典藏书目

When cold pathogenic factors invade the human body, if the Yang meridians are affected, the Taiyang (Greater Yang) meridian is the first to be involved; if the Yin meridians are affected, the Shaoyin (Lesser Yin) meridian is the primary target. The Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian and the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian are exteriorly-interiorly related, which constitutes the coordination of Yin-Yang and Zang-Fu organs. However, when cold pathogenic factors are initially contracted, they must enter the Bladder Yang meridian and generate heat. If there is Kidney deficiency or if one contracts cold after sexual exertion, the pathogen will take advantage of the deficiency and directly enter the Shaoyin meridian to cause cold, resulting in a Yin syndrome (according to the "Cold Injury" chapter). If the Bladder is affected by the pathogen, since cold has the nature of contraction and restriction, it causes the pores (Couli) to close and obstructs the Yang Qi, leading to fever throughout the body. At this time, dispersing herbs can be administered immediately. Once the pores open, sweat is produced, the pathogen is resolved, Yang Qi is vented, the body cools down, and recovery ensues. If one hesitates and shrinks back at this moment, or if the medication does not hit the mark, the pathogenic heat will gradually transmit through the Six Meridians, presenting with myriad variations, making treatment extremely difficult. If one can prevent it before it happens, how could severe diseases arise?

Regarding wind pathogens, upon initial invasion, the Lung is affected first, inevitably causing sneezing, nasal congestion, headache, brain distension, and aversion to wind, which are gradual signs of wind entering. At this stage, if one adds clothing and bedding and exercises caution in all matters, how could a common cold occur? In the case of initial cold invasion, with closed pores, one inevitably feels slight coldness in the feet and coldness in the body, with stiffness and urgency in the form, and a frequent desire to stretch and extend the arms and knees for relief, which are gradual signs of cold entering. At this stage, if one abstains from grain food, avoids sexual intercourse, wraps the head and feet, lies quietly under thick covers, and only drinks hot ginger, scallion, and tea broth to induce slight sweating, natural recovery will occur overnight, and how could a cold injury occur?

If one has already caught a cold but does not feel it severely at first, continuing to work as before and forcing oneself to eat, the pathogen receives assistance from fishy/meaty foods, alcohol, and grains. This is what is meant by "the pathogen becomes stronger when aided by tonification." The cold qi will inevitably enter the interior, often leading to critical exhaustion. Furthermore, indulging in sexual desires will certainly result in a Yin syndrome or a "Lianggan" (double infection) syndrome. All these arise from a failure to prevent problems at their inception.

What is "relapse after minor recovery"? Generally, in such cases where one has not eaten for many days, one will not die of hunger, but it is appropriate to wait until the fever subsides before consuming food. Even if many days have passed, one should wait until the fever trend is nearly flat, then give a small amount of porridge soup to nourish Stomach Qi. After the heat is removed, gradually provide thin porridge. Fishy/meaty foods and alcohol are strictly taboo. There are also cases where patients, suffering from fever and thirst during illness, mistakenly drink cool wine, leading to critical danger and death. The Classics state: "Excessive eating leads to recurrence, eating meat leaves lingering pathology, drinking wine exacerbates the condition. Recurrence due to re-exposure to wind-cold or overwork are all difficult to treat." Illness caused by sexual indulgence is named "Nülaofu" (female labor relapse). Disease occurring in a person without prior illness is named "Yinyangyi" (Yin-Yang exchange), which often results in death.