Mr. Qu, male, 65 years old, first consultation on October 26, 1976. Chief complaint: Recently, aversion to cold with fever, without sweating, fatigue and weakness, mental confusion, and irritability. Diagnosed by a certain doctor as "shaoyin pattern," urgently used ginger and aconite to restore yang to address the immediate crisis. His wife was uncertain and sought my diagnosis.
Examination: Observing his face, it was dull and lacked luster; hearing his voice, there was nasal congestion; asking about the cause of the disease, he mentioned it was due to drinking and catching cold; feeling his pulse, it was floating and slightly rapid; pressing his lower limbs, the skin was hot.
Pattern identification and treatment: Based on the condition, it was considered that the symptoms of Dyers Woad Dragon Decoction were present. As for the mental confusion and somnolence, they were somewhat distant from the dysphoria and insomnia of the Dyers Woad Dragon Decoction syndrome. Due to the patient's old age and extreme mental fatigue, although there was no apparent dysphoria, there was irritability. Therefore, the following prescription was formulated:
Raw Gypsum 35g, Ephedra 10g, Cinnamon Twig 10g, Bitter Apricot Seed 10g, Prepared Liquorice Root 10g, Chinese Date 5 pieces.
Considering the patient's old age and weak constitution, excessive sweating might lead to collapse, so it was ordered to divide the medicine into three warm doses, to be taken every two hours, and to stop if sweating occurred.
Second consultation: October 27, after taking the medicine twice, there was slight sweating all over the body, and all symptoms subsided. The patient looked pleased, ate a little, but was still physically weak. He was advised to pay attention to recuperation. Ophiopogon Decoction was prescribed in two doses for follow-up.