肉 筋惕者,非常常有之。阳气者,精则养神,柔则养筋。发汗过多,津液涸少,阳气偏枯,筋
肉失所养,故惕惕然动, 然跳也,非温经助阳之药,何有愈乎?故设真武汤以救之。因汗、吐、
下后表里俱虚,有此证者,逆之甚也。
怫郁者,乃阳气蒸越,形于头面体肤之间,聚而不散也。其证有分别∶如大便
硬而气短燥渴者,实也,大柴胡;汗下后有此证,饮水而哕者,胃虚也,桂枝人参汤加茯苓。初得
病,发汗不彻,并于阳明,续自微汗出,面色赤者,阳气怫郁也,解肌汤;或汗不彻,其脉浮紧者,
与麻黄汤;或小便不利,时有微热,大便乍难,怫郁不得卧,此有燥屎作实也,承气汤下之是也。
瘥后昏沉,或半月以来,或十余日终不惺惺,错语少神,或寒热似疟,或潮热,此因发汗不尽,
余热在心包络间故也,知母麻黄汤微汗之。若胃口有热,虚烦而呕者,竹叶石膏汤加生姜治也。
病新瘥后,因劳动再发,为劳复。缘其血气未平,余热未尽,一或劳之,热气遂还于经络而复
发也,小柴胡汤加减治之。表者,汗之;里者,下之。病新瘥后而多食复发者,为食复。缘土虚不
能胜谷气,如水浸墙壁,水退土尚未坚,合其损谷则愈,
轻则消化,重则吐下。如关脉实,大热燥渴,谵语,腹痛大便实,急下之,不可缓也。
Muscle twitching (Rou Jin Ti) is not a symptom that occurs frequently or universally. The Yang Qi, when refined, nourishes the Shen (Spirit); when soft and gentle, it nourishes the Jin (Tendons/Muscles). If sweating is excessive, causing the body fluids to become depleted and reduced, the Yang Qi becomes withered and deficient. Consequently, the tendons and muscles lose their nourishment, resulting in palpitations and twitching; "Ti" refers to this jumping or twitching sensation. Without the use of herbs that warm the meridians and assist Yang, how could recovery be achieved? Therefore, Zhenwu Tang (True Warrior Decoction) is prescribed to rescue this condition. This occurs because after sweating, vomiting, or purging, both the exterior and interior are deficient; presenting with this syndrome indicates a severe deviation from the normal course.
Fu Yu (Oppression/Stagnation) refers to Yang Qi steaming and overflowing, manifesting between the head, face, and skin, where it gathers but does not disperse. Its manifestations vary: if accompanied by hard stool, shortness of breath, dry mouth, and thirst, it is an Excess pattern, treated with Da Chai Hu Tang (Major Bupleurum Decoction). If this pattern appears after sweating or purging, and drinking water triggers hiccups, it indicates Stomach deficiency, treated with Guizhi Renshen Tang (Cinnamon Twig and Ginseng Decoction) plus Fuling (Poria). When a disease is first contracted, if sweating is incomplete, the pathogen merges into the Yangming channel; subsequent spontaneous slight sweating and redness of the face indicate Yang Qi oppression, treated with Jie Ji Tang (Release the Muscle Decoction). Or, if sweating is incomplete and the pulse is floating and tight, Ma Huang Tang (Ephedra Decoction) is given. Or, if there is difficulty urinating, occasional slight fever, intermittent difficulty in defecation, oppression preventing sleep, this indicates an Excess pattern caused by dry feces, correctly treated by purging with Chengqi Tang (Ordering the Qi Decoction).
After the initial resolution of the disease, if the patient remains lethargic or confused for half a month or more than ten days, speaking incoherently with low spirit, or experiencing chills and fever alternating like malaria, or tidal fever, this is due to incomplete sweating leaving residual heat in the Xinbao Luo (Pericardium Collateral). It should be treated with Zhimu Mahuang Tang (Anemarrhena and Ephedra Decoction) to induce slight sweating. If there is heat in the stomach region causing empty irritability and vomiting, it is treated with Zhuye Shigao Tang (Bamboo Leaf and Gypsum Decoction) plus Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger).
When a disease has just resolved, recurrence due to physical exertion is called Lao Fu (Labor Recurrence). This is because the Qi and Blood have not yet stabilized, and residual heat has not fully dissipated; once exertion occurs, the heat returns to the meridines and causes recurrence. This is treated with Xiaochai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) modified. For patterns in the Exterior, use sweating methods; for patterns in the Interior, use purging methods. Recurrence due to overeating shortly after the disease resolves is called Shi Fu (Food Recurrence). This occurs because the Spleen and Earth are weak and cannot overcome the food qi, similar to water soaking a wall; after the water recedes, the soil is not yet firm. Recovery is aided by reducing food intake; mild cases are treated with digestion-promoting methods, while severe cases require emesis or purging. If the Guan pulse is excess, accompanied by high fever, dry mouth/thirst, delirium, abdominal pain, and solid stool, urgent purging is required without delay.