动气者,脏气不调,筑筑然跳动,随所主而形见于脐之左右上下也。其人先有痞气,而后感于
伤寒。医人不知患有痞积在内,妄施汗、下、吐法,致动其气,故曰动气。凡汗、吐、下,岂可轻
举之乎!可见伤寒所以看外证为当者,盖不在脉之可见,必待问证之可得。又有真气内虚,水结不
散,气与之搏,即发奔豚,以其走动冲突如奔豚,皆不宜汗下,通用理中去白术,加桂。缘白术燥
肾闭气,故去之;桂能泄奔豚,故加之。然而独不言当脐有动气者。脾为中州,以行津液,妄施汗
下,必先动脾气,是以不言而喻也。左右上下,尚不宜汗下,何况中州之气,岂敢轻动之乎!
霍乱者,上吐下利,挥霍扰乱也,乃邪气饮食所伤。邪在中焦,既吐且利。邪
在上焦,吐而不利。邪在下焦,利而不吐。俱用正气散加半夏、生姜汁治之。如吐利不止者,理中
汤。如其上下不通,腹痛甚而头疼发热者,桂枝大黄汤。此为干霍乱,死者多因其所伤之邪不得出,
拥塞正气,阴阳隔绝,先用吐法也。
不仁者,谓不柔和,痛痒不知,针火不知是也。诸虚乘寒,为郁冒不仁。血气虚弱,不能周流
于一身,于是正气为邪气所伏,故肢体顽麻不仁,厥如死尸,用桂麻各半汤;不愈者,补中益气汤
入姜汁。设或身体如油汗不休,喘而直视,水浆不入者,此为命绝也。
Dongqi (Moving Qi) refers to the disharmony of visceral qi, characterized by a throbbing sensation. Depending on the organ involved, this throbbing manifests around the umbilicus in the left, right, upper, or lower regions. The patient initially suffers from Pi Qi (a condition characterized by abdominal masses or stagnant qi), and subsequently contracts Shanghan (Cold Damage). If physicians are unaware of the internal accumulation and erroneously apply sweating, purging, or vomiting methods, they disturb the visceral qi, hence the term "Dongqi." How can sweating, vomiting, and purging be employed lightly! This illustrates why, in treating Shanghan, observing external symptoms is crucial; diagnosis relies not merely on visible pulses but must await the acquisition of symptom history through inquiry.
Furthermore, if the True Qi is internally deficient and water-dampness coagulates without dispersing, qi contends with the fluid, triggering Ben Tun (Panic Disease, characterized by a sensation of qi rushing upward from the lower abdomen). Because this rushing sensation resembles a galloping pig, both sweating and purging are contraindicated. The general prescription is Lizhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction) with Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) removed and Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig) added. Baizhu is drying and may obstruct Kidney qi, so it is removed; Guizhi can subdue Ben Tun, so it is added. However, the text does not explicitly mention Dongqi occurring directly at the umbilicus. The Spleen governs the Central State (Zhongzhou) and distributes fluids. Erroneous application of sweating and purging would inevitably disturb Spleen qi first, which is self-evident. If the regions left, right, upper, and lower of the umbilicus are unsuitable for sweating and purging, how much more so should the qi of the Central State not be disturbed lightly!
Huoluan (Colic with Vomiting and Diarrhea) presents with simultaneous vomiting and diarrhea, causing sudden turmoil, resulting from pathogenic factors and dietary injury. If the pathogen is in the Middle Jiao (Middle Burner), there is both vomiting and diarrhea. If in the Upper Jiao (Upper Burner), there is vomiting without diarrhea. If in the Lower Jiao (Lower Burner), there is diarrhea without vomiting. All these cases are treated with Zhengqi San (Righteous Qi Powder) added with Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) and Shengjiang Zhi (Ginger Juice). If vomiting and diarrhea persist, Lizhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction) is used. If there is obstruction in both upper and lower pathways, severe abdominal pain, headache, and fever, this is Gan Huoluan (Dry Huoluan), treated with Guizhi Dahuang Tang (Cinnamon Twig and Rhubarb Decoction). In Dry Huoluan, death often occurs because the pathogenic factor cannot exit, blocking the Righteous Qi and severing the connection between Yin and Yang. In such cases, vomiting therapy should be applied first.
Buren (Loss of Sensation) refers to limbs that are not supple, where pain and itch are unknown, and neither acupuncture nor moxibustion elicits sensation. Various deficiency conditions combined with cold invasion lead to depression, dizziness, and loss of sensation. When Blood and Qi are weak and cannot circulate throughout the body, the Righteous Qi is suppressed by Pathogenic Factors, resulting in numbness and loss of sensation in the limbs, with cold extremities resembling a corpse. Guizhi Mahuang Gemi Tang (Half-and-Half Decoction of Cinnamon Twig and Ephedra) is used; if ineffective, Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) with Jiangzhi (Ginger Juice) is administered. If the body sweats profusely like oil, accompanied by panting, fixed gaze, and inability to ingest fluids, this indicates the extinction of Life (Ming Jue).