(chapter41)Cold-Dampness Pouring Down Causing Arthralgia

Zhang Guanying, a merchant from Luowang Village, lived comfortably. After remarrying a woman from the Li family in our town, his wife developed severe leg pain: stiff and painful joints that limited movement, accompanied by recurring swelling. She had been bedridden for six months.

Initial Treatments
Two physicians were consulted:

1. The first diagnosed Xia Wei (lower limb atrophy), prescribing ​Hu Qian Wan (Tiger-Stealth Pill):
   Formula:
   Roasted Cork Tree Bark (huangbai), Roasted Anemarrhena Rhizome (zhimu), Prepared Rehmannia Root (shudihuang), Turtle Plastron (guiban), Aged Tangerine Peel (chenpi), White Peony Root (baishao), Cynomorium Stem (suoyang), ​Tiger Bone (hugu, Note: Now replaced by legal alternatives), Dried Ginger (ganjiang), Achyranthes Root (niuxi), Chinese Angelica (danggui), Mutton (yangrou).Purpose: Nourishing therapy.
2. The second diagnosed paralysis, prescribing ​Xu Ming Tang (Life-Prolonging Decoction) to dispel pathogenic factors.Both treatments failed.

Diagnostic Process
Invited by the patient’s brother-in-law, I examined her. The ​six pulses were slow and broad (liu mai huan da). I concluded:
“This is neither limb atrophy nor paralysis. The condition stems from ​Cold-Dampness Accumulation (hanshi xiazhu) in the joints. Though chronic, it is (may help support).”

Treatment Protocol

1. ​Phase 1: ​Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang (Notopterygium Dampness-Resolving Decoction) + Achyranthes Root (niuxi) and Fourstamen Stephania Root (fangji).Goal: Unblock meridians, resolve dampness.Result: After 3 doses, she could walk with a cane.
2. ​Phase 2: ​Wu Li Zhong Tang (Five-Ingredient Regulating Decoction, combining ​Wu Ling San [Five-Ingredient Poria Powder] + ​Li Zhong Tang [Center-Regulating Decoction]).Result: Swelling and pain vanished after 4 doses.
3. ​Consolidation: Despite her reluctance, I advised continuing (used in traditional contexts) to clear residual dampness.Outcome: 20+ additional doses completed. The couple later expressed gratitude with wine and meat.

Long-Term Follow-Up

A decade later, I encountered her at a banquet—she still walked with steady strides. Final advice emphasized: “Those with such constitution must strictly avoid wind, cold, and dampness exposure.”