《谭瀛》载杭城某富翁，好行善，一子七岁，环唇生七疔，痛彻心髓，症甚危殆，凡精岐黄者，皆罗致家中，商榷立方，卒无效。创且日甚，水浆不入，医谢无能，相率辞去。翁愁思无策，坐待其毙而已。忽有妪丐于门，聒求无厌，阍者呵之，翁闻，出责阍者，如言给媪。媪见翁泪承睫，诘知儿疾，曰"此名七星攒月，危症也。惟十二岁内小儿所下蜕虫百条，捣饼，叠敷之可治。"翁闻媪言，入谕于众，比出延媪，不知所往。而所给之物固在，惊以为神。如媪言，悬格征求，凡有小儿者，咸以药下扰虫，争献求尝，敷之果愈。燧按：唇为脾胃之应，如无蛔虫，以鸡内金、知母为末，加五谷虫共捣涂之亦可。
又载钱福耀，好善知医，治疾不责谢，元旦山行，见两叟坐地谈医，一叟苍髯垂胸，一叟丰颐微髭，钱顿触所好，拱手请教。苍髯者笑曰"汝亦知医耶?"；对曰"然。"曰"医有'三审，汝知之乎?"曰"何谓三审?"曰"一审色，二审舌，三审脉。"凡为人治疾，先审面色，由色而辨五行，或宜相生，或宜相克；次审舌，辨其枯润；次审脉之浮沉迟数，以分表里虚实，而决其风寒湿热。三审既确，然后斟酌立方，百不失一。汝第识吾言，神而明之，能事毕矣。钱顿首领教，请问两叟姓名，微髭者指苍髯者谓曰"此三国时华元化先生，予乃唐时孙思邈也。"钱大惊，知为遇仙，急仆伏叩首、及仰视，杳矣。自是医理日进，会太守有母，暑月患疾，衣重裘尚自恶寒，群医佥以热剂投之，不效。延钱诊治，观病者两颧赤，舌色黑燥，确系实热内伏，攻去内热，外邪自去，急命饱饮瓜汁，少选，泄去恶滞，（亻纍）然熟睡，寤后，汗出如雨，其疾良瘥。
又载中丞某公，于中秋忽白睛上泛，骤然倒地，手足挛搐，多医相视，不敢立方，钱见某公面白微青，舌白而润，意中秋金气得令，凉风乘虚而入，引动内风，症属虚寒，治宜扶火泄金，培土制木，遂进参芪术桂等药，而疾顿愈。
膈
东轩主人《述异记》载：楚武昌府汉阳门内，旧有陈友谅广积仓基，今皆为民治，康熙甲子年，有地中掘得黑米者，黑如漆，坚如石，炒之即松，研为末，治膈症如神。临海教谕吴牖丹在楚杀见言之。
祖台之《志怪录》载：吴中书郎盛冲至孝，母王氏失明，冲暂行勒婢食母，婢乃以蛴螬齑食之，王氏甚美，然非鱼肉，母谓冲曰，汝试问之，既而问婢，服实见蛴螬。冲抱母恸哭，而目立开。《本草经》曰："蛴螬一名蟦齐，主治血瘴。"
痘
《时报》载凌颂和《患痘须知》九条云：一痘发五六日痘当出齐，看是否出齐，以脚心为验，脚心有痘则出齐矣。然痘稀少者亦不拘此，总以邪热退而痘为出齐矣。若-一发便出齐者，势必重也。一先发惊而后发痘者多安?先发痘而后发惊者多危，名曰惊痘。一用手揩摩面颊如红随手转白，白随转红，谓之血活可治，如揩之不白举之不红，谓之血枯，虽疏难治。一痘未开盘而头面先肿，此元气大虚，名为虚肿，非起胀也，其痘不能起胀，宜大补元气，肿自消而胀自起，若痘已回而肿不消，是元气大虚，不能摄毒尽化为浆，余毒留于肌肤之间所致。； 一痘从正额两颧先见者多顺，人中，口鼻先见者多险，或口唇、目胞先浮肿者，此脾胃受毒尤险，太阳颐腮耳先见者多逆，其不能先见于上部而反见于下部者，亦元气不振耳，其起浆收痂亦回。一诸处痘不起，惟面部及臀上痘有浆起绽者可治。有面部痘好，惟鼻上无痘，或有痘不出绽行浆者皆难治。四肢有浆惟身面无浆者难治。全身痘浆灌足，惟面上不行浆者死。全身痘色红活，惟面部焦枯者难治。周身痘好，惟两足膝下全无者凶。若面半以上稠密灰滞，而面半以下匀明绽泽者，名云掩天庭难治。抑诸处出齐匀朗红润，而腰间稠密灰滞作痛者，名缠腰，此毒滞于阴，不能成浆，九日危，迟则不过十一日也。一痘色紫中带黑焦枯者，乃纯阳无阴之症，其人必口干畏寒、小便短大便结，宜清火解毒，但得灌浆，犹望生活。一颗粒疏绽，根盘红润，精神爽健，二便如常，吉痘也，勿药有喜。一痘中有紫黑干硬、暴胀独大，脚无红晕或疼或不疼者，即痘疔也，痘疔能闭诸毒，未齐有疔则诸痘不能出；既齐有疔则诸痘不能起胀；行浆时有疔则诸痘必致倒陷，故初出时见有紫黑独大之点，恐其成疔，即宜以银针挑破，吸尽毒血，然后以拔疗散敷之，次日复看，若再硬胀，仍然刺破，以前药敷之，必转红活方可已也；若针挑不动，手捻有核，则成疗矣，须用针从四边刳开，以小钳钳出，其形如疗，有寸许长，拔去其疗，仍以前药敷疮口，乃可无虞。又四肢有痘，惨暗坚硬而甚痛，或外无痘而内有核作痛者，亦痘疔也，宜以艾火烧之即愈，或以灯火烙之亦效。若不急治，则此粒痘深陷穿筋透髓而烂见骨，甚可畏也。又天庭有黑点，心窝舌上必有疔；地角有黑点，阴囊阴户必有疔；两颧有黑点，两腋必有疔；准头有黑点，四肢必有疔，此观显可知其隐，又不可不详也。又痘大色黄如金者，名贼痘，大而黑者为痘疔，当以银针挑破吸尽毒血，拔疔散敷之。附拔疔散方：水飞明雄黄二钱．胭脂粒五钱，无则胭脂膏亦可，共为细末。凡遇痘疔、贼痘刺出黑血，敷之立能止痛，神效。傥舌上痘疔，用铜绿、银朱、朱砂、雄黄，人中白等分，共研匀擦之。
食鸭成癥
宋·刘敬叔《异苑》载：元嘉中章安有人噉鸭肉，乃成瘕病，胸满面赤，不得饮食，医令服秫术瀋，须臾烦闷，吐一鸭雏，身啄翅皆已成就，惟左脚故缀昔所食肉，病遂获瘥。
又载有人误吞发，便得病，但欲咽猪脂，张口时，见喉中有一头出受膏，乃取小钩为饵，而引得一物，长三尺余，其形似蛇，而悉是猪脂，悬于屋间，旬日融尽，惟发在焉。
明，郑仲夔胄师《耳新》载：严分宜朝退，忽暴疾，家人救不醒，京师名医延请略遍，而服药都不少效，举家惶惶，且欲议后事。有彭孔者，善医而甚无名，闻而自荐，入视，修一剂，谓分宜夫人曰："饮此，当呕出多痰，痰去，至夜半方醒，明晨可全无事。若吾来迟，即无济矣。"诸医咸目笑之。煎服，有顷果呕痰数升，再服复睡去，至三更，忽能言，次日遂愈。孔由是知名，大为分宜用事。燧按：名公巨卿，信虚喜补，医家以逢迎以卸责，虽见症确凿，不敢放手用攻，比比皆是，可慨也。
禾水包公剡汝辑《南中纪闻》载：靖州南二十里飞山砦，相传为元末朱都督屯兵之所，墙砾间时有米粒，色微黑而不腐，云是朱公所遗兵粮，游客谒神祠，取辄得之，至今尚有，服之可疗脾疾。此亦一段奇迹。闻衡山有仙人粮，斯其仿佛欤。燧按：相传黑米能治膈症，治脾胃也颇有理在。
华亭陈继儒《群碎录》载：《左传》云：国狗之瘈无不噬也。杜预注云："瘈狂犬也。今云猘犬。"《宋书》云："张收为猘犬所伤，食虾蟆脍而愈。"又椎碎杏仁纳伤处即愈。
梢李王枕甫逋肱《蚓庵琐语》载：新安程孝廉名光里字奕先，奉吕祖甚虔，忽有黑气入裩中，似觉妇人之阴，一接而精大泄，符药不灵。一日遇一道人，教具佩麝香可愈。初佩不多，未验，后佩两余，其祟遂绝。
吴江钮玉樵诱《觚賸》载：武昌小南门外献花寺僧自究病噎，百药不效，临殁，谓其徒曰"我毒[独]罹此患，胸臆必有物为祟，逝后剖去殓我，我感之入地矣。"其徒如教，得一骨如簪，收置经案，久相传示。阅岁，适有戎帅寓寺，从者杀鹅。未断其喉，偶见此骨，取以挑刺，鹅血喷发，而骨遂消灭。自究之徒亦病噎，因悟鹅血可治，数饮遂愈。遍以此方授人，无不验者。燧按：苏恭谓鹅毛灰治噎，不独血也。
明·杨循吉《蓬轩吴记》载：葛可久国初名医，有奇验。一人患腹疼，延葛治，葛视之，谓其家曰"腹有肉龟，俟熟睡吾针之，勿令患者知，知则龟藏矣。"患者问故，家人诳曰"医云寒气凝结，多饮酿酒自散耳。"患者乃引觞剧饮，沉酣而卧，家人亟报葛，葛诊其脉，以针刺其腹，患者惊寤，畀以药，须臾，有物下，俨如龟，厥首有穴，盖针所中也，病遂愈。又一邻妇娠将娩，气上逆，痛不可忍，就葛视，葛见之，遽以掌击案，厉声大叱，妇惊，产一子。葛慰曰"向见尔色青气逆，是腹中儿上攻，少缓不可救矣。猝然被惊，故即产也。"其神验如此。燧按：三尸为患，亦不能明告患者何病何药，告则其虫避不饮药矣。又惊则气下，故葛之治二病如此。
《谭瀛》记载杭州城一位富翁，喜好行善。他有一个七岁的儿子，嘴唇周围长了七个疔疮，疼痛深入骨髓，病情非常危急。凡是精通中医的人，都被召集到家中，商议处方，最终都没有效果。创口日益严重，连水浆都无法入口，医生们推辞说无能为力，相继离开。富翁忧愁无策，只能坐着等待孩子死亡。忽然有一位老乞丐在门口乞讨，吵闹不休，看门人呵斥她，富翁听到后，出来责备看门人，按照老乞丐的要求给她东西。老乞丐看到富翁眼泪挂在睫毛上，询问得知是儿子的病，说：“这名叫‘七星攒月’，是危重病症。只有十二岁以下小儿排出的蜕虫一百条，捣成饼状，层层敷贴患处就可以治愈。”富翁听完老乞丐的话，进去告诉众人，再出来寻找老乞丐时，她已经不知去向。而之前给她的东西还在，大家惊奇地认为她是神人。按照老乞丐说的方法，悬挂告示征求有小儿的家庭，凡是有小孩的都争相献出药下的扰虫（蛴螬），敷贴后果然痊愈。燧按：嘴唇是脾胃的外应，如果没有蛔虫，可以用鸡内金、知母研末，加上五谷虫共同捣烂涂敷也可以。
又记载钱福耀，喜好行善且懂医，治病不索取谢礼。元旦那天在山中行走，看见两位老人坐在地上一边谈医，一位老人胡须苍白垂至胸前，另一位老人面颊丰满留着短须。钱福耀顿时触动他的喜好，拱手请教。留长须的老人笑着说：“你也懂医吗？”回答说：“是的。”说：“医学有‘三审’，你知道吗？”问：“什么叫三审？”说：“一审面色，二审舌象，三审脉象。”大凡为人治病，先审视面色，由面色辨别五行，判断是宜相生还是宜相克；其次审视舌头，辨别其干枯或润泽；再次审视脉搏的浮沉迟数，以分辨表里虚实，从而决定风寒湿热。三审既然确定，然后斟酌制定方剂，百发百中。你只要记住我的话，领会并运用它，医术就圆满了。钱福耀立刻点头接受教导，请问两位老人的姓名，留短须的老人指着留长须的老人说：“这是三国时的华元化先生，我是唐代的孙思邈。”钱福耀大惊，知道遇到了神仙，急忙趴下磕头，等到抬头看时，两人已经无影无踪。从此以后，他的医理日益精进。恰逢太守的母亲，在暑天患病，穿着厚皮衣仍然怕冷，众医生都认为是热证投用热性药物，没有效果。请钱福耀诊治，观察病人两颧发红，舌色黑而干燥，确系实热内伏，攻去内热，外邪自然去除，急忙命令大量饮用瓜汁，过了一会儿，排泄出恶浊积滞，病人安然熟睡，醒来后汗出如雨，疾病很快痊愈。
又记载某位中丞大人，在中秋节突然白眼球泛红，骤然倒地，手足痉挛抽搐，多位医生面面相觑，不敢开方。钱福耀见这位大人面色苍白微青，舌苔白而湿润，心想中秋时节金气当令，凉风乘虚而入，引动内风，病症属于虚寒，治疗应当扶火泄金，培土制木，于是进用人参、黄芪、白术、肉桂等药物，疾病立刻痊愈。
东轩主人的《述异记》记载：楚地武昌府汉阳门内，旧时有陈友谅广积仓的地基，现在都成了民居。康熙甲子年，有人从地下挖出黑米，黑得像漆，硬得像石头，炒过后变松，研成粉末，治疗膈症如神。临海教谕吴牖丹在楚地听见过这件事。
祖台之的《志怪录》记载：吴中书郎盛冲非常孝顺，母亲王氏失明，盛冲暂时勒令婢女喂母亲食物，婢女就用蛴螬做的酱给王氏吃，王氏觉得很美味，但并非鱼肉，母亲对盛冲说：“你试着问问婢女。”不久盛冲问婢女，婢女承认确实吃了蛴螬。盛冲抱着母亲痛哭，母亲的眼睛立刻睁开了。《本草经》说：“蛴螬又名蟦齐，主治血瘴。”
《时报》记载凌颂和《患痘须知》九条说：一、痘疹发出五到六天，痘应当出齐，看是否出齐，以脚心为验证标准，脚心有痘则说明出齐了。然而痘疹稀少的人也不拘泥于此，总之邪热退去而痘出齐了就行。如果一出痘就全部出齐，势必病情严重。二、先发惊厥而后发痘的多能平安；先发痘而后发惊厥的多危险，名叫惊痘。三、用手摩擦面颊，如果红色随摩擦转白，白色随摩擦转红，叫做血活，可以治疗；如果摩擦后不白，举起来不红，叫做血枯，虽然疏治也难以治疗。四、痘未开盘而头面先肿，这是元气大虚，名叫虚肿，不是起胀，这种痘不能起胀，应当大补元气，肿自然会消，胀自然会起；如果痘已回缩而肿不消，是元气大虚，不能摄毒完全化为脓浆，余毒留在肌肤之间所致。五、痘从正额两颧先出现的多顺，人中、口鼻先出现的多险，或者口唇、眼睑先浮肿的，这是脾胃受毒尤其危险，太阳经、颐腮耳先出现的多逆，不能先见于上部反而见于下部的，也是元气不振，其起浆收痂也会迟缓。六、各处痘不起，只有面部及臀部痘有浆起绽的可以治疗。有面部痘好，只有鼻上没有痘，或者有痘不出绽行浆的都难治。四肢有浆唯独身体面部无浆的难治。全身痘浆灌足，唯独面部不行浆的死。全身痘色红活，唯独面部焦枯的难治。周身痘好，唯独两足膝下全无的凶。如果面半以上稠密灰滞，而面半以下匀明绽泽的，名叫掩天庭，难治。抑或是各处出齐匀朗红润，而腰间稠密灰滞作痛的，名叫缠腰，这是毒滞于阴，不能成浆，九日危险，迟则不过十一日。七、痘色紫中带黑焦枯的，是纯阳无阴的症候，其人必定口干畏寒、小便短少大便干结，宜清火解毒，只要能够灌浆，还有希望存活。八、颗粒稀疏绽开，根盘红润，精神爽健，二便正常，是吉痘，不用药也有喜兆。九、痘中有紫黑干硬、暴胀独大的，脚部无红晕或疼或不疼的，就是痘疔。痘疔能闭塞诸毒，未齐有疔则诸痘不能出；既齐有疔则诸痘不能起胀；行浆时有疔则诸痘必致倒陷，所以初出时见到有紫黑独大的点，恐怕它成疔，就应当用银针挑破，吸尽毒血，然后用拔疔散敷之，第二天再看，如果再硬胀，仍然刺破，以前药敷之，必须转红活才可以停止；如果针挑不动，手捻有核，则已成疗，须用针从四边刳开，用小钳钳出，其形如疗，有一寸许长，拔去其疗，仍以前药敷疮口，才可以无忧。又四肢有痘，惨暗坚硬而且很痛，或者外无痘而内有核作痛的，也是痘疔，宜用艾火烧之即愈，或者用灯火烙之也有效。如果不急治，则此粒痘深陷穿筋透髓而烂见骨，非常可怕。又天庭有黑点，心窝舌上必有疔；地角有黑点，阴囊阴户必有疔；两颧有黑点，两腋必有疔；准头有黑点，四肢必有疔，这是观显可知其隐，又不可不详查。又痘大色黄如金的，名叫贼痘，大而黑的为痘疔，应当用银针挑破吸尽毒血，拔疔散敷之。附拔疔散方：水飞明雄黄二钱，胭脂粒五钱，若无则胭脂膏也可，共为细末。凡遇痘疔、贼痘刺出黑血，敷之立能止痛，神效。倘若舌上痘疔，用铜绿、银朱、朱砂、雄黄、人中白等分，共研匀擦之。
食鸭成癥
宋·刘敬叔《异苑》记载：元嘉年间章安有人吃鸭肉，竟然形成瘕病，胸满面赤，不能饮食，医生令服秫术瀋，一会儿烦闷，吐出一只鸭雏，身啄翅都已长成，只有左脚还连着先前吃的肉，病于是痊愈。
又记载有人误吞头发，便得病，只想咽猪脂，张口时，看见喉咙中有一头伸出受膏，于是取小钩做饵，牵引出一个物体，长三尺多，形状像蛇，全是猪脂，悬挂在屋间，十天融化殆尽，只有头发还在。
明·郑仲夔胄师《耳新》记载：严分宜朝退，突然暴病，家人救不醒，京师名医延请遍，而服药都不见效，全家惶恐，并且打算商议后事。有个叫彭孔的人，善于医术但没什么名气，听说后自荐，进去诊视，开了一剂药，对分宜夫人说：“喝这个，应当呕出很多痰，痰去，到半夜才醒，明晨可全无事。如果我来得晚，就没救了。”众医生都嘲笑他。煎服，过了一会儿果然呕痰几升，再服又睡去，到三更，忽然能说话，第二天就痊愈了。彭孔因此知名，大为分宜重用。燧按：名公巨卿，信虚喜补，医家以逢迎卸责，虽见症确凿，不敢放手用攻，比比皆是，可悲啊。
禾水包公剡汝辑《南中纪闻》记载：靖州南二十里飞山砦，相传为元末朱都督屯兵之所，墙砾间时有米粒，色微黑而不腐，说是朱公所遗兵粮，游客谒神祠，取辄得之，至今尚有，服之可疗脾疾。这也是一段奇迹。听说衡山有仙人粮，斯其仿佛欤。燧按：相传黑米能治膈症，治脾胃也颇有理在。
华亭陈继儒《群碎录》记载：《左传》云：国狗之瘈无不噬也。杜预注云：“瘈狂犬也。今云猘犬。”《宋书》云：“张收为猘犬所伤，食虾蟆脍而愈。”又椎碎杏仁纳伤处即愈。
梢李王枕甫逋肱《蚓庵琐语》记载：新安程孝廉名光里字奕先，奉吕祖甚虔，忽有黑气入裩中，似觉妇人之阴，一接而精大泄，符药不灵。一日遇一道人，教具佩麝香可愈。初佩不多，未验，后佩两余，其祟遂绝。
吴江钮玉樵诱《觚賸》记载：武昌小南门外献花寺僧自究病噎，百药不效，临殁，谓其徒曰“我毒[独]罹此患，胸臆必有物为祟，逝后剖去殓我，我感之入地矣。”其徒如教，得一骨如簪，收置经案，久相传示。阅岁，适有戎帅寓寺，从者杀鹅。未断其喉，偶见此骨，取以挑刺，鹅血喷发，而骨遂消灭。自究之徒亦病噎，因悟鹅血可治，数饮遂愈。遍以此方授人，无不验者。燧按：苏恭谓鹅毛灰治噎，不独血也。
明·杨循吉《蓬轩吴记》记载：葛可久国初名医，有奇验。一人患腹疼，延葛治，葛视之，谓其家曰“腹有肉龟，俟熟睡吾针之，勿令患者知，知则龟藏矣。”患者问故，家人诳曰“医云寒气凝结，多饮酿酒自散耳。”患者乃引觞剧饮，沉酣而卧，家人亟报葛，葛诊其脉，以针刺其腹，患者惊寤，畀以药，须臾，有物下，俨如龟，厥首有穴，盖针所中也，病遂愈。又一邻妇娠将娩，气上逆，痛不可忍，就葛视，葛见之，遽以掌击案，厉声大叱，妇惊，产一子。葛慰曰“向见尔色青气逆，是腹中儿上攻，少缓不可救矣。猝然被惊，故即产也。”其神验如此。燧按：三尸为患，亦不能明告患者何病何药，告则其虫避不饮药矣。又惊则气下，故葛之治二病如此。
"Tan Ying" records that a wealthy man in Hangzhou, who was fond of doing good deeds, had a seven-year-old son. The boy developed seven ding sores (malignant skin infections) around his lips, with pain penetrating to the bone marrow, and the condition was extremely critical. All those proficient in traditional Chinese medicine were gathered at his home to discuss prescriptions, but ultimately without effect. The lesions worsened daily, he could not take even water or gruel, and the doctors resigned, claiming incompetence, leaving one by one. The father, worried and helpless, could only sit and wait for his child's death. Suddenly, an old beggar woman came to the door begging, making endless noise. The gatekeeper scolded her. Hearing this, the father came out, reprimanded the gatekeeper, and gave the woman what she asked for. Seeing tears on the father's eyelashes, she asked about his son's illness and said, "This is called 'Seven Stars Gathering Around the Moon,' a critical condition. Only the shed worms (larvae) excreted by children under twelve years old, one hundred of them, pounded into cakes and applied layer by layer to the affected area, can cure it." Upon hearing this, the father went inside to tell everyone, and when he came out to invite the woman, she had disappeared. However, the items given to her remained, and people were amazed, considering her divine. Following her instructions, they hung notices seeking families with young children. Those with children eagerly offered the larvae from their children's laxatives. Applying them indeed cured the disease. Sui notes: The lips correspond to the spleen and stomach. If there are no roundworms, chicken gizzard lining (Jineijin) and Anemarrhena rhizome (Zhimu) can be powdered, mixed with earthworms (Wuguchong), pounded together, and applied topically, which is also effective.
Excess Heat Lurking Inside
It is also recorded that Qian Fuyao was fond of charity and knowledgeable in medicine, treating illnesses without demanding gratitude. On New Year's Day, while walking in the mountains, he saw two elderly men sitting on the ground discussing medicine. One had white hair and a beard hanging to his chest; the other had full cheeks and a slight mustache. Qian Fuyao, touched by their demeanor, bowed and sought advice. The bearded man smiled and asked, "Do you also know medicine?" Qian replied, "Yes." The man said, "Medicine has the 'Three Examinations.' Do you know them?" Qian asked, "What are the Three Examinations?" The man answered, "First examine the complexion, second the tongue, third the pulse." In treating anyone, first examine the facial color to distinguish the Five Elements, determining whether generation or restriction is appropriate; next examine the tongue to discern dryness or moisture; then examine the pulse's floating/sinking and slow/rapid qualities to differentiate exterior/interior and deficiency/excess, thereby deciding between wind-cold, damp-heat, etc. Once these three examinations are accurate, then deliberate on the prescription, ensuring near-perfect success. Just remember my words, comprehend and apply them, and your medical skills will be complete. Qian Fuyao immediately nodded in agreement and asked for their names. The man with the slight mustache pointed to the bearded man and said, "This is Mr. Hua Tuohua (Hua Tuo) from the Three Kingdoms period; I am Sun Simiao from the Tang Dynasty." Qian Fuyao was greatly startled, realizing he had met immortals. He hurriedly prostrated and kowtowed. When he looked up, they had vanished. From then on, his understanding of medical principles advanced daily. Coincidentally, the Prefect's mother fell ill during the summer months. She wore heavy fur coats yet still felt cold. The collective physicians treated her with hot-natured drugs, but to no avail. They invited Qian Fuyao to diagnose her. Observing her red malar flush and black, dry tongue, he confirmed it as excess heat lurking inside. He determined that clearing the internal heat would naturally dispel the external pathogen. He urgently ordered her to drink large amounts of melon juice. After a short while, she evacuated foul stagnation, slept soundly, and upon waking, sweated profusely like rain. Her illness recovered quickly.
Deficiency-Cold Wind-Stroke
It is also recorded that a certain Vice Censor-in-Chief suddenly experienced whitening/redness of the sclera and collapsed abruptly, suffering from limb spasms and convulsions. Many physicians looked at each other, afraid to prescribe. Qian Fuyao observed the official's pale, slightly bluish complexion and white, moist tongue. He reasoned that during the Mid-Autumn Festival, Metal Qi was dominant, and cool winds entered through deficiency, stirring internal wind. The syndrome belonged to deficiency-cold. Treatment should support Fire to drain Metal, cultivate Earth to control Wood. Thus, he administered herbs such as Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen), Astragali Radix (Huangqi), Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu), and Cinnamomi Ramulus (Guizhi). The illness healed instantly.
Dysphagia (Ge Syndrome)
Dongxuan Zhuren's "Shuyi Ji" records: Inside Hanyang Gate in Wuchang Prefecture, Chu, lay the foundation of Chen Youliang's Guangji Granary, now residential land. In the Jiazi year of the Kangxi reign, someone dug up black rice from the ground. It was black as lacquer and hard as stone, becoming loose when roasted, and grinding it into powder cured dysphagia miraculously. Wu Youddan, Teaching Assistant of Linhai, heard this story in Chu.
Loss of Vision
Zu Taizhi's "Zhi Guai Lu" records: Sheng Chong, a Secretary in Wu, was extremely filial. His mother, Lady Wang, lost her sight. Sheng Chong temporarily ordered a maid to feed his mother. The maid fed her minced wireworms (Qicao). Lady Wang found it delicious, though it was not fish or meat. She told Sheng Chong, "Ask the maid." Sheng Chong asked, and the maid admitted eating wireworms. Sheng Chong hugged his mother and wept bitterly. Immediately, his mother's eyes opened. The "Ben Cao Jing" states: "Wireworms, also known as Fanqi, treat blood stasis."
Smallpox
"The Times" records Ling Songhe's "Nine Guidelines for Smallpox": 1. Smallpox should appear fully by the fifth or sixth day. To check if it is complete, verify the soles of the feet; if smallpox appears on the soles, it is complete. However, for sparse cases, this rule does not strictly apply. Generally, once evil heat recedes and pox appear, it is considered complete. If all pox appear at once, the condition will likely be severe. 2. Cases where convulsions precede smallpox are mostly safe; cases where smallpox precedes convulsions are dangerous, named "Convulsive Smallpox." 3. Rubbing the cheeks: if redness turns white upon rubbing and returns to red when lifted, it indicates active blood and is treatable. If it does not turn white upon rubbing or red upon lifting, it indicates dried blood and is difficult to treat despite gentle care. 4. Swelling of the head and face before the pox open indicates severe deficiency of Yuan Qi, named "Deficiency Swelling," not normal swelling. Such pox cannot swell properly. One must strongly tonify Yuan Qi; the swelling will subside, and proper swelling will occur. If swelling persists after pox retract, it is due to severe Yuan Qi deficiency failing to transform toxins into pus, leaving residual toxins in the skin. 5. Pox appearing first on the forehead and cheeks are generally favorable; those on the philtrum, nose, and mouth are risky; swelling on lips or eyelids indicates severe stomach-spleen toxin involvement; appearance on the Taiyang, jaw, cheeks, or ears is unfavorable. Appearance lower rather than upper indicates weak Yuan Qi, delaying pustulation and scabbing. 6. Pox elsewhere do not swell, but those on the face and buttocks develop pus and rupture—this is treatable. Good facial pox but none on the nose, or pox failing to rupture/pustulate, are difficult. Pus on limbs but not body/face is difficult. Full-body pustulation except face is fatal. Red/vibrant full-body pox except scorched/dry face is difficult. Good body pox except absent below knees is ominous. Dense/grey/stagnant upper face vs. clear/lower face is named "Covering the Heavenly Court," difficult to treat. Even if uniform/red elsewhere, dense/grey/painful waist indicates "Waist-Binding," toxin stuck in Yin, failing to pustulate. Dangerous on day 9, death by day 11. 7. Purple/black/scorched pox indicate pure Yang without Yin. Symptoms include dry mouth, aversion to cold, scanty urine, constipation. Clear fire and resolve toxicity. If pustulation occurs, survival is possible. 8. Sparse, ruptured pox with red roots, vibrant spirit, and normal bowels/bladder are auspicious; healing may occur without medication. 9. Purple/black/hard/swollen single pox without red halos, painful or not, are "Ding Sores." Ding sores block other toxins. Before completion, a Ding prevents emergence; after completion, it prevents swelling; during pustulation, it causes collapse. At onset, if purple/black large spots appear, suspect Ding. Pierce with silver needle, drain toxic blood, apply Baling San. Recheck next day; if hard/swollen again, pierce and apply same medicine until red/vibrant. If un-piercable and nodular, it is a formed Ding. Cut sides with needle, extract with forceps (approx. 1 cun long). Apply medicine to wound. Limb pox that are dark/hard/painful, or subcutaneous nodules, are also Ding sores. Burn with moxa or cauterize with lamp wick. Without urgent treatment, pox sink deep, rotting bone, very dangerous. Black spots on Tian Ting (forehead) imply Ding in heart pit/tongue; Di Jiao (jaw corners) imply Ding in genitals; Cheeks imply Ding in armpits; Nose tip implies Ding in limbs. Obvious signs reveal hidden conditions; detail is crucial. Large yellow pox are "Thief Pox"; large black ones are Ding Sores. Pierce, drain, apply Baling San. Formula for Baling San: Water-washed realgar (Xionghuang) 2 qian, cinnabar grains (Yanzhi) 5 qian (or paste). Powder finely. Apply to pierced Thief/Ding sores for instant pain relief and miraculous effect. For tongue Ding sores: mix copper green, vermilion, cinnabar, realgar, and human bone ash equally, grind, and rub.
Eating Duck Causes Mass (Jia)
Song dynasty Liu Jingshu's "Yi Yuan" records: During the Yuanjia era, a person in Zhang'an ate duck meat and developed a mass disorder. His chest and face turned red, and he could not eat. Doctors prescribed cooked millet and atractylodes decoction. Soon, he felt nauseous and vomited a duckling, fully formed except its left foot still attached to the previously eaten meat. The illness healed.
Hair Mass
It is also recorded that someone swallowed hair by mistake and became ill, craving pig fat. Opening his mouth, a head protruded coated in fat. Using a small hook as bait, he pulled out an object over 3 chi long, snake-like, made entirely of pig fat. Hung in the house, it melted away in ten days, leaving only the hair.
Phlegm Strike
Ming dynasty Zheng Zhongkui's "Er Xin" records: Yan Song returned from court and suffered sudden illness. Family failed to revive him. Famous Beijing doctors were consulted, but medicines had little effect. The family panicked, preparing funeral arrangements. Peng Kong, a skilled but unknown doctor, volunteered. After examination, he prescribed one dose for Yan's wife, saying, "Drink this. He will vomit much phlegm. Once phlegm is gone, he will wake at midnight and be fine by morning. If I arrive late, it will be too late." Other doctors laughed. After administration, he vomited several sheng of phlegm, slept again, spoke at midnight, and recovered the next day. Peng became famous and heavily employed by Yan. Sui notes: High officials often believe in deficiency and prefer tonics. Physicians flatter them to avoid blame. Even with clear symptoms, they dare not use aggressive purgatives openly. This is common and lamentable.
Spleen Disease
Bao Kuan's "Nan Zhong Ji Wen" records: Feishan Zhai, twenty li south of Jingzhou, is traditionally believed to be where General Zhu stationed troops at the end of the Yuan Dynasty. Rice grains are sometimes found among wall rubble, slightly black but unrotted, said to be Zhu's leftover rations. Visitors to the shrine temple find them readily. They remain today and can treat spleen diseases. This is a miracle. It is said Hengshan has Immortal Grain; this resembles it. Sui notes: Legend says black rice treats dysphagia; treating spleen/stomach is reasonable.
Mad Dog Bite
Chen Jiru's "Qun Sui Lu" cites "Zuo Zhuan": "A mad dog in the state bites without fail." Du Yu notes: "Chi means mad dog. Now called Zhi dog." "Book of Song" records: "Zhang Shou was bitten by a mad dog and healed by eating frog mince." Also, crushed almonds applied to the wound heal it.
Evil Spirit Intercourse
Wang Zhenfu's "Yin An Suo Yu" records: Cheng Guangli (courtesy name Yixian), a scholar from Xin'an, devoutly worshipped Lü Zu. Suddenly, black air entered his underwear, feeling like a woman's vagina. Upon contact, he ejaculated heavily. Talismans and medicines failed. One day, a Daoist told him wearing musk could cure it. Initially wearing little, no effect. Later wearing over two qian, the evil spirit ceased.
Dysphagia (Ye)
Niu Yuqiao's "Gu Sheng" records: Monk Zijiu of Xianhua Temple outside South Gate of Wuchang suffered dysphagia. Hundred medicines failed. Dying, he told disciples, "I alone suffer this. There must be an object haunting my chest. After death, dissect me to remove it, and I will feel grateful in the underworld." Disciples followed, finding a needle-like bone, kept on scripture desk, passed down. A year later, a military commander stayed at the temple. His servant killed a goose. Before cutting the throat, they saw this bone. Using it to probe, goose blood sprayed, and the bone vanished. Zijiu's disciple also got dysphagia. Realizing goose blood works, he drank it several times and recovered. He shared this formula; all verified. Sui notes: Su Gong said goose feather ash treats dysphagia, not just blood.
Turtle Mass & Childbirth
Yang Xunji's "Pengxuan Wu Ji" records: Ge Kejiu, a famous early Ming physician, had miraculous results. A man had abdominal pain. Ge examined him and told the family, "There is a flesh turtle in the abdomen. Wait until he sleeps deeply, then I will needle it. Do not let him know, or the turtle will hide." The patient asked why. The family lied, "The doctor says cold qi congealed. Drink more wine to disperse it." The patient drank heavily, slept deeply. Family notified Ge. Ge palpated the pulse, needle the abdomen. Patient woke startled. Ge gave medicine. Soon, an object descended, resembling a turtle, with a hole in the head where the needle struck. Illness healed. Another neighbor woman, pregnant and near delivery, had rebellious Qi, unbearable pain. Ge saw her, slapped the table, shouted loudly. Woman startled, delivered a son. Ge comforted her, "Earlier I saw blue complexion and rebellious Qi. The fetus attacked upward. Delay meant death. Sudden shock caused immediate birth." Such miracles. Sui notes: With Three Corpses parasites, one cannot clearly tell the patient the disease or medicine, or the worm avoids drinking it. Shock causes Qi to descend, hence Ge's treatment worked for both.