阳明病脉迟虽汗出不恶寒者其身必重短气腹满而喘有潮热者此外欲解可攻里也手足 然而汗出者此大便已硬也大承
气汤主之若汗多微发热恶寒者外未解也其热不潮未可与承气汤若腹大满不通者可与小承气汤微和胃气勿令大泄下
阳明病而见脉迟是湿旺之诊虽汗出不恶寒者表证已解然而里热未成以其土湿也其身必重浊濡滞迨至胃热已盛燥夺其
湿肺腑壅遏短气腹满而喘有潮热者此外证欲解可攻里也再验其手足 然而汗出者此胃热盛实大便已硬也宜以大承气泄之
盖四肢秉气于胃胃寒则四肢厥冷胃热则四肢气蒸汗泄故手足汗出是为胃热之极大便硬也若汗虽多犹微发热而恶寒者外未
解也不可攻里即外已解而其热不潮尚非可下之时未可与承气汤若腹中大满不通者急不能待可与小承气汤微和胃气通其大
满而止勿令大泄下也
大黄(四两) 浓朴(二两) 枳实(二枚煮)
以上三味以水四升煮取一升二合去滓分温三服初服汤当更衣不尔者尽饮之更衣者勿服也
太阳病若吐若下若发汗微烦小便数大便因硬者与小承气汤和之愈
吐下发汗伤其津液微觉心烦小便数行大便因硬者此将来之大承气证宜早以小承气汤和之即愈也
阳明病不吐不下心烦者可与调胃承气汤
不因吐下而心烦者胃阳原盛所谓正阳阳明也燥土耗伤津液则烦心烦即谵语之根甚则谵语此亦大承气之初证也
Yangming disease, with a slow pulse, sweating without aversion to cold, necessarily presents with heaviness of the body, shortness of breath, abdominal fullness and wheezing. If there is tidal fever (Chao Re), it indicates that the exterior syndrome is about to resolve and interior excess can be purged. If there is continuous sweating on the hands and feet (Shou Zu Ji Ran Han Chu), this signifies that the feces have become hard; Da Cheng Qi Tang (Great Order the Qi Decoction) should be primarily administered. If there is profuse sweating with only slight fever and aversion to cold, the exterior has not yet resolved. If the fever is not tidal, Cheng Qi Tang should not be given. If there is significant abdominal fullness and obstruction, Xiao Cheng Qi Tang (Minor Order the Qi Decoction) may be given to slightly harmonize the Stomach Qi, avoiding severe purgation.
In Yangming disease, a slow pulse indicates abundant dampness. Although sweating occurs without aversion to cold, indicating the resolution of the exterior syndrome, the interior heat has not fully formed due to Earth-dampness stagnation. Consequently, the body feels heavy and turbidly stagnant. Only when Stomach heat becomes excessive, with dryness overcoming dampness and causing congestion and obstruction in the Zang-Fu organs, does one observe shortness of breath, abdominal fullness, wheezing, and tidal fever. This indicates that the exterior symptoms are resolving and interior excess can be purged. Verifying continuous sweating on the hands and feet confirms that Stomach heat is exuberant and real, and the feces are hard; thus, Da Cheng Qi Tang (Great Order the Qi Decoction) is suitable for draining heat and unblocking bowels. The limbs derive their Qi from the Stomach; Stomach cold causes cold extremities, while Stomach heat causes Qi evaporation and sweating. Therefore, sweating on the hands and feet is a sign of extreme Stomach heat and hard feces. If sweating is profuse but accompanied by slight fever and aversion to cold, the exterior remains unresolved, and interior purging is contraindicated. Even if the exterior has resolved, if the fever is not tidal, it is not yet time for purgation, and Cheng Qi Tang should not be given. If there is significant abdominal fullness and obstruction, the condition is urgent and cannot wait; Xiao Cheng Qi Tang (Minor Order the Qi Decoction) may be given to slightly harmonize Stomach Qi and relieve significant fullness, stopping before severe purgation occurs.
Da Huang (Rhubarb Root and Rhizome, 4 liang), Hou Po (Magnolia Bark, 2 liang), Zhi Shi (Immature Bitter Orange, 2 pieces, boiled). These three ingredients are decocted in 4 sheng of water until 1.2 sheng remains. The dregs are removed, and the liquid is divided into three warm doses. After the first dose, if bowel movement occurs (Geng Yi), stop taking the remaining medicine. If no bowel movement occurs, consume the entire dose. If bowel movement occurs after consuming the full dose, do not take further medicine.
In Taiyang disease, if vomiting, purgation, or sweating therapy results in slight irritability, frequent urination, and consequently hard feces, Xiao Cheng Qi Tang (Minor Order the Qi Decoction) should be given to harmonize, leading to recovery. Vomiting, purgation, and sweating damage Body Fluids, causing slight irritability and increased urinary frequency, which leads to hard feces. This represents a potential future Cheng Qi Tang pattern; early administration of Xiao Cheng Qi Tang (Minor Order the Qi Decoction) to harmonize will lead to recovery.
In Yangming disease, if irritability occurs without prior vomiting or purgation, Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang (Regulate the Stomach Order the Qi Decoction) may be given. Irritability not caused by vomiting or purgation indicates originally vigorous Stomach Yang, known as "Zheng Yang Yangming" (True Yang Yangming). Dry-heat in the Spleen/Earth consumes Body Fluids, causing irritability. Irritability is the root of delirium (Zhan Yu); in severe cases, delirium ensues. This is also an initial stage of the Da Cheng Qi Tang pattern.