何谓痨瘵?即虚劳病中具有传染性者而言。《程杏轩医案续录》曰:“传尸乃虚劳中另自一种。虚劳无虫,传尸有虫;虚劳不传染,传尸传染。”痨瘵“有一种鬼注尸气,伏于人身,”“渐变而为怪异之虫,日蚀月蛀,”使“脏腑消溃”而病(《红炉点雪》传尸鬼疰篇)。《证治要诀》亦曰:“传尸痨,骨肉相传,乃至灭门。此其五脏中皆有痨虫,古名瘵疾。”古代之痨瘵范围较广,其中包括肺痨而非仅指肺痨,然究以肺痨为重点也。本病互相传染流行广泛,可包括现代医学之结核病在内。
二、痨瘵基本证候
痨瘵之证候,古医籍所载不尽一致,内容庞杂,症状繁多,常令人眼花缭乱,莫衷一是。后人不加深研,随趋简易,明季喻嘉言已有感慨,其于《医门法律》“虚劳论”中云:《巢氏病源》“谓有虚劳,有蒸病,有注病。劳有五劳六极七伤;蒸有五蒸二十四蒸;注有三十六种、九十九种,另各分门异治。后人以岐路之多,茫然莫知所适,且讳其名日痰火。”因而倘能深入研究痨瘵之理、法、方、药,掌握或熟悉其演变规律及治疗法则,必能更彻底有效地控制及治愈本病,而造福人类。
然则痨瘵之基本证候若何?唐容川于《血证论》中提出咳血、痰嗽、遗精、泄泻、潮热、盗汗、瘦削、疲倦、梦与鬼交或梦亡先,喜见人过,常怀忿怨,平旦病减,午后病增,发热、心烦、口燥、鼻干、脸红、唇赤、骨蒸、肺痿、咽痛、失音等常见症状已达二十五种之多,尚未包括全部症状在内。清代莫枚士于《研经言》中高度概括极为庞杂之证候而阐述其研究结论:“乃知传尸劳者,(邹按:即指痨瘵)合尸、疰、疳、蒸四大症以名之也。初以体虚受邪,人感尸虫,于是沉沉默默无处不恶,而不能的言所苫,此时名之为尸可也;甚而发热、喘促、颧赤,名之为蒸可也;及其项间生块,唇口喉舌皆疮,名为疳可也;至差而复剧,死而传人,则为注矣。备此四症,故方法不一,各据见在为言也。”
莫氏此论,虽寥寥数十言,已对痨瘵复杂纷繁之证候加以分类归纳,亦是对痨病理论研究之发展,颇具科学性与实践性。下文对尸、疰、疳、蒸四大证试作探讨。
古籍中对尸、疰症有时合论,有时分论,因二者并无严格区别,且相因为病,故本文亦将两者合为一谈。
关于尸病,《诸病源候论》卷二十三“诸尸候”曰“人身内自有三尸诸虫,与人俱生,而此虫忌血恶能,与鬼灵相通,常接引外邪为人患害。”由此可知,尸病由外邪侵入人体而发病。推而论之,瘵疾初起必有外邪(瘵虫,亦即所谓尸气、鬼气)侵袭为害。而疰病(一作注,两字通假)“诸注候”曰:“凡注之言住也,谓邪气居住人身内,故名为注。此由阴阳失守,经络空虚,风寒暑湿劳倦之所致也。”葛洪则于《肘后方》“治尸注鬼注方第七”中云:“累年积月,渐就顿滞,以致于死。死后复传之旁人,乃至灭门,觉知此候者,便宜急治之。”据此,则尸病乃病邪感染为害,虽葛氏分飞尸、遁尸、风尸、沉尸、尸注之“五尸”,要皆传易疾病之病邪,其中与瘵疾直接相关者则为“尸注”。而疰病则为病邪侵入人体后,留着不去,发为病变,甚至继续传染他人之病理过程。两者实为痨瘵疾病过程之二阶段:尸病见于早期,亦即传染期,疰则贯穿感邪以后之整个病程。
尸、疰两症之证候,十分繁复。如葛洪《肘后备急方》云:“尸注、鬼注病者,……其病变动,乃有三十六种至九十九种。大略使人寒热、淋沥、沉沉默默、不得知其所苦,而无处不恶。累年积月,渐就顿滞以至于死。死后复传于旁人,乃至灭门。知此候者,便宜急治之。”至《巢氏病源》尸病十二候,注病有三十四论。然与本病关系最切者尸病中则为“尸注候”,而注病主要在于注易传染。其实,上述尸、疰所现证候乃属感邪之后所出现之全身症状,或虽属局部症状而为痨病患者易见之症。如“寒热”指全身发热。“淋沥”当指小便滴沥不尽、遗精、白浊、盗汗、妇人经漏不净等症。“沉沉默默,不得知其所苦”,为感受病邪后所出现之中毒症状与机体反应性。当包括疲劳乏力、沉默少言、纳差体瘦、全身不适而难可名状症等。无论病邪侵犯于人体何部,于局部症状之外,必兼以上证候,此等证候可贯穿瘵病之始终。
上述诸症与现代西医学对于肺结核全身症状之描述极相类似。《实用内科学》曰:“全身不适、倦怠、乏力、不能坚持日常工作,容易烦躁、心悸、食欲减退、体重减轻、妇女月经不正常等轻度毒性和植物神经紊乱的症状。”“发热亦是肺结核的早期症状之一。”“盗汗……患者并有衰竭感。”此段描述已几乎包括《肘后方》除“淋沥”以外对尸注证候叙述之全部内容。可见《肘后方》尸注之证候,实为痨瘵感受病邪后所现之全身症状,及痨瘵易见之肾脏病证,亦为古医家论断痨瘵之初步依据。
至于蒸病已不作为一种独立病症,《巢氏病源》仅将其作为“虚劳”病中之一种症状而疳疾则多见于儿科著作,几乎已不见于成人医籍。殊不知久患痨瘵,多见疳证。
所谓蒸病,实为痨瘵主证之一,以潮热、虚弱为特征,因其热自内向外蒸发而出故名曰蒸、《巢氏病源》有五蒸、二十三蒸之名,而痨症中以骨蒸为多见,骨蒸之病根在肾,肾主骨,瘵病真阴亏损,内热炽盛,患者自觉其热从骨髓中蒸发而出,暮热早凉,两颧发烧,五心烦热,喘促溺赤。并见纳差神疲,体倦乏力。
蒸为虚劳病变,不为痨瘵所专有。虚劳病变为痨瘵之病理基础,故瘵疾必见蒸热。
蒸与疳可相互转化,相因为病。如《巢氏病源》“虚劳骨蒸候”记载:“久蒸不除,多变成疳。”而“湿病诸候”中“疳疾”条又云:“五疳缓者则变成五蒸”。
关于疳病,后世医籍仅见于儿科,其实当为痨病之一种中晚期症状。明代万全之《育婴秘诀》早已指出:“儿童十六岁以下其病为疳;十六岁以上其病为痨。疳痨即气血虚惫、脾胃受病之所致。”万氏将疳痨视为一病之两个不同阶段,以年龄加以划分。须知小儿疳病当属虚劳范畴,其中虽有痨瘵。但多属虚劳。属痨瘵者,疳症为痨病中一种证候,不作独立疾病。而于成年痨病患者中,疳症同样为痨病之一种重要证候。
所谓疳,乃脾胃运化失常所致之慢性营养障碍性病证。虽有热疳,冷疳,疳痨、丁奚、哺露等数十名称,而其实质,不外因虚劳或痨瘵导致脾胃运化失职,饮食精微不能化生气血、滋养百骸,渐至气血俱虚而造成形体及五脏之病变。临床多见面黄肌瘦、毛发枯黄、纳谷不振、脘腹胀满、大便失调等证。严重者可兼见紫癜、浮肿、口唇喉舌生疮、肛门湿烂、淋巴结肿胀或久溃不敛等证。验之临证,此类症状确为痨瘵久病患者所常见。
综合尸、疰、疳、蒸四大证所现证候,以全身者为多,局部证候较少,而肺部证候则更少。瘵疾中痨虫多犯肺脏,而后世医书所论瘵疾实际多指肺痨而言,何以尸、疰、疳、蒸四大证中,不见肺痨证候?盖尸注疳蒸所叙证候为全身症状,乃痨瘵诸证之总论,临床当据不同之发病部位,增加相应之局部证候。如肺痨现代中医将其主证概括为咳嗽、咳血、潮热、盗汗四证。而明代《医学入门》“痨瘵”篇中更加遗精、泄泻两证而为六证。其实无论四证抑或六证,部分症状已包括于尸、疰、疳、蒸诸病候之中。如遗精、盗汗已包括于“尸注”之“淋沥”证中;泄泻显属疳证;潮热为骨蒸病候,而咳嗽、咳血不见于尸、注、疳、蒸四大证中,因咳嗽、咳血虽为肺痨必见之症,但仅为肺脏之局部症状,故尸疰疳蒸诸证中不加叙述。后世医家所叙痨瘵已不如古人包罗万象,多仅以肺痨为言。而咳嗽、咳血、潮热、盗汗所谓肺痨之四大主汪,其实仍以尸注疳蒸诸证为基础,加上邪犯肺金所见之局部症状而成。
三、痨瘵治疗大法
至于痨瘵治法,本文不加讨论,仅略述其大法。《医学正传》倡“一则杀其虫以绝其根本,一则补其虚以复其真元”两大治疗原则。证之临床,似嫌不足。此病多属阴虚内热,且其热深痼,不易遽除,因而除热一法亦不可忽。故余以补虚、清热、杀虫为治疗痨瘵之三大关键,非独肺痨为然也。
药治之外保养一法尤为重要。王节斋曰:“劳瘵最为难治,轻者用药数十服,重者期以岁年。然必须病人惜命,坚心定志,绝房室,息妄想,戒恼怒,节饮食,以自培其根,此谓内外交治,庶可保全”,
大小肠脉诊部位辨
脉诊五脏六腑皆有定位:左寸心;左关肝胆;左尺肾与膀胱;右寸肺;右关脾胃;右尺肾与命门,自叔和倡导以还,历代医家成宗之从之,已成千古定论。虽偶有一二异议,终不能易电。惟大肠与小肠两腑,在寸在尺,诸说不一,而见仁见智,各有至理焉。
陆定圃《冷庐医活》曰:“大肠脉候左寸,小肠脉候右寸,此《脉诀》之言也。自滑伯仁候大小肠于两尺,李士材称为千古只眼,后人遂皆信之。”然大小肠究当候之于寸抑候之于尺?依旧扑朔迷离,令人莫衷一是。
小肠脉候于左寸,大肠脉候于右寸,诸书辩论颇多,姑不赘述。而大小肠察于两尺,前人早起疑窦。如《古今医案按》载虞天民“治一妇人年五十余,小腹有块作痛二月余。一医作死血治,与四物加桃仁:等药,不效。又以五灵脂、延胡索、乳香、没药、三棱、莪术等丸服,又不效。其六脉沉伏,两尺脉绝无。虞曰:‘此乃结粪在下焦作痛耳,非死血也。’依法治之,下黑粪如梅核者碗许而愈。”俞震按:“尺脉沉实,则为下结粪。今两尺绝无而断结粪,又见取脉之巧非出一途。”余谓此非取脉之巧拙,乃为大小肠本不该侯于两尺部之明证。
清季龙柏氏著《脉药联珠》一书,于大小肠之脉诊部位,标新立异,自成一说。其书曰:“古脉诀皆以大肠附肺,小肠附心,包络附命门,以为火附火,而金附金也。独不知心肺乃清净之腑,居之最高。而大肠为传导之官,行之最下,岂得与之同部?况经云:“上附上,右外以侯肺,内以侯胸中;左外以侯心,内以侯膻中。并未及于大小肠,足见不附两寸可知也。夫胸中者,腔之内,肺之外空处电;膻中者,肺之下,包络之外空处也。夫既候膻中,非包络而何?包络之居左寸无疑,岂得置于右尺?况于肝木厥阴同位,其附左寸更无疑矣。又口:左寸之下,关之上,曰人迎之表,正应小肠太阳经也:右寸之下,关之上,曰气口之里,正应大肠阳明经也。余于斯道究心有年,切脉应症未尝差失,故更以易。非敢臆度也。”
按前说“左寸之下,关之上,曰人迎之表。”“右寸之下,关之上,曰气口之里。”非谓人迎气口位于两寸关之中间,而谓人迎位于左关,气口位于右关。故“关之上”一语中之“上”字,不当解为“在关部之上方”,而应解作“正在关之部位上。”李士材《诊家正眼》曰:“按古称关前一分,人命之主,左为人迎。以察外因;右为气口,以察内因。”“夫寸关尺三部,各占三分,共成寸口。故知关前一分,正在关之前一分也。”以是可见人迎、气口实在左右两关之前端,并不在寸关两部之中间。直捷而论,则人迎属在左关,气口属在右关。龙氏谓小肠经候于人迎,实即候于左关之前端。大肠经候于气口,实即候于右关之前端。若以腑论之,则其部位当在关部之中下端,故其在《脉药联珠》“入手认脉脏腑部位脉诀”一节中,直抉心源:“左尺属水,膀胱与肾;小肠肝胆,左关细认;心君包络,膻中左寸;右尺三焦,相火曰命;右关脾胃,大肠附盛;胸中肺金,右寸部定;左寸关间。人迎表症;右寸关间,气口里应。”
高阳生《脉诀》虽将大小肠之脉诊部位定于两寸,而于“芤脉”条下却曰“寸芤积血在胸中,关内逢芤肠里痈”,又将肠痈之诊断,明确定于关部。余意此非前后矛盾而然,可能前者从《脉经》承袭而来,后者为作者临证实践所得。无独有偶,宋代王明清《挥尘录》卷二“余话”中记载名医杨吉老之婿凭关部芤脉治肠痈一例,恰为《脉诀》作佐证。
“杨吉老者,泗州人,以医术闻四方。有儒生李氏子,弃业,愿娶其女,以受其学,执了婿礼甚恭。吉老尽以精微告之。一日,有灵璧县富家妇有疾,遣人邀李生以往。李初视脉云:‘肠胃间有所苦耶?’妇曰:‘肠中痛不可忍,而大便从小便中出。医者皆以为无此证,不可治,故欲屈君子。’李曰:‘试为筹之,若姑服我之药,三日当有瘥。不然,非某所知。’下小元子数十粒,煎黄芪汤下之。富家依其言。下脓血数升而愈。富家大喜,赠钱五十万,置酒以问之。曰:‘始切脉时,觉芤脉现于肠部。王叔和《脉诀》云:‘寸口积血在胸中,关内逢芤肠里痈,’此痈生肠内所以致。然所服者,乃云母膏为丸耳。切脉至此,可以言医矣。李后以医科乃第,至博士。”
余谓大肠诊于右关,小肠诊于左关,较之诊于两寸或两尺,不仅更符临床之实际,且深契于脏腑之排列。倘以现代医学中“系统”二字将中医脏象作一归纳,则一目了然:左寸诊循环系统;右寸诊呼吸系统;左尺诊泌尿系统;右尺诊生殖系统;左右两关则共诊消化系统。由是观之,界划井然,紊丝不乱。
【背景信息】
书名:三十年临证经验集 章节:正文(5/32) 类别:综合
【待处理原文】
什么是痨瘵(Lao Zhai,一种具有传染性的虚劳病)?即指虚劳病中具有传染性的一类。《程杏轩医案续录》中说:“传尸(Chuan Shi,指由虫毒引起的、可传染的虚劳病)是虚劳中另一种独立的类型。虚劳没有虫,传尸有虫;虚劳不传染,传尸会传染。”痨瘵“有一种鬼注尸气(Gui Zhu Qi,指致病的邪气),潜伏在人体内,”“逐渐演变为怪异的虫,日复一日地侵蚀身体,”导致“脏腑消溃”而发病(出自《红炉点雪》传尸鬼疰篇)。《证治要诀》也说:“传尸痨,骨肉相传,甚至导致全家死亡。这是因为五脏中都有痨虫,古时称为瘵疾(Zhai Ji,即痨病)。”古代的痨瘵范围较广,其中包括肺痨(Fei Lao,肺结核),而不仅仅指肺痨,但究其重点仍以肺痨为主。本病互相传染,流行广泛,可以包括现代医学中的结核病在内。
二、痨瘵基本证候
痨瘵的证候,古代医籍记载不尽一致,内容庞杂,症状繁多,常令人眼花缭乱,莫衷一是。后人不深入钻研,随趋简易,明代喻嘉言已有感慨,他在《医门法律》“虚劳论”中说:《巢氏病源》“谓有虚劳,有蒸病(Zheng Bing,以发热为特征的病证),有注病(Zhu Bing,指病邪停留或传染的疾病)。劳有五劳六极七伤;蒸有五蒸二十四蒸;注有三十六种、九十九种,另外各分门别类治疗。后人因为歧路太多,茫然不知如何选择,并且忌讳称之为‘痰火’。”因此,如果能深入研究痨瘵的理论、法则、方剂、药物,掌握或熟悉其演变规律及治疗法则,必能更彻底有效地控制及治愈本病,从而造福人类。
那么痨瘵的基本证候如何呢?唐容川在《血证论》中提出咳血、痰嗽、遗精、泄泻、潮热、盗汗、瘦削、疲倦、梦与鬼交或梦亡先人,喜见人过,常怀忿怨,平旦病减,午后病增,发热、心烦、口燥、鼻干、脸红、唇赤、骨蒸(Gu Zheng,自觉热自骨髓透发而出)、肺痿、咽痛、失音等常见症状已达二十五种之多,尚未包括全部症状在内。清代莫枚士在《研经言》中高度概括极为庞杂之证候而阐述其研究结论:“由此可知传尸劳者,(邹按:即指痨瘵)合尸、疰、疳、蒸四大症以名之也。初以体虚受邪,人感尸虫,于是沉沉默默无处不恶,而不能的言所苫,此时名之为尸可也;甚而发热、喘促、颧赤,名之为蒸可也;及其项间生块,唇口喉舌皆疮,名为疳可也;至差而复剧,死而传人,则为注矣。备此四症,故方法不一,各据见在为言也。”
莫氏此论,虽寥寥数十言,已对痨瘵复杂纷繁之证候加以分类归纳,亦是对痨病理论研究之发展,颇具科学性与实践性。下文对尸、疰、疳、蒸四大证试作探讨。
古籍中对尸、疰症有时合论,有时分论,因二者并无严格区别,且相因为病,故本文亦将两者合为一谈。
关于尸病,《诸病源候论》卷二十三“诸尸候”曰“人身内自有三尸诸虫,与人俱生,而此虫忌血恶能,与鬼灵相通,常接引外邪为人患害。”由此可知,尸病由外邪侵入人体而发病。推而论之,瘵疾初起必有外邪(瘵虫,亦即所谓尸气、鬼气)侵袭为害。而疰病(一作注,两字通假)“诸注候”曰:“凡注之言住也,谓邪气居住人身内,故名为注。此由阴阳失守,经络空虚,风寒暑湿劳倦之所致也。”葛洪则于《肘后方》“治尸注鬼注方第七”中云:“累年积月,渐就顿滞,以致于死。死后复传之旁人,乃至灭门,觉知此候者,便宜急治之。”据此,则尸病乃病邪感染为害,虽葛氏分飞尸、遁尸、风尸、沉尸、尸注之“五尸”,要皆传易疾病之病邪,其中与瘵疾直接相关者则为“尸注”。而疰病则为病邪侵入人体后,留着不去,发为病变,甚至继续传染他人之病理过程。两者实为痨瘵疾病过程之二阶段:尸病见于早期,亦即传染期,疰则贯穿感邪以后之整个病程。
尸、疰两症之证候,十分繁复。如葛洪《肘后备急方》云:“尸注、鬼注病者,……其病变动,乃有三十六种至九十九种。大略使人寒热、淋沥、沉沉默默、不得知其所苦,而无处不恶。累年积月,渐就顿滞以至于死。死后复传于旁人,乃至灭门。知此候者,便宜急治之。”至《巢氏病源》尸病十二候,注病有三十四论。然与本病关系最切者尸病中则为“尸注候”,而注病主要在于注易传染。其实,上述尸、疰所现证候乃属感邪之后所出现之全身症状,或虽属局部症状而为痨病患者易见之症。如“寒热”指全身发热。“淋沥”当指小便滴沥不尽、遗精、白浊、盗汗、妇人经漏不净等症。“沉沉默默,不得知其所苦”,为感受病邪后所出现之中毒症状与机体反应性。当包括疲劳乏力、沉默少言、纳差体瘦、全身不适而难可名状症等。无论病邪侵犯于人体何部,于局部症状之外,必兼以上证候,此等证候可贯穿瘵病之始终。
上述诸症与现代西医学对于肺结核全身症状之描述极相类似。《实用内科学》曰:“全身不适、倦怠、乏力、不能坚持日常工作,容易烦躁、心悸、食欲减退、体重减轻、妇女月经不正常等轻度毒性和植物神经紊乱的症状。”“发热亦是肺结核的早期症状之一。”“盗汗……患者并有衰竭感。”此段描述已几乎包括《肘后方》除“淋沥”以外对尸注证候叙述之全部内容。可见《肘后方》尸注之证候,实为痨瘵感受病邪后所现之全身症状,及痨瘵易见之肾脏病证,亦为古医家论断痨瘵之初步依据。
至于蒸病已不作为一种独立病症,《巢氏病源》仅将其作为“虚劳”病中之一种症状而疳疾则多见于儿科著作,几乎已不见于成人医籍。殊不知久患痨瘵,多见疳证。
所谓蒸病,实为痨瘵主证之一,以潮热、虚弱为特征,因其热自内向外蒸发而出故名曰蒸、《巢氏病源》有五蒸、二十三蒸之名,而痨症中以骨蒸为多见,骨蒸之病根在肾,肾主骨,瘵病真阴亏损,内热炽盛,患者自觉其热从骨髓中蒸发而出,暮热早凉,两颧发烧,五心烦热,喘促溺赤。并见纳差神疲,体倦乏力。
蒸为虚劳病变,不为痨瘵所专有。虚劳病变为痨瘵之病理基础,故瘵疾必见蒸热。
蒸与疳可相互转化,相因为病。如《巢氏病源》“虚劳骨蒸候”记载:“久蒸不除,多变成疳。”而“湿病诸候”中“疳疾”条又云:“五疳缓者则变成五蒸”。
关于疳病,后世医籍仅见于儿科,其实当为痨病之一种中晚期症状。明代万全之《育婴秘诀》早已指出:“儿童十六岁以下其病为疳;十六岁以上其病为痨。疳痨即气血虚惫、脾胃受病之所致。”万氏将疳痨视为一病之两个不同阶段,以年龄加以划分。须知小儿疳病当属虚劳范畴,其中虽有痨瘵。但多属虚劳。属痨瘵者,疳症为痨病中一种证候,不作独立疾病。而于成年痨病患者中,疳症同样为痨病之一种重要证候。
所谓疳,乃脾胃运化失常所致之慢性营养障碍性病证。虽有热疳,冷疳,疳痨、丁奚、哺露等数十名称,而其实质,不外因虚劳或痨瘵导致脾胃运化失职,饮食精微不能化生气血、滋养百骸,渐至气血俱虚而造成形体及五脏之病变。临床多见面黄肌瘦、毛发枯黄、纳谷不振、脘腹胀满、大便失调等证。严重者可兼见紫癜、浮肿、口唇喉舌生疮、肛门湿烂、淋巴结肿胀或久溃不敛等证。验之临证,此类症状确为痨瘵久病患者所常见。
综合尸、疰、疳、蒸四大证所现证候,以全身者为多,局部证候较少,而肺部证候则更少。瘵疾中痨虫多犯肺脏,而后世医书所论瘵疾实际多指肺痨而言,何以尸、疰、疳、蒸四大证中,不见肺痨证候?盖尸注疳蒸所叙证候为全身症状,乃痨瘵诸证之总论,临床当据不同之发病部位,增加相应之局部证候。如肺痨现代中医将其主证概括为咳嗽、咳血、潮热、盗汗四证。而明代《医学入门》“痨瘵”篇中更加遗精、泄泻两证而为六证。其实无论四证抑或六证,部分症状已包括于尸、疰、疳、蒸诸病候之中。如遗精、盗汗已包括于“尸注”之“淋沥”证中;泄泻显属疳证;潮热为骨蒸病候,而咳嗽、咳血不见于尸、注、疳、蒸四大证中,因咳嗽、咳血虽为肺痨必见之症,但仅为肺脏之局部症状,故尸疰疳蒸诸证中不加叙述。后世医家所叙痨瘵已不如古人包罗万象,多仅以肺痨为言。而咳嗽、咳血、潮热、盗汗所谓肺痨之四大主汪,其实仍以尸注疳蒸诸证为基础,加上邪犯肺金所见之局部症状而成。
三、痨瘵治疗大法
至于痨瘵治法,本文不加讨论,仅略述其大法。《医学正传》倡“一则杀其虫以绝其根本,一则补其虚以复其真元”两大治疗原则。证之临床,似嫌不足。此病多属阴虚内热,且其热深痼,不易遽除,因而除热一法亦不可忽。故余以补虚、清热、杀虫为治疗痨瘵之三大关键,非独肺痨为然也。
药治之外保养一法尤为重要。王节斋曰:“劳瘵最为难治,轻者用药数十服,重者期以岁年。然必须病人惜命,坚心定志,绝房室,息妄想,戒恼怒,节饮食,以自培其根,此谓内外交治,庶可保全”,
大小肠脉诊部位辨
脉诊五脏六腑皆有定位:左寸心;左关肝胆;左尺肾与膀胱;右寸肺;右关脾胃;右尺肾与命门,自叔和倡导以还,历代医家成宗之从之,已成千古定论。虽偶有一二异议,终不能易电。惟大肠与小肠两腑,在寸在尺,诸说不一,而见仁见智,各有至理焉。
陆定圃《冷庐医活》曰:“大肠脉候左寸,小肠脉候右寸,此《脉诀》之言也。自滑伯仁候大小肠于两尺,李士材称为千古只眼,后人遂皆信之。”然大小肠究当候之于寸抑候之于尺?依旧扑朔迷离,令人莫衷一是。
小肠脉候于左寸,大肠脉候于右寸,诸书辩论颇多,姑不赘述。而大小肠察于两尺,前人早起疑窦。如《古今医案按》载虞天民“治一妇人年五十余,小腹有块作痛二月余。一医作死血治,与四物加桃仁:等药,不效。又以五灵脂、延胡索、乳香、没药、三棱、莪术等丸服,又不效。其六脉沉伏,两尺脉绝无。虞曰:‘此乃结粪在下焦作痛耳,非死血也。’依法治之,下黑粪如梅核者碗许而愈。”俞震按:“尺脉沉实,则为下结粪。今两尺绝无而断结粪,又见取脉之巧非出一途。”余谓此非取脉之巧拙,乃为大小肠本不该侯于两尺部之明证。
清季龙柏氏著《脉药联珠》一书,于大小肠之脉诊部位,标新立异,自成一说。其书曰:“古脉诀皆以大肠附肺,小肠附心,包络附命门,以为火附火,而金附金也。独不知心肺乃清净之腑,居之最高。而大肠为传导之官,行之最下,岂得与之同部?况经云:“上附上,右外以侯肺,内以侯胸中;左外以侯心,内以侯膻中。并未及于大小肠,足见不附两寸可知也。夫胸中者,腔之内,肺之外空处电;膻中者,肺之下,包络之外空处也。夫既候膻中,非包络而何?包络之居左寸无疑,岂得置于右尺?况于肝木厥阴同位,其附左寸更无疑矣。又口:左寸之下,关之上,曰人迎之表,正应小肠太阳经也:右寸之下,关之上,曰气口之里,正应大肠阳明经也。余于斯道究心有年,切脉应症未尝差失,故更以易。非敢臆度也。”
按前说“左寸之下,关之上,曰人迎之表。”“右寸之下,关之上,曰气口之里。”非谓人迎气口位于两寸关之中间,而谓人迎位于左关,气口位于右关。故“关之上”一语中之“上”字,不当解为“在关部之上方”,而应解作“正在关之部位上。”李士材《诊家正眼》曰:“按古称关前一分,人命之主,左为人迎。以察外因;右为气口,以察内因。”“夫寸关尺三部,各占三分,共成寸口。故知关前一分,正在关之前一分也。”以是可见人迎、气口实在左右两关之前端,并不在寸关两部之中间。直捷而论,则人迎属在左关,气口属在右关。龙氏谓小肠经候于人迎,实即候于左关之前端。大肠经候于气口,实即候于右关之前端。若以腑论之,则其部位当在关部之中下端,故其在《脉药联珠》“入手认脉脏腑部位脉诀”一节中,直抉心源:“左尺属水,膀胱与肾;小肠肝胆,左关细认;心君包络,膻中左寸;右尺三焦,相火曰命;右关脾胃,大肠附盛;胸中肺金,右寸部定;左寸关间。人迎表症;右寸关间,气口里应。”
高阳生《脉诀》虽将大小肠之脉诊部位定于两寸,而于“芤脉”条下却曰“寸芤积血在胸中,关内逢芤肠里痈”,又将肠痈之诊断,明确定于关部。余意此非前后矛盾而然,可能前者从《脉经》承袭而来,后者为作者临证实践所得。无独有偶,宋代王明清《挥尘录》卷二“余话”中记载名医杨吉老之婿凭关部芤脉治肠痈一例,恰为《脉诀》作佐证。
“杨吉老者,泗州人,以医术闻四方。有儒生李氏子,弃业,愿娶其女,以受其学,执了婿礼甚恭。吉老尽以精微告之。一日,有灵璧县富家妇有疾,遣人邀李生以往。李初视脉云:‘肠胃间有所苦耶?’妇曰:‘肠中痛不可忍,而大便从小便中出。医者皆以为无此证,不可治,故欲屈君子。’李曰:‘试为筹之,若姑服我之药,三日当有瘥。不然,非某所知。’下小元子数十粒,煎黄芪汤下之。富家依其言。下脓血数升而愈。富家大喜,赠钱五十万,置酒以问之。曰:‘始切脉时,觉芤脉现于肠部。王叔和《脉诀》云:‘寸口积血在胸中,关内逢芤肠里痈,’此痈生肠内所以致。然所服者,乃云母膏为丸耳。切脉至此,可以言医矣。李后以医科乃第,至博士。”
余谓大肠诊于右关,小肠诊于左关,较之诊于两寸或两尺,不仅更符临床之实际,且深契于脏腑之排列。倘以现代医学中“系统”二字将中医脏象作一归纳,则一目了然:左寸诊循环系统;右寸诊呼吸系统;左尺诊泌尿系统;右尺诊生殖系统;左右两关则共诊消化系统。由是观之,界划井然,紊丝不乱。
[Background Information]
Book Title: Thirty Years of Clinical Experience Collection Chapter: Main Text (5/32) Category: Comprehensive
What is Lao Zhai (Lao Zhai, a type of consumptive disease with infectious properties)? It refers to the category within Xu Lao (Xu Lao, a consumptive disease characterized by deficiency) that possesses infectious characteristics. The *Cheng Xingxian Medical Cases Continuation Record* states: "Chuan Shi (Chuan Shi, a type of consumptive disease caused by虫毒 [parasitic toxins] that is transmissible) is a distinct subtype within Xu Lao. Xu Lao does not involve虫 [parasites], whereas Chuan Shi does; Xu Lao is not contagious, but Chuan Shi is." Lao Zhai involves "a Gui Zhu Qi (Gui Zhu Qi, pathogenic evil qi associated with ghosts and corpses) lurking within the human body," which "gradually transforms into bizarre worms, eroding the body day by day and month by month," leading to "the dissolution and ulceration of internal organs" and resulting in illness (from *Honglu Dianxue*, Chapter on Chuan Shi and Gui Zhu). The *Zhengzhi Yaojue* also states: "Chuan Shi Lao spreads from bone to flesh and person to person, even wiping out entire families. This is because there are Lao Chong (Lao Chong, parasites causing consumption) in all five zang organs, known in ancient times as Zhai Ji (Zhai Ji, another term for consumption)." In ancient times, the scope of Lao Zhai was broad, including Fei Lao (Fei Lao, pulmonary tuberculosis) but not limited to it; however, its primary focus remained on pulmonary tuberculosis. This disease is mutually contagious and widely prevalent, encompassing what modern medicine calls tuberculosis.
II. Basic Manifestations of Lao Zhai
The manifestations of Lao Zhai recorded in ancient medical texts are inconsistent, complex in content, and numerous in symptoms, often leaving one bewildered and unable to reach a consensus. Later generations, lacking deep research, tended toward simplicity. Yu Jiayan of the Ming Dynasty expressed his sentiments in the "Consumption Theory" chapter of *Yimen Falü*: "The *Chaos Hi Bingyuan* mentions Xu Lao, Zheng Bing (Zheng Bing, a disease characterized by fever), and Zhu Bing (Zhu Bing, diseases where pathogenic factors remain or spread). Consumption includes Five Consumptions, Six Extremes, and Seven Injuries; Fever includes Five Fevers and Twenty-Four Fevers; Zhu includes thirty-six types and ninety-nine types, each treated separately. Later practitioners, confused by the many divergent paths, did not know where to turn, and moreover, avoided naming it 'Phlegm-Fire.' Therefore, if one can deeply study the theory, principles, formulas, and herbs of Lao Zhai, mastering or becoming familiar with its evolutionary patterns and treatment rules, one will be able to control and cure this disease more thoroughly and effectively, thereby benefiting humanity.
So, what are the basic manifestations of Lao Zhai? Tang Rongchuan, in *Xuezheng Lun*, listed common symptoms such as hemoptysis, cough with phlegm, spermatorrhea, diarrhea, tidal fever, night sweats, emaciation, fatigue, dreams of sexual intercourse with ghosts or deceased ancestors, irritability at seeing others' faults, constant resentment, symptom relief at dawn, worsening in the afternoon, fever, vexation, dry mouth, dry nose, flushed face, red lips, Gu Zheng (Gu Zheng, a sensation of heat evaporating from the bone marrow), lung萎 (lung atrophy/withering), sore throat, and loss of voice. These common symptoms alone reached twenty-five types, not even including all symptoms. Mo Meishi of the Qing Dynasty, in *Yanjing Yan*, highly summarized these extremely complex manifestations and presented his conclusions: "Thus we know that Chuan Shi Lao (as noted by Zou, referring to Lao Zhai) is named by combining four major syndromes: Shi, Zhu, Gan, and Zheng. Initially, due to bodily weakness and invasion of evil, one contracts Shi Chong [corpse worms]; thus, feeling heavy, silent, and universally uncomfortable without being able to specify the suffering, this stage is appropriately called Shi. When it worsens to include fever, panting, and flushed cheekbones, it is appropriately called Zheng. When lumps appear on the neck, and sores develop on the lips, mouth, throat, and tongue, it is called Gan. When it recurs severely after apparent recovery, and causes death while transmitting to others, it is called Zhu. Having prepared for these four syndromes, methods vary, each addressing the visible presentation."
Although Mo's argument consists of only dozens of words, it classifies and summarizes the complex manifestations of Lao Zhai, representing a development in the theoretical research of consumption diseases, possessing both scientific and practical value. The following section attempts to explore the four major syndromes: Shi, Zhu, Gan, and Zheng.
Ancient texts sometimes discuss Shi and Zhu together and sometimes separately, as there is no strict distinction between them, and they cause disease reciprocally; therefore, this article treats them together.
Regarding Shi Bing (Shi Bing, corpse-related disease), Volume 23 of *Zhoubing Yuanhou Lun* under "Various Shi Syndromes" states: "The human body naturally contains three Shi worms, born with the person. These worms fear blood and detest ability/qi, communicating with spirits, often guiding external evils to harm humans." From this, we know that Shi Bing arises from the invasion of external evils into the body. By extension, the onset of Zhai Ji must involve the invasion of external evils (Zhai Chong, also referred to as Shi Qi or Ghost Qi). As for Zhu Bing (also written as Zhu, interchangeable characters), the "Various Zhu Syndromes" states: "All Zhu implies staying/residing; it means pathogenic evil resides within the human body, hence named Zhu. This is caused by the failure of yin and yang to maintain their posts, emptiness of meridians and collaterals, and exposure to wind, cold, summer-heat, dampness, overwork, and fatigue." Ge Hong, in *Zhouhou Beiji Fang*, "Formulas for Treating Shi Zhu and Ghost Zhu, Formula 7," states: "Accumulating over years and months, it gradually becomes stagnant, leading to death. After death, it transmits to others, even wiping out entire families. Those who recognize this syndrome should treat it urgently." Based on this, Shi Bing is caused by pathogenic infection. Although Ge divided it into five types of Shi (Flying Shi, Escaping Shi, Wind Shi, Sunken Shi, and Shi Zhu), they are all pathogens transmitting disease, among which "Shi Zhu" is directly related to Zhai Ji. Zhu Bing, on the other hand, refers to the pathological process where pathogenic evil invades the body, remains lodged, causes lesions, and may continue to infect others. The two actually represent two stages of the Lao Zhai disease process: Shi Bing appears in the early stage, i.e., the infectious period, while Zhu permeates the entire course of the disease after contracting the evil.
The manifestations of Shi and Zhu are extremely complex. For example, Ge Hong's *Zhouhou Beiji Fang* states: "Patients with Shi Zhu and Ghost Zhu... the changes in their disease number from thirty-six to ninety-nine types. Generally, they cause chills and fever, dribbling/streaming sensations, heaviness and silence, inability to know their suffering, and universal aversion. Accumulating over years and months, they gradually become stagnant until death. After death, they transmit to others, even wiping out entire families. Those who recognize this syndrome should treat it urgently." In *Chaos Hi Bingyuan*, there are twelve syndromes of Shi disease and thirty-four discussions of Zhu disease. However, the one most closely related to this disease in Shi Bing is "Shi Zhu Syndrome," and the main feature of Zhu disease lies in its ease of transmission. In fact, the manifestations described above for Shi and Zhu belong to systemic symptoms appearing after contracting the evil, or local symptoms that are easily seen in patients with consumption. For instance, "chills and fever" refers to systemic fever. "Dribbling/streaming" likely refers to incomplete urination, spermatorrhea, white turbidity, night sweats, and continuous abnormal uterine bleeding in women. "Heaviness and silence, unable to know one's suffering" refers to toxic symptoms and机体 reactive responses appearing after contracting pathogenic evil, including fatigue, weakness, taciturnity, poor appetite, emaciation, and general malaise that is hard to describe. Regardless of where the pathogenic evil invades the body, besides local symptoms, these systemic manifestations must accompany it, and these manifestations can run through the entire course of the consumption disease.
The aforementioned symptoms are very similar to the description of systemic symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis in modern Western medicine. *Practical Internal Medicine* states: "Systemic discomfort, lassitude, fatigue, inability to persist in daily work, irritability, palpitations, decreased appetite, weight loss, irregular menstruation in women, etc., are mild toxic and autonomic nervous system disorder symptoms." "Fever is also one of the early symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis." "Night sweats... patients also have a sense of exhaustion." This description almost entirely includes the narrative of Shi Zhu manifestations in *Zhouhou Beiji Fang*, except for "dribbling/streaming." Thus, the manifestations of Shi Zhu in *Zhouhou Beiji Fang* are essentially the systemic symptoms appearing after Lao Zhai contracts pathogenic evil, as well as kidney diseases easily seen in Lao Zhai, serving as the initial basis for ancient physicians to diagnose Lao Zhai.
As for Zheng Bing, it is no longer considered an independent disease. *Chaos Hi Bingyuan* only lists it as a symptom within "Xu Lao," while Gan Ji (Gan Ji, childhood malnutrition disease) is mostly seen in pediatric works and rarely in adult medical texts. Little do they know that long-term sufferers of Lao Zhai often present with Gan syndromes.
The so-called Zheng Bing is actually one of the main syndromes of Lao Zhai, characterized by tidal fever and weakness. It is named "Zheng" (evaporation) because the heat evaporates outward from within. *Chaos Hi Bingyuan* mentions names like Five Zheng and Twenty-Three Zheng, but among consumption diseases, Gu Zheng is most common. The root of Gu Zheng lies in the Kidney; the Kidney governs bones. In Zhai disease, true yin is depleted, and internal heat is vigorous. Patients feel heat evaporating from the bone marrow, with evening fever and morning coolness, flushed malar eminences, heat in the five centers (palms, soles, and chest), panting, and dark urine. Accompanying symptoms include poor appetite, mental fatigue, physical weakness, and lassitude.
Zheng is a pathological change of Xu Lao and is not exclusive to Lao Zhai. The pathological changes of Xu Lao form the pathological basis of Lao Zhai; therefore, Zhai Ji must present with Zheng heat.
Zheng and Gan can transform into each other and cause disease reciprocally. For example, *Chaos Hi Bingyuan* "Xu Lao Gu Zheng Syndrome" records: "Long-standing Zheng unremoved often transforms into Gan." And the "Gan Ji" entry in "Various Dampness Syndromes" states: "Slow-progressing Five Gans transform into Five Zhengs."
Regarding Gan Bing, later medical texts only mention it in pediatrics, but it should actually be a mid-to-late stage symptom of consumption disease. Wan Quan of the Ming Dynasty pointed out early in *Yuying Mijue*: "For children under sixteen, the disease is Gan; for those over sixteen, the disease is Lao. Gan-Lao is caused by depletion of qi and blood and disease of the Spleen and Stomach." Wan regarded Gan-Lao as two different stages of one disease, distinguished by age. It must be understood that pediatric Gan disease belongs to the category of Xu Lao; although it may contain elements of Lao Zhai, it mostly belongs to Xu Lao. In cases belonging to Lao Zhai, Gan syndrome is a manifestation within the consumption disease and is not treated as an independent disease. Similarly, in adult patients with consumption, Gan syndrome is also an important manifestation of the consumption disease.
The so-called Gan refers to chronic nutritional disorder syndromes caused by dysfunction of Spleen and Stomach transportation and transformation. Although there are dozens of names such as Heat Gan, Cold Gan, Gan-Lao, Ding Xi, and Bu Lu, the essence is nothing more than Spleen and Stomach failing to transport and transform due to Xu Lao or Lao Zhai, preventing dietary essences from generating qi and blood and nourishing the body, gradually leading to deficiency of both qi and blood and causing lesions in the physique and five zang organs. Clinically, one often sees sallow complexion, emaciated muscles, withered hair, poor appetite, abdominal distension, and irregular bowel movements. Severe cases may be accompanied by purpura, edema, sores on lips/tongue/throat, wet rotting of the anus, swollen lymph nodes, or ulcers that fail to heal for a long time. Clinical verification confirms that such symptoms are indeed common in long-term patients with Lao Zhai.
Synthesizing the manifestations of the four major syndromes—Shi, Zhu, Gan, and Zheng—systemic symptoms are predominant, local symptoms are fewer, and pulmonary symptoms are even rarer. In Zhai Ji, Lao Chong mostly attacks the Lung organ, and later medical books discussing Zhai Ji actually mostly refer to Fei Lao. Why are there no pulmonary manifestations in the four major syndromes of Shi, Zhu, Gan, and Zheng? Because the manifestations described for Shi, Zhu, Gan, and Zheng are systemic symptoms, serving as a general discussion of various syndromes of Lao Zhai. Clinically, corresponding local symptoms should be added according to different sites of onset. For example, modern TCM summarizes the main syndromes of Fei Lao as cough, hemoptysis, tidal fever, and night sweats. The Ming Dynasty text *Yixue Rumen* adds spermatorrhea and diarrhea to these, making six syndromes. In fact, whether four or six, some symptoms are already included in the manifestations of Shi, Zhu, Gan, and Zheng. For instance, spermatorrhea and night sweats are included in the "dribbling/streaming" syndrome of "Shi Zhu"; diarrhea clearly belongs to Gan syndrome; tidal fever is a manifestation of Gu Zheng. Cough and hemoptysis are not seen in the four major syndromes of Shi, Zhu, Gan, and Zheng because, although they are mandatory symptoms of Fei Lao, they are merely local symptoms of the Lung, so they are not narrated in the syndromes of Shi, Zhu, Gan, and Zheng. Later physicians' descriptions of Lao Zhai were not as comprehensive as the ancients', mostly referring only to Fei Lao. The so-called four main syndromes of Fei Lao—cough, hemoptysis, tidal fever, and night sweats—are actually based on the syndromes of Shi, Zhu, Gan, and Zheng, combined with local symptoms seen when evil invades the Metal (Lung).
III. General Principles of Treating Lao Zhai
Regarding the treatment of Lao Zhai, this article will not discuss it in detail, but will briefly outline the general principles. *Yixue Zhengchuan* advocates two major treatment principles: "First, kill the worms to cut off the root; second, tonify deficiency to restore the true yuan." Verified clinically, this seems insufficient. This disease mostly belongs to yin deficiency with internal heat, and the heat is deep-seated and stubborn, difficult to remove quickly; therefore, the method of clearing heat cannot be ignored. Thus, I consider tonifying deficiency, clearing heat, and killing worms as the three key aspects of treating Lao Zhai, not just for Fei Lao.
Besides medicinal treatment, nursing care is particularly important. Wang Jiezhai said: "Lao Zhai is the most difficult to treat. Mild cases require dozens of doses of medicine; severe cases take years. However, the patient must cherish life, strengthen their mind and resolve, abstain from sexual activity, cease delusional thoughts, avoid anger, regulate diet, to cultivate their own root. This is called internal and external joint treatment, whereby preservation is possible."
Differentiation of Pulse Diagnosis Locations for Large and Small Intestines
Pulse diagnosis has specific locations for the five zang and six fu organs: Left Cun corresponds to the Heart; Left Guan to Liver and Gallbladder; Left Chi to Kidney and Bladder; Right Cun to Lung; Right Guan to Spleen and Stomach; Right Chi to Kidney and Mingmen. Since Shuhe advocated this, successive generations of physicians have followed it as an established doctrine, becoming a timeless conclusion. Although there are occasional dissenting voices, they ultimately cannot change it. Only for the Large Intestine and Small Intestine, opinions differ on whether they correspond to Cun or Chi, with each having its own rationale.
Lu Dingpu in *Lenglu Yihuo* states: "Large Intestine pulse is diagnosed at Left Cun, Small Intestine pulse at Right Cun; this is the statement of *MaIJue*. Since Hua Bo Ren diagnosed Large and Small Intestines at both Chis, Li Shicai called it 'a unique insight through the ages,' and later generations believed it." However, should Large and Small Intestines be diagnosed at Cun or Chi? It remains confusing, leaving people unable to reach a consensus.
There has been much debate in various books about diagnosing Small Intestine at Left Cun and Large Intestine at Right Cun, which need not be repeated here. Regarding diagnosing Large and Small Intestines at both Chis, predecessors raised doubts early on. For example, *Gujin Yi An An* records Yu Tianmin treating a woman over fifty years old who had had a painful mass in her lower abdomen for over two months. One physician treated it as fixed blood stasis, administering Si Wu Tang plus Tao Ren, etc., without effect. Another used pills containing Wu Ling Zhi, Yan Hu Suo, Ru Xiang, Mo Yao, San Leng, E Zhu, etc., also without effect. Her six pulses were deep and hidden, and pulses at both Chis were absent. Yu said: "This is stool impacted in the lower jiao causing pain, not fixed blood stasis." Treating according to this principle, she passed a bowlful of black stools like plum pits and recovered. Yu Zhen commented: "Deep and solid Chi pulse indicates impacted stool. Now, with both Chis completely absent yet diagnosing impacted stool, this shows the skill of pulse taking is not uniform." I believe this is not a matter of skill or lack thereof, but clear evidence that Large and Small Intestines should not be diagnosed at the Chi positions.
In the late Qing Dynasty, Long Bai wrote *Maiyao Lianzhu*, proposing a novel view on the pulse diagnosis locations for Large and Small Intestines. His book states: "Ancient pulse manuals attached Large Intestine to Lung and Small Intestine to Heart, and Pericardium to Mingmen, believing fire attaches to fire and metal to metal. They failed to realize that Heart and Lung are pure and clear organs, residing at the highest position. While Large Intestine is the official of conduction, acting at the lowest position, how can they be in the same location? Moreover, the classics state: 'Upper attaches to upper; right exterior diagnoses Lung, interior diagnoses Chest Middle; left exterior diagnoses Heart, interior diagnoses Dan Zhong.' There is no mention of Large and Small Intestines, sufficient to show they are not attached to both Cuns. The Chest Middle is the empty space inside the cavity, outside the Lung; Dan Zhong is the empty space below the Lung, outside the Pericardium. Since Dan Zhong is diagnosed, is it not the Pericardium? The Pericardium undoubtedly resides at Left Cun; how can it be placed at Right Chi? Furthermore, it shares the position with Liver Wood and Jueyin; attaching it to Left Cun is even more unquestionable. Also: Below Left Cun, above Guan, is called the exterior of Ren Ying, corresponding to Small Intestine Taiyang Meridian; below Right Cun, above Guan, is called the interior of Qi Kou, corresponding to Large Intestine Yangming Meridian. I have studied this path for many years, and my pulse taking matches symptoms without error, so I dare to change it. This is not arbitrary speculation."
According to the previous statement, "Below Left Cun, above Guan, is called the exterior of Ren Ying," and "below Right Cun, above Guan, is called the interior of Qi Kou," this does not mean Ren Ying and Qi Kou are located between Cun and Guan, but rather that Ren Ying is at Left Guan and Qi Kou is at Right Guan. Therefore, the character "above" in "above Guan" should not be interpreted as "above the Guan position," but as "at the Guan position itself." Li Shicai in *Zhenjia Zhengyan* states: "According to ancient texts, the front portion of Guan is the master of life; left is Ren Ying to diagnose external causes; right is Qi Kou to diagnose internal causes." "The three positions of Cun, Guan, and Chi each occupy one-third, collectively forming Cun Kou. Thus, the front portion of Guan is exactly the front one-third of Guan." From this, it is evident that Ren Ying and Qi Kou are actually at the anterior ends of Left and Right Guan, not between Cun and Guan. To put it simply, Ren Ying belongs to Left Guan, and Qi Kou belongs to Right Guan. Long's statement that Small Intestine Meridian is diagnosed at Ren Ying actually means it is diagnosed at the anterior end of Left Guan. Large Intestine Meridian is diagnosed at Qi Kou, meaning it is diagnosed at the anterior end of Right Guan. If discussed in terms of fu organs, their locations should be in the middle-to-lower part of the Guan position. Therefore, in the section "Entering the Recognition of Pulse and Organ Locations" in *Maiyao Lianzhu*, he directly reveals the source: "Left Chi belongs to Water, Bladder and Kidney; Small Intestine and Liver/Gallbladder, carefully recognize at Left Guan; Heart Monarch and Pericardium, Dan Zhong at Left Cun; Right Chi Triple Burner, Minister Fire called Ming; Right Guan Spleen/Stomach, Large Intestine attached to盛 (abundance); Chest Middle Lung Metal, determined at Right Cun; Between Left Cun and Guan, Ren Ying for exterior syndromes; Between Right Cun and Guan, Qi Kou for interior response."
Gao Yangsheng's *MaIJue* locates the pulse diagnosis for Large and Small Intestines at both Cuns, but under the "Kou Pulse" entry, it states: "Cun Kou indicates accumulated blood in the Chest Middle; Guan encounters Kou indicating intestinal abscess," explicitly locating the diagnosis of intestinal abscess at the Guan position. I believe this is not a contradiction; perhaps the former was inherited from *Maijing*, while the latter resulted from the author's clinical practice. Coincidentally, Wang Mingqing's *Hui Chen Lu* Volume 2 "Yu Hua" records a case where the famous physician Yang Jilao's son-in-law treated an intestinal abscess using the Kou pulse at the Guan position, which serves as evidence for *MaIJue*.
"Yang Jilao was from Sizhou, renowned for his medical skills throughout the four directions. A scholar named Li gave up his studies, wishing to marry Yang's daughter to learn from him, observing son-in-law etiquette very respectfully. Yang taught him all the subtleties. One day, a wealthy woman from Lingbi County fell ill and sent for Li. Li initially examined her pulse and asked: 'Is there suffering in the intestines and stomach?' The woman replied: 'Intestinal pain is unbearable, and feces come out through the urinary tract. Physicians all say this syndrome does not exist and is untreatable, so I sought your help.' Li said: 'Let me plan for you. If you take my medicine for three days, you will recover. Otherwise, it is beyond my knowledge.' He administered dozens of Xiaoyuwan pills, decocted in Huangqi Tang. The wealthy family followed his advice. She passed several liters of pus and blood and recovered. The wealthy family was overjoyed, gifted fifty thousand coins, and hosted a banquet to ask him. He said: 'When I first took her pulse, I felt a Kou pulse appearing in the intestinal region. Wang Shuhe's *MaIJue* states: "Cun Kou indicates accumulated blood in the Chest Middle, Guan encountering Kou indicates intestinal abscess." This abscess formed in the intestine, hence the result. However, what was taken was Yunmu Gao pills. Understanding pulse diagnosis to this extent allows one to speak of medicine.' Li later passed the medical examination and became a Doctor."
I believe diagnosing Large Intestine at Right Guan and Small Intestine at Left Guan, compared to diagnosing at both Cuns or both Chis, not only conforms more to clinical reality but also aligns deeply with the arrangement of zang-fu organs. If we use the modern medical concept of "systems" to summarize TCM zang-xiang theory, it becomes clear at a glance: Left Cun diagnoses the circulatory system; Right Cun diagnoses the respiratory system; Left Chi diagnoses the urinary system; Right Chi diagnoses the reproductive system; Left and Right Guan together diagnose the digestive system. From this perspective, the boundaries are clear and orderly.