吴又可撇开仲景而自作温疫论。则似非仲景之徒者。而吾谓吴又可正深于仲景者也。仲景于
风伤卫。寒伤营。伤风兼寒。伤寒兼风。尚不许混同施治。奚况温病。又可易麻黄桂枝成法
于病之初起。而立达原饮一方。诚可补仲景之未备。至其传变之后。仍恪遵仲景成法。丝丝入
扣。非枕籍仲景者。恶能解此。但书以温疫命名。殊有未称。温病之中。有风温。有湿温。
有新邪所伤。有伏邪为病。今论中所指三阳表证。而兼胸膈痞闷。心下胀满。或腹中痛。或
燥结便秘。或热结旁流。或协热下利。或呕吐恶心。舌胎满布如积粉而渴者。此确是今之湿
温病。又可之法。允为至当。喻嘉言谓湿温即包疫而言。命名之义。当在乎此。然此特温病
中之一。而尚未该温病之全。至于疫字之义。凡病长幼率相似者名曰疫。疫毒之最厉者。如
大头瘟。虾蟆瘟。绞肠瘟。软脚瘟。瓜瓤瘟。疙瘩瘟。种种危证。呼吸死生。另有治法。非
达原饮一方。所能该括。且不独阳毒之病为疫。即阴经之病亦能成疫。试以近事征之。嘉
庆年间。民患咽疮者多。甚则下利。此少阴证也。道光之初。民病霍乱者多。甚则转筋。
此厥阴证也。皆疫也。仲景论中具有成法。根据法治之。率多痊可。然则又可之书。非不足以
辅翊仲景。予谓当易其名曰湿温论。则名斯称矣。
Wu Youke disregarded Zhang Zhongjing’s theories and independently authored the *Treatise on Warm Epidemics* (Wenyi Lun). This appears as if he were not a disciple of Zhang Zhongjing. However, I contend that Wu Youke is actually more profound in his understanding of Zhang Zhongjing than commonly perceived. Zhang Zhongjing did not permit mixed treatments for wind injuring the Wei level (Wei defensive level), cold injuring the Ying level (Ying nutritive level), wind-strike with cold, or cold-strike with wind; how much less so for warm diseases? At the onset of illness, Wu Youke altered the established formulas of Mahuang Tang (Ephedra Decoction) and Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction), establishing the formula Dayuan Yin (Origin-Reaching Drink). This indeed supplements the inadequacies in Zhang Zhongjing’s work. Regarding the progression and transmission of the disease, he strictly adhered to Zhang Zhongjing’s established methods, fitting together seamlessly. Only those deeply immersed in Zhang Zhongjing’s works could comprehend this. The only issue is that naming the book "Warm Epidemic" is somewhat inappropriate. Within warm diseases, there are Wind-Warmth (Fengwen), Damp-Warmth (Shiwen), diseases caused by newly acquired pathogenic factors, and diseases arising from latent pathogens. The symptoms described in the book—exterior syndromes of the Three Yang meridians accompanied by chest and diaphragm stuffiness, fullness below the heart, abdominal pain, dry constipation, heat-binding with peripheral flow, diarrhea with accompanying heat, vomiting and nausea, a tongue coating thickly distributed like accumulated powder, and thirst—are precisely what we now call Damp-Warmth (Shiwen). Wu Youke’s methods are indeed most appropriate. Yu Jiayan stated that Damp-Warmth encompasses epidemics; the meaning of the name should lie here. However, this is merely one type within warm diseases and does not cover the entirety of warm diseases. As for the meaning of "epidemic," any disease where patients of all ages present with similar symptoms is called an epidemic. Among epidemics, the most virulent toxins include Da Tou Wen (Big Head Plague), Xia Ma Wen (Toad Plague), Jiao Chang Wen (Intestine-Twisting Plague), Ruan Jiao Wen (Soft Leg Plague), Gua Rang Wen (Melon-Pulp Plague), and Ge Da Wen (Lump Plague). These various critical conditions determine life and death in a breath, requiring distinct treatment methods, which cannot be encompassed by Dayuan Yin alone. Moreover, it is not only Yang meridian toxic diseases that are termed epidemics; Yin meridian diseases can also become epidemics. Let us verify this with recent events: During the Jiaqing era, many people suffered from throat ulcers, some progressing to diarrhea, which corresponds to Shaoyin syndrome (Lesser Yin syndrome); at the beginning of the Daoguang era, many people suffered from cholera, some progressing to muscle twitching/cramps, which corresponds to Jueyin syndrome (Terminal Yin syndrome). All these are epidemics. Zhang Zhongjing’s treatises contain established methods; treating according to these laws results in recovery in most cases. Therefore, Wu Youke’s book is sufficient to support and assist Zhang Zhongjing. I propose changing its title to *Treatise on Damp-Warmth* (Shiwen Lun), which would make the name appropriate.