尝思用药所以除病，所服之药病当之，非人当之也（惟用药不对病者则人当之而有害矣）。乃有所用之药
本可除病，而往往服之不效，间有激动其病愈加重者，此无他，药不胜病故也。病足以当其药而绰有余
力，药何以能除病乎？愚感于医界多有此弊，略举前贤之医案数则、时贤之医案数则及拙治之医案数则，以
贡诸医界同人。
明李士材治鲁藩阳极似阴证，时方盛暑，寝门重闭，密设毡帷，身复貂被，而犹呼冷。士材往视之
曰∶“此热证也。古有冷水灌顶法，今姑通变用之。”乃以生石膏三斤煎汤三碗，作三次
服。一服去貂被，再服去毡帷，服至三次体蒸流汗，遂呼进粥，病若失矣。
清道光间，归安江涵暾着《笔花医镜》，内载治一时疫发斑案，共享生石膏十四斤，其斑始透。
吴鞠通治何姓叟，手足拘挛，误服桂附人参熟地等补阳，以致面赤，脉洪数，小便闭，身重不能转侧，
手不能上至鬓，足蜷曲丝毫不能移动。每剂药中重用生石膏半斤，日进一剂，服至三月后，始收全功。
又∶治蛊胀，无汗，脉象沉弦而细。投以《金匮》麻黄附子甘草汤行太阳之阳，即以泻厥阴之阴。麻黄
去节，重用二两，熟附子两六钱，炙甘草二钱，煎汤五饭碗。先服半碗得汗至眉；二次汗至眼；约每次其
汗下出寸许。每次服药后，即啜鲤鱼热汤以助其汗。一昼夜饮完药二剂，鲤鱼汤饮一锅，汗出至膝上，未能
过膝。脐以上肿尽消，其腹仍大，小便不利。改用五苓散。初服不效，将方中肉桂改用新鲜紫油安边青花桂
四钱，又加辽人参三钱，服后小便大通，腹胀遂消。
山东海丰，清咸丰时有杨氏少妇，得奇疾∶脊背肿热，赤身卧帐中，若有一缕着身，即热不能支。适有
宜兴苏先生乘海船赴北闱，经过其处。其人精医术，延为诊视，断为阳毒，俾用大黄
十斤，煎汤十斤，放量陆续饮之，尽剂而愈。
萧琢如着《遁园医案》。其案中最善用《伤寒论》、《金匮》诸方。载有治其从妹腹中寒凉作疼，
脉象沉迟而弦紧，每剂中重用乌附子二两，连服附子近二十斤，其病始愈。
又∶治余某妻，左边少腹内有块，常结不散，痛时则块膨胀如拳，手足痹软，遍身冷汗，不省人事，脉
象沉紧，舌苔白浓而湿滑，面色暗晦。与通脉四逆汤，乌附子八钱；渐增至四两。煎汤一大碗，分数次饮下。
内块降序，证亦皆见轻。病患以为药既对证，遂放胆煎好一剂顿服下，顷之面热如醉，手足拘挛，舌尖
麻，已而呕吐，汗出，其病脱然全愈。
刘蔚楚着《遇安斋证治丛录》，其中用大剂治愈险证尤多。
如其治极重鼠疫，用白虎汤，生石膏一剂，渐加至斤余。治产后
温热，用白虎加人参汤，一剂中用生石膏半斤，连服十余剂始愈。治阳虚汗脱，用术附汤，每剂术用四两，
渐加至一斤，天雄用二两，渐加至半斤。如此胆识，俱臻极顶，洵堪为挽回重病者之不二法程也。
至于愚生平用大剂挽回重证之案甚多，其已载于医方篇中，兹不复赘。惟即从前未登出者略录数则，
以质诸医界同人。
奉天王姓妇，受妊恶阻呕吐，半月勺水不存，无论何药下咽即吐出，势极危险。爰用自制半夏二两（
自制者中无矾味善止呕吐）、生赭石细末半斤、生怀山药两半，共煎汤八百瓦药瓶一瓶（约二十两强）或凉饮
温饮，随病患所欲，徐徐饮下，二日尽剂而愈。夫半夏、赭石皆为妊妇禁药，而愚如此放胆用之毫无顾忌者，
即《内经》所谓“有故无殒亦无殒也”。然此中仍另有妙理，详参赭镇气汤下，可参观。
西安县张××腿疼，其人身体强壮，三十未娶，两腿肿疼，胫骨处尤甚。服热药则加剧，服凉药
则平平，医治年余无效。其脉象洪实，右脉尤甚；其疼肿之处皆发热，断为相火炽盛，小便必稍有不利，因
致湿热相并下注。宜投以清热利湿之剂。初用生石膏二两，连翘茅根各三钱，煎汤服。后渐加至石膏半斤，
连翘茅根仍旧，日服两剂，其第二剂石膏减半。如此月余，共计用生石膏十七斤，疼与肿皆大轻减；其饮
食如常，大便日行一次，分毫未觉寒凉。嘱其仍服原方，再十余剂当脱然全愈矣。
奉天刘某，因常受锅炉之炙热，阴血暗耗，脏腑经络之间皆蕴有热性，至仲春又薄受外感，其热陡发，
表里俱觉壮热，医者治以滋阴清热之药，十余剂分毫无效。其脉搏近六至，右部甚实，大便两三日一行，知其
阳明府热甚炽又兼阴分虚损也。投以大剂白虎加人参汤，生石膏用四两，人参用六钱，以生山药代方
中粳米，又加玄参、天冬各一两，煎汤一大碗，分三次温饮下，日
进一剂。乃服后其热稍退，药力歇后仍如故。后将石膏渐加至半斤，一日连进二剂，如此三日，热退十之八
九，其大便日下一次，遂改用清凉滋阴之剂，数日全愈。共计所用生石膏已八斤强矣。
愚在籍时曾治一壮年癫狂失心，六脉皆闭，重按亦分毫不见（于以知顽痰能闭脉）。投以大承气汤
加赭石二两，煎汤送服甘遂细末三钱（此方名荡痰加甘遂汤以治癫狂之重者，若去甘遂名荡痰汤以治癫狂之
轻者，二方救人多矣）。服后大便未行。隔数日（凡有甘遂之药不可连日服之，连服必作呕吐）将药剂加重，
大黄赭石各用三两，仍送服甘遂三钱，大便仍无行动。遂改用巴豆霜五分，单用赭石细末四两煎
汤送下，间三日一服（巴豆亦不可连服，若连服则肠胃腐烂矣）。每服后大便行数次，杂以成块之痰若干。
服至两次，其脉即出。至五次，痰净，其癫狂遂愈。复改用清火化瘀之药，服数剂以善其后。
我常思考，用药的目的是为了祛除疾病，药物是作用于病邪，而非作用于人体本身（只有当用药不对症时，药物才会伤害人体）。然而，有些药物本可以祛除疾病，但往往服用后不见疗效，偶尔甚至激发病情加重，这没有别的原因，是因为药力不足以战胜病邪。如果病邪足以承受药物的力量而绰绰有余，药物又怎么能祛除疾病呢？我感慨于医学界多有这种弊端，略举前代贤人的医案数则、当代贤人的医案数则以及我自己治疗的医案数则，献给各位医学同仁参考。
明代李士材治疗鲁藩王朱极的“阳极似阴”证，当时正值盛夏，寝宫门窗紧闭，严密铺设毡幕帷帐，身上还盖着貂皮被子，但仍然喊冷。李士材前去诊治说：“这是热证。”古代有冷水灌顶的方法，现在姑且变通使用它。于是用生石膏三斤煎汤三碗，分三次服用。服第一次后去掉貂皮被，服第二次后去掉毡幕帷帐，服到第三次时身体蒸腾出汗，于是喊要吃粥，病就好了。
清代道光年间，归安人江涵暾撰写《笔花医镜》，其中记载治疗一时疫发斑的医案，共用生石膏十四斤，皮疹才透发出来。
吴鞠通治疗一位姓何的老人，手足拘挛，误服桂枝、附子、人参、熟地等补阳药物，导致面赤，脉象洪大数急，小便闭塞，身体沉重不能翻身，手不能上举至鬓角，足部蜷曲丝毫不能移动。每剂药中重用生石膏半斤，每天进服一剂，服到三个月后，才取得完全疗效。
另外，治疗蛊胀病，无汗，脉象沉弦而细。投以《金匮要略》中的麻黄附子甘草汤，以行太阳经之阳气，从而泻厥阴经之阴寒。麻黄去节，重用二两，熟附子一两六钱，炙甘草二钱，煎汤五饭碗。先服半碗，汗出至眉毛；第二次服药，汗出至眼睛；大约每次汗出向下延伸一寸左右。每次服药后，随即喝鲤鱼热汤以帮助发汗。一昼夜喝完两剂药，喝了一锅鲤鱼汤，汗出至膝盖以上，未能超过膝盖。脐以上肿胀全部消退，腹部仍然膨大，小便不利。改用五苓散。初服无效，将方中的肉桂改为新鲜紫油安边青花桂四钱，又加辽人参三钱，服后小便大通，腹胀随即消除。
山东海丰，清代咸丰年间有一位杨氏少妇，得了怪病：脊背肿胀发热，赤裸身体躺在帐幔中，若有一丝东西接触身体，就热得无法忍受。恰逢宜兴苏先生乘海船赴北京参加乡试，经过此地。此人精通医术，被请去诊视，诊断为阳毒，让用大黄十斤，煎汤十斤，放量陆续饮用，服完药后痊愈。
萧琢如撰写《遁园医案》。他的医案中特别善于运用《伤寒论》、《金匮要略》等方的方剂。记载治疗他堂妹腹中寒凉作痛，脉象沉迟而弦紧，每剂药中重用乌头、附子各二两，连续服用附子近二十斤，病才痊愈。
另外，治疗余某的妻子，左边少腹内有肿块，经常凝结不散，疼痛时肿块膨胀如拳头大小，手足麻木软弱，全身冷汗，不省人事，脉象沉紧，舌苔白厚而湿滑，面色暗晦。给予通脉四逆汤，乌头、附子八钱；逐渐增加至四两。煎汤一大碗，分几次饮下。体内肿块下降，症状也都减轻。病人认为药既对症，便大胆煎好一剂一次性服下，不久面部发热如醉酒状，手足拘挛，舌尖麻木，随后呕吐，出汗，病立刻完全痊愈。
刘蔚楚撰写《遇安斋证治丛录》，其中用大剂量治愈险重病症的情况尤其多。
比如他治疗极重的鼠疫，用白虎汤，生石膏一剂的用量，逐渐增加至一斤多。治疗产后温热病，用白虎加人参汤，一剂中用生石膏半斤，连续服用十余剂才痊愈。治疗阳虚汗脱，用术附汤，每剂白术用四两，逐渐增加至一斤，天雄用二两，逐渐增加至半斤。如此胆识，都达到了极致，确实是挽回重病患者的不二法门。
至于我生平用大剂量挽回重症的医案很多，已经记载在医方篇中，这里不再赘述。只选取从前未刊登过的几则略录如下，以向医学同仁请教。
奉天王姓妇女，怀孕恶阻呕吐，半个月连一勺水都留不住，无论什么药咽下去就吐出来，形势极其危险。于是用我自制的半夏二两（自制者中没有矾味，善于止呕吐）、生赭石细末半斤、生怀山药一两半，共煎汤装一瓶（约二十两强），或凉饮或温饮，随患者意愿，慢慢饮下，两天服完药而痊愈。半夏、赭石都是孕妇禁用的药物，而我如此大胆使用毫无顾忌，就是《内经》所说的“有故无殒，亦无殒也”。但这其中另有妙理，详细参看赭镇气汤下方，可以参考。
西安县张某某腿疼，其人身体强壮，三十岁未娶，双腿肿痛，胫骨处尤其严重。服热药则加剧，服凉药则平平，医治一年多无效。其脉象洪实，右脉尤其明显；疼痛肿胀之处都发热，诊断为相火炽盛，小便必然稍有不利，因此导致湿热相并下注。宜投以清热利湿的药剂。初用生石膏二两，连翘、茅根各三钱，煎汤服用。后来逐渐增加至石膏半斤，连翘、茅根用量不变，每天服两剂，第二剂石膏减半。这样一个月多，共计用生石膏十七斤，疼痛与肿胀都大大减轻；饮食如常，大便每日一次，丝毫不觉得寒凉。嘱咐他继续服用原方，再服十余剂应当完全痊愈。
奉天刘某，因为常受锅炉炙烤，阴血暗中耗损，脏腑经络之间都蕴积热性，到了仲春又轻微感受外感，其热突然发作，表里都觉得壮热，医生用滋阴清热的药物治疗，十余剂分毫无效。其脉搏接近六至，右部甚实，大便两三天一行，知道他是阳明腑热甚炽又兼阴分虚损。投以大剂量白虎加人参汤，生石膏用四两，人参用六钱，用生山药代替方中的粳米，又加玄参、天冬各一两，煎汤一大碗，分三次温饮下，每天进服一剂。然而服后热势稍退，药效歇息后仍像原来一样。后将石膏逐渐增加至半斤，一天连续进服两剂，这样三天，热退十分之八九，大便每日一行，于是改用清凉滋阴的药剂，数日全愈。共计所用生石膏已八斤多了。
我在家乡时曾治疗一名壮年癫狂失心症患者，六脉皆闭，重按也分毫不见（由此可知顽痰能闭塞脉道）。投以大承气汤加赭石二两，煎汤送服甘遂细末三钱（此方名为荡痰加甘遂汤，用于治疗严重的癫狂，若去掉甘遂名为荡痰汤，用于治疗轻度的癫狂，这两个方子救人多矣）。服后大便未行。隔数日（凡是有甘遂的药物不可连日服用，连服必定引起呕吐）将药剂加重，大黄、赭石各用三两，仍送服甘遂三钱，大便仍然不通。于是改用巴豆霜五分，单用赭石细末四两煎汤送下，每隔三日服一次（巴豆也不可连服，若连服则肠胃腐烂了）。每次服后大便行数次，夹杂成块的痰若干。服至两次，脉象即出现。至五次，痰净，癫狂遂愈。随后改用清火化瘀的药物，服数剂以善其后。
I often ponder that the purpose of using medicine is to eliminate disease; the medicine acts upon the pathogen, not upon the human body itself (only when the medication does not match the disease will it harm the person). However, there are cases where medicines that could theoretically cure a disease often fail to produce effects after administration, and occasionally even aggravate the condition. This is due to no other reason than the medicinal power being insufficient to overcome the disease. If the disease is strong enough to withstand the dosage with ample margin, how can the medicine eliminate the disease? Sensing this prevalent flaw in the medical community, I briefly present several case records from former sages, contemporary experts, and my own treatments, for the reference of my colleagues in the medical field.
In the Ming Dynasty, Li Shicai treated Prince Ji of Lu, who presented with a syndrome of "extreme Yang resembling Yin." It was midsummer, the bedroom doors were tightly closed, felt curtains were densely set up, he wore a sable fur blanket, yet still cried out feeling cold. Li Shicai examined him and said, "This is a heat syndrome." There was an ancient method of pouring cold water on the head; let us adapt it now. He prescribed San Shi Gao (Raw Gypsum) three jin (approx. 1.5 kg), decocted into three bowls of soup, administered in three doses. After the first dose, the sable blanket was removed; after the second, the felt curtains were removed; by the third dose, his body steamed with sweat, he called for porridge, and the illness vanished.
During the Daoguang reign of the Qing Dynasty, Jiang Hantun from Gui'an authored *Bihua Yijing* (Pen Flower Medical Mirror), which recorded a case of treating an epidemic rash. A total of fourteen jin (approx. 7 kg) of San Shi Gao (Raw Gypsum) were used before the rash fully emerged.
Wu Jutong treated an elderly man surnamed He who suffered from spasticity of the hands and feet. Due to the mistaken use of warming-yang tonics such as Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction), Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root), Renshen (Ginseng Root), and Shudi Huang (Prepared Rehmannia Root), he developed facial redness, a surging and rapid pulse, urinary retention, heavy body unable to turn over, inability to raise his hands to his temples, and curled legs immovable. Each prescription heavily utilized Ban Xia Jin (Half a Jin of Raw Gypsum, approx. 250g). One dose was taken daily. Full recovery was achieved only after three months.
Additionally, he treated a case of Gu Zhang (Ascites/Gu Distension) with no sweating and a deep, wiry, and fine pulse. He administered Ma Huang Fu Zi Gan Cao Tang (Ephedra, Aconite, and Licorice Decoction) from *Jin Gui Yao Lue* to promote Taiyang Yang Qi, thereby draining Jueyin Yin Cold. Mahuang (Ephedra Stem) without joints was heavily dosed at two liang (approx. 60g), Shu Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root) at one liang six qian (approx. 54g), and Zhi Gancao (Honey-fried Licorice Root) at two qian (approx. 6g), decocted into five rice bowls of soup. The first half-bowl induced sweating up to the eyebrows; the second dose induced sweating up to the eyes; approximately one cun (approx. 3.3 cm) of sweating occurred downward each time. After each dose, hot carp soup was consumed to assist diaphoresis. Within twenty-four hours, two doses of medicine and one pot of carp soup were consumed. Sweating reached above the knees but did not exceed them. Swelling above the navel completely subsided, but the abdomen remained distended with difficult urination. Wu switched to Wu Ling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria). Initial doses were ineffective. He replaced Rougui (Cinnamon Bark) with four qian (approx. 12g) of fresh purple-oil Anbian blue-flower Cinnamon, and added three qian (approx. 9g) of Liaoshen (Liaoning Ginseng). Urination became profuse, and abdominal distension resolved.
In Haifeng, Shandong, during the Xianfeng reign of the Qing Dynasty, a young woman surnamed Yang suffered from a strange disease: her back was swollen and hot. She lay naked in a tent, and if even a thread touched her skin, she could not bear the heat. Mr. Su from Yixing, traveling by sea to Beijing for the provincial examinations, passed through. Skilled in medicine, he was summoned to diagnose her as Yang Du (Yang Toxin). He prescribed Da Huang (Rhubarb Root and Rhizome) ten jin (approx. 5 kg), decocted into ten jin of soup, to be drunk continuously in large quantities. She recovered after finishing the dose.
Xiao Zhuoru authored *Dunyuan Yi An* (Records of the Hidden Garden Physician). His cases notably make good use of formulas from *Shang Han Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage) and *Jin Gui Yao Lue*. He recorded treating his cousin's abdominal cold pain with a deep, slow, wiry, and tight pulse. He heavily utilized Wu Tou (Aconite Root) and Fu Zi (Prepared Aconite Root) at two liang (approx. 60g) per dose. Nearly twenty jin (approx. 10 kg) of Fu Zi were consumed consecutively before the illness cured.
He also treated the wife of Mr. Yu, who had a mass in the left lower abdomen that frequently condensed and did not dissipate. During pain attacks, the mass expanded like a fist, accompanied by numbness and weakness in the limbs, profuse cold sweat, loss of consciousness, a deep and tight pulse, thick white slippery tongue coating, and dark complexion. He prescribed Tong Mai Si Ni Tang (Decoction to Restore the Pulse and Reverse Cold) with Wu Tou and Fu Zi starting at eight qian (approx. 24g), gradually increasing to four liang (approx. 120g). Decocted into one large bowl and taken in divided doses, the internal mass descended, and symptoms lightened. Believing the medicine matched the syndrome, the patient boldly took one full dose at once. Soon after, her face flushed like drunkenness, limbs spasmed, tongue tip went numb, followed by vomiting and sweating, leading to complete recovery.
Liu Weichu authored *Yuan An Zhai Zheng Zhi Cong Lu* (Collected Records of Diagnosis and Treatment from Yuan An Studio), featuring many cases of curing critical conditions with large doses.
For instance, treating severe plague, he used Bai Hu Tang (White Tiger Decoction), gradually increasing San Shi Gao (Raw Gypsum) to over one jin (approx. 500g) per dose. For postpartum warm-heat disease, he used Bai Hu Jia Ren Shen Tang (White Tiger Decoction plus Ginseng), using half a jin (approx. 250g) of San Shi Gao per dose, continuing for over ten doses until cure. For Yang deficiency with sweating collapse, he used Shu Fu Tang (Atractylodes and Aconite Decoction), starting Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome) at four liang (approx. 120g) per dose, gradually increasing to one jin (approx. 500g), and Tianxiong (Male Aconite Root) starting at two liang (approx. 60g), gradually increasing to half a jin (approx. 250g). Such courage and insight reached the pinnacle, truly serving as the unique method for saving critically ill patients.
As for my own numerous cases of using large doses to save critical patients, they are already recorded in the Medical Formulas section, so I will not repeat them here. I will briefly record a few unpublished cases to consult with my medical colleagues.
A female patient surnamed Wang in Fengtian suffered from morning sickness and vomiting during pregnancy. For half a month, she retained not a spoonful of water; any medicine swallowed was vomited immediately, creating a dangerous situation. I used my self-prepared Ban Xia (Pinellia Tuber) two liang (no alum taste, effective for stopping vomiting), raw Zhe Shi (Ochre) fine powder half a jin (approx. 250g), and raw Huai Shan Yao (Chinese Yam Rhizome) one and a half liang (approx. 45g). These were decocted into one bottle (approx. 20 liang or 600g) of soup. Whether drunk cool or warm, according to the patient's desire, it was slowly administered. The course was completed in two days, resulting in recovery. Although Ban Xia and Zhe Shi are contraindicated for pregnant women, I used them boldly without hesitation, adhering to the *Nei Jing* principle: "If there is a cause [of disease], there is no injury [to the fetus]." There are further subtle principles involved; refer to the commentary under Zhen Zhen Qi Tang (Ochre Decoction for Calming Qi) for details.
Mr. Zhang XX from Xi'an County suffered from leg pain. Strong in constitution, unmarried at thirty, his legs were swollen and painful, especially at the shins. Hot medicines aggravated the condition; cool medicines had little effect. Medical treatment for over a year failed. His pulse was surging and solid, more so on the right side; the painful and swollen areas were hot. Diagnosed as excessive Ministerial Fire with slight difficulty in urination, leading to damp-heat sinking downward, I prescribed clearing heat and promoting urination to drain dampness. Initially, I used two liang (approx. 60g) of San Shi Gao (Raw Gypsum), three qian (approx. 9g) each of Lianqiao (Forsythia Fruit) and Mao Gen (Imperata Rhizome), decocted and taken orally. Gradually, the San Shi Gao was increased to half a jin (approx. 250g), while Lianqiao and Mao Gen remained unchanged. Two doses were taken daily, with the second dose having half the amount of San Shi Gao. Over a month, a total of seventeen jin (approx. 8.5 kg) of San Shi Gao were used. Pain and swelling greatly reduced; diet remained normal, bowel movements once daily, with no sensation of cold. I advised continuing the original formula for another ten-plus doses for complete recovery.
Mr. Liu from Fengtian, due to frequent exposure to boiler heat, suffered from hidden consumption of Yin blood, with heat accumulating in the zang-fu organs and meridians. In mid-spring, a mild external contraction caused sudden onset of high fever affecting both exterior and interior. Doctors treated with Yin-nourishing and heat-clearing medicines for over ten doses with no effect. His pulse approached six beats per breath, very solid on the right; bowel movements every two to three days. I diagnosed intense Yangming Fu heat combined with Yin deficiency. I prescribed a large dose of Bai Hu Jia Ren Shen Tang (White Tiger Decoction plus Ginseng), using four liang (approx. 120g) of San Shi Gao (Raw Gypsum) and six qian (approx. 18g) of Renshen (Ginseng Root). Raw Huai Shan Yao (Chinese Yam Rhizome) replaced Jing Mi (Glutinous Rice), plus one liang (approx. 30g) each of Xuanshen (Scrophularia Root) and Tiandong (Asparagus Tuber). Decocted into one large bowl, taken in three warm doses daily. Fever slightly receded initially but returned after the medicinal effect waned. San Shi Gao was gradually increased to half a jin (approx. 250g), with two doses taken daily. After three days, fever decreased by 80-90%, bowel movements became daily. I then switched to cool and Yin-nourishing medicines, achieving full recovery in a few days. Total San Shi Gao used exceeded eight jin (approx. 4 kg).
While residing in my hometown, I treated a young adult with mania and loss of mind. All six pulses were imperceptible, even upon heavy pressure (indicating stubborn phlegm obstructing the vessels). I prescribed Da Cheng Qi Tang (Major Order the Qi Decoction) with two liang (approx. 60g) of Zhe Shi (Ochre), decocted to administer three qian (approx. 9g) of Gansui (Kansui Root) fine powder. (This formula is named Dang Tan Jia Gansui Tang (Phlegm-Dredging Decoction plus Kansui) for severe mania; removing Gansui makes it Dang Tan Tang (Phlegm-Dredging Decoction) for mild mania; these formulas have saved many lives.) Bowel movement did not occur after the first dose. Several days later (Gansui should not be taken on consecutive days as it causes vomiting), I increased the dosage: Da Huang (Rhubarb Root and Rhizome) and Zhe Shi each at three liang (approx. 90g), still administering three qian of Gansui. Still no bowel movement. I then switched to Ba Dou Shuang (Croton Seed Frost) five fen (approx. 1.5g), administered alone with four liang (approx. 120g) of Zhe Shi decoction, every three days (Ba Dou should not be taken consecutively as it causes intestinal rot). Each dose resulted in multiple bowel movements mixed with clumps of phlegm. After two doses, the pulses appeared. After five doses, phlegm was cleared, and mania cured. Finally, I prescribed fire-clearing and blood-invigorating medicines for several doses to conclude the treatment.