车驾王用之,卒中昏愦,口眼 斜,痰气上涌,咽喉有声,六脉沉伏,此真气虚而风邪所乘
,以三生饮一两,加人参一两,煎服即苏。若遗尿手撒,口开鼾睡为不治,用前药亦有得生
者。夫前饮乃行经络治寒痰之药,有斩关夺旗之功,每服必用人参两许驾驱其邪而补助真气
,否则无益,适足以取败矣!观先哲用 附、参附等汤,其义可见。
州判蒋大用,形体魁伟,中满吐痰,劳则头晕,所服皆清痰理气。余曰∶中满者,脾气亏损也
;痰盛者,脾气不能运也;头晕者,脾气不能升也;指麻者,脾气不能周也。遂以补中益气
加茯苓、半夏以补脾土,用八味地黄以补土母而愈。后惑于《乾坤生意方》云∶凡人手指麻
软,三年后有中风之疾,可服搜风、天麻二丸以预防之。乃朝饵暮服,以致大便不禁,饮食
不进而殁。愚谓预防之理,当养气血,节饮食,戒七情,远帏幕可也。若服前丸以预防,适
所以招风取中也。
一男子,卒中,口眼 斜,不能言语,遇风寒四肢拘急,脉浮而紧,此手足阳明经虚,风寒所
乘,用秦艽升麻汤治之,稍愈,乃以补中益气加山栀而痊。若舌喑不能言,足痿不能行,属
肾气虚弱,名曰痱症,宜用地黄饮子治之。然此症皆由将息失宜,肾水不足,而心火暴盛,
痰滞于胸也。轻者自苏,重者或死。
一男子,体肥善饮,舌本硬强,语言不清,口眼 斜,痰气涌盛,肢体不遂。余以为脾虚湿热
,用六君加煨葛根、山栀、神曲而痊。
吾师佥宪高如斋,自大同回,谓余曰∶吾成风病矣,两腿逸则痿软而无力,劳则作痛如针刺,
脉洪数而有力。余告之曰∶此肝肾阴虚火盛,而致痿软无力,真病之形,作痛如锥,邪火之
象也。用壮水益肾之剂而愈。先生曰∶向寓宦邸,皆以为风,恨无医药,若服风剂,岂其然
哉,乃吾之幸也。窃谓前症,往往以为风疾,彻用发散,而促其危者多矣。
大尹刘孟春,素有痰,两臂作麻,两目流泪,服祛风化痰药,痰愈甚,臂反痛,不能伸,手指
俱挛。余曰∶麻属气盛,因前药而复伤肝,火盛而筋挛耳。况风自火出,当补脾肺,滋肾水
,则风自息,热自退,痰自清。遂用六味地黄丸、补中益气汤,不三月而痊。
一儒者,素勤苦,恶风寒,鼻塞流清涕,寒禁嚏喷。余曰∶此脾肺气虚不能实腠理。彼不信,服
祛风之药,肢体麻倦,痰涎自出,殊类中风。余曰∶此因风剂耗散元气,阴火乘其土位。遂
以补中益气加麦门、五味治之而愈。
外舅,年六十余,素善饮,两臂作痛,恪服祛风治痿之药,更加麻木发热,体软痰涌,腿膝拘
痛,口噤语涩,头目晕重,口角流涎,身如虫行,搔起白屑,始信。谓余曰∶何也?余曰∶
臂麻体软,脾无用也;痰涎自出,脾不能摄也;口斜语涩,脾气伤也;头目晕重,脾气不能
升也;痒起白屑,脾气不能营也。遂用补中益气加神曲、半夏、茯苓三十余剂,诸症悉退,
又用参术煎膏治之而愈。
秀才刘允功,形体魁伟,不慎酒色,因劳怒头晕仆地,痰涎上涌,手足麻痹,口干引饮,六脉
洪数而虚。余以为肾经亏损,不能纳气归源而头晕;不能摄水归源而为痰;阳气虚热而麻痹
;虚火上炎而作渴。用补中益气合六味丸料治之而愈。其后或劳役或入房,其病即作,用前
药随愈。
宪幕顾斐斋,饮食起居失宜,左半身并乎不遂,汗出神昏,痰涎上涌。王竹西用参 大补之剂
,汗止而神思渐清,颇能步履。后不守禁,左腿自膝至足肿胀甚大,重坠如石,痛不能忍,
其痰甚多,肝脾肾脉洪大而数,重按则软涩。余朝用补中益气加黄柏、知母、麦门、五味煎
送地黄丸,晚用地黄丸料加黄柏、知母数剂,诸症悉退。但自弛禁,不能痊愈耳。
庠生陈时用,素勤苦,因劳怒口斜痰盛,脉滑数而虚,此劳伤中气,怒动肝火,用补中益气加
山栀、茯苓、半夏、桔梗,数剂而愈。
锦衣杨永兴,形体丰浓,筋骨软痛,痰盛作渴,喜饮冷水,或用愈风汤、天麻丸等药,痰热益
甚,服牛黄清心丸,更加肢体麻痹,余以为脾肾俱虚,用补中益气汤、加减八味丸,三月余
而痊。以后连生七子,寿逾七旬。《外科精要》云∶凡人久服加减八味丸,必肥健而多子。
先母七十有五,遍身作痛,筋骨尤甚,不能伸屈,口干目赤,头晕痰壅,胸膈不利,小便短
赤,夜间殊甚,遍身作痒如虫行。用六味地黄丸料加山栀、柴胡治之,诸症悉愈。
一男子时疮愈后,遍身作痛。服愈风丹,半身不遂,痰涎上涌,夜间痛甚。余作风客淫气治,
以地黄丸而愈。
一老人,两臂不遂,语言蹇涩。服祛风之药,筋挛骨痛。此风药亏损肝血,益增其病也。余用
八珍汤补其气血,用地黄丸补其肾水,佐以愈风丹而愈。
一妇人,因怒吐痰,胸满作痛,服四物、二陈、芩、连、枳壳之类不应。更加祛风之剂,半
身不遂,筋渐挛缩,四肢痿软,日晡益甚,内热口干,形体倦怠。余以为郁怒伤脾肝,气血
复损而然。遂用逍遥散、补中益气汤、六味地黄丸调治。喜其谨疾,年余悉愈,形体康健。
一妇人,脾胃虚弱,饮食素少,忽痰涌气喘,头摇目札,手扬足掷,难以候脉,视其面色,黄
中见青,此肝木乘脾土,用六君加柴胡、升麻治之而苏,更以补中益气加半夏调理而痊。
一妇人,怀抱郁结,筋挛骨痛,喉间似有一核,服乌药顺气散等药,口眼歪斜,臂难伸举,痰
涎愈甚,内热晡热,食少体倦,余以为郁火伤脾血燥生风所致,用加味归脾汤二十余剂,形
体渐健,饮食渐加,又服加味逍遥散十余剂,痰热少退,喉核少利,更用升阳益胃汤数剂,
诸症渐愈,但臂不能伸,此肝经血少,用地黄丸而愈。
一产妇,筋挛臂软,肌肉掣动,此气血俱虚而有热,用十全大补汤而痊。其后因怒而复作,用
加味逍遥散而愈。
一产妇,两手麻木,服愈风丹、天麻丸,遍身皆麻,神思倦怠,晡热作渴,自汗盗汗,此气血
俱虚,用十全大补加炮姜数剂,诸症悉退,却去炮姜又数剂而愈。但有内热,用加味逍遥散数剂而痊。
一男子,善饮,舌本强硬,语言不清。余曰∶此脾虚湿热,当用补中益气加神曲、麦芽、干葛
、泽泻治之。
一妇人,善怒,舌本强,手臂麻。余曰∶舌本属土,被木克制故耳,当用六君加柴胡、芍药治
之。
一男子,舌下牵强,手大指次指不仁,或大便秘结,或皮肤赤晕。余曰∶大肠之脉散舌下,此
大肠血虚风热,当用逍遥散加槐角、秦艽治之。
一男子,足痿软,日晡热。余曰∶此足三阴虚,当用六味、滋肾二丸补之。
一妇人,腿足无力,劳则倦怠。余曰∶四肢者土也,此属脾虚,当用补中益气及还少丹主之。
俱不从余言,各执搜风、天麻二丸并愈风丹而殒。
车驾王用之,突然昏倒不省人事,口眼歪斜,痰气上涌至咽喉发出声响,六脉沉伏不起。这是真气虚弱而风邪乘虚侵袭所致。使用三生饮一两,加入人参一两,煎服后立即苏醒。如果出现遗尿、手撒(手掌张开无法握拳)、口开(嘴巴张开合不拢)、打鼾睡等症状,属于不治之症,但使用前述药物也有救活的案例。那三生饮是通行经络、治疗寒痰的药物,有斩关夺旗般的功效,每服用时必须加入约一两的人参来驱除邪气并补助真气,否则不仅无益,反而会导致病情恶化!观察先哲使用附子、参附等汤剂的用意,就可以明白这个道理。
州判蒋大用,身体魁梧高大,胸脘痞满,吐痰多,劳累时头晕,之前服用的都是清化痰热、理气的药物。我说:胸脘痞满是脾气亏损;痰多是因为脾气不能运化;头晕是因为脾气不能升举;手指麻木是因为脾气不能周流全身。于是用补中益气汤加入茯苓、半夏来补益脾土,用八味地黄丸来补益脾之母(肾),病就好了。后来他听信《乾坤生意方》说:凡是手指麻木柔软的人,三年后会有中风疾病,可以服用搜风丸、天麻二丸来预防。于是他早晚服用这些药,导致大便失禁,饮食不进而死。我认为预防疾病的道理,应当调养气血,节制饮食,戒除七情过激,远离房事即可。如果服用前文提到的药丸来预防,恰恰是招致风邪、引发中风的根源。
有一名男子,突然昏倒,口眼歪斜,不能说话,遇到风寒则四肢拘急痉挛,脉象浮而紧。这是手足阳明经虚弱,风寒乘虚侵袭所致。用秦艽升麻汤治疗,症状稍缓解,随后用补中益气汤加入山栀而痊愈。如果是舌强不语、足痿不能行走,属于肾气虚弱,名叫痱症,适宜用地黄饮子治疗。然而这类病症都是由调摄失当,肾水不足,而心火暴盛,痰滞于胸所致。轻者自行苏醒,重者可能死亡。
有一名男子,体型肥胖且喜欢饮酒,舌根僵硬强硬,语言不清,口眼歪斜,痰气涌盛,肢体活动不利。我认为这是脾虚湿热所致,用六君子汤加入煨葛根、山栀、神曲而痊愈。
我的老师佥宪高如斋,从大同回来,对我说:“我得了风病。”他说两条腿休息时痿软无力,劳累时疼痛如针刺,脉象洪数而有力。我告诉他说:这是肝肾阴虚火旺,导致痿软无力,这是真病的表现;疼痛如锥刺,是邪火的征象。使用壮水益肾的药剂而痊愈。先生说:“以前住在官邸时,大家都认为是风病,遗憾没有医药,如果服用治风的药剂,难道会这样吗?这是我的幸运啊。”我私下认为前面的病症,往往被误认为是风疾,彻底使用发散药物,导致危亡的情况很多。
大尹刘孟春,素有痰疾,两臂麻木,两眼流泪,服用祛风化痰药后,痰更多,手臂反而疼痛,不能伸展,手指全部挛缩。我说:麻木属于气盛,因为之前的药物又损伤了肝脏,火旺导致筋脉挛缩。况且风自火出,应当补益脾肺,滋补肾水,那么风自然平息,热自然消退,痰自然清除。于是用六味地黄丸、补中益气汤,不到三个月而痊愈。
有一位儒生,平时勤劳刻苦,怕冷怕风,鼻塞流清涕,寒冷时打喷嚏。我说:这是脾肺气虚不能固护腠理。他不相信,服用祛风药后,肢体麻木疲倦,痰涎自流,非常像中风。我说:这是因为风剂耗散了元气,阴火乘袭脾土之位。于是用补中益气汤加入麦门冬、五味子治疗而痊愈。
我的岳父,六十多岁,平时喜欢饮酒,两臂疼痛,严格服用祛风治痿的药,更加麻木发热,身体软弱痰涌,腿膝拘挛疼痛,牙关紧闭言语涩滞,头目晕重,口角流涎,身体像虫子爬行一样瘙痒,抓挠起白屑,这才相信我的话。问我为什么?我说:手臂麻木身体软弱,是脾的功能丧失;痰涎自流,是脾不能统摄;口眼歪斜言语涩滞,是脾气受伤;头目晕重,是脾气不能升举;瘙痒起白屑,是脾气不能营养肌肤。于是用补中益气汤加入神曲、半夏、茯苓三十多剂,所有症状都消退,又用参术煎膏治疗而痊愈。
秀才刘允功,身体魁梧高大,不注意节制酒色,因劳累和愤怒导致头晕跌倒在地,痰涎上涌,手足麻痹,口干想喝水,六脉洪数而虚。我认为这是肾经亏损,不能纳气归源而导致头晕;不能摄水归源而生成痰;阳气虚热导致麻痹;虚火上炎导致口渴。用补中益气汤合六味地黄丸料治疗而痊愈。后来或因劳役或因房事,病就发作,使用前药随即痊愈。
宪幕顾斐斋,饮食起居失当,左半身瘫痪不遂,出汗神志昏迷,痰涎上涌。王竹西用人参等大补药剂,汗止而神志逐渐清醒,颇能行走。后来不遵守禁忌,左腿从膝盖到脚肿胀非常大,沉重下垂如石头,疼痛难忍,痰非常多,肝脾肾脉洪大而数,重按则软涩。我早上用补中益气汤加入黄柏、知母、麦门冬、五味子煎服,送服地黄丸;晚上用地黄丸料加入黄柏、知母,几剂后,所有症状都消退。但因为自己放松禁忌,不能彻底痊愈罢了。
庠生陈时用,平时勤劳刻苦,因劳累和愤怒导致口眼歪斜痰多,脉滑数而虚,这是劳伤中气,愤怒触动肝火,用补中益气汤加入山栀、茯苓、半夏、桔梗,几剂后痊愈。
锦衣卫杨永兴,形体丰满浓密,筋骨软痛,痰多口渴,喜欢喝冷水,有人用愈风汤、天麻丸等药,痰热更严重,服用牛黄清心丸后,更加肢体麻痹。我认为这是脾肾俱虚,用补中益气汤、加减八味丸,三个多月而痊愈。以后连生七个儿子,寿命超过七十岁。《外科精要》说:凡人长期服用加减八味丸,必定肥健且多子。
先母七十五岁,遍身疼痛,筋骨尤其严重,不能伸屈,口干目赤,头晕痰壅,胸膈不畅,小便短赤,夜间特别严重,遍身瘙痒像虫子爬行。用六味地黄丸料加入山栀、柴胡治疗,所有症状都痊愈。
一名男子,梅毒疮疡愈合后,遍身疼痛。服用愈风丹后,半身不遂,痰涎上涌,夜间疼痛剧烈。我当作风客淫气治疗,以地黄丸治愈。
一名老人,两臂活动不利,语言蹇涩。服用祛风药后,筋脉挛缩骨痛。这是风药亏损肝血,增加了病情。我用八珍汤补益其气血,用地黄丸补益其肾水,佐以愈风丹而痊愈。
一名妇人,因愤怒呕吐痰液,胸满作痛,服用四物汤、二陈汤、黄芩、黄连、枳壳等药无效。更加服用祛风药剂,导致半身不遂,筋脉渐渐挛缩,四肢痿软,傍晚加重,内热口干,形体倦怠。我认为这是郁怒伤及脾肝,气血再次受损所致。于是用逍遥散、补中益气汤、六味地黄丸调理。庆幸她谨慎治病,一年多后全部痊愈,形体康健。
一名妇人,脾胃虚弱,平时饮食很少,忽然痰涌气喘,头摇目眨,手扬足踢,难以诊脉,看她的面色,黄色中见青色,这是肝木乘克脾土,用六君子汤加入柴胡、升麻治疗而苏醒,再用补中益气汤加入半夏调理而痊愈。
一名妇人,怀抱郁结,筋挛骨痛,喉间好像有一个核,服用乌药顺气散等药后,口眼歪斜,手臂难以举起,痰涎更多,内热傍晚发热,食少体倦。我认为这是郁火伤脾,血燥生风所致,用加味归脾汤二十多剂,形体渐渐健壮,饮食渐渐增加,又服用加味逍遥散十多剂,痰热稍微减退,喉部核感稍利,再用升阳益胃汤几剂,所有症状渐渐痊愈,但手臂不能伸展,这是肝经血少,用地黄丸而痊愈。
一名产妇,筋挛手臂软弱,肌肉跳动,这是气血俱虚而有热,用十全大补汤而痊愈。后来因愤怒而复发,用加味逍遥散而痊愈。
一名产妇,两手麻木,服用愈风丹、天麻丸后,遍身皆麻,神思倦怠,傍晚发热口渴,自汗盗汗,这是气血俱虚,用十全大补汤加入炮姜几剂,所有症状都消退,去掉炮姜后又几剂而痊愈。但有内热,用加味逍遥散几剂而痊愈。
一名男子,喜欢饮酒,舌根强硬,语言不清。我说:这是脾虚湿热,应当用补中益气汤加入神曲、麦芽、干葛、泽泻治疗。
一名妇人,喜欢发怒,舌根强硬,手臂麻木。我说:舌根属土,被木克制所致,应当用六君子汤加入柴胡、芍药治疗。
一名男子,舌下牵强,手大拇指和食指感觉迟钝,有时大便秘结,有时皮肤出现红晕。我说:大肠的经脉散布在舌下,这是大肠血虚风热,应当用逍遥散加入槐角、秦艽治疗。
一名男子,足部痿软,傍晚发热。我说:这是足三阴经虚弱,应当用六味地黄丸、滋肾丸补益。
一名妇人,腿足无力,劳累则倦怠。我说:四肢属土,这属于脾虚,应当用补中益气汤及还少丹主治。
都不听从我的话,各自坚持服用搜风丸、天麻二丸并愈风丹而死亡。
Wang Yongzhi, the Imperial Carriage Driver, suddenly collapsed into unconsciousness, with deviation of the mouth and eyes (facial paralysis), phlegm-qi surging upward causing sounds in the throat, and all six pulses deep and hidden. This was due to deficiency of True Qi allowing Wind pathogen to invade. He was treated with San Sheng Yin (Three Lives Decoction) one liang, added with Ren Shen (Ginseng Root) one liang, decocted and taken orally, after which he immediately regained consciousness. If symptoms such as urinary incontinence, hand relaxation (open palm unable to grasp), open mouth (inability to close lips), and snoring sleep occur, it is considered incurable; however, there are cases where using the aforementioned medicine resulted in survival. The aforementioned drink is a medicine that unblocks meridians and treats Cold Phlegm, possessing the power of breaking through defenses and defeating enemies. Each dose must be accompanied by approximately one liang of Ren Shen to drive out the pathogen and supplement True Qi; otherwise, it is not only ineffective but sufficient to cause defeat [worsening of condition]! Observing the ancients' use of Fu Zi (Aconite Lateral Root) and Shen Fu Tang (Ginseng and Aconite Decoction), their meaning can be understood.
Jiang Dayong, Prefectural Judge, had a robust physique, fullness in the middle jiao (epigastric region), profuse expectoration, dizziness upon exertion, and had previously taken medicines for clearing Phlegm and regulating Qi. I said: Fullness in the middle jiao indicates Spleen Qi deficiency; profuse Phlegm indicates Spleen Qi's inability to transform and transport; dizziness indicates Spleen Qi's inability to ascend; numbness in fingers indicates Spleen Qi's inability to circulate throughout the body. Thus, Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Decoction to Supplement the Middle and Augment the Qi) was used with Fu Ling (Poria) and Ban Xia (Pinellia Tuber) to tonify Spleen Earth, and Ba Wei Di Huang Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia) was used to tonify the Mother of Earth (Kidney), resulting in recovery. Later, influenced by *Qian Kun Sheng Yi Fang* stating that anyone with numb and soft fingers will suffer from stroke within three years, and suggesting the preventive use of Sou Feng Wan (Wind-Searching Pill) and Tian Ma Er Wan (Two Pills with Gastrodia), he took them morning and night. This led to fecal incontinence, loss of appetite, and death. I believe the principle of prevention should involve nourishing Qi and Blood, moderating diet, restraining the Seven Emotions, and avoiding sexual activity. Taking the aforementioned pills for prevention merely invites Wind and induces stroke.
A man suffered sudden collapse, deviation of the mouth and eyes, aphasia, and limb spasms upon exposure to Wind-Cold, with a floating and tight pulse. This indicated deficiency of the Hand and Foot Yangming Meridians, invaded by Wind-Cold. Qin Jiao Sheng Ma Tang (Gentian and Cimicifuga Decoction) was used, leading to slight improvement, followed by Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang added with Shan Zhi (Gardenia Fruit) for complete recovery. If tongue stiffness with inability to speak and leg flaccidity with inability to walk occur, it belongs to Kidney Qi weakness, named Fei Syndrome (Flaccidity Syndrome), and should be treated with Di Huang Yin Zi (Rehmannia Infusion). However, these conditions all arise from improper regimen, insufficient Kidney Water, and violent Heart Fire, with Phlegm stagnating in the chest. Mild cases recover spontaneously; severe cases may result in death.
A man, obese and fond of drinking alcohol, presented with a stiff tongue base, unclear speech, deviation of the mouth and eyes, surging Phlegm-qi, and limb dysfunction. I diagnosed this as Spleen Deficiency with Damp-Heat, treating him with Liu Jun Zi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction) added with Wei Ge Gen (Baked Kudzu Root), Shan Zhi, and Shen Qu (Medicated Leaven), resulting in recovery.
My teacher, Gao Ruzhai, Vice Commissioner, returned from Datong and told me, "I have contracted Wind disease." He described his legs as flaccid and weak when at rest, and painful like needle pricks upon exertion, with a surging, rapid, and forceful pulse. I informed him: This is Liver and Kidney Yin Deficiency with Hyperactive Fire, causing flaccidity and weakness, which is the form of the true disease; pain like cone piercing is the image of Evil Fire. He recovered using medicines to enrich Water and tonify the Kidney. Mr. Gao said, "Previously residing in the official residence, everyone believed it was Wind disease. I regretted the lack of medical treatment then; if I had taken Wind-dispelling agents, would it have been so? It was my fortune." I privately note that previous cases were often mistaken for Wind diseases, and thorough use of dispersing agents frequently accelerated critical decline.
Liu Mengchun, County Magistrate, had chronic Phlegm, numbness in both arms, and tearing eyes. After taking Wind-dispelling and Phlegm-resolving medicines, the Phlegm increased, arms became painful and immobile, and fingers contracted. I said: Numbness belongs to Excess Qi; because previous medicines injured the Liver, Fire Excess caused tendon contraction. Moreover, Wind arises from Fire; one should tonify Spleen and Lung, nourish Kidney Water, so that Wind subsides, Heat retreats, and Phlegm clears. He was treated with Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia) and Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, recovering in less than three months.
A scholar, accustomed to hard work, feared Wind and Cold, had nasal congestion with clear discharge, and sneezing in cold weather. I said: This is Spleen and Lung Qi deficiency failing to secure the Cou Li (interstices). He did not believe this, took Wind-dispelling medicines, and developed limb numbness and fatigue with spontaneous salivation, resembling stroke. I said: This is due to Wind agents depleting Yuan Qi, allowing Yin Fire to attack the Earth position. He was treated with Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang added with Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber) and Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra Berry) and recovered.
My maternal grandfather, over sixty years old, fond of drinking, suffered arm pain. Strictly taking Wind-dispelling and flaccidity-treating medicines worsened his condition with numbness, fever, body softness, surging Phlegm, knee and leg spasms, trismus with dysarthria, heavy dizziness, drooling, itching sensation like insects crawling on the skin with white scales upon scratching. Only then did he believe me. He asked why. I said: Arm numbness and body softness indicate Spleen failure; spontaneous salivation indicates Spleen's inability to control; mouth deviation and dysarthria indicate Spleen Qi injury; heavy dizziness indicates Spleen Qi's inability to ascend; itching with white scales indicates Spleen Qi's inability to nourish. He was treated with Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang added with Shen Qu, Ban Xia, and Fu Ling for over thirty doses, all symptoms receded, and further treated with Shen Zhu Jian Gao (Ginseng and Atractylodes Paste) for recovery.
Liu Yungong, Scholar, robust in build, careless with alcohol and sex, fainted from dizziness due to labor and anger, with surging Phlegm-saliva, limb numbness, dry mouth with desire to drink, and surging, rapid, yet empty pulses. I diagnosed Kidney Meridian deficiency, unable to receive Qi back to its source causing dizziness; unable to control water returning to source causing Phlegm; Yang Qi deficiency heat causing numbness; deficient Fire flaming upward causing thirst. He was treated with Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang combined with Liu Wei Di Huang Wan ingredients and recovered. Subsequently, whenever he labored or engaged in intercourse, the illness recurred, resolving promptly with the previous medicines.
Gu Feizhai, Constitutional Secretary, had irregular diet and lifestyle, presenting with left-side hemiplegia, sweating, coma, and surging Phlegm-saliva. Wang Zhuxi used large tonifying agents containing Ren Shen; sweating stopped, mental clarity gradually returned, and walking ability improved. Later, violating taboos, his left leg swelled massively from knee to foot, heavy and stone-like, unbearable pain, with excessive Phlegm. Liver, Spleen, and Kidney pulses were surging, rapid, and large, but soft and choppy upon heavy pressure. In the morning, I used Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang added with Huang Bo (Phellodendron Bark), Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena Rhizome), Mai Men Dong, and Wu Wei Zi, decocted and taken with Di Huang Wan; in the evening, Di Huang Wan ingredients added with Huang Bo and Zhi Mu. After several doses, all symptoms receded. However, due to relaxing restrictions, complete cure was not achieved.
Chen Shi Yong, Student, accustomed to hard work, suffered mouth deviation and profuse Phlegm due to labor and anger, with slippery, rapid, and empty pulses. This was Labor injuring Middle Qi and Anger stirring Liver Fire. He was treated with Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang added with Shan Zhi, Fu Ling, Ban Xia, and Jie Geng (Platycodon Root), recovering after several doses.
Yang Yongxing, Gentleman of the Imperial Guard, plump in body, suffered soft and painful bones and tendons, profuse Phlegm, thirst, and preference for cold drinks. Others used Yu Feng Tang (Wind-Healing Decoction) and Tian Ma Wan (Gastrodia Pill), worsening Phlegm-Heat. After taking Niu Huang Qing Xin Wan (Calculus Bovis Clearing Heart Pill), limb numbness increased. I diagnosed dual deficiency of Spleen and Kidney, treating him with Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang and Jia Jian Ba Wei Wan (Modified Eight-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia), recovering after more than three months. He subsequently fathered seven sons and lived past seventy. *Wai Ke Jing Yao* states: Anyone who takes Jia Jian Ba Wei Wan long-term will become fat, healthy, and fertile.
My late mother, aged seventy-five, suffered whole-body pain, especially in bones and tendons, inability to extend or flex, dry mouth, red eyes, dizziness, Phlegm obstruction, chest discomfort, short dark urine, worse at night, and whole-body itching like insects crawling. She was treated with Liu Wei Di Huang Wan ingredients added with Shan Zhi and Chai Hu (Bupleurum Root), and all symptoms resolved.
A man, after healing from syphilitic sores, suffered whole-body pain. After taking Yu Feng Dan (Wind-Healing Pill), he developed hemiplegia, surging Phlegm-saliva, and severe night pain. I treated this as Wind invading and contaminating Qi, curing him with Di Huang Wan (Rehmannia Pill).
An elderly man, with impaired movement of both arms and dysarthria. After taking Wind-dispelling medicines, he developed tendon contraction and bone pain. This was Wind medicines damaging Liver Blood, exacerbating the disease. I used Ba Zhen Tang (Eight-Treasure Decoction) to tonify Qi and Blood, Di Huang Wan to tonify Kidney Water, assisted by Yu Feng Dan, resulting in recovery.
A woman, vomiting Phlegm due to anger, with chest fullness and pain, did not respond to Si Wu Tang (Four Substance Decoction), Er Chen Tang (Two Aged Decoction), Huang Qin (Scutellaria Root), Lian Zi (Lotus Plumule), Zhi Qiao (Aurantium Fructus). Adding Wind-dispelling agents led to hemiplegia, gradual tendon contraction, limb flaccidity, worsening in the afternoon, internal heat, dry mouth, and fatigue. I diagnosed Depression and Anger injuring Spleen and Liver, with subsequent Qi and Blood damage. She was regulated with Xiao Yao San (Free and Easy Wanderer Powder), Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, and Liu Wei Di Huang Wan. Fortunately, she was diligent in her treatment, and after over a year, she fully recovered with healthy physique.
A woman with weak Spleen and Stomach and poor appetite suddenly presented with surging Phlegm, panting, head shaking, eye blinking, hand waving, and leg kicking, making pulse diagnosis difficult. Her complexion showed yellow with green tinges, indicating Liver Wood overacting on Spleen Earth. She was revived with Liu Jun Zi Tang added with Chai Hu and Sheng Ma (Cimicifuga Rhizome), and later regulated with Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang added with Ban Xia for recovery.
A woman with emotional depression suffered tendon contraction and bone pain, with a sensation of a lump in the throat. After taking Wu Yao Shun Qi San (Tsaoko Regulating Qi Powder), she developed mouth deviation, inability to raise arms, increased Phlegm-saliva, internal heat, afternoon fever, poor appetite, and fatigue. I diagnosed Depressive Fire injuring Spleen, Blood Dryness generating Wind. She was treated with Jia Gui Pi Tang (Modified Restore the Spleen Decoction) for over twenty doses, gradually strengthening her physique and increasing appetite. Then, Jia Xiao Yao San (Modified Free and Easy Wanderer Powder) for ten doses reduced Phlegm-Heat and throat lump sensation. Further, Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang (Raise Yang and Benefit Stomach Decoction) for several doses improved all symptoms, except arm extension, which was due to Liver Blood deficiency, cured with Di Huang Wan.
A postpartum woman suffered tendon contraction, arm weakness, and muscle twitching, indicating dual deficiency of Qi and Blood with Heat. She recovered with Shi Quan Da Bu Tang (Complete Great Tonifying Decoction). Later, relapse occurred due to anger, cured with Jia Xiao Yao San.
A postpartum woman suffered hand numbness. After taking Yu Feng Dan and Tian Ma Wan, whole-body numbness, mental fatigue, afternoon fever, thirst, spontaneous sweating, and night sweats appeared, indicating dual deficiency of Qi and Blood. She was treated with Shi Quan Da Bu Tang added with Pao Jiang (Prepared Ginger) for several doses, all symptoms receded. Removing Pao Jiang and continuing for several doses led to recovery. Internal heat was later cured with Jia Xiao Yao San.
A man fond of drinking presented with a stiff tongue base and unclear speech. I said: This is Spleen Deficiency with Damp-Heat, to be treated with Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang added with Shen Qu, Mai Ya (Barley Sprout), Gan Ge (Kudzu Root), and Ze Xie (Alisma Rhizome).
A woman prone to anger presented with a stiff tongue base and arm numbness. I said: The tongue base belongs to Earth, constrained by Wood. It should be treated with Liu Jun Zi Tang added with Chai Hu and Shao Yao (Peony Root).
A man presented with tension under the tongue, insensitivity in the thumb and index finger, occasional constipation, or red skin halos. I said: The Large Intestine meridian scatters under the tongue. This is Large Intestine Blood Deficiency with Wind-Heat, to be treated with Xiao Yao San added with Huai Jiao (Stylocarpus Fruit) and Qin Jiao (Gentiana Macrophylla Root).
A man presented with foot flaccidity and afternoon fever. I said: This is deficiency of the Three Yin Meridians of the Foot, to be supplemented with Liu Wei Di Huang Wan and Zi Shen Er Wan (Two Pills for Nourishing the Kidney).
A woman presented with weak legs and feet, fatigue upon exertion. I said: The four limbs belong to Earth; this belongs to Spleen Deficiency, to be primarily treated with Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang and Hai Shao Dan (Preserve Youth Pill).
None followed my advice, insisting on taking Sou Feng Wan, Tian Ma Er Wan, and Yu Feng Dan, resulting in death.