Qin, female, 1 year and 8 months old. One week ago, she had a common cold with high fever and mild cough. She was given aspirin and pediatric cold infusion granules, which caused sweating and a reduction in fever, but the fever returned. She was then given one dose of Chinese medicinals releasing exterior with pungent-cool properties, which initially seemed effective, but at midnight the fever suddenly spiked to 40.5°C. The parents were alarmed and invited me for a consultation.
The child's complexion was dull, her breathing was even, she appeared lethargic and had anorexia, her limbs were not warm, and her fever was mild during the day but severe at night. Her tongue was pale and swollen, with a black, moist coating from the center to the root. She usually liked to sweat, and there were no other abnormalities. After much deliberation, I reluctantly prescribed the following formula:
Prepared Aconite Lateral Root, Peony Root, each 3g; Poria, White Atractylodes Rhizome, each 6g; Fresh Ginger Rhizome, 2 slices.
After taking one dose that night, her temperature hovered around 38°C. By noon the next day, after finishing the dose, her temperature returned to normal and remained stable.