诸痫病发,卒倒抽掣,叫吼吐涎。因其声之似,而有猪痫、马痫、羊痫、牛痫、鸡痫之分。溯其源,卒倒无知者,
痰迷心窍也;搐搦抽掣者,风入肝经也。名虽不一,不外心肝二经。经曰∶“脉滑大,久自已;脉坚小,死
不治。”有得之胎前者,儿在母腹,其母猝然受惊,痰气逼入心肝,与本来气血搏见成窠,此不可治者也;有
得之怀抱者,小儿心肝有余,神气不足,偶有所触,风动于肝,火发于心,神不守舍,痰涎蔓衍,浸淫乘其隙
而入之,据以为主,此介于可治不可治者也;有得之成人者,外感风寒,内伤饮食,逆于脏气,
闭塞诸经,郁而生痰,胶固心肝,此无不可治者也。夫有桀骜不驯之虏,必恃斩关夺隘之才;有顽梗难化之
枭,必须执锐披坚之勇。盖负 劲敌,非诗书所能启牖,仁义所能渐摩,礼乐所能陶淑,不得不挽强弓,操毒
矢,以摧其锋而捣其窟。痰之凝结心肝,亦由是也。彼挟心肝以淬其锋,温之而余氛愈炽;据心肝以完其窟,
和之而固垒难降;且胁心肝以成其党而树其敌,补之而邪焰鸱张。求其剽悍之性,直抵巢穴而能杀伐者,其惟
礞石与麝香乎。可以拨乱而反正,能平肝下气,为治惊利痰之圣药。余于是症,胎病无论已,小儿未曾诊视,
稍得成人,但脉浮大,概以礞石滚痰丸、麝香丸攻之,日服六君子汤一帖,得愈者无数。有服至一月愈者,有
服至两月愈者,以痰尽为度。经曰∶“有故无殒”,不信然欤!《难经》训癫为僵仆直视,与痫无异,进阅《
内经》癫狂篇,亦大同小异。以为痫即癫者,非也,《内经》明有三条之论;以为痫不同于癫者,亦非也,所
言癫痫两相仿佛,故阙之以俟参考(麝香丸方∶法夏、胆星、陈皮、枳实、麝香、云苓、青皮、炙草、生姜汁
为丸。一方治小儿乳哮∶姜虫伴糯米,浸与浮沫,去米焙干,研细末,米汤调服)。
When various types of Epilepsy (Xian Bing) attack, the patient suddenly falls into unconsciousness, experiences limb convulsions and jerking, cries out loudly, and spits saliva. Due to the similarity in their sounds during attacks, they are classified into Pig Epilepsy (Zhu Xian), Horse Epilepsy (Ma Xian), Sheep Epilepsy (Yang Xian), Ox Epilepsy (Niu Xian), and Chicken Epilepsy (Ji Xian). Tracing back to their origins, sudden collapse with loss of consciousness is caused by Phlegm turbidity confusing the Heart orifice (Tan Mi Xin Qiao); convulsions and jerking are caused by Wind pathogen invading the Liver channel (Feng Ru Gan Jing). Although the names differ, they all pertain to the Heart and Liver channels. The Classics state: "If the pulse is slippery and large, it will heal itself after a long time; if the pulse is firm and small, it is a death case, incurable."
Some epilepsy is acquired before birth. While the fetus is in the womb, if the mother suffers a sudden fright, Phlegm-Qi forces its way into the Heart and Liver, where it battles with the original Qi and Blood to form a pathological nest (Ke), which is considered incurable. Some epilepsy is acquired during childhood upbringing. Children have excess Heart and Liver Qi but insufficient Shen (Spirit) Qi. Upon occasional external stimulation, Liver Wind stirs internally, Heart Fire flares up, the Shen fails to reside in its abode, Phlegm-Saliva spreads, and takes advantage of the void to invade, establishing dominance. This type is between curable and incurable. Some epilepsy is acquired in adulthood. It results from external contraction of Wind-Cold and internal injury from diet, causing reversal of Zang organ Qi, blocking the meridians, leading to stagnation and generation of Phlegm, which becomes sticky and fixed in the Heart and Liver. This type is entirely curable.
Just as unruly rebels require talent capable of breaking through gates and passes, and stubborn owls require courage clad in armor and wielding sharp weapons, one cannot rely on poetry, books, benevolence, righteousness, rituals, or music to educate or mold a formidable enemy. One must draw a strong bow and wield toxic arrows to crush their vanguard and destroy their lair. Similarly, Phlegm coagulating in the Heart and Liver requires such an approach. Those who exploit the Heart and Liver to sharpen their edge—using warming methods—will find that residual pathogenic factors become more intense; those who occupy the Heart and Liver to fortify their lair—using harmonizing methods—will find it difficult to lower strong defenses; and those who ally with the Heart and Liver to form factions and create enemies—using tonifying methods—will see evil flames soaring like vultures. To seek a fierce nature that can reach the nest directly and perform eradication, there is nothing better than Mengshi (Lapis Calaminaris) and Shexiang (Musk). They can restore order from chaos, calm the Liver and descend Qi, and serve as holy medicines for treating fright and resolving Phlegm.
Regarding this condition, prenatal epilepsy is excluded. I have not examined pediatric cases, but for adult patients, provided the pulse is floating and large, I generally use Mengshi Guntan Wan (Calamine Rolling Phlegm Pill) and Shexiang Wan (Musk Pill) for attack, along with one dose of Liujunzi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction) daily. Countless patients were cured. Some recovered after one month of medication, others after two months, stopping when Phlegm was completely exhausted. The Classics say: "Where there is pathology, there is no harm," is this not true? The *Nan Jing* defines Dian (Mania/Depression) as stiff falling and staring straight ahead, which is no different from Xian (Epilepsy). Further reading of the *Nei Jing*'s chapter on Dian and Kuang reveals similar content. To claim that Xian is identical to Dian is incorrect, as the *Nei Jing* clearly presents three distinct discussions; to claim that Xian is different from Dian is also incorrect, as the descriptions of both are very similar. Therefore, I leave this question open for reference. (Formula for Shexiang Wan: Fa Banxia, Danningxing, Chenpi, Zhishi, Shexiang, Yunling, Qingpi, Zhigancao, processed into pills with fresh ginger juice. Another formula for treating infantile milk asthma: Jiangchong mixed with glutinous rice, soaked until foam appears, remove rice, dry over fire, grind into fine powder, take with rice water.)