title | Ma Yunqu's Medical Case Records |
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bubble_chart Content Ma, a middle-aged man, experienced abdominal pain after eating fruit snacks before the Mid-Autumn Festival. The pain originated from both flanks and descended to the lower abdomen, lasting from 3 PM to 9 PM. The pain was severe, causing him to toss and turn and moan. Neither oral nor topical medications provided relief, so his brother came to invite me for a consultation. Upon examination, I observed that his complexion was bluish-yellow, with slight sweat on his forehead. His speech was faint, and his moans had weakened, likely due to the intense pain. His hands and feet were cold, his tongue was pale and without coating, and his pulse was deep and faint. I suspected that his external genitals had contracted, and upon checking, this was confirmed. Since the three yin meridians intersect in the abdomen and flanks, and his yang qi was weak, with pudendal coldness accumulating, Jueyin is the viscus of wind and wood, which tends to move downward. The yin tendons were affected by severe cold, indicating a critical condition of visceral binding. As Zhongjing stated: "If there is long-standing stuffiness below the ribs, extending to the sides of the navel, with pain radiating to the lower abdomen and into the genitals, it is fatal." His yang deficiency was not a recent development, as evidenced by his pale tongue. The fruit snacks were merely a trigger. In addition to applying hot compresses of fried old ginger and scallions, I prescribed the Vessel-Unblocking Cold-Extremities Decoction: 1 liang of processed Big Aconite Root, 7 qian of Dried Ginger, and 3 qian of roasted licorice. I instructed him to take two doses consecutively. After returning home, I revisited the texts and found that the *Jin Gui* states, "If the disease enters the viscera, it is fatal; if it enters the bowels, it can be cured." The transition between viscera and bowels is determined by the movement of qi, which is unpredictable, leaving me deeply concerned. The next morning, I heard urgent knocking at the door. My wife answered and informed me that I was being summoned for another consultation. My heart sank, fearing that the disease had progressed to the viscera, and I might be blamed for the outcome. I anxiously asked about his condition and was relieved to hear that he had slept well and was improving. Upon revisiting him, I found that he was able to walk, with only residual pain remaining. I prescribed a light formula of Zhenwu Decoction with Dragon Bone and Oyster Shell, and he recovered.