典藏书目

Headache, pale complexion prone to fright, hearing loss, pain in the hypochondrium radiating to the lower abdomen, swelling of the cheeks, liver qi rebellion causing cyanotic face, body heat with convulsions and periodic joint swelling.

Vertigo and fainting, fullness and oppression in the four limbs, cold feet (Zu Ni Han), low back pain preventing bending or turning, tendon spasms (Zhuan Jin), red and swollen painful eyes, vomiting blood, dribbling urine and difficult urination, women's lower abdominal swelling, blood stasis in the hypochondrium causing asthma, retraction of the yin organ and spasm of two tendons, swollen testicles and hernia, chest pain radiating to the back causing bilateral hypochondriac swelling, strangury, fox hernia, dry diarrhea, epilepsy, hernia, fearfulness, chest asthma, cursing and shouting.

Prone to sneezing, frequent urination, pain in the back and shoulders, hands crossed and confused (Mao), sadness and sorrow wanting to cry, loose stools, pain below the umbilicus, chills and fever alternating, distension on the right side of the umbilicus and lower abdomen radiating to abdominal pain, skin pain and numbness, pain in the clavicular fossa (Que Pen).

Xiao Ke (Wasting and Thirsting Syndrome), impetigo-like sores, susceptibility to fright, low back pain, internal pain in both kidneys, forgetfulness, coughing and expectoration, vertigo and falling, body heat with abdominal pain, rebellious qi and diarrhea, excessive laughing, sadness, unceasing laughter, hot palms, heart pain, intense heat in the heart, yellow complexion, red eyes.

Wind is the leader of a hundred diseases; sudden invasion causes confusion and stagnation, with saliva surging upward to obstruct the Upper Jiao and Heart Fu. This is primarily due to disharmony of the Spleen and Stomach, failing to control saliva. Mild cases are termed "Gan" (Influence), severe cases "Zhong" (Stroke). "Gan" presents with weak and spasmodic limbs; "Zhong" presents with hemiplegia, deviation of the mouth and eye, muscle pain, copious phlegm-saliva, paralysis and insensibility, stiff tongue and inability to speak, mental confusion, even loss of consciousness. If there is locked jaw, no sweat, and silent saliva, it is relatively easy to treat. However, if there are closed eyes and open mouth, flaccid limbs, sweating like pearls, erect hair, foaming at the mouth, flushed face, coarse breathing, rattling phlegm in the throat like sawing or snoring, head shaking and upward staring, fixed gaze, and urinary incontinence, these are all ominous signs, and medicine is of no benefit. Generally, for Wind Stroke (Zhong Feng), one must distinguish between exterior/interior, involvement of the Fu organs vs. Zang organs, and apply diaphoresis, emesis, or purgation methods. However, diaphoresis should be mild, and purgation mild, as excessive sweating damages Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) and excessive purgation injures Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi). Thus, classics warn against excessive sweating and purgation. Skilled practitioners weigh and balance treatments, mastering half the art of healing.

Examining the theories of the three modern masters (He Jian, Dong Yuan, Dan Xi) differs from ancient views. He Jian stated that Zhong Feng is not caused by external wind but by improper management: violent Heart Fire and deficient Kidney Water failing to control it, leading to Yin deficiency and Yang excess, heat stagnation, mental confusion, uselessness of sinews and bones, sudden collapse and unconsciousness, triggered by extreme emotions (Five Wills). Dong Yuan stated that Zhong Feng is not external wind but a disease of the vital Qi itself. People over forty with declining Qi, or those injured by emotional distress, often suffer this; young adults rarely do. Obese individuals may also suffer due to excess form and deficient Qi. Dan Xi stated that while northwest cold winds can cause illness, southeast humid climates generate dampness. There, wind symptoms are not true wind diseases but result from earth dampness generating phlegm, phlegm generating heat, and heat generating wind.

I have studied the three masters' theories. He Jian emphasizes Fire, Dong Yuan emphasizes Qi, Dan Xi emphasizes Dampness. Ancients emphasized Wind exclusively. The three masters omit Wind, while ancients emphasize it. How to judge? If the three are right, ancients are wrong; if ancients are right, three are wrong. Both eras' theories should not be discarded. Ancients spoke of Wind because people were tranquil, spirits guarded internally, emotions minimal, diet plain, with little internal injury, mostly affected by external pathogenic wind. Times have changed: emotions disturb internally, rich foods satisfy desires, heavy flavors dominate, internal injuries arise from many sources, hence differing views. If caused by Wind, it is True Zhong Feng; if caused by Fire, Qi, or Dampness, it is Similar Zhong Feng (Lei Zhong Feng), not true Zhong Feng. Through observation, listening, inquiry, and palpation, can we not distinguish? Treat Wind according to Wind; treat Fire, Qi, Dampness according to the three masters. Thus, principles are clear, avoiding confusion, and prescriptions will be effective.