Several months later, while escorting my nephew to take the prefectural imperial examinations, I met daily with a local official (guanchashi). He described his concubine’s condition: irregular menstruation, frequent lower abdominal pain, lethargy, loss of appetite, and recurrent miscarriages around 3-4 months of pregnancy. Despite numerous treatments in Guo County, including prescriptions from Professor Qi and Administrator Qian, her condition remained unimproved. Other physicians suspected tuberculosis (lao), and he sought my diagnosis.
The lady appeared dressed in a simple cotton dress with a wooden hairpin. After exchanging courtesies, I checked her pulses – all six pulses were weak (liu mai ju xu) without febrile signs, particularly the right guan pulse (stomach/spleen meridian). I explained: “This stems from spleen deficiency (pi xu) and earth element depletion, causing poor digestion and low energy. The menstrual irregularities and miscarriages result from insufficient central energy (zhong qi) to sustain bodily functions. While (may help support), recovery requires prolonged care. Without (used in traditional contexts), chronic diarrhea or tuberculosis-like symptoms may develop.”
I prescribed Six Gentlemen Decoction (Liu Jun Zi Tang) containing:
- Ginseng (Renshen)
- Atractylodes (Baizhu)
- Poria (Fuling)
- Licorice Root (Gancao)
- Dried Tangerine Peel (Chenpi)
- Pinellia (Banxia)
with added Galangal Seed (Yizhiren), Dried Ginger (Ganjiang), and Euryale Seed (Qianshi). After eight doses, I advised switching to Zi Sheng Jian Pi Wan (Life-Nourishing Spleen Pill). When asked about dosage, I replied: “The more consumed, the better.”
Two years later in the provincial capital, I encountered the official’s eldest son. He reported: “She regained full health and delivered a daughter last winter. My father still speaks gratefully of your (used in traditional contexts).”
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