The son of Mr. Wu, aged 15, fell ill in March 1921. The fever persisted for 11 days, with a red face, crimson and parched lips, a red tongue with yellow coating and no moisture, restlessness and inability to sleep. He refused food, craved cold drinks, had scanty dark urine, and no bowel movements. The pulse was deep, thin, and rapid. Upon reviewing the previously prescribed formulas, it was found that initially, Nine-ingredient Notopterygium Decoction was used, followed by Coptis Rhizome, Gardenia, Forsythia, Skullcap Root, Lonicera, Mulberry Leaf, and Mentha, but to no effect. This was a case of spring warmth mistakenly treated with pungent and warm dispersing agents, followed by bitter and drying heat-clearing agents, which damaged the true yin, leading to pathogenic heat accumulating internally and transforming into a shaoyin yin deficiency heat transformation syndrome. Coptis and Ass Hide Glue Decoction was prescribed:
Coptis Rhizome 10g, Skullcap Root 12g, Hangshao 24g, Donkey-hide Gelatin 10g (melted and added), egg yolk 2 pieces
. The decoction was prepared by first boiling the Scutellaria, Coptis, and Peony, then allowing it to cool slightly before adding the melted Donkey-hide Gelatin, and finally stirring in two raw egg yolks and taking it uniformly. After one dose, the patient was able to sleep peacefully, the restlessness and thirst ceased, the lips and tongue became moist, and the pulse calmed with a cool body. This was followed by Pulse-Reinforcing Powder with Unprocessed Rehmannia Root, Scrophularia Root, and Coptis Rhizome. After two consecutive doses of the above formula, the patient recovered.