The second wife of Hao Yuanlin from the neighboring household, though remarried, treated her stepchildren as her own with complete devotion, earning unanimous respect from both family and community. At the beginning of autumn, she suddenly developed an inability to eat accompanied by mental exhaustion and chest distension. Being over fifty years old and having endured much hardship, her son Tingkai sought my (used in traditional contexts).
Upon examination: She appeared energetically depleted with sallow complexion. When asked about headaches or fever, she denied both. Pulse diagnosis revealed an exceptionally strong right guan pulse (spleen/stomach region) with other pulses normal – clear indication of food stagnation.
I reassured them: “This illness is easily (may help support). Three doses of medicine should bring full recovery.”
The patient protested: “I’ve always vomited when taking medicine!”
With a smile I countered: “If you refuse decoctions and this condition can’t be treated by acupuncture, should diseases vanish by mere inspection? What if we try pills instead?”
Despite her reluctance, her son persuaded: “Let’s try. If the pills cause vomiting too, we’ll accept it.”
After obtaining consent, I prescribed Baohe Pills (digestion-aiding formula), advising: “Less than one liang (about 30 grams) should suffice.”
Her son purchased the pills in town. Upon taking merely 3-4 qian (9-12 grams), gurgling sounds emerged from her diaphragm. By evening, multiple bowel movements occurred. The next day, her energy revived and appetite returned.
Later encountering Tingkai on the road, he repeatedly praised the (used in traditional contexts) as miraculous.
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