典藏书目

Invention states: The disease of Hongkangjiao (Hongkangjiao, a type of damp-bi in the feet) is actually caused by water-dampness pathogens (see "Dampness Section" for details). Hejian (Liu Wansu) said: Jieyang disease (Jieyang Disease, characterized by swelling of limbs due to yang qi constraint) primarily manifests as swelling of the four limbs and calves; if heat in the four limbs overcomes, it leads to swelling (see "Dampness Section" for details).

Respectfully note: Dampness is the gradual accumulation of water-qi; therefore, treatments vary in severity.

The *Neijing* says: When meridians are full, collateral vessels overflow; when collateral vessels overflow, Miao-stimulation (Miao-cijia, a specific acupuncture technique involving needle insertion at points opposite to the affected side or non-meridian points) should be used to regulate the collateral vessels, restoring the appearance and form without swelling. Thus, it is said that Miao-stimulation at specific sites restores the form.

Respectfully note: Miao-stimulation refers to needling without distinguishing specific meridian acupoints. Therefore, the *Suwen: Shuirexuelun* chapter does not outline major principles for selecting acupoints specifically for water diseases. If water-heat pathogens overflow to the exterior, causing abdominal distension or swelling of the four limbs, but with slightly robust qi and floating, surging pulses, this method is suitable. However, if the pathogenic qi is isolated and critical, with weak pulses and abundant, solid water-qi in the four limbs, modern practitioners often mistakenly use Miao-stimulation, bringing disaster immediately. This is because they fail to examine the principle in the classics that "full meridians and overflowing collaterals are suitable for Miao-stimulation."

The *Neijing* says: If the disease does not originate from the fine hairs (skin surface) but arises internally, it is because yin qi is excessively abundant internally, while yang qi is exhausted and cannot enter the abdomen. Hence, it is said that the yang qi of the five zang organs is exhausted. Jin-ye (Jin-ye, body fluids) is water; it fills the thoracic cavity and subcutaneous tissues. Yin cold accumulates internally, water-qi swells and attacks the lungs upward, making lung qi isolated and critical. "Po" (Po, the corporeal soul associated with the Lung) is the spirit of the Lung. Kidney belongs to Water and causes harm; as the child (Kidney) fails to save the mother (Lung), it is said that "Po dwells alone." If yin essence is depleted internally and yang qi is consumed externally, the Sanjiao becomes blocked, water passages do not flow, water fills the skin, and the body becomes obstructed and swollen. Hence, it is said that the form is too large to be contained by clothing. All such cases involve rapid, urgent pulses in the four limbs, moving internally within the Lungs. Lung movement refers to rapid breathing and coughing. In such instances, water-qi is rejected within the peritoneum, and edema expands outside the body. How can one exhaustively investigate the root and branch? "Pingzhi Quanheng" (Pingzhi Quanheng, balancing treatment based on pulse diagnosis) refers to observing whether the pulse is floating or sinking. A floating pulse indicates the exterior; a sinking pulse indicates the interior. For interior conditions, use purgation; for exterior conditions, use sweating. Thus, it is said to "open the ghost gate and cleanse the pure vessel." "Quwan Chencuo" (Quwan Chencuo, removing accumulated stagnation) means eliminating long-standing water-dampness products, similar to grass clippings that must not remain in the body for long.

Respectfully note: The classic discusses the treatment of water-qi diseases with great secrecy, stating one must "open the ghost gate and cleanse the pure vessel." However, the "ghost gate" refers to something profound and mysterious, namely the sweat pores, whose opening and closing are invisible. When pathogens invade, fighting with righteous qi, the sweat pores close, causing chills and fever as the pathogen resides in the exterior. Therefore, sweating is appropriate to expel the pathogen and "open the ghost gate." This is also an alternative name for diaphoresis, a general example for treating diseases in the exterior. The "pure vessel" refers to the Bladder, which has no internal inlet but an external outlet, serving as the residence of clear fluids. Relying on Kidney qi and organ transformation, the essence of food and drink seeps into the bladder, where qi constrains it to form urine for excretion. The Kidney governs the Lower Jiao, managing opening and closing, connecting with the orifices and two yins. The qi of the Lung and Spleen regulates water passages, transporting downward to the Bladder; upon transformation, water flows and naturally becomes clean. Otherwise, symptoms like dysuria, turbidity, or stranguria occur. If water-qi overflows into the interstices causing cutaneous edema, or if stagnant, old impurities accumulate in the body, these substances must be purged to achieve cleanliness. These two methods are suitable: sweating for exterior conditions, purgation for interior conditions, balancing the treatment. Although the classic states that water diseases originate from the Lung and Kidney meridians, ancient and modern formulas do not solely treat water by draining Kidney qi. Why? Because Kidney yin executes descending functions and is the source of generation, yet it is often insufficient. When yin essence is depleted internally and generating qi cannot transform, leading to severe swelling, the qi is already depleted. Moreover, Lung qi is weak, and the mother qi is isolated and critical. Therefore, Dongyuan (Li Dongyuan) said: "If treated with sweet, bland, and draining yang medicines alone, without yin, how can transformation occur?" This profoundly extracts the subtlety of the aforementioned treatment examples. For instance, retained fluid and drinking-water damaging Spleen qi is like soil turning to mud in rain. Or, caused by emotional factors, affecting both Hand and Foot Taiyin meridians, resulting in facial and bodily swelling resembling water-qi; using formulas that dry the Spleen and guide qi will lead to recovery. On one hand, like mud receiving gentle winds and warm sun, water-dampness leaves, yang transforms, and all things grow naturally. On the other hand, Lung qi opens and dissipates, channels become patent, and water-qi no longer saturates the Spleen. This aligns with "all dampness, swelling, and fullness belong to Spleen Earth, and all qi oppression and depression belong to Lung," differing from the mechanism of water-qi disease caused by yin-yang imbalance. Thus, treatment does not necessarily require "opening the ghost gate and cleansing the pure vessel."