Mr. Wu, aged 45, has been unable to speak, see, or move his body for seven days, with all four limbs cold. The six pulse conditions are absent. Upon pressing the abdomen, he guards it with both hands, frowning in pain. Pressing the dorsalis pedis pulse reveals it to be large and forceful, indicating retained food in the abdomen. The syndrome is characterized by internal retained food and external cold-damage disease. The cold is deficient and unable to digest food, leaving only the method of "taking away firewood from under the cauldron" in hopes of a slight recovery. Prescribed Major Purgative Decoction:
Rhubarb Rhizoma 15g, Mirabilite 12.5g, Magnolia Bark 6g, Stir-fried Immature Orange Fruit 3g
. Boil Magnolia Bark and Immature Orange Fruit in water until reduced to half, then add Rhubarb Rhizoma and boil until reduced to one cup. Remove the dregs and add Mirabilite, bring to a boil once, and take hot. After taking, he passed eight to nine dry stools, slightly regained the ability to speak, and slightly regained the ability to move. Half of the original prescription was given again, resulting in six to seven more dry stools, clear consciousness, regained ability to speak, and ability to move. After half a month of recuperation, he recovered.