Mr. Tang, male, 52 years old, worker. The patient had a generally strong constitution, but experienced fever and chills, headache, and fatigue. He had taken diaphoretic agents to induce sweating, but no sweat was produced, and the fever and chills persisted. Five days later, he developed chest fullness and pain, which was unbearable upon pressure, along with reduced appetite and dry mouth. Both pulses were deep and slippery, especially at the cun position, and the tongue coating was greasy. He was prescribed Minor Chest Bind Decoction twice, but it was ineffective. The chest fullness worsened, accompanied by alternating chills and fever, dysphoria, and shortness of breath. Chest X-ray revealed pleural effusion. The syndrome was attributed to pathogenic heat and fluid binding in the chest. Treatment was administered with Major Chest Bind Decoction with modifications. Prescription:
Trichosanthis Fruit 24g, Curcuma Root, Rhubarb, Rhizoma Mirabilite, each 9g, Gansui Root powder 1.5g (to be taken infused)
. The medication was taken on an empty stomach in the morning, resulting in seven episodes of watery diarrhea. Chest fullness significantly reduced, breathing improved, and appetite returned. Two doses of a chest-soothing and stomach-harmonizing formula were intermittently administered (as the previous formula was potent, and continuous use might damage healthy qi). The original formula was then cyclically administered three more times, resulting in the disappearance of chest fullness, reduced pain, and normal breathing. Later, a chest-soothing, collateral-dredging, and heat-clearing formula was used for recovery. Chest X-ray confirmed complete resolution of pleural effusion.