phlegm and food, and dribbling urination. Subsequent self-medication with Siling San (Four Poria Powder), Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex), Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma), and Cheqianzi (Plantaginis Semen) resulted in difficulty in urination and exacerbation of all symptoms. I stated: "This is a syndrome of deficiency-cold of the Spleen and Stomach with lack of fire (Mingmen Fire). Therefore, ingested food fails to digest and is vomited back." Consequently, I used Bajiaowan (Eight-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia Root, also known as Jin Gui Shenqi Wan) to tonify the fire to generate earth (Spleen), and Buzhong Yiqi Tang added with Ganjiang and Rougui to cultivate the Middle Palace (Spleen/Stomach) and promote the generation of Yang Qi. The patient gradually recovered.

A male patient experienced limb pain upon exertion. Use of formulas for clearing phlegm and regulating Qi did not help; even without exertion, pain persisted. After adding damp-draining treatments, arm pain became diffuse with swelling, accompanied by physical fatigue, internal heat, and night sweats. The pulse was floating and large but faint and fine upon deep pressure. This was diagnosed as deficiency-cold of Yang Qi. Treatment with Buzhong Yiqi Tang added with one qian of Fuzi and five qian of Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) resolved the swelling and pain completely. Subsequently, over one hundred doses of Shiquan Dabu Tang (Ten Great Tonifying Decoction) were administered until full health was restored. He calculated that he had consumed thirteen jin of Renshen, and over one jin each of Ganjiang and Fuzi.

Shen Daya stated: "My mother, aged forty-two, in the seventh month of the Renyin year of the Jiajing era, suffered from spleen deficiency causing abdominal fullness, phlegm-cough, and fever. Due to consuming wet noodles and cold tea, she experienced acid regurgitation, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Mistakenly taking drugs such as Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Huanglian, and Qingpi (Aurantii Pericarpium Viride) exacerbated her chills and fever. She experienced dry mouth, uncontrollable salivation, thirst, and vomiting at the sight or smell of food for several days. Upon consultation, I said: 'The Spleen governs saliva. This is due to spleen deficiency failing to control fluids, hence the spontaneous flow of saliva.' I intended to use Renshen Anwei San (Ginseng Stomach-Calming Powder). However, influenced by public opinion, others believed it was excess fire in the Stomach channel and retained food. Treatment worsened the condition daily. Suddenly desiring winter melon, she ate a piece the size of a fingernail, which immediately triggered incessant vomiting of sour water. Continuing the previous medications aggravated the condition further. Upon re-examination, the patient showed signs of spirit depletion and near-death pulse, with only eye movement remaining. I stated: 'Cold invades internally; treatment requires acrid-hot substances. However, oral medication cannot be retained.' Urgently, I used salted Fuzi heated and applied as a compress to the umbilicus and abdomen to dissipate cold and restore Yang. I also performed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to replenish her breath. Additionally, I prepared Fuzi cakes and applied them hot to the umbilicus. After approximately one shi (two hours), her spirit and qi slightly revived. I powdered Renshen, Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), and Fuzi, mixed them with Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) into a paste, and formed pills the size of millet grains. Placing five to seven pills in the mouth allowed them to be swallowed with saliva, stopping the vomiting. After two days, the dosage increased to over ten pills, and symptoms subsided slightly. Salivation continued. After five days, small amounts (one or two spoons) of decoction were gradually administered. Stomach Qi slowly recovered, and she began craving porridge. Finally, warming and tonifying formulas containing Renshen and Baizhu were given. After more than fifty doses, she recovered."

Mr. Daya dares to record the peculiarity of this illness.

Shen Daya of Zhouhuotan bows and writes.