典藏书目

In the early winter of the second year of Longfei in the Wanli era (1574), I began to tour Shuanglin Town, east of the Tiao Stream. At that time, Mr. Wu Xiaofeng, a friend of my clan brother Jiquan, and his younger brother Wu Xiaochuan were both suffering from eye diseases. Specialists in ophthalmology treated them, but their conditions worsened with each treatment. Their eyes initially became red and swollen, followed by pain in the temporal region, and subsequently, star-shaped nebulae appeared on the white of the eyes. Although I was not known as an ophthalmologist, those who knew me praised my proficiency in using large prescriptions. Through Jiquan, they sought my advice, saying: "Medicine excels in adaptability. In ancient times, when Bian Que passed through Handan and heard that the locals valued women, he served as a gynecologist; when he passed through Luoyang and heard that the people of Zhou revered the elderly, he served as a physician for ear, nose, and bi-syndrome. We have heard that you, Master Dongsu, are a national-level expert capable of adapting to local customs. We beg for your words to cure our brothers' eye disease." Jiquan invited me to visit, but I replied, "During the Jiajing era, medical discussions prioritized the Xiwu region. Figures such as Zhou Zhongren, Ling Hanzhang, and Wang Binhao enjoyed contemporary fame. Their families must have inherited traditions. Why would they need me?" Jiquan said, "They have admired you for a long time. Moreover, his father held the title of Doctor and was a renowned master in Xiwu. You have a fondness for the *I Ching* (Book of Changes). Please make this visit to facilitate a discussion on the *I Ching*. Do not decline."

Upon examining their pulses: Mr. Xiaofeng's pulse was soggy, slow, and large. Red blood threads in both eyes extended directly into the pupils, with pain intensifying at dusk. Mr. Xiaochuan's pulse was surging, large, and forceful against the fingers. There were floating nebulae on the black pearls (cornea), causing a feeling of obstruction and difficulty opening the eyes. Both had difficulties with urination and defecation. Therefore, for Mr. Xiaofeng, I employed a tonification method, first prescribing Qinggan San (Clear Liver Powder). The prescription consisted of 5 qian of Prunella vulgaris (Xiakucao), 4 qian of Cyperi Rhizoma (Xiangfu), 1.5 qian of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao), and 0.5 qian of fine tea, to alleviate the pain. After two doses, the pain ceased. Subsequently, I prescribed Ginseng Radix (Renshen), Poria (Baifuling), Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata (Shudihuang), Lycii Fructus (Gouqizi), Cinnamomi Ramulus (Guixin), Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix (Niuxi), Psoraleae Fructus (Poguzhi), Tribuli Fructus (Bajili), and Moutan Cortex (Mudanpi). He recovered after eight days. For Mr. Xiaochuan, I employed a purgation method, internally administering Xiegan Tang (Drain Liver Decoction) and Danggui Longhui Wan (Angelica Dahurica and Gardenia Pill). Externally, I applied powder made from Ivory (Xiangya) and Borneolum Syntheticum (Bingpian) to the eyes. He recovered after seven days.

Mr. Xiaofeng's father, Wofeng Weng, joyfully visited me and said: "Both eyes were diseased simultaneously, they were of the same age, contracted at the same time, and treated by various physicians without success. Yet, with your one tonification and one purgation, both illnesses were cured. Why is this?" I replied: "This is the differentiation of Yin-Yang and Deficiency-Excess. The Classics state: 'Treat excess with standard methods; treat deficiency with following methods.' Your nephew's condition involves only blazing fire of the Jueyin Liver channel, where Liver Qi is often in excess. To purge what is in excess is the standard method. Your other grandson has deficiency in the lower burner, exacerbated by anger. Anger causes fire to arise in the Liver. Since the Liver stores blood, blood threads penetrate the pupils, and pain occurs at dusk. In the formula, Prunella vulgaris and Cyperi Rhizoma serve as the sovereign herbs to soothe Liver Qi. The Classics state: 'When the Liver suffers from tension, use sweet flavors to relieve it.' Thus, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma serves as the minister herb. Tea clears the head and eyes, serving as the envoy herb, to first remove this pain. The Classics also state: 'Water flows to dampness, fire moves toward dryness.' Therefore, I again used sweet-warm herbs to tonify the deficiency of the lower burner, allowing the fire to return to its origin. This is the following method. If bitter-cold fire-draining agents were used, not only would blood coagulate and pain increase, but the fire would be激ated and become even more intense."

Hearing this, Wofeng said to others: "Master Sun treats cold and heat based on Yin-Yang principles; thus, he practices medicine using the *I Ching*. Hence, tonification yields results, and attack yields results. It is said: 'One who does not know the *I Ching* cannot serve as a Grand Physician.' Master Sun is divine in the *I Ching*; how much more so in medicine? We wish for you to hang your pot and practice in our Tiao Stream area." I smiled and said: "In the past, Han Boxiu did not wish for his name to be known in the world. How could I possibly hang a pot?"