羚羊角∶性近于平不过微凉。最能清大热，兼能解热中之大
毒。且既善清里，又善透表，能引脏腑间之热毒达于肌肤而外出，疹之未出，或已出而速回者，皆可以此表之，
为托表麻疹之妙药。即表之不出而毒瓦斯内陷者，服之亦可内消。又善入肝经以治肝火炽盛，至生眼疾，及患吐
衄者之妙药。所最异者性善退热却不甚凉，虽过用之不致令人寒胃作泄泻，与他凉药不同。此乃具有特殊之良
能，非可以寻常药饵之凉热相权衡也。或单用之，或杂他药中用，均有显效。今特将所用羚羊角治愈之病十余
则，详录于下以征明之。
【附案】壬寅之岁，季春夜半，表弟刘××之子，年六岁，于数日间出疹，因其苦于服药，强与之即作呕吐，
所以未求诊视。今夜忽大喘不止，有危在顷刻之势，不知还可救否。遂与同往视之，见其不但喘息迫促，且精
神恍惚，肢体骚扰不安；脉象摇摇而动，按之无根；其疹出第三日即靥，微有紫痕，知其毒火内攻，肝风已动
也。因思熄风、清火，且托毒外出，惟羚羊角一味能兼擅其长，且色味俱无，煎汤直如清水，孺子亦不苦服。
遂急取羚羊角三钱煎汤，视其服下，过十余分钟即安然矣。
奉天王××之孙女，年五六岁，患眼疾。先经东医治数日不愈，延为诊视。其两目 肉长满，遮掩目睛，分
毫不露，且疼痛异常，号泣不止。遂单用羚羊角二钱，俾急煎汤服之。时已届晚九点钟，至夜半已安然睡去，
翌晨 肉已退其半。又煎渣服之，全愈。盖肝开窍于目，羚羊角性原属木，与肝有同气相求之妙，故善入肝经
以泻其邪热，且善伏肝胆中寄生之相火，为眼疾有热者无上妙药。
奉天韩姓媪，年六十余，臂上生疔毒，外科不善治疗，致令毒火内攻，热痰上壅，填塞胸臆，昏不知人。
有东医数人为治移时不愈，气息益微。延为诊视，知系痰厥。急用蓬砂五钱，煮至融化，灌下三分之二，须臾呕
出痰涎若干，豁然顿醒。而患处仍肿
疼，其疔生于左臂，且左脉较右脉洪紧，知系肝火炽盛，发为肿毒也。遂投以清火解毒之剂，又单将羚羊角二
钱煎汤兑服，一剂而愈。
奉天王××之幼女，年五岁，因出疹倒靥过急，毒火内郁，已过旬日，犹大热不止，其形体病久似弱，而
脉象确有实热，且其大便干燥，小便黄赤，知非轻剂所能治愈。将为疏方，为开羚羊角二钱，生石膏二两，煎
汤一大盅，俾徐徐饮下。连服两剂，全愈。
奉天刘××之幼女，年四岁，于孟夏时胸腹之间出白痧若干，旋即不见，周身壮热，精神昏愦，且又泄泻，
此至危之候也。为疏方∶生怀山药、滑石各八钱，连翘、生杭芍各三钱，蝉蜕、甘草各二钱，羚羊角一钱
（另煎兑服），煎汤一大盅，和羚羊角所煎之汤，共盅半，分三次温服下，其白痧复出，精神顿爽，泻亦遂止。
继又用解毒清火之品调之，全愈。
奉天马××之幼子，年四岁，因出疹靥急，来院求为延医。其状闭目喘促，精神昏昏，呼之不应，周身壮
热，大便数日未行。断为疹毒内攻，其神明所以若斯昏沉，非羚羊角、生石膏并用不可。遂为疏方∶生石膏一
两，玄参、花粉各六钱，连翘、金银花各三钱，甘草二钱，煎汤一大盅，又用羚羊角二钱煎汤半盅，混合，三
次温服下，尽剂而愈。
奉天陈姓女，年六七岁，疹后旬余灼热不退，屡服西药不效。后愚视之，脉象数而有力，知其疹毒之余热
未清也。俾单用羚羊角一钱煎汤饮之，其热顿愈。
天津俞××之幼子，年四岁，出疹三日，似靥非靥，周身壮热，渴嗜饮水，其精神似有恍惚不稳之意，其脉
象有力，摇摇而动。恐其因热发痉，为开清热托毒之方，加羚羊角一钱以防其发痉，购药至，未及煎而痉发，
且甚剧，遂将羚羊角与诸药同时各
煎，取汤混合，连连灌下，其痉即愈。又将其方去羚羊角，再煎服一剂，全愈。
沧州张××，来院询方，言其家有周岁小儿出疹，延医调治数日，其疹倒靥皆黑斑，有危在旦夕之势，
不知尚可救否。细询之，知毒热内陷。为开羚羊角一钱及玄参、花粉、连翘各数钱，俾将羚羊角另煎汤半茶盅，
与余三味所煎之汤兑服，一剂而愈。
沧州赵××幼子，年五岁，因感受温病发痉，昏昏似睡，呼之不应，举家惧甚，恐不能救。其脉甚有力，
肌肤发热。因晓之曰∶“此证因温病之气循督脉上行，伤其脑部，是以发痉，昏昏若睡，即西人所谓脑脊髓炎
也。病状虽危，易治也。”遂单用羚羊角二钱，煎汤一盅，连次灌下，发痉遂愈，而精神亦明了矣。继用生石
膏、玄参各一两，薄荷叶、连翘各一钱，煎汤一大盅，分数次温饮下，一剂而脉静身凉矣。盖痉之发由于督脉，
因督脉上统脑髓神经也（督脉实为脑髓神经之根本）。羚羊之角乃其督脉所生，是以善清督脉与神经之热也。
沧州刘××之幼子，甫周岁，发生扁桃体炎喉证，不能食乳，剧时有碍呼吸，目睛上泛。急用羚羊角一钱，
煎汤多半杯，灌下，须臾呼吸通顺，食乳如常。
沧州李氏妇，年二十余，因在西医院割瘰 ，住其院中，得伤寒证甚剧，西医不能治。延往诊视，其喘
息迫促，脉数近七至，确有外感实热，而重诊无力，因其割瘰 已至三次，屡次闻麻药，大伤气分故也，其心
中觉热甚难支，其胁下疼甚。急用羚羊角二钱，煎一大盅，调入生鸡子黄三枚，服下，心热与胁疼顿止。继投
以大剂白虎加人参汤，每剂煎汤一大碗，仍调入生鸡子黄三枚，分数次温服下，连服二剂全愈。
内子王氏生平有病不能服药，闻药气即思呕吐。偶患大便下血甚剧，时愚自奉还籍，彼自留奉，因粗
识药性，且知羚羊角毫
无药味，自用羚羊角一钱煎汤服之，立愈。
友人毛××，善治吐衄闻名。其治吐衄之方，多用羚羊角。曾询其立方之义。××谓∶吐衄之证多因冲气上
冲，胃气上逆，血即随之妄行。其所以冲胃冲逆者，又多为肝火、肝气之激发，用羚羊角以平肝火、肝气，其
冲气不上冲，胃气不上逆，血自不妄行而归经矣。愚深韪斯论，遇吐衄证仿用之，果效验异常。
所可虑者，羚羊角虽为挽回险证之良药，然其价昂贵，愚因临证细心品验，遇当用羚羊角之证，原可以他
药三种并用代之，其药力不亚羚羊角，且有时胜于羚羊角，则鲜茅根、生石膏与西药阿斯匹林并用是也。今爰
将此三药并用之分量酌定于下，且为定一方名，以便于记忆。
【甘露清毒饮】
鲜茅根（六两，去净皮切碎） 生石膏（两半，捣细） 阿斯匹林（半瓦）
将前二味煎汤一大碗，分三次送服阿斯匹林，两点钟服一次。若初次服药后遍身出汗，后两次阿斯匹林宜
少服，若分毫无汗，又宜稍多服。以服后微似有汗者方佳。至石膏之分量，亦宜因证加减，若大便不实者宜少
用，若泻者石膏可不用，待其泻止便实仍有余热者，石膏仍可再用。
壬申正月中旬，子××两臂及胸间肉皮微发红，咽喉微疼，疑将出疹，又强被友人挽去，为治小儿发疹。
将病治愈，归家途中又受感冒，遂觉周身发冷，心中发热。愚适自津还籍，俾用生石膏细末一两，煎汤送服阿
斯匹林一瓦，周身得汗，发冷遂愈，心中之热亦轻，皮肤则较前益红。迟半日又微觉发冷，心中之热更增剧，
遂又用生石膏细末二两，煎汤送服阿斯匹林半瓦。服后微解肌，病又见愈。迟半日仍反复如故，且一日之间下
大便两次，知其方不可再用。时地冻未解，遣人用开冻利器，剖取鲜茅
根六两，煎汤一大碗，分三次服，每次送服阿斯匹林三分之一瓦。服后未见汗而周身出疹若干，病愈十分之八
九，喉已不疼。隔两日觉所余之热又渐增重，且觉头目昏沉，又剖取鲜茅根八两，此时因其热增，大便已实，
又加生石膏两半，共煎汤一大碗，仍分三次送服阿斯匹林如前。上半身又发出白泡若干，病遂全愈。观此可知
此三药并用之妙，诚可代羚羊角矣。后返津时，值瘟疹流行，治以此方，皆随手奏效。
附录∶
唐山赵××来函∶
小女一年有余，于季夏忽大便两三次带有粘滞，至夜发热，日闭目昏睡，翌晨手足筋惕肉 。后学断其
肝风已动。因忆先生论羚羊角最善清肝胆之火，且历数其奇异之功效，真令人不可思议。为急购羚羊角尖一钱，
上午九点煎服，至十一点周身得微汗，灼热即退。为其药甚珍贵，又将其渣煎服三次，筋惕亦愈。继服滋阴清
燥汤一剂，泻痢均愈。
羚羊角：药性接近平和，只是略微偏凉。它最能清除大热，同时也能解除热邪中的大毒。而且它既善于清解里热，又善于透达表邪，能将脏腑间的热毒引导至肌肤表面而排出体外。对于麻疹尚未发出，或者已经发出但迅速回缩的情况，都可以用此药来透发，它是托举麻疹外出的妙药。即使透发不出、导致毒瓦斯内陷的情况，服用它也可以使内陷之毒自行消散。此外，它又善于进入肝经，治疗因肝火炽盛引发的眼疾，以及患有吐血、鼻衄病症的患者，也是妙药。最奇特的是，它善于退热却不过分寒凉，即使过量使用也不会导致胃寒引起腹泻，与其他寒凉药物不同。这是它具有的特殊优良功能，不能用普通药物的寒热属性来衡量。无论是单用，还是配合其他药物使用，都有显著疗效。现在特别将我所使用的羚羊角治愈的十余个病例，详细记录在下文以证明其效果。
【附案】壬寅年春天，半夜时分，表弟刘××的儿子，六岁，在几天内出了疹子，因为他苦于服药，强行喂药就会呕吐，所以没有请医生诊治。这天夜里突然剧烈喘息不止，有顷刻间危及生命的态势，不知道还能不能救。于是我和他一同前往诊视，看到患儿不仅呼吸急促，而且精神恍惚，肢体躁动不安；脉象摇动不稳，重按无根；他的疹子在第三天就消退了，留有轻微的紫痕，我知道这是毒火内攻，肝风已经动摇了。心想熄风、清火，并且托毒外出，只有羚羊角一味药能兼擅这些长处，而且它无色无味，煎汤就像清水一样，小孩子也不觉得难喝。于是急忙取羚羊角三钱煎汤，看着孩子服下，过了十多分钟就安静下来了。
奉天王××的孙女，五六岁，患眼疾。之前经过西医治疗几天不见好，请我去诊视。她的两目眼睑肿胀长满肉膜，遮盖住眼球，丝毫不露出来，而且疼痛异常，哭闹不止。于是单用羚羊角二钱，让她急煎汤服用。当时已经是晚上九点，到半夜就已经安然睡去，第二天早上肉膜已经消退了一半。又将药渣煎服，完全痊愈。因为肝开窍于目，羚羊角的性质原本属于木，与肝有同气相求的妙处，所以善于进入肝经以泻除邪热，而且善于潜降肝胆中寄生的相火，是治疗眼疾有热者的无上妙药。
奉天韩姓老妇人，六十多岁，手臂上长了疔毒，外科治疗不善，导致毒火内攻，热痰上壅，填塞胸膈，昏迷不省人事。几位东医治疗了一段时间不见好转，气息更加微弱。请我去诊视，知道是痰厥。急忙用硼砂五钱，煮至融化，灌下三分之二，片刻后呕出若干痰涎，豁然清醒过来。但是患处仍然肿痛，疔毒生在左臂，且左脉比右脉洪大紧实，知道这是肝火炽盛，发为肿毒。于是投以清火解毒的药剂，又单将羚羊角二钱煎汤兑入服用，一剂药就痊愈了。
奉天王××的小女儿，五岁，因为出疹时收靥过急，毒火内郁，已经超过十天，仍然大热不退，她的形体因病久看起来似乎虚弱，但脉象确实显示有实热，而且大便干燥，小便黄赤，知道不是轻剂所能治愈的。准备为她开方，开了羚羊角二钱，生石膏二两，煎成一大盅汤，让她慢慢饮下。连续服用两剂，完全痊愈。
奉天刘××的小女儿，四岁，在初夏时节胸腹之间出了若干白痧，随即消失，周身壮热，精神昏沉迷糊，并且又有腹泻，这是非常危险的征候。我为她开方：生怀山药、滑石各八钱，连翘、生杭芍各三钱，蝉蜕、甘草各二钱，羚羊角一钱（另煎兑服），煎成一大盅汤，混合羚羊角所煎之汤，共一盅半，分三次温服。服后白痧再次发出，精神顿时清爽，腹泻也随之停止。接着又用解毒清火的药物调理，完全痊愈。
奉天马××的小儿子，四岁，因为出疹时收靥太急，来院请求延医。他的症状是闭目喘息急促，精神昏昏沉沉，叫他不答应，周身壮热，大便几天未行。判断为疹毒内攻，他的神明之所以如此昏沉，非羚羊角和生石膏并用不可。于是为他开方：生石膏一两，玄参、花粉各六钱，连翘、金银花各三钱，甘草二钱，煎成一大盅汤，又用羚羊角二钱煎汤半盅，混合，分三次温服，服完一剂而痊愈。
奉天陈姓女孩，六七岁，出疹十几天后余热不退，多次服用西药无效。后来我诊视，脉象数而有力，知道是疹毒的余热未清。让她单用羚羊角一钱煎汤饮用，热度立刻消退。
天津俞××的小儿子，四岁，出疹三天，似退非退，周身壮热，口渴喜欢喝水，精神似乎有恍惚不稳的意思，脉象有力，摇动不稳。担心他因热引发惊风痉挛，为他开清热托毒的方子，加入羚羊角一钱以防发生痉挛。买药回来，还没煎好就发生了痉挛，而且很严重，于是将羚羊角与诸药同时分别煎煮，取汤混合，连连灌下，痉挛立即停止。又将方中去掉羚羊角，再煎服一剂，完全痊愈。
沧州张××，来院询问方子，说家里有一周岁的幼儿出疹，请医生调理几天，疹子倒靥后都变成黑斑，有危在旦夕的态势，不知道还能不能救。仔细询问，知道是毒热内陷。为他开羚羊角一钱及玄参、花粉、连翘各数钱，让将羚羊角另煎汤半茶盅，与其他三味药所煎之汤兑服，一剂而愈。
沧州赵××的小儿子，五岁，因为感受温病引发痉挛，昏昏似睡，叫他不答应，全家非常恐惧，恐怕不能救。他的脉象很有力，肌肤发热。于是我告诉他：“这个证候是因为温病之气循督脉上行，损伤脑部，所以发生痉挛，昏昏若睡，就是西医所说的脑脊髓炎。病情虽然危险，但容易治疗。”于是单用羚羊角二钱，煎成一盅汤，连续灌下，痉挛随即痊愈，精神也清醒了。接着用生石膏、玄参各一两，薄荷叶、连翘各一钱，煎成一大盅汤，分几次温饮下，一剂药后脉静身凉。大概痉挛的发生由于督脉，因为督脉上统脑髓神经（督脉实为脑髓神经的根本）。羚羊角乃督脉所生之物，所以善于清解督脉与神经的热邪。
沧州刘××的小儿子，刚周岁，发生扁桃体炎喉证，不能吃奶，严重时妨碍呼吸，眼睛向上翻。急忙用羚羊角一钱，煎多半杯汤，灌下，片刻后呼吸通顺，吃奶如常。
沧州李氏妇人，二十多岁，因为在西医院割治瘰疬，住在医院里，得了严重的伤寒证，西医不能治。请我去诊视，她呼吸急促，脉数近七至，确实有外感实热，但重按无力，因为她割治瘰疬已达三次，屡次闻麻药气味，大伤气分，所以她心中觉得热得难以支撑，胁下疼痛严重。急忙用羚羊角二钱，煎一大盅，调入生鸡蛋黄三个，服下，心热与胁疼立刻停止。接着投以大剂量的白虎加人参汤，每剂煎汤一大碗，仍调入生鸡蛋黄三个，分几次温服下，连续服用两剂完全痊愈。
我的妻子王氏生平有病不能服药，闻到药气就想呕吐。偶然患上大便下血很严重，当时我从奉天回乡籍，她留在奉天，因为粗略识得药性，且知道羚羊角毫无药味，自己用羚羊角一钱煎汤服下，立刻痊愈。
友人毛××，以善于治疗吐血、鼻衄闻名。他治疗吐衄的方子，多用羚羊角。曾询问他立方的意义。毛××说：吐衄的证候多因冲气上冲，胃气上逆，血液随之妄行。之所以冲胃冲逆，又多是因为肝火、肝气的激发，用羚羊角来平抑肝火、肝气，那么冲气不上冲，胃气不上逆，血液自然不妄行而归经了。我很赞同这个理论，遇到吐衄证仿效使用，果然效果异常。
所担忧的是，羚羊角虽然是挽回险证的良药，但是价格昂贵。我因为临证细心品验，遇到应当用羚羊角的证候，原本可以用三种其他药物并用替代，其药力不亚于羚羊角，有时甚至胜于羚羊角，那就是鲜茅根、生石膏与西药阿斯匹林并用。现在于是将这三种药物并用的分量酌定如下，并且为此定一个方名，以便于记忆。
【甘露清毒饮】
鲜茅根（六两，去净皮切碎） 生石膏（一两半，捣细） 阿斯匹林（半瓦）
将前两种药煎成一大碗汤，分三次送服阿斯匹林，每两点钟服一次。如果初次服药后遍身出汗，后两次阿斯匹林宜少服；如果分毫不出汗，又宜稍多服。以服药后微微似有出汗的情况为佳。至于石膏的分量，也应根据病情加减，如果大便不成形者宜少用，如果腹泻者石膏可不用，等到腹泻停止、大便成形后仍有余热者，石膏仍可再用。
壬申年正月月中旬，儿子××两臂及胸部皮肤微发红，咽喉微疼，怀疑将要出疹，又被朋友强拉去为小儿发疹治病。将病人治愈，回家途中又受感冒，于是觉得周身发冷，心中发热。我恰好从天津回乡籍，让他用生石膏细末一两，煎汤送服阿斯匹林一瓦，周身得汗，发冷随即痊愈，心中的热也减轻，皮肤则比以前更红。过了半天又微微觉得发冷，心中的热更加剧烈，于是又用生石膏细末二两，煎汤送服阿斯匹林半瓦。服后微微解肌，病又见好。过了半天仍然反复如故，而且一天之内大便两次，知道这个方子不可再用。当时地冻未解，派人用开冻利器，剖取鲜茅根六两，煎成一大碗汤，分三次服，每次送服阿斯匹林三分之一瓦。服后未见出汗而周身出了若干疹子，病好了十分之八九，喉咙已经不疼。隔两天觉得剩下的热又逐渐加重，且觉得头目昏沉，又剖取鲜茅根八两，此时因为热增，大便已实，又加生石膏一两半，共煎成一大碗汤，仍分三次送服阿斯匹林如前。上半身又发出若干白泡，病遂全愈。看这个例子可知这三种药并用的妙处，确实可以代替羚羊角了。后来返回天津时，正值瘟疹流行，用此方治疗，都随手奏效。
附录：
唐山赵××来函：
小女一年有余，在季夏忽然大便两三次带有粘滞，到了夜里发热，白天闭目昏睡，第二天早晨手足筋惕肉61。后学判断她是肝风已动。因为记得先生论述羚羊角最善于清肝胆之火，并且历数其奇异的功效，真令人不可思议。于是急忙购买羚羊角尖一钱，上午九点煎服，到十一点周身得微汗，灼热即退。因为药很珍贵，又将药渣煎服三次，筋惕肉61也痊愈了。接着服用滋阴清燥汤一剂，泻痢均痊愈。
Antelope Horn: Its nature is close to neutral, merely slightly cool. It is most capable of clearing intense heat and simultaneously resolving the severe toxicity within the heat. Moreover, it excels at clearing interior heat and penetrating the exterior, able to guide the heat-toxin from the zang-fu organs to the skin surface for discharge. For rashes that have not yet erupted, or those that have erupted but rapidly recede, this herb can be used to vent them; it is a miraculous drug for supporting the eruption of measles. Even in cases where eruption fails and toxic vapors sink inward, taking it can cause the internalized toxin to dissipate on its own. Furthermore, it enters the Liver meridian effectively to treat conditions caused by blazing Liver fire, such as eye diseases, and is also a miraculous remedy for patients suffering from hematemesis (vomiting blood) and epistaxis (nosebleed). Most uniquely, while it is excellent at reducing fever, it is not excessively cold; even with excessive use, it does not cause stomach cold leading to diarrhea, differing from other cooling herbs. This represents a special virtue inherent to the herb, which cannot be weighed against ordinary drugs based on standard hot/cold properties. Whether used alone or combined with other medications, it yields significant effects. Herein, I specifically record more than ten cases cured using Antelope Horn to demonstrate its efficacy.
[Attached Cases]
In the year Renyin, around midnight in late spring, the son of my cousin Liu XX, aged six, developed a rash over several days. Because he suffered greatly from taking medicine, forcing him to take it induced vomiting, so no doctor was consulted. That night, he suddenly began panting incessantly, showing signs of imminent danger. Unsure if he could be saved, I went with his family to examine him. I observed that besides rapid breathing, his spirit was confused, and his limbs were restless and agitated; his pulse was trembling and rootless upon deep palpation. His rash had receded on the third day, leaving slight purple marks, indicating that toxic fire was attacking internally and Liver wind had stirred. I reasoned that only Antelope Horn could simultaneously extinguish wind, clear fire, and support the expulsion of toxins. Additionally, it has no color or taste, and its decoction resembles clear water, making it palatable for a child. I urgently prepared a decoction of three qian of Antelope Horn. After observing the child swallow it, he became calm after more than ten minutes.
The granddaughter of Wang XX from Fengtian, aged five or six, suffered from an eye disease. After several days of ineffective treatment by Western doctors, she was referred to me. Her eyelids were swollen with flesh growing over them, completely obscuring the eyeballs, accompanied by extreme pain and incessant crying. I prescribed a single dose of two qian of Antelope Horn to be decocted and taken urgently. It was already 9 PM, but by midnight she slept peacefully. By morning, half of the swelling had subsided. The dregs were decocted and consumed again, resulting in complete recovery. Since the Liver opens into the eyes, and Antelope Horn’s nature corresponds to Wood, it shares a resonance with the Liver, allowing it to enter the Liver meridian to drain pathogenic heat and subdue the ministerial fire residing in the Liver and Gallbladder, making it an supreme remedy for heat-related eye diseases.
An elderly woman surnamed Han from Fengtian, over sixty years old, developed a carbuncle on her arm. Poor surgical treatment led to internal attack of toxic fire and accumulation of hot phlegm obstructing the chest, causing unconsciousness. Several Eastern physicians treated her without success, and her breath grew fainter. Upon examination, I diagnosed Phlegm Jue (syncope due to phlegm obstruction). I urgently administered five qian of Borax (Peng Sha), boiled until dissolved, and instilled two-thirds down her throat. Shortly after, she vomited a considerable amount of phlegm and saliva, waking up abruptly. However, the lesion remained swollen and painful. The carbuncle was on the left arm, and the left pulse was fuller and tighter than the right, indicating blazing Liver fire manifesting as a toxic swelling. I prescribed a formula to clear fire and resolve toxicity, and additionally mixed in a decoction of two qian of Antelope Horn. One dose resulted in a cure.
The youngest daughter of Wang XX from Fengtian, aged five, experienced premature receding of her rash due to rapid healing, causing toxic fire to stagnate internally. After more than ten days, high fever persisted. Although her body appeared weak due to prolonged illness, her pulse indicated excess heat. Her stool was dry, and urine yellow-red, indicating that mild remedies would suffice. I prescribed two qian of Antelope Horn and two liang of Raw Gypsum (Sheng Shi Gao), decocted into one large cup, to be drunk slowly. Two doses resulted in complete recovery.
The youngest daughter of Liu XX from Fengtian, aged four, developed some white sand-rash (Bai Sha) on her chest and abdomen during early summer, which quickly disappeared. She presented with high fever, mental confusion, and diarrhea, a critical condition. I prescribed eight qian each of Raw Huai Yam (Sheng Huai Shan Yao) and Talcum (Hua Shi), three qian each of Forsythia (Lian Qiao) and Raw Hang Peony (Sheng Hang Shao), two qian each of Cicada Slough (Chan Tui) and Licorice (Gan Cao), and one qian of Antelope Horn (decocted separately and mixed in). Decocted into one large cup, mixed with the Antelope Horn decoction to total one and a half cups, administered in three warm doses. The white sand-rash reappeared, her spirit cleared instantly, and diarrhea stopped. Subsequent treatment with detoxifying and fire-clearing agents led to full recovery.
The youngest son of Ma XX from Fengtian, aged four, sought medical help due to premature receding of his rash. He presented with closed eyes, panting, lethargy, unresponsiveness, high fever, and constipation for several days. I diagnosed internal attack of rash toxin causing mental cloudiness, requiring the combined use of Antelope Horn and Raw Gypsum. I prescribed one liang of Raw Gypsum, six qian each of Scrophularia (Xuan Shen) and Figwort Root (Hua Fen), three qian each of Forsythia and Honeysuckle (Jin Yin Hua), and two qian of Licorice, decocted into one large cup. Separately, two qian of Antelope Horn were decocted into half a cup. The mixtures were combined and taken in three warm doses. Completion of one dose resulted in recovery.
A girl surnamed Chen from Fengtian, aged six or seven, had persistent burning heat for over ten days after a rash, unresponsive to multiple Western medicines. My examination revealed a rapid and forceful pulse, indicating residual heat from the rash toxin. I advised her to drink a decoction of one qian of Antelope Horn alone, which immediately resolved the fever.
The youngest son of Yu XX from Tianjin, aged four, had been out for three days with a rash that seemed to recede but did not fully disappear. He had high fever, thirst with desire to drink, mental instability, and a forceful, trembling pulse. Fearing convulsions due to heat, I prescribed a heat-clearing and toxin-supporting formula, adding one qian of Antelope Horn to prevent spasms. Before the medicine could be decocted, convulsions occurred severely. I then decocted the Antelope Horn and the other herbs separately, mixed the decoctions, and administered them continuously. The convulsions ceased immediately. The formula was then modified to remove Antelope Horn, and one additional dose was taken, resulting in full recovery.
Zhang XX from Cangzhou visited to inquire about a prescription, stating that his one-year-old grandson had a rash that turned into black spots after receding, indicating imminent danger. Inquiry revealed internal sinking of toxic heat. I prescribed one qian of Antelope Horn and several qian each of Scrophularia, Figwort Root, and Forsythia. The Antelope Horn was decocted separately into half a tea cup and mixed with the decoction of the other three herbs. One dose cured the condition.
The youngest son of Zhao XX from Cangzhou, aged five, contracted a warm disease leading to convulsions, appearing asleep and unresponsive. The family feared death. His pulse was very forceful, and his skin was hot. I explained, "This condition arises because warm pathogenic qi ascends along the Du Meridian, injuring the brain, causing convulsions and lethargy, which Western medicine calls meningoencephalitis. Although critical, it is easy to treat." I prescribed two qian of Antelope Horn decocted into one cup, administered repeatedly. The convulsions ceased, and consciousness returned. Subsequently, I prescribed one liang each of Raw Gypsum and Scrophularia, and one qian each of Mint Leaves (Bo He Ye) and Forsythia, decocted into one large cup, taken in divided warm doses. One dose resulted in a calm pulse and normal temperature. Convulsions originate from the Du Meridian, which governs the brain and spinal cord nerves (the Du Meridian is the root of these nerves). Antelope Horn grows from the Du Meridian, thus effectively clearing heat from the Du Meridian and nerves.
The youngest son of Liu XX from Cangzhou, just one year old, suffered from tonsillitis/pharyngitis, unable to nurse, with breathing difficulties and upward deviation of the eyes during severe episodes. I urgently prescribed one qian of Antelope Horn, decocted into more than half a cup, and administered it. Breathing normalized, and nursing resumed shortly after.
Mrs. Li from Cangzhou, in her twenties, had undergone three surgeries for scrofula at a Western hospital and subsequently developed severe typhoid-like symptoms that Western medicine could not treat. Examination revealed rapid breathing, a pulse rate near seven beats per cycle, indicating external excess heat, but rootlessness upon deep pressure. This was due to repeated anesthesia damaging the Qi. She complained of unbearable internal heat and severe hypochondriac pain. I urgently prescribed two qian of Antelope Horn decocted into one large cup, mixed with three raw chicken egg yolks. Upon ingestion, the heart heat and hypochondriac pain ceased immediately. Subsequently, I administered a large dose of Baihu Jia Renshen Tang (White Tiger Decoction plus Ginseng), one large bowl per dose, mixed with three raw chicken egg yolks, taken in divided warm doses. Two doses resulted in complete recovery.
My wife, Ms. Wang, historically could not tolerate oral medication, often vomiting at the smell of herbs. Once, she suffered severe hematochezia (blood in stool). While I was away, she managed herself, knowing that Antelope Horn has no odor. She took one qian of Antelope Horn decocted in water, which cured her immediately.
My friend Mao XX was famous for treating hematemesis and epistaxis, frequently using Antelope Horn in his formulas. When asked about the rationale, he stated that these conditions are often caused by Chong Qi rushing upward and Stomach Qi reversing, causing blood to bleed recklessly. This reversal is usually triggered by Liver fire or Liver Qi agitation. Using Antelope Horn to calm Liver fire and Qi prevents the upward rush, allowing blood to return to its vessels. I deeply agreed with this theory and applied it to similar cases with exceptional results.
The concern is that while Antelope Horn is a precious drug for critical conditions, it is expensive. Through careful clinical observation, I found that in cases requiring Antelope Horn, it can be substituted with a combination of three other herbs whose efficacy rivals or even surpasses Antelope Horn: Fresh Imperata Rhizome (Xian Mao Gen), Raw Gypsum (Sheng Shi Gao), and Aspirin. Below, I specify the dosages for this combination and name the formula for ease of memory.
[Ganlu Qingdu Yin (Sweet Dew Detoxification Decoction)]
Fresh Imperata Rhizome (six liang, peeled and chopped), Raw Gypsum (one and a half liang, crushed fine), Aspirin (half grain).
Decoct the first two ingredients into one large bowl of soup. Divide into three doses, administering Aspirin with each dose every two hours. If profuse sweating occurs after the first dose, reduce the Aspirin dosage for subsequent doses. If no sweat occurs, increase the Aspirin dosage slightly. The ideal outcome is slight perspiration. Adjust the Gypsum dosage based on the condition: reduce if stools are loose; omit if diarrhea is present. Resume Gypsum once diarrhea stops and stools firm up if heat persists.
In mid-January of the year Xinshen, my son XX had slight redness on his arms and chest and mild sore throat, suspected to be pre-rash. He was compelled by friends to treat pediatric rashes elsewhere. On the way back, he caught a cold, feeling whole-body chills and internal heat. I instructed him to take one liang of fine Raw Gypsum powder decocted in water with one grain of Aspirin. Sweating ensued, chills resolved, and internal heat lessened, though skin redness increased. Half a day later, chills and heat returned severely. I increased Raw Gypsum to two liang and Aspirin to half a grain. Mild muscle-relieving effects occurred, and improvement followed. However, recurrence and two bowel movements indicated the formula was no longer suitable. With frozen ground, fresh Imperata Rhizome (six liang) was extracted, decocted into one large bowl, and taken in three doses with one-third grain of Aspirin each. No sweating occurred, but a rash emerged, curing 80-90% of the illness, including the sore throat. Two days later, residual heat worsened with head/eye heaviness. Eight liang of Fresh Imperata Rhizome were used, plus one and a half liang of Raw Gypsum (since stools were now firm), decocted into one large bowl, taken in three doses with Aspirin as before. White blisters appeared on the upper body, marking full recovery. This demonstrates the efficacy of this triad as a substitute for Antelope Horn. Later, during an epidemic of warm-toxic rashes in Tianjin, this formula proved effective.
Appendix:
Letter from Zhao XX of Tangshan:
My daughter, over one year old, suddenly had sticky stools two or three times in late summer, with nighttime fever, daytime lethargy, and morning tremors/fasciculations. I diagnosed stirring Liver wind. Recalling your exposition on Antelope Horn’s ability to clear Liver/Gallbladder fire and its miraculous effects, I urgently purchased one qian of Antelope Horn tip. Decocted and administered at 9 AM, by 11 AM she sweated slightly, and burning heat subsided. To conserve the precious herb, I decocted the dregs three times, resolving the tremors. A subsequent dose of Ziyin Qingzao Tang (Nourishing Yin and Clearing Dryness Decoction) cured the dysentery.