🌿 Folk Prescriptions

During the Qing dynasty, several renowned physicians emerged from Wuxian County, Jiangsu Province. The most famous was Ye Gui, styled Tian Shi, also known as Xiang Yan. Another equally renowned physician was Xue Xue, styled Sheng Bai. Ye and Xue were both from the same hometown and close friends, living near each other.
In the Qianlong era, a major epidemic swept through Suzhou. The government established a free clinic to treat the populace, requiring famous physicians to rotate duty. One day, a night watchman arrived at the clinic, suffering from severe generalized edema, his skin swollen and yellowish-white, waiting for treatment.
Xue Xue arrived first. After examining the watchman’s pulse, he waved him away, saying: "Your illness is very serious—there’s no hope of cure. Go home." As he stepped out of the clinic, he happened to meet Ye Tian Shi arriving. Ye Tian Shi, seeing the watchman from his sedan chair, said: "Isn’t this the night watchman? Your illness is clearly due to poisoning from burning mosquito coils. Come with me!" Entering the clinic, Ye Tian Shi prescribed two doses of medicine, telling him: "Don’t worry—after taking these two doses, you’ll recover." Xue Xue, overhearing and witnessing this, felt deeply offended, believing Ye Tian Shi had deliberately humiliated him. Furious, he returned home and renamed his study "Leaf Sweeping Hall."
Ye Tian Shi, upon hearing this, was also enraged and renamed his study "Snow Stepping Pavilion." From then on, the two ceased all contact.
Later, Ye Tian Shi’s mother contracted typhoid fever. He carefully prepared a prescription, but she showed no improvement. Word reached Xue Xue, who smiled and said: "For any other patient, Ye Tian Shi would have immediately prescribed Bai Hu Tang. But for his own mother, he hesitates." One of Xue Xue’s disciples interjected: "Bai Hu Tang is strong in nature—he fears the elderly woman can’t withstand it." Xue Xue replied: "Her condition involves internal heat—precisely the indication for Bai Hu Tang. Though potent, it must be used." When Ye Tian Shi heard this, he realized Xue Xue was correct. He had indeed considered Bai Hu Tang, but feared his mother’s advanced age couldn’t tolerate it. After hearing Xue Xue’s words, he administered Bai Hu Tang to his mother, and her illness quickly improved. This incident taught Ye Tian Shi that even renowned physicians should have broad-mindedness and learn from each other. He proactively visited Xue Xue’s home, and the two reconciled and resumed their friendship.