In Du Yi Zong Bi Du (Essential Readings for Medical Practitioners), there is an essay titled On Treating Illness Without Neglecting Human Nature, which demonstrates seasoned wisdom and thoroughly captures the trials and triumphs of medical practice.
A younger brother of my townsman, Zhang Jingyi, was always lacking in ability and had been trading in Hunan. After over a year, he returned home, even more idle and disheartened, and worse, addicted to opium. All his clothing and daily expenses relied on his elder brother. He was extravagant by nature, burdened with private debts, and disrespectful toward his brother. He spent his days in a daze, stewing in frustration, avoiding meat but constantly indulging in sweets, candies, and fruits. In the summer of Xinyou year (1861), he fell ill. His elder brother summoned me for diagnosis. His six pulses were balanced, except for a slippery pulse at the left guan (liver position) and a weak pulse at the right guan (spleen position)—a clear sign of stagnant liver qi and spleen deficiency. I prescribed Xiao Yao San (Free and Easy Wanderer Powder). His brother thought it quite effective, but the patient himself could not persist with the (used in traditional contexts). Instead, he went to the city to seek (used in traditional contexts) from a physician named Rong.
Rong was notoriously rigid and slow. After assessing the symptoms and fearing he wouldn’t be paid for the medicine, he declared the illness incurable. Upon returning, Zhang’s brother wept bitterly. His mother, who had always doted on him, also believed he was beyond recovery, sending the entire household into panic and lamentation. Daily quarrels ensued, and Jingyi, left with no choice, sought my help again, urgently pleading: “Dr. Rong says my brother’s condition is hopeless—please confirm it. If he truly cannot be saved, we must prepare for the aftermath.”
Reluctant to examine him given the circumstances, I yielded to Jingyi’s earnest request. Upon re-examination, the pulse remained unchanged. I reassured the family: “With this illness and these pulse signs, there is absolutely no reason for concern. If complications arise, I cannot guarantee anything, but this condition alone will resolve without medicine. If I am wrong, I will take responsibility. Rong is using his incompetence to frighten people—do not be misled.” Jingyi was relieved, but his brother was furious, storming off in anger.
Jingyi sighed repeatedly and asked what should be done. I advised: “Though he is in his twenties, his mind is less mature than that of a clever child. Simply give him a few dozen coins daily, let him roam freely without restraint, and within two or three months, he will surely recover.” Jingyi followed my suggestion. The patient went into the city daily, indulging himself without inhibition. In less than two months, he was cured—even gaining weight. Jingyi finally believed my words were correct, and even his brother admitted regret for not heeding my advice, wasting much money in the process. I laughed in disdain.
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