Liu, male, 42 years old, first consultation on July 12, 1990. For the past year, he has frequently experienced palpitation, shortness of breath, chest tightness, dizziness, and insomnia. Despite multiple examinations at major hospitals, no definitive diagnosis was made. He had taken over 20 doses of tonifying qi, nourishing blood, and tranquilizing spirit medications, which somewhat alleviated his symptoms. In the past half month, due to overexertion and sweating, he felt a severe aversion to cold in his back. At the time of consultation, he was still wearing a woolen vest, and his complexion was dark and dull. He reported no thirst, dryness, or bitterness in the mouth, but felt heavy in the body and mentally fatigued. His tongue was pale with a white and slippery coating, and his pulse was deep and weak. The diagnosis was yang qi deficiency and cold-dampness stagnation. He was prescribed Aconite Decoction to warm yang and replenish qi, and to dispel cold and transform dampness. Prescription:
Prepared Aconite Lateral Root 20g, White Atractylodes Rhizome 8g, Poria 6g, Peony Root 6g, Ginseng 4g
. On June 18, during the second consultation, he reported feeling warmth throughout his body after taking 3 doses of the above prescription. After another 3 doses, he had removed his woolen vest but still felt slightly cold. His tongue and pulse were as before. He was given another 6 doses of the same prescription and recovered.