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Zhou, male, 25 years old. Admitted on March 24, 1959, with the chief complaints of abdominal distension and fullness for four months, and swelling of the limbs, cough for more than a month. After admission, the Western medicine diagnosis was "cirrhosis with ascites, right pleural effusion," and was transferred to Chinese medicine treatment. Symptoms included poor spirit, complexion shallow yellow, emaciated body, abdominal distension, visible veins, scanty urine, chest tightness and shortness of breath, cough with yellow phlegm, occasional blood streaks, epistaxis, lower limb edema, dizziness, fatigue, itchy skin, poor appetite, spider nevi on the back of the hands and both upper limbs. Hepatosplenomegaly with tenderness. Tongue texture red with white coating, pulse manifestation deep and thin. Chinese medicine diagnosis: (1) tympanites, (2) thoracic fluid retention. Syndrome attributed to spleen deficiency dampness obstruction, fluid retention in the chest and hypochondrium. Treatment should aim to strengthen the spleen, relieve distension, promote yang to transform water, and expel water by purgation. Prescriptions used: (1) Ten Jujubes Decoction, 1 dose per day, for 3 consecutive doses. Prescription:
Peking Euphorbia Root 3.5g Lilac Daphne 3.5g Gansui Root 3.5g Chinese Date 10 pieces
(2) Stomach Poria Decoction plus Plantain Seed 35g, 3 doses, prescription:
Atractylodes Rhizome 10.5g Magnolia Bark 10.5g Dried Tangerine Peel 10.5g Prepared Liquorice Root 10.5g Fresh Ginger Rhizome 10.5g Chinese Date 3 pieces Cinnamon Twig 10.5g White Atractylodes Rhizome 17.5g Alisma 17.5g Poria 17.5g Polyporus 17.5g Plantain Seed 35g (separately packed)
Second consultation: Pleural effusion decreased, abdominal distension and fullness relieved, urine output increased; lower limb edema, fatigue, chest tightness; tongue texture pale, coating thin white slightly greasy, pulse deep and thin; continue taking Stomach Poria Decoction, plus Plantain Seed 35g. Take for 15 consecutive doses.
Third consultation: Abdominal distension and fullness significantly relieved, lower limb grade I edema, urine output increased, bowel movements twice a day, loose; tongue coating white, pulse deep and soft; continue with the above prescription, add Aconite Lateral Root 10.5g, take for 6 consecutive doses.

Fourth consultation: Chest X-ray shows right pleural effusion has disappeared, slight edema in lower limbs, mild abdominal distension; tongue coating thin white, pulse deep and thin; continue with the above prescription for 6 doses.
Fifth consultation: Ascites, pleural effusion, lower limb edema disappeared, tongue pale, coating thin white, pulse thin. Discharged cured. Advised to rest, moderate diet, and take Six Gentlemen Decoction for 6 doses for conditioning.