Mr. Cheng Yutang, the newly appointed magistrate of Dingxiang’s West District (originally from the capital), assumed office in early spring. This remote post offered meager annual earnings under 200 silver taels, compounded by crude local customs and constant daily inconveniences. With his elderly mother remaining in the capital, Cheng faced a dilemma: supporting her relocation strained his finances, yet leaving her behind weighed on his conscience. Anxiety manifested physically as a boil developed on his hand.
The local ox doctor (rustic physician) Niu treated him with repeated acupuncture over half-month before recovery. However, Cheng’s preexisting digestive stagnation and prolonged melancholy soon manifested as chest distension, appetite loss, listlessness, and emaciation. Mistaking these as signs of deficiency, Dr. Niu prescribed cinnamon and aconite tonics. Two doses later, Cheng’s distension worsened.
Learning of my presence at the county office through mutual acquaintance You’an, Cheng formally requested consultation. My pulse diagnosis revealed:
- Deep, rapid pulses at all six positions
- Exceptionally forceful pulse at the right guan position
I remarked humorously: “Your abdomen resembles a well packed with stones – compacted stagnation leaves no room for nourishment. This is excess syndrome requiring purgation. Mistaking it for deficiency worsens the condition.”
Cheng protested: “But my weakness and wasting suggest deficiency!”
I countered: “Book-learned physicians miss bodily truths. Vitality wanes from stagnant qi-blood; wasting stems from impaired digestion. The spleen-stomach , our ‘granary officials,’ cannot receive or transport when clogged. Blocked stomach qi corrupts all meridians.”
Prescribing combined formulas Duiyin Decoction (dui jin yin) and Baohe Decoction (bao he tang), dramatic results followed:
- Two doses triggered gurgling abdominal sounds
- Multiple foul bowel evacuations
- Immediate ravenous hunger
- Restored mental clarity
That evening, Cheng arrived lantern in hand, prostrating in gratitude: “This prescription proved truly miraculous! I doubted initially, but now see how common physicians err.”
I cautioned: “The body’s ‘granary’ requires annual renewal. With old stagnation cleared but stomach qi still weak, new accumulations form easily. Practice dietary moderation.”
As I prepared to depart later, Cheng insisted his servants escort my carriage through muddy post-rain roads. They manually carried wheels through difficult stretches, refusing dismissal until ten li (3 miles) passed – testament to Cheng’s profound gratitude.
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