方勺云∶一人遍体作痛,殆不可忍。都下医或云中风,或云中湿,或云香港脚,药悉不效。周言亨言是血气
凝滞所致,用元胡索、当归、桂心等分为末,温酒服三四钱,随量频进,以止为度,遂痛止。盖元胡索能活血
化气,第一品药也。其后赵侍制霆,因导引失节,肢体俱挛,亦用此数服而愈。(《泊宅编》、《本草纲目》。)
钱乙本有羸疾,每自以意治之,愈而复甚。叹曰∶此周痹也,入脏者死,吾其已夫。既而曰∶吾能移之使
在末。因自制药,日夜饮之,左手或挛不能用,喜曰可矣。所亲登东山,得茯苓大逾斗,以法啖之尽,由是虽
偏废,而风骨得坚如全人。
张子和治一衲子,因阴雨卧湿地,一半手足皆不随,若遇阴雨甚,病转加。诸医皆作中风偏枯治之,用当
归、白芍、乳香、没药之类,久反大便涩,风燥生,经岁不已。张以舟车丸下之三十余行,去青黄沫水五升,
次以淡剂渗泄之,数日手足皆举。张曰∶夫风湿寒之气合而成痹,水痹得寒而浮,蓄于皮腠之间,久而不去,
内舍六腑。曰∶用去水之药可也。水湿者,人身中之寒物也,寒去则血行,血行则气和,气和则愈矣。
边校白公,以隆暑时饮酒,觉极热,于凉水池中渍足,使其冷也,为湿所中,脐股沉痛。又因醉卧湿地,
其痛转加,意欲以酒解痛,遂连朝而饮,反成赤痛,发间止,且六七年。往往断其寒湿香港脚,以辛热治之,不
效。或使服神芎丸,数服痛微减,他日复饮,疾作如前,睾囊痒湿肿硬,脐下似有物,难于行。张曰∶予亦断
为寒湿,但寒则阳火不行,故为痛,湿则经隧有滞,故肿。先以苦剂涌之,次以舟车丸百余粒,浚川散四五钱,
微下一两行。张曰∶如激剂尚不能攻,况于热药补之乎?异日,又用神 丸百二十丸,通经散三四钱。又来日
以神 八十丸投之,续见一二行,又次日服益肾散四钱,舟车丸百余粒,约下七八行,已觉膝睾寒者暖,硬者
软,重者轻也。肿者亦退,饮食加进。又以涌之,其病全瘳,疏疏风丸方与之。此不肯妄服辛热,故可治也。
张子和治梁宜人,年六十余,忽晓起梳发觉左指麻,斯须半臂麻,又一臂麻,斯须头一半麻,此及梳毕,
从胁至足皆麻,大便二三日不通。医皆云风也,或药或针,皆不效。左手三部脉皆伏,比右手小三倍。此枯
涩痹也,不可纯归于风,亦有火燥相兼。乃命一涌一泄一汗,其麻立已。后以辛凉之剂调之,润燥之剂濡之,
惟小指次指尚麻。张曰∶病根已去,此余烈也,方可针溪谷。溪谷者,骨空也。一日清和往针之,用《灵枢》
中鸡足法,向上卧针三进三引讫,复卓针起,向下卧针送入指间,皆然,手热如火,其麻全去。刘河间作《原
病式》,常以麻与涩同归燥门中,真知病机者也。
按∶燥为六气之一,其为病至伙而烈,然皆病成而变者为多,故皆散入诸症,不能专立一门。
一人病湿痰肿痛,经年不能行,遇乞食道人授一方,用 草、水红花、萝卜缨、白金凤花、水龙骨、花
椒、槐条、甘草、苍术、金银花,共十味,煎水蒸患处,水稍温即洗之。此方已医好数人。(《续金陵琐事》。)
周汉卿治诸暨黄生,背曲须杖行。他医皆以风治之。汉卿曰∶血涩也。刺两足昆仑穴,顷之投杖去。(《明史》。)
朱丹溪治何县长,年四十余,形瘦性急,因作劳,背痛臂疼,骨节疼,足心发热。可与四物汤带热下大补
丸、保和丸,共六十粒,食前服。
许知可在歙川,有一贵家妇人,遍身走注疼痛,至夜则发,如虫啮其肌,作鬼邪治。许曰∶此正历节症也,
以麝香丸三服愈。此药专治白虎历节风,疼痛游走无定,状如虫行,昼静夜剧。(《本事方》、《医说续篇》。)
陈良甫治一妇人,先自两足踝骨痛不可忍,次日流上于膝,一二日流于髀骨,甚至流于肩,肩流于肘,肘
流于后溪。或如锤锻,或如虫啮,痛不可忍,昼静夜剧,服诸药无效。陈诊之,六脉紧,曰∶此真历节症也,
非解散之药不能愈。但用小续命汤一剂而效。邓安人夏月亦病历节,痛不可忍,诸药不效,良甫诊之,人迎与
心脉虚。此因中暑而得之,令先服酒蒸黄连丸,众医莫不笑。用此药一服即愈,自后与人良验。(《良方》。)
宋青龙中司徒颜奋女,苦风疾,一髀偏痛。有人令穿地作坑,取鸡矢荆叶燃之,安胫入坑中熏之,有长虫
出,遂愈。(《范汪方》。《本草钢目》。)
龚子材治张太仆,每天阴,即遍身痛如锥刺,已经数年。左脉微数,右脉洪数,乃血虚有湿热也。以当归
拈痛汤加生地、白芍、黄柏,去人参,数剂而瘳。
张子和治麻先生妻,病代指痛不可忍,酒调通经散一钱,半夜大吐,吐毕而痛减。因叹曰∶向见陈五曾病
此,医以为小虫伤,或以草上有毒物,因触之,迂延数月,脓尽方已,今日观之,可以大笑。
孙真人云∶予以贞观五年七月十五日夜,以左手中指背解着庭木,至晓痛不可忍,经十日,痛日深,疮日
高硕,色如熟小豆色。常闻长者之论有此方,遂根据治之,手下即愈,痛亦除,疮亦即瘥,未十日而平复。杨炎
南行方着其效云∶其方取蒲公草,捣敷肿上。(《千金方·序》。)
按∶上二症即世俗所谓木蛇咬也,张说似不然之。
虞天民治一男子,四十岁,因感风湿,得白虎历节风症,遍身抽掣疼痛,足不能履地者三年,百方不效,
身体羸瘦骨立,自分于死。一日梦人与木通汤服愈,遂以四物汤加木通服,不效。后以木通二两锉细,长流水
煎汁顿服,服复一时许,遍身痒甚,上体发红丹如小豆大粒,举家惊惶,随手没去,出汗至腰而止,上体不痛
矣。次日又如前煎服,下体又发红丹,方出汗至足底,汗干后,通身舒畅而无痛矣。一月后,人壮气复,步履
如初。后以此法治数人皆验。
潘埙曰∶予少时读书郡学,夏月洗足,风湿搏于右足外踝,注痛十余年,足跟不仁。宦游北方,少愈,归
老又发,前后几四十年,沉痼之疾也。嘉靖丁未,右臂亦遭此患,牵连上下手腕及指,将成偏痹,用药宣通驱
逐,敷贴攻熨,百治不效,盖风邪入于筋骨,药力莫能达也。予思骨必有窍,喘息呼吸,百骸相通,邪气因乘
虚而入,亦可引之而出,又思手居上体,出路颇近,先从手臂试之。心之所注,气必至焉。元门运气之法,不
过如是。乃澄心静虑,每夜侧卧,右臂向上,伸手平 ,以意从肩井骨窍中,步步存想而下,直至指尖,复
徐徐引气而上,过两腕,直至肩井旁,分一路穿颈入喉退场门,细细吐之。每夜如是行者往复十数遍,倦则止。
行之二三夜,意熟路通。又四五夜,觉骨窍中有一线气随意想上行,微微牵通。至十数夜,觉肩井红肿生小疮,
而腹亦微痛。盖恶气上冲肩井旁一路,由喉下坠入腹,不能尽从口中吐出也。乃用拔毒膏帖肩井,疮溃而成脓,
腹自利二三遍,痛止而右臂豁然通矣。因思足外踝,岁虽久而病根所发,道虽远而骨窍相通。亦如前法,侧卧
伸足,以意存想,以渐引气过膝,穿腿入腹,则恶气注腹而大痛,口不及引之而出也。忽一日大泻四五遍,臭
味极恶,而足病亦瘳。此殆神启愚衷,独得灵异之诀,至妙至妙者欤,而昔人未之有行也。(诸记室。)
按∶此与景岳之父,导痰饮之法颇宜参阅。张案在饮门。
孙文垣治姚画老夫人,年几七十,右手疼不能上头。医者皆以中风治不效,益加口渴烦躁。诊之,右脉浮
滑左平,曰∶此湿痰生热,热生风也。治宜化痰清热,兼流动经络,乃可瘳也。二陈汤,倍加威灵仙、酒芩、
白僵蚕、秦艽,四剂病去如失。
吴少溪有酒积,常患胃脘痛,近又腰眼足跟肢节皆痛。孙曰∶此由湿热伤筋,脾肺痰火所致,法宜清肃中
宫,消痰去湿,俾经络流通,筋骨自不疼矣,切不可作风痛而用风剂。以二陈汤加威灵仙、苍术、黄柏、五加
皮、枳实、葛根、山栀子进之,肢节痛减。改用清气化痰丸加瓦楞子、苍术、枳实、姜黄,用竹沥、神曲打糊
为丸,调理而安。
李妓体素肥,患痛风,自二月起至仲冬,诸治不效。六脉大而无力,手足肢节肿痛,两胯亦痛,不能起止,
肌肉消半,日仅进粥二碗,月汛两月一行,曰∶此行痹也。以人参、白术、薏仁各三钱,当归、枸杞、杜仲、
龟板、苍耳子各二钱,晚蚕砂、秦艽、防风各一钱,附子、甘草、桂枝、黄柏各五分,五帖痛止肿消。改用归
芍六君子加薏仁、丹参、红花、石斛、紫荆皮,三十帖全愈。(案中孙胡为友人昵此妓,无力赎之,孙乃力肩
治愈,设法卒归。其人为良家妇,兹以文繁节之。)
崔百原,年四十余,为南勋部郎,患右胁痛,右手足筋骨俱痛,艰于举动者三月,医作偏风治之,不效。
孙视其色苍神困,性多躁急,脉左弦数,右滑数。时当仲秋,曰∶此湿痰风热为痹也。脉之滑为痰,弦为风,
数为热。盖湿生痰,痰生热,热壅经络,伤其荣卫,变为风也,非假岁月不能愈。与二陈汤加钩藤、苍耳子、
薏仁、红花、五加皮、秦艽、威灵仙、黄芩、竹沥、姜汁饮之,数日手足之痛渐减,胁痛如旧。再加郁金、川
芎、白芥子,痛俱稍安,嘱其慎怒,内观以需药力,遂假归调养半年而愈。
夏益吾肢节肿痛,手足弯肿痛尤甚,不能动止,凡肿处皆红热,先起于左手右足,五日后又传于左足右手,
此行痹症也。且喘咳,气涌不能睡。脉之,左浮数,中按弦,右滑数,乃湿热风痰,壅遏经络而然。以苍术、
姜黄、薏仁、威灵仙、秦艽、知母、桑皮、黄柏、酒芩、麻黄,服下右手肿消痛减。夜服七制化痰丸,而嗽止
得睡。再两剂,两足消半。左手经渠、列缺穴边肿痛殊甚,用薏仁、苍术、秦艽、甘草、花粉、五加皮、石
斛、前胡、枳壳、威灵仙、当归,旋服旋愈。
一妇人,年五十余,向来小水短少,今则右背盐匙骨边一点痛,夜尤甚,已半月,治不效。且右边手肢节
皆胀痛,筋皆暴起,肌肉上生红点子。脉两手皆滑数,右尺软弱。乃湿热伤筋而起痛痹,以东垣舒筋汤为主,
两帖而愈。
族孙壮年患遍身筋骨疼痛,肢节肿痛,痛处如虎啮,如火燎,非三五人不能起居,呻吟不食,医投疏风之
剂不应。又以乳香、没药活血止痛亦不应。诊之,六脉浮紧而数,曰∶此周痹也,俗名白虎历节风,乃湿热所
致。丹溪云∶肿属湿,痛属火,火性速,故痛暴而猛。以生地、红花、酒芩、酒连、酒柏、秦艽、防风、羌活、
独活、海桐皮、威灵仙、甘草,四帖痛减大半。再加赤芍、当归、苍耳、薏仁,去独活、秦艽,又八剂全愈。
陆养愚治孙监司,体肥畏热,平时澡浴,每以扇代拭,后因丧子悲哀,不思粥饭,惟恣饮自解,忽脊背似
胀,渐及肘膝酸疼。医谓脉气涩弱,骨节酸疼,乃血虚火郁也,用四物汤加丹皮、山栀、香附等,十剂不效。
改用牛膝、首乌、枸杞辈,又十剂亦不效。再用鹿胶、虎骨、河车,病如故,举止甚艰,时时令人热手附摩,
初则轻按如刺,良久虽重亦不痛矣。脉极浮,极滑,中按即和。诊毕,以溢饮症对。问出何书?曰∶仲景《要
略》云,饮水流行,归于四肢,当汗出而不汗出,名曰溢饮。今闻澡浴不拭,是外之水湿,侵入皮肤矣。又悲
忧饮酒,《内经》谓悲哀伤肺,肺伤则分布之令失,且又过饮,则内之水湿能不溢于经络乎?其特甚于阳分部
位者,外湿不拭,阴处热而易干,阳处冷而难干。又酒性属阳,故其湿亦并溢于阳分也。治法∶溢饮者,当发
其汗。时天气颇寒,令构一密室,四围生火,以热汤置浴桶中,乘腹饱时浴之良久。投药一剂,用防风五钱,
苍术三钱,麻黄、苏叶、羌活、独活、威灵仙、甘草各一钱,煎一二沸,热服一满碗。频添热汤,浴至汗透方
止,超时便觉身体宽畅,夜间甚安。间三日又为之,如是五次,遍体轻快,病全去矣。因浴得病,即以浴治之,
所谓求其属以衰之也。由此类推,可以应无穷之变矣。
邵南桥子,壮年患遍身筋骨疼痛,肢节肿胀,痛处热如火 ,饮食不下,呻吟不已。其脉浮之而数,沉之
而涩,曰∶此似白虎历节症,而其因总不出于血虚有火。若误以为风气,投表散燥热之药,病必增剧。用生地、
当归、白芍、红花、酒芩、秦艽、花粉、连翘,数剂减半,十剂全瘳。
李士材治陆文学,两足麻木。自服活血之剂不效,改服攻痰之剂又不效。半载后,手亦麻,左胁下有尺许
不知痛痒。曰∶此经所谓着痹也。六脉大而无力,气血皆损。用神效黄 汤加茯苓、白术、当归、地黄,十剂
后有小效。更用十全大补,五十余剂始安。
王孝廉久患流火,靡药勿尝,病势日迫。李曰∶经年之病,痛伤元气,非大补气血不可。彼曰∶数日前,
曾服参少许,痛大作,故不敢用。李曰∶病有新久之不同,今大虚矣,而日从事于散风清火,清火则脾必败,
散风则肺必伤。言之甚力,竟不能决,遂不起。
方勺记载:有一人全身疼痛,几乎无法忍受。京城里的医生有的说是中风,有的说是中湿,有的说是香港脚(足部肿痛之病),用药均无效。周言亨认为是气血凝滞所致,用延胡索、当归、桂心等分研为末,温酒送服三四钱,根据情况频繁服用,以疼痛停止为度,于是疼痛止住。大概延胡索能活血化气,是第一流的药物。后来赵侍制霆,因为导引(古代一种呼吸吐纳和肢体运动相结合的养生治病方法)失当,四肢都拘挛,也用此药几服而痊愈。(出自《泊宅编》、《本草纲目》。)
钱乙原本就有瘦弱的旧疾,常常凭自己的意思治疗,好了又加重。他感叹道:“这是周痹(周身疼痛,痛无定处),邪气入脏就会死,我恐怕要完了。”过了一会儿又说:“我能把它转移到四肢末端。”于是自己制药,日夜饮用,左手如果拘挛不能用手,就高兴地说:“可以了。”他的亲友登上东山,得到茯苓大得超过斗量,依法吃完它,因此虽然半身偏废,但风骨变得坚固如同常人。
张子和治疗一位僧人,因为阴雨天气睡在潮湿的地方,半边手足都不能随意活动,如果遇到大雨天,病情加重。众医都当作中风偏枯来治疗,使用当归、白芍、乳香、没药之类的药物,时间久了反而大便干涩,风燥内生,一年不好。张子和用舟车丸泻下三十多次,排出青黄色的泡沫水五升,接着用淡渗利湿的药物渗泄,几天后手足都能抬举。张子和说:“风湿寒之气结合而成痹证,水湿痹证遇寒则浮,蓄积在皮肤腠理之间,久不去除,内舍于六腑。”他说:“可以用去水的药物。”水湿是人身中的寒性物质,寒气去除则血液运行,血液运行则气机调和,气机调和则痊愈。
边校白公,在盛夏时节饮酒,觉得极热,在凉水池中浸泡双脚使其冷却,被湿气所伤,脐部和股部沉重疼痛。又因为醉酒后睡在潮湿地方,疼痛加重,想用酒来解痛,于是连续几天饮酒,反而成了赤痛(红肿热痛),发作时停止,且已有六七年。往往被断定为寒湿香港脚,用辛热药物治疗,无效。有人让他服用神芎丸,几服后疼痛轻微减轻,第二天再次饮酒,疾病像以前一样发作,阴囊瘙痒潮湿肿胀坚硬,脐下好像有东西,行走困难。张子和说:“我也断定为寒湿,但寒则阳气火气不行,所以疼痛;湿则经络隧道有阻滞,所以肿胀。”先用苦味涌吐剂涌吐,再用舟车丸一百多粒,浚川散四五钱,轻微泻下一两行。张子和说:“像这样激越的药物尚且不能攻伐,何况用热药补益呢?”改日,又用神芎丸一百二十丸,通经散三四钱。第二天又用神芎丸八十丸投服,续见一二行大便,又第二天服用益肾散四钱,舟车丸一百多粒,大约泻下七八行,已经觉得膝盖和睾丸由寒变暖,硬变软,沉重变轻。肿胀也消退,饮食增加。再用涌吐法,病完全痊愈,给他疏疏风丸方子。这是因为不肯乱服辛热药物,所以可治。
张子和治疗梁宜人,六十多岁,忽然早晨起来梳头发现左手指麻木,一会儿半只手臂麻木,又一侧手臂麻木,一会儿头部一半麻木,等到梳完头,从胁下到脚都麻木,大便二三天不通。医生都说是有风,或者用药或者针灸,都没有效。左手三部脉都伏匿,比右手小三倍。这是枯涩痹证,不能完全归咎于风,也有火燥相兼。于是命令用一涌(催吐)、一泄(泻下)、一汗(发汗)的方法,麻木立刻消失。后用辛凉药剂调理,润燥药剂濡养,只有小指和无名指还麻木。张子和说:“病根已去,这是余邪,才可以针刺溪谷(肌肉筋骨间隙)。”溪谷就是骨空。一天清和时去针刺,用《灵枢》中的鸡足法,向上卧针三进三引结束后,又竖起针起,向下卧针送入指间,都是这样,手热如火,麻木全去。刘河间撰写《原病式》,常把麻木与涩同归于燥门中,真是懂得病机的人。
按语:燥是六气之一,它致病众多而且猛烈,然而大多是病成之后变化的表现,所以都分散在各症中,不能专门设立一门。
一人患湿痰肿痛,一年不能行走,遇到乞食道人授一方,用萆薢、水红花、萝卜缨、白金凤花、水龙骨、花椒、槐条、甘草、苍术、金银花,共十味,煎水蒸患处,水稍温即洗之。此方已治好几个人。(出自《续金陵琐事》。)
周汉卿治疗诸暨黄生,背部弯曲必须拄拐杖行走。其他医生都用治风的方法治疗。周汉卿说:“这是血涩。”刺两足昆仑穴,一会儿扔掉拐杖离去。(出自《明史》。)
朱丹溪治疗何县长,四十多岁,形体消瘦性情急躁,因为劳作,背痛臂疼,骨节疼,足心发热。可以喝四物汤带热下服大补丸、保和丸,共六十粒,饭前服用。
许知可在歙川,有一位富贵人家的妇人,遍身游走疼痛,到了夜间就发作,像虫子咬她的肌肉,被当作鬼邪治疗。许知可说:“这正是历节症,用麝香丸三服痊愈。此药专治白虎历节风,疼痛游走无定,状如虫行,白天安静晚上剧烈。”(出自《本事方》、《医说续篇》。)
陈良甫治疗一位妇人,先从两足踝骨痛不可忍,第二天流注到膝盖,一两天流到大腿骨,甚至流到肩膀,肩膀流到肘部,肘部流到后溪穴附近。有时像锤锻,有时像虫子咬,痛不可忍,白天安静晚上剧烈,服用各种药物无效。陈良甫诊察,六脉紧,说:“这是真正的历节症,不用解散的药物不能痊愈。”只用小续命汤一剂就见效。邓安人夏天也病历节,痛不可忍,各种药物无效,陈良甫诊察,人迎脉与心脉虚。这是因为中暑而得的,让她先服酒蒸黄连丸,众医无不嘲笑。用此药一服即愈,此后给人用都很有效。(出自《良方》。)
宋青龙中司徒颜奋的女儿,苦于风疾,一侧大腿偏痛。有人让挖地作坑,取鸡矢藤叶燃烧,将小腿放入坑中熏蒸,有一条长虫出来,于是痊愈。(出自《范汪方》、《本草钢目》[应为纲目]。)
龚子材治疗张太仆,每逢阴天,就遍身痛如锥刺,已经数年。左脉微数,右脉洪数,这是血虚有湿热。用当归拈痛汤加生地、白芍、黄柏,去掉人参,几剂而痊愈。
张子和治疗麻先生的妻子,病代指(指甲周围红肿热痛)痛不可忍,用酒调服通经散一钱,半夜大吐,吐完后疼痛减轻。于是感叹道:“先前见陈五曾患此病,医生认为是小虫伤害,或者是因为草上有毒物,因接触而致,拖延数月,脓尽才好,今天看来,可以大笑。”
孙真人说:“我在贞观五年七月十五日夜,因为左手中指背面解开接触庭院树木,到天亮痛不可忍,经过十天,疼痛日益加深,疮日益高肿,颜色像熟透的小豆色。常听长者论及有此方,于是依此治疗,手下即愈,疼痛也消除,疮也随即好转,不到十天就平复。杨炎南行方记载其疗效说:此方取蒲公英草,捣碎敷在肿处。”(出自《千金方·序》。)
按语:以上两种病症即世俗所谓的木蛇咬伤,张子和的说法似乎不认同这一点。
虞天民治疗一名男子,四十岁,因为感受风湿,得白虎历节风症,遍身抽掣疼痛,足不能踩地三年,百方无效,身体瘦弱骨立,自认为必死。一天梦见有人给木通汤服用痊愈,于是用四物汤加木通服用,无效。后用木通二两锉细,长流水煎汁顿服,服药后又过一时许,遍身很痒,上体发红丹如小豆大粒,全家惊慌,随手消失,出汗至腰部而止,上体不痛了。第二天又像前面那样煎服,下体又发红丹,才出汗至足底,汗干后,通身舒畅而无疼痛了。一个月后,人壮气复,步履如初。后来以此法治好几个人都有效。
潘埙说:“我年轻时在郡学读书,夏天洗脚,风湿搏结于右足外踝,注痛十余年,足跟麻木不仁。做官游历北方,稍微好转,回家养老又发作,前后近四十年,是沉疴痼疾。嘉靖丁未年,右臂也遭受此患,牵连上下手腕及手指,将要成为偏痹,用药宣通驱赶,敷贴攻熨,百治无效,大概是风邪进入筋骨,药力不能到达。我想骨头一定有窍,喘息呼吸,百骸相通,邪气趁机乘虚而入,也可以引导它出来,又想手居上体,出路较近,先从手臂尝试。心意专注之处,气必到达那里。元门运气之法,不过是如此。于是澄心静虑,每晚侧卧,右臂向上,伸手平放,用意念从肩井骨窍中,一步步存想而下,直至指尖,再徐徐引气而上,过两腕,直至肩井旁,分一路穿颈入喉退场门,细细吐出。每晚如是行者往复十几遍,疲倦就停止。行之两三夜,意念熟悉路通。又四五夜,感觉骨窍中有一股线气随意念上行,微微牵通。到十几夜,感觉肩井红肿生小疮,腹部也微痛。大概是恶气上冲肩井旁一路,由喉下坠入腹,不能尽从口中吐出。于是用拔毒膏贴肩井,疮溃而成脓,腹部自然腹泻二三遍,痛止而右臂豁然通畅了。因而想到足外踝,岁虽久而病根所发,道虽远而骨窍相通。也像前面的方法,侧卧伸足,用意念存想,逐渐引气过膝,穿腿入腹,则恶气注腹而大痛,口来不及引导它出来。忽然有一天大泻四五遍,臭味极恶,而足病也痊愈。这大概是神灵启发愚钝之心,独得灵异的秘诀,极其精妙啊,而前人未曾实行过。”(诸记室。)
按语:这与景岳之父导痰饮的方法颇宜参阅。张案在饮门。
孙文垣治疗姚画老夫人,年纪将近七十,右手疼不能上头。医生都用治中风的方法治疗无效,更加口渴烦躁。诊察,右脉浮滑左平,说:“这是湿痰生热,热生风。”治疗宜化痰清热,兼流动经络,才可痊愈。二陈汤,倍加威灵仙、酒芩、白僵蚕、秦艽,四剂病去如失。
吴少溪有酒积,常患胃脘痛,近来腰眼足跟肢节皆痛。孙思邈(此处原文为孙曰,结合上下文应指孙文垣或当时名医,但根据前文孙文垣治姚老夫人,此处可能仍为孙氏观点,或泛指,暂译为孙医生说)说:“这是由于湿热伤筋,脾肺痰火所致,法宜清肃中宫,消痰去湿,使经络流通,筋骨自然不疼,切不可作风痛而用风剂。”用二陈汤加威灵仙、苍术、黄柏、五加皮、枳实、葛根、山栀子进服,肢节痛减。改用清气化痰丸加瓦楞子、苍术、枳实、姜黄,用竹沥、神曲打糊为丸,调理而安。
李妓体质素来肥胖,患痛风,从二月起到仲冬,各种治疗无效。六脉大而无力,手足肢节肿痛,两胯也痛,不能起止,肌肉消减半,每天仅进粥二碗,月经两个月一行,说:“这是行痹。”用人参、白术、薏仁各三钱,当归、枸杞、杜仲、龟板、苍耳子各二钱,晚蚕砂、秦艽、防风各一钱,附子、甘草、桂枝、黄柏各五分,五帖痛止肿消。改用归芍六君子加薏仁、丹参、红花、石斛、紫荆皮,三十帖全愈。(案中孙胡为友人亲近此妓,无力赎之,孙乃力肩治愈,设法卒归。其人为良家妇,兹以文繁节之。)
崔百原,四十多岁,任南勋部郎,患右胁痛,右手足筋骨俱痛,举动艰难三个月,医生当作偏风治疗,无效。孙视其面色苍白神情困倦,性格多躁急,脉左弦数,右滑数。时值仲秋,说:“这是湿痰风热为痹。”脉滑为痰,弦为风,数为热。大概湿生痰,痰生热,热壅经络,伤其荣卫,变为风,非假岁月不能痊愈。给予二陈汤加钩藤、苍耳子、薏仁、红花、五加皮、秦艽、威灵仙、黄芩、竹沥、姜汁饮服,数日手足之痛渐减,胁痛如旧。再加郁金、川芎、白芥子,痛俱稍安,嘱咐其慎怒,内观以需药力,于是请假回家调养半年而愈。
夏益吾肢节肿痛,手足弯肿痛尤其严重,不能动止,凡肿处皆红热,先起于左手右足,五日后又传于左足右手,这是行痹症。且喘咳,气涌不能睡。诊脉,左浮数,中按弦,右滑数,乃湿热风痰,壅遏经络而然。用苍术、姜黄、薏仁、威灵仙、秦艽、知母、桑皮、黄柏、酒芩、麻黄,服下右手肿消痛减。夜服七制化痰丸,而嗽止得睡。再两剂,两足消半。左手经渠、列缺穴边肿痛殊甚,用薏仁、苍术、秦艽、甘草、花粉、五加皮、石斛、前胡、枳壳、威灵仙、当归,旋服旋愈。
一妇人,五十多岁,向来小便短少,现在右背盐匙骨边一点痛,夜间尤其严重,已半月,治疗无效。且右边手肢节皆胀痛,筋皆暴起,肌肉上生红点子。两手脉皆滑数,右尺软弱。乃湿热伤筋而起痛痹,以东垣舒筋汤为主,两帖而愈。
族孙壮年患遍身筋骨疼痛,肢节肿痛,痛处如虎啮,如火燎,非三五人不能起居,呻吟不食,医生投疏风之剂不应。又以乳香、没药活血止痛亦不应。诊察,六脉浮紧而数,说:“这是周痹,俗名白虎历节风,乃湿热所致。”丹溪说:“肿属湿,痛属火,火性速,故痛暴而猛。”用地黄、红花、酒芩、酒连、酒柏、秦艽、防风、羌活、独活、海桐皮、威灵仙、甘草,四帖痛减大半。再加赤芍、当归、苍耳、薏仁,去独活、秦艽,又八剂全愈。
陆养愚治疗孙监司,体肥畏热,平时洗澡,常用扇子代替擦拭,后来因丧子悲哀,不思粥饭,只恣意饮酒自我解脱,忽然脊背似胀,渐及肘膝酸疼。医生谓脉气涩弱,骨节酸疼,是血虚火郁,用四物汤加丹皮、山栀、香附等,十剂无效。改用牛膝、首乌、枸杞辈,又十剂也无效。再用鹿胶、虎骨、河车,病如故,举止甚艰,时时让人热手抚摸按摩,起初轻按如刺,良久即使重按也不痛了。脉极浮,极滑,中按即和。诊毕,以溢饮症对答。问出何书?说:“仲景《要略》云,饮水流行,归于四肢,当汗出而不汗出,名叫溢饮。如今听说洗澡不擦拭,是外之水湿,侵入皮肤矣。又悲忧饮酒,《内经》谓悲哀伤肺,肺伤则分布之令失,且又过饮,则内之水湿能不溢于经络乎?特别严重于阳分部位者,外湿不拭,阴处热而易干,阳处冷而难干。又酒性属阳,故其湿亦并溢于阳分也。”治法:溢饮者,当发其汗。当时天气颇寒,令构建一密室,四周生火,以热汤置浴桶中,趁腹饱时浴之良久。投药一剂,用防风五钱,苍术三钱,麻黄、苏叶、羌活、独活、威灵仙、甘草各一钱,煎一二沸,热服一满碗。频添热汤,浴至汗透方止,超时便觉身体宽畅,夜间甚安。间三日又为之,如是五次,遍体轻快,病全去矣。因浴得病,即以浴治之,所谓求其属以衰之也。由此类推,可以应无穷之变矣。
邵南桥之子,壮年患遍身筋骨疼痛,肢节肿胀,痛处热如火,饮食不下,呻吟不已。其脉浮之而数,沉之而涩,说:“这看似白虎历节症,而其病因总不出于血虚有火。若误以为风气,投表散燥热之药,病必增剧。”用地黄、当归、白芍、红花、酒芩、秦艽、花粉、连翘,数剂减半,十剂全瘳。
李士材治疗陆文学,两足麻木。自服活血之剂无效,改服攻痰之剂又无效。半年后,手也麻,左胁下有尺许不知痛痒。说:“这是经所谓着痹。”六脉大而无力,气血皆损。用神效黄芪汤加茯苓、白术、当归、地黄,十剂后有小效。更用十全大补,五十余剂始安。
王孝廉久患流火,靡药勿尝,病势日迫。李说:“经年之病,痛伤元气,非大补气血不可。”他说:“数日前,曾服参少许,痛大作,故不敢用。”李说:“病有新久之不同,今大虚矣,而日从事于散风清火,清火则脾必败,散风则肺必伤。”言之甚力,竟不能决,遂不起。
Fang Shao recorded: A person suffered from pain all over the body, almost unbearable. Doctors in the capital said it was wind-stroke (Zhong Feng), or dampness invasion, or Hong Kong foot (a condition of swelling and pain in the feet), but none of the medicines were effective. Zhou Yanheng believed it was caused by stagnation of Qi and blood. He used equal parts of Corydalis Rhizome (Yanhusuo), Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui), and Cinnamomi Cortex (Guixin) ground into powder, taken with warm wine, three to four qian per dose, frequently administered according to tolerance, stopping when the pain ceased. Thus, the pain stopped. It is said that Corydalis Rhizome can invigorate blood and transform Qi; it is a first-class herb. Later, Zhao Shizhi Ting, due to improper practice of Dao Yin (ancient therapeutic exercises involving breathing and movement), suffered from spasms in all limbs, and was also cured after taking this medicine for a few doses. (From *Bo Zhai Bian*, *Ben Cao Gang Mu*.)
Qian Yi originally had a chronic condition of emaciation. He often treated himself according to his own ideas, recovering only to relapse severely. He sighed, "This is Zhou Bi (generalized bi-syndrome with wandering pain). If the pathogen enters the zang organs, death ensues. I fear I am done for." After a while, he said, "I can transfer it to the extremities." So he prepared medicine himself, drinking it day and night. When his left hand became spasmodic and unusable, he rejoiced, saying, "It is acceptable." His relative climbed Mount Dong and obtained Poria (Fuling) larger than a dou, consumed it entirely according to method. Although hemiplegic thereafter, his constitution became as robust as a healthy person.
Zihe Zheng treated a monk who, after sleeping on a damp floor during rainy weather, found half of his limbs paralyzed. The condition worsened during heavy rain. All physicians treated it as hemiplegia due to wind-stroke, using herbs such as Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui), Paeoniae Radix Alba (Baishao), Frankincense (Ruxiang), and Myrrh (Moyao). Over time, this led to constipation and internal dryness-wind, lasting a year without improvement. Zihe Zheng used Zhou Che Wan (Boat Cart Pill) to purge him more than thirty times, expelling five sheng of yellow-green frothy water. Then he used mild diuretic herbs to drain dampness. Within days, both hands and feet could be raised. Zihe Zheng said, "The combination of wind, cold, and dampness forms Bi-syndrome. Water-Bi floats when exposed to cold, accumulating between the skin and interstices. If not expelled over time, it moves inward to the fu organs." He stated, "Herbs that remove water are appropriate. Water-dampness is a cold substance in the human body. When cold is removed, blood flows; when blood flows, Qi harmonizes; when Qi harmonizes, recovery occurs."
Biao Xiao Bai Gong drank alcohol during midsummer heat, feeling extremely hot, and soaked his feet in a cold pool to cool down. He was invaded by dampness, resulting in heaviness and pain in the umbilical and thigh regions. Later, lying drunk on a damp surface aggravated the pain. He tried to relieve the pain with alcohol, drinking continuously for days, which resulted in red-hot pain (redness, swelling, heat, and pain) that came and went over six or seven years. He was often diagnosed with cold-damp Hong Kong foot and treated with acrid-hot herbs without effect. Someone advised him to take Shen Xiong Wan (Divine Xiong Pill); after a few doses, pain slightly decreased, but upon drinking again the next day, the disease returned as before. The scrotum became itchy, damp, swollen, and hard; there was a sensation of something below the umbilicus, making walking difficult. Zihe Zheng said, "I also diagnose cold-damp. Cold obstructs Yang fire, causing pain; damp blocks the meridians, causing swelling." First, he induced vomiting with bitter emetics. Then he administered over one hundred pills of Zhou Che Wan and 4-5 qian of Jun Chuan San (Abyssal Powder), causing mild purgation. Zihe Zheng said, "If such potent agents cannot attack the pathogen, how much less so hot tonics?" On another day, he took 120 pills of Shen Xiong Wan and 3-4 qian of Tong Jing San (Meridian Unblocking Powder). The next day, 80 pills of Shen Xiong Wan were given, followed by 1-2 bowel movements. The following day, Yi Shen San (Kidney Tonifying Powder) 4 qian and over 100 pills of Zhou Che Wan were administered, resulting in about 7-8 bowel movements. He felt warmth in the knees and testicles, softening of hardness, and lightness of heaviness. Swelling subsided, and appetite increased. Another course of emesis completely cured the disease. He was prescribed Shu Shu Feng Wan (Dispelling Wind Pill). This case was treatable because he refused to recklessly take acrid-hot herbs.
Zihe Zheng treated Lady Liang, aged over sixty. One morning while combing her hair, she noticed numbness in the left fingers, which spread to half an arm, then the whole arm, then half the head. By the time she finished combing, numbness extended from the hypochondrium to the feet. Bowel movements were blocked for two to three days. Physicians attributed it to wind; neither herbs nor acupuncture worked. The pulse at the three positions of the left hand was hidden (Fu) and three times smaller than the right. This is Ku Se Bi (withered and dry Bi-syndrome), which cannot be solely attributed to wind; it involves fire and dryness. Zihe Zheng employed one course of emesis, one of purgation, and one of sweating. The numbness disappeared immediately. Subsequently, acrid-cool herbs regulated the condition, and moistening-dryness herbs nourished it. Only the little finger and ring finger remained numb. Zihe Zheng said, "The root cause is gone; this is residual pathogenic factor. Now acupuncture at Xi Gu (muscle valleys) is indicated." Xi Gu refers to bone cavities. On a clear day, he performed acupuncture using the Ji Zu Fa (Chicken Foot Method) from *Ling Shu*. Needles were inserted obliquely upward, advanced and withdrawn three times each, then lifted and inserted obliquely downward toward the fingertips. The hand became hot like fire, and numbness completely vanished. Liu Hejian, in his *Yuan Bing Shi*, grouped numbness and roughness under the category of Dryness, truly understanding the disease mechanism.
Note: Dryness is one of the Six Qi. Its pathological manifestations are numerous and severe, but mostly arise from changes after disease formation. Therefore, they are scattered among various syndromes and do not form a dedicated chapter.
A person suffered from swelling and pain due to damp-phlegm for a year, unable to walk. A beggar-monk gave a prescription: use Bixie (Dissabiae Rhizoma), Polygoni Orientalis Herba (Shuihonghua), Raphani Sativi Caulis et Folium (Luobo Ying), Anemones Radix (Baijinfenghua), Polypodii Rhizoma (Shuishenglong), Zanthoxyli Pericarpium (Huajiao), Sophorae Tomentosae Ramulus (Huaotiao), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao), Atractylodis Rhizoma (Cangzhu), and Lonicerae Japonicae Flos (Jinyinhua)—ten ingredients in total. Decoct in water, steam the affected area, and wash when the water is slightly warm. This prescription has cured several people. (From *Xu Jinling Suoshi*.)
Zhou Hanqing treated Huang Sheng from Zhuji, who walked bent over with a cane. Other doctors treated him for wind. Zhou Hanqing said, "This is blood sluggishness." He punctured the Kunlun (BL60) points on both feet. In a moment, the patient threw away the cane and left. (From *History of Ming*.)
Zhu Danxi treated County Magistrate He, aged over forty, who was thin and irritable. Due to overexertion, he suffered from back pain, arm pain, joint pain, and heat in the soles of the feet. He was given Si Wu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) taken hot with Da Bu Wan (Great Tonifying Pill) and Bao He Wan (Preserve Harmony Pill), totaling sixty pills, taken before meals.
Xu Zhike in Shechuan treated a noblewoman who suffered from wandering pain all over the body, worsening at night, feeling like insects biting her muscles. She was treated as if possessed by ghosts. Xu Zhike said, "This is precisely Li Jie syndrome (Joint Pain Syndrome)." She was cured with three doses of She Xiang Wan (Musk Pill). This medicine specifically treats Bai Hu Li Jie Feng (White Tiger Wandering Joint Wind), characterized by wandering pain, moving without fixed location, feeling like insects crawling, quiet during the day and severe at night. (From *Ben Shi Fang*, *Yi Shuo Xu Pian*.)
Chen Liangfu treated a woman who initially suffered unbearable pain in both ankle bones. The next day, the pain moved to the knees, then to the thighs within a day or two, even spreading to the shoulders, elbows, and posterior Xi (Houxi, SI3) region. The pain felt like hammering or insect bites, unbearable, worse at night, and unresponsive to various medicines. Chen Liangfu palpated the pulse, finding it tight in all six positions, and said, "This is true Li Jie syndrome. It requires dispersing herbs to cure." He used only one dose of Xiao Xu Ming Tang (Minor Extinction Brightening Decoction) with immediate effect. Lady Deng also suffered from Li Jie in summer, with unbearable pain unresponsive to drugs. Chen Liangfu palpated the Ren Ying (ST9) and Xin Mai (Heart pulse) as deficient. He determined it was caused by summerheat. He ordered her to first take Jiu Zheng Huang Lian Wan (Wine-Steamed Coptis Pill). Other doctors laughed. One dose cured her, and it proved reliable for others subsequently. (From *Liang Fang*.)
Song Qinglong's daughter, wife of Sima Yan Fen, suffered from wind disease with unilateral thigh pain. Someone instructed digging a pit, burning leaves of Clematis armandii (Jishi Jingye), and fumigating the lower legs in the pit. A long worm emerged, and she was cured. (From *Fan Wang Fang*, *Ben Cao Gang Mu*.)
Gong Zicai treated Vice Minister Zhang, who suffered from stabbing pain all over the body whenever the weather was cloudy, for several years. The left pulse was slightly rapid, and the right pulse was flooding and rapid. This indicated blood deficiency with damp-heat. He prescribed Dang Ni Tong Tong Tang (Angelica Pain-Relieving Decoction) added with Rehmanniae Radix (Shengdi), Paeoniae Radix Alba (Baishao), and Phellodendri Cortex (Huangbai), removing Ginseng Radix (Renshen). After a few doses, he recovered.
Zihe Zheng treated the wife of Mr. Ma, who suffered from Dai Zhi (paronychia/whitlow) with unbearable pain. One qian of Tong Jing San was mixed with wine. She vomited heavily at midnight, and the pain subsided afterward. He sighed, "Previously, I saw Chen Wu suffer from this. Doctors thought it was caused by small insects or toxic plants. It dragged on for months until pus drained. Seeing this now, one can laugh."
Sun Simiao said, "In the fifth year of Zhenguan, on the night of July 15th, my left middle finger back touched a courtyard tree. By dawn, the pain was unbearable. After ten days, the pain deepened, and the sore swelled higher, colored like cooked mung beans. Having heard elders discuss this prescription, I applied it. It healed immediately, pain ceased, and the sore resolved. Within ten days, I fully recovered. Yang Yan recorded its efficacy in his southern travel notes: Use Taraxaci Herba (Pugongying), crush and apply to the swelling." (From *Qian Jin Fang Preface*.)
Note: The above two cases are what laypeople call 'Wood Snake Bite.' Zihe Zheng's opinion seems to disagree with this.
Yu Tianmin treated a man, aged forty, who contracted wind-dampness and developed Bai Hu Li Jie Feng (White Tiger Wandering Joint Wind). He suffered from twitching and pain all over the body, unable to stand for three years. Hundreds of treatments failed. He was emaciated and skeletal, believing death was inevitable. One day he dreamed of being cured by Mutong Tang (Akebia Decoction). He took Si Wu Tang added with Akebiae Caulis (Mutong), but it was ineffective. Later, he took two liang of finely chopped Akebiae Caulis (Mutong), decocted in flowing water, and drank it in one sitting. About an hour later, he experienced intense itching all over the body, with red rashes like mung bean-sized spots on the upper body. The family panicked, but the rash disappeared quickly. Sweating occurred up to the waist, and upper body pain ceased. The next day, he took the same decoction. Red rashes appeared on the lower body, sweating reached the soles of the feet. After drying, the whole body felt comfortable and pain-free. After one month, his strength and Qi returned, and he walked as before. This method successfully treated several others.
Pan Xun said, "When I was young studying in the prefectural school, I washed my feet in summer. Wind-damp attacked the outer ankle of my right foot, causing shooting pain for over ten years, with numbness in the heel. Serving as an official in the north, it improved slightly. Upon retiring home, it recurred. For nearly forty years, it was a stubborn disease. In the Dingwei year of Jiajing, my right arm was also afflicted, affecting the wrists and fingers, threatening hemiplegia. Medicines to circulate and expel, plus plasters and moxibustion, failed. The wind pathogen had entered the sinews and bones, beyond the reach of drugs. I reasoned that bones have pores; respiration connects all bones. Pathogens enter through deficiency and can be guided out. Hands are superior, closer to the exit. I started with the arm. Where the mind focuses, Qi arrives. The Yuan Men Qi Yun method is no different. I cleared my mind, slept on my side each night, right arm up, extended flat. Using visualization, I imagined Qi moving step-by-step from the Jian Jing (GB21) bone pore down to the fingertips, then slowly guiding Qi up past both wrists to beside Jian Jing, branching through the neck into the throat, exiting via the Chang Men gate, and exhaling carefully. I repeated this ten-plus times nightly until tired. After two or three nights, the mental pathway became clear. After four or five more nights, I felt a thread of Qi rising with my intention, gently connecting. After ten-plus nights, Jian Jing became red, swollen, and formed a small sore, and my abdomen hurt slightly. Evil Qi rushed up along the path beside Jian Jing, descended into the abdomen via the throat, and could not all be vomited out. I applied Ba Du Gao (Poison-Pulling Plaster) to Jian Jing. The sore ulcerated and suppurated. My abdomen naturally had two or three bowel movements. Pain ceased, and the right arm suddenly opened. I realized that although the outer ankle had been diseased for years, the bone pores connect. I used the same method: lying on side, extending leg, visualizing Qi gradually passing the knee, entering the leg and abdomen. Evil Qi flooded the abdomen causing severe pain, too fast to guide out orally. Suddenly, I had four or five large bowel movements with extremely foul odor, and the foot disease healed. This must be divine inspiration granting a secret technique, extremely profound, previously unattempted." (From *Zhu Ji Shi*.)
Note: This parallels the method of guiding phlegm-fluid described by Jingyue's father. See the Fluid section for Zihe Zheng's case.
Sun Wen Yuan treated Old Madam Yao Hua, nearly seventy years old, suffering from right arm pain preventing her from raising her hand to her head. Doctors treated her for wind-stroke without effect, increasing thirst and irritability. Pulse: Right floating and slippery, Left level. Sun said, "This is damp-phlegm generating heat, and heat generating wind." Treatment should resolve phlegm, clear heat, and move the collaterals. He used Er Chen Tang (Two-Cured Decoction) doubled with Saposhnikoviae Radix (Weilingxian), Wine-fried Scutellariae Radix (Jiu Qin), White Bombyx Batryticatus (Bai Jiangcan), and Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix (Qinjiao). After four doses, the illness vanished.
Wu Shao Xi had alcohol accumulation and often suffered from epigastric pain. Recently, pain extended to the waist, heels, and joints. Sun said, "This is caused by damp-heat damaging sinews and phlegm-fire in Spleen and Lung. The method should clear and purify the Middle Jiao, resolve phlegm, and eliminate dampness, allowing meridians to flow freely, so sinews and bones will not hurt. Do not treat as wind-pain and use wind-dispelling agents." He prescribed Er Chen Tang added with Saposhnikoviae Radix (Weilingxian), Atractylodis Rhizoma (Cangzhu), Phellodendri Cortex (Huangbai), Acanthopanacis Cortex (Wujia Pi), Aurantii Fructus (Zhishi), Puerariae Radix (Gegen), and Gardeniae Fructus (Shanzhizi). Joint pain decreased. He switched to Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan (Clear Qi Resolve Phlegm Pill) added with Arcae Concha (Walengzi), Atractylodis Rhizoma (Cangzhu), Aurantii Fructus (Zhishi), and Curcumae Longae Rhizoma (Jianghuang), made into pills with Bamboo Juice (Zhuli) and Saccharomyces (Shenqu) paste, regulating until stable.
Prostitute Li was naturally fat and suffered from gout. From February to mid-winter, treatments failed. Six pulses were large and powerless. Hands, feet, and joints were swollen and painful, hips also painful, unable to rise or sit. Muscles wasted by half. She ate only two bowls of porridge daily. Menstruation occurred every two months. Sun said, "This is Xing Bi (Wandering Bi)." He prescribed Ginseng Radix (Renshen), Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu), Coicis Semen (Yiren) each 3 qian; Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui), Lycii Fructus (Gouqi), Eucommiae Cortex (Duzhong), Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum (Guiban), Xanthii Fructus (Cangerzi) each 2 qian; Bombyx Batryticatus (Wancangsha), Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix (Qinjiao), Saposhnikoviae Radix (Fangfeng) each 1 qian; Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (Fuzi), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao), Cinnamomi Ramulus (Guizhi), Phellodendri Cortex (Huangbai) each 0.5 qian. After five doses, pain stopped and swelling subsided. He switched to Gui Shao Liu Jun Zi Tang added with Coicis Semen (Yiren), Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix (Danshen), Carthami Flos (Honghua), Dendrobii Caulis (Shihu), and Bauhiniae Flos (Zijingpi). After thirty doses, full recovery. (Note: Sun Hu was close to this prostitute, unable to redeem her. Sun took charge, cured her, and arranged for her return to a good family. Text abbreviated due to length.)
Cui Baiyuan, over forty, serving as Secretary in the Ministry of War, suffered from right hypochondriac pain, pain in right hand and foot sinews and bones, difficulty moving for three months. Doctors treated it as hemiplegia without effect. Sun observed his sallow complexion and weary spirit, irritable temperament. Pulse: Left wiry and rapid, Right slippery and rapid. It was mid-autumn. Sun said, "This is Bi-syndrome due to damp-phlegm, wind, and heat." Slippery pulse indicates phlegm, wiry indicates wind, rapid indicates heat. Damp generates phlegm, phlegm generates heat, heat obstructs meridians, damages Ying and Wei, transforming into wind. It takes time to heal. He prescribed Er Chen Tang added with Uncariae Ramulus cum Uncis (Gouteng), Xanthii Fructus (Cangerzi), Coicis Semen (Yiren), Carthami Flos (Honghua), Acanthopanacis Cortex (Wujia Pi), Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix (Qinjiao), Saposhnikoviae Radix (Weilingxian), Scutellariae Radix (Huangqin), Bamboo Juice (Zhuli), and Ginger Juice (Jiangzhi). After several days, limb pain decreased, but hypochondriac pain remained. He added Curcumae Radix (Yujin), Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuanxiong), and Sinapis Albae Semen (Baijiezi). Pain eased slightly. He advised avoiding anger and practicing inner observation to allow the medicine to work. He returned home for six months of recuperation and recovered.
Xia Yiwu suffered from joint swelling and pain, especially severe in flexures of hands and feet, unable to move. Swollen areas were red and hot. It started in the left hand and right foot, spreading to left foot and right hand after five days. This is Xing Bi (Wandering Bi). He also had wheezing, coughing, and air rushing preventing sleep. Pulse: Left floating and rapid, middle wiry, right slippery and rapid. This is damp-heat, wind, and phlegm obstructing meridians. He prescribed Atractylodis Rhizoma (Cangzhu), Curcumae Longae Rhizoma (Jianghuang), Coicis Semen (Yifen), Saposhnikoviae Radix (Weilingxian), Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix (Qinjiao), Anemarrhenae Rhizoma (Zhimu), Mori Cortex (Sangpi), Phellodendri Cortex (Huangbai), Wine-fried Scutellariae Radix (Jiu Qin), and Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang). After taking it, right hand swelling subsided and pain decreased. At night, he took Qi Zhi Hua Tan Wan (Seven-Processed Phlegm-Resolving Pill), stopping cough and enabling sleep. After two more doses, foot swelling halved. Swelling and pain near Jing Qu (LU9) and Lie Que (LU7) on the left hand were severe. He prescribed Coicis Semen (Yiren), Atractylodis Rhizoma (Cangzhu), Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix (Qinjiao), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao), Trichosanthis Radix (Huafen), Acanthopanacis Cortex (Wujia Pi), Dendrobii Caulis (Shihu), Peucedani Radix (Qianhu), Aurantii Fructus (Zhike), Saposhnikoviae Radix (Weilingxian), and Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui). Immediate improvement upon administration.
A woman, over fifty, normally had scanty urine. Now she had a single point of pain beside the right back clavicle, worse at night, lasting half a month, unresponsive to treatment. Right hand and joints were distending and painful, tendons bulging, red spots on muscles. Both hands' pulses were slippery and rapid, right Chi position weak. This is Tong Bi (Painful Bi) arising from damp-heat damaging sinews. He used Dong Yuan's Shu Jin Tang (Sinew-Relaxing Decoction) as the main formula. Two doses cured her.
A clan grandson in his prime suffered from pain in sinews and bones all over the body, joint swelling and pain. Pain felt like tiger bites or fire burns. He needed three to five people to help him rise and eat, groaning and refusing food. Doctors' wind-dispelling agents failed. Blood-invigorating and pain-relieving herbs like Frankincense (Ruxiang) and Myrrh (Moyao) also failed. Pulse: Six positions floating, tight, and rapid. Sun said, "This is Zhou Bi (Generalized Bi), commonly known as Bai Hu Li Jie Feng (White Tiger Wandering Joint Wind), caused by damp-heat." Danxi said, "Swelling belongs to damp, pain belongs to fire. Fire is swift, so pain is sudden and fierce." He prescribed Rehmanniae Radix (Shengdi), Carthami Flos (Honghua), Wine-fried Scutellariae Radix (Jiu Qin), Wine-fried Coptidis Rhizoma (Jiu Lian), Wine-fried Phellodendri Cortex (Jiu Bai), Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix (Qinjiao), Saposhnikoviae Radix (Fangfeng), Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix (Qianghuo), Angelicae Pubescentis Radix (Duohuo), Paederiae Caulis (Haitongpi), and Saposhnikoviae Radix (Weilingxian), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao). After four doses, pain reduced by more than half. He added Paeoniae Radix Rubra (Chishao), Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui), Xanthii Fructus (Cangerzi), and Coicis Semen (Yiren), removing Angelicae Pubescentis Radix (Duohuo) and Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix (Qinjiao). After eight more doses, full recovery.
Lu Yang Yu treated Supervisor Sun, who was fat and feared heat. Usually, he used a fan instead of wiping after bathing. Later, grieving the loss of his son, he lost appetite, drinking excessively to comfort himself. Suddenly, his back felt distended, gradually spreading to aching elbows and knees. Doctors noted a choppy and weak pulse, attributing joint ache to blood deficiency and fire depression. They prescribed Si Wu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) added with Moutan Cortex (Danpi), Gardeniae Fructus (Shanzhi), and Cyperi Rhizoma (Xiangfu). Ten doses failed. Switching to Achyranthes Radix (Niuxi), Polygonati Rhizoma (Shouwu), and Lycii Fructus (Gouqi) for another ten doses also failed. Using Deer Antler Glue (Lujiao), Tiger Bone (Hugu), and Human Placenta (Heche) did not change the condition. Movement was very difficult. He constantly asked people to rub him with warm hands. Initially, light touch felt like stinging; later, even heavy pressure didn't hurt. Pulse: Extremely floating and slippery, harmonious at middle pressure. Diagnosis: Yi Yin (Overflowing Drink). Asked about the source, Lu said, "Jingyue's *Jing Yue Quan Shu* cites Zhang Zhongjing's *Jingui Yaolue*: 'Water fluid circulating, gathering in the four limbs, when sweating should occur but does not, is called Yi Yin.' Now, hearing he bathes without wiping, external water-damp invades the skin. Also, grief injures the Lung, and excessive drinking causes internal water-damp to overflow into meridians? Particularly severe in Yang aspects: external damp not wiped, Yin areas are hot and dry easily, Yang areas are cold and dry with difficulty. Alcohol is Yang-natured, so its dampness also overflows into Yang aspects." Treatment: For Yi Yin, induce sweating. Weather was cold. He built a sealed room, heated it with fires around, placed hot water in a bath tub, and had the patient bathe for a long time while full. He prescribed one dose: Saposhnikoviae Radix (Fangfeng) 5 qian, Atractylodis Rhizoma (Cangzhu) 3 qian, Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang), Perillae Folium (Suye), Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix (Qianghuo), Angelicae Pubescentis Radix (Duohuo), Saposhnikoviae Radix (Weilingxian), and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao) each 1 qian. Boiled briefly, taken hot in a full bowl. Added hot water frequently, bathing until sweat penetrated thoroughly. Afterwards, he felt relaxed and slept well at night. Repeated every three days, five times total. Whole body felt light, disease completely gone. Illness acquired from bathing, cured by bathing—seeking the root to reduce the pathogen. By analogy, infinite variations can be handled.
Son of Shao Nanqiao, in his prime, suffered from pain in sinews and bones all over the body, joint swelling, heat-like pain, inability to eat, constant groaning. Pulse: Floating and rapid, sinking and choppy. Sun said, "This resembles Bai Hu Li Jie Feng (White Tiger Wandering Joint Wind), but the root cause is blood deficiency with fire. If mistaken for wind and treated with exterior-releasing dry-hot herbs, the disease will worsen." He prescribed Rehmanniae Radix (Shengdi), Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui), Paeoniae Radix Alba (Baishao), Carthami Flos (Honghua), Wine-fried Scutellariae Radix (Jiu Qin), Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix (Qinjiao), Trichosanthis Radix (Huafen), and Forsythiae Fructus (Lianqiao). After several doses, symptoms halved; after ten doses, complete recovery.
Li Shicai treated Scholar Lu, who suffered from numbness in both feet. Self-administered blood-invigorating herbs failed. Switched to phlegm-resolving herbs, also failed. Half a year later, hands became numb, and a chi-long area under the left hypochondrium lost sensation. Li said, "This is the Zhe Bi (Fixed Bi) mentioned in the Classics." Six pulses were large and powerless, indicating damage to both Qi and Blood. He used Shen Xiao Huang Qi Tang (Miraculous Astragalus Decoction) added with Poria (Fuling), Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu), Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui), and Rehmanniae Radix (Dihuang). Small improvement after ten doses. Switched to Shi Quan Da Bu Tang (Ten Substance Great Tonifying Decoction). After fifty-plus doses, stability achieved.
Wiao Xiaolian suffered from Liu Huo (Flowing Fire/Gout) for a long time, trying every medicine, condition worsening daily. Li said, "Chronic illness damages Yuan Qi with pain. Great tonification of Qi and Blood is necessary." Patient said, "A few days ago, I took a little Ginseng, and pain surged greatly, so I dare not use it." Li said, "Diseases differ in newness and duration. Now you are severely deficient, yet daily engaging in wind-dispelling and fire-clearing. Clearing fire destroys Spleen; dispelling wind injures Lung." Li argued strongly, but the patient could not decide, and eventually died.