Zhao Zhang, the Chancellor of Yangxu Marquis, contracted his illness from drinking alcohol. All other physicians believed it was a case of Cold-Invading-the-Middle (Han Zhong). I palpated his pulse and said, "This is Hui Feng (Returning Wind)." Hui Feng is characterized by food and drink being swallowed but immediately regurgitated without staying in the stomach. According to medical principles, the prognosis is death within five days. However, he died ten days later. This was because he had a preference for congee, indicating that his middle Jiao organs were full/strong, thus extending his life beyond the predicted period. My teacher once said: "Those who can take grain will survive past the predicted time; those who cannot take grain will die before the predicted time."

Commentary: This condition resembles Fan Wei (Regurgitation/Stomach Reversal). One could use decoction made from Sang Zhi Jie (nodes of Mulberry Twig) or take Ge Hua (Flos Puerariae). If treating me, I would use acupuncture on the chest and back to dissipate the alcohol qi, causing the Internal Wind to settle naturally. (Note by Fan A)

The mother of the King of Jibei fell ill after sweating and lying prone on the ground. When I palpated her pulse, I detected Pathogenic Wind. The Yang Qi had fully circulated while Yin Qi entered; as the Yin Qi expanded, Cold Qi moved upward and Hot Qi moved downward, resulting in chest fullness. I prepared a medicinal wine for her. After she consumed three shi (a unit of volume) of it, the illness was cured.

Consuming three shi of medicinal wine demonstrates firm application of therapy by Fan A. Had she not drunk alcohol, this wind pathogen would never have been resolved. It can be seen that although the physician is excellent, the patient must comply. Or perhaps the patient inherently possessed a constitution amenable to treatment. (Note by Fan A).

A female patient under the North Palace Sima of Qi suffered from Shan Qi (Hernia Qi) lodging in the Bladder. Although her urine was red during urination and defecation, she experienced urinary incontinence upon exposure to cold qi. Most physicians believed it was Wind invading the interior, attributing the disease primarily to the Lung, and therefore punctured the Foot-Shaoyang meridian. I reasoned that the abdominal swelling was due to the knotting of the Jueyin meridian collaterals in the lower abdomen. When the Jueyin channel is affected, the pulse becomes knotted and pulsating; pulsation leads to abdominal swelling. I therefore moxa-ed the Jueyin meridian points. One point on each side was treated. Immediately, urinary incontinence ceased, urination became clear, and lower abdominal pain stopped. Subsequently, I administered Huo Qi Tang (Fire Equilibrium Decoction) for her to drink. After three days, the Shan Qi dissipated, and she recovered.

Commentary: In my treatment, I purely used Huo Qi Tang, which can be described as a masterpiece of intuitive mastery. However, I did not realize that the cure for this specific case relied on moxibustion. Since it was a Jueyin disease, moxa-ing the Jueyin meridian allowed the collaterals to relax with a single application. My approach to moxibustion has drawn inspiration from this. (Note by Fan A)

The wet nurse of the King of Jibei complained of heat in her feet and mental oppression. I informed her, "This is Re Jue (Heat Jue)." I then punctured three locations on each sole of her feet (equivalent to three moxa cones per location).

Commentary: In cases of severe drunkenness, one may even see limbs exhibiting manic rashes or multiple abscesses accumulating below the abdomen. If purgatives are used, the Middle Qi becomes increasingly deficient, and prolonged fever does not subside. Puncturing the soles of the feet to drain internal heat is indeed a swift and effective prescription. I wish to take him as my master. (Note by Fan A)