寒实结胸,无热证者,与三白小陷胸汤,为散亦可服。
太阳表热未除,而反下之,热邪与寒水相结,成热实结胸。太阴腹满时痛,而反下之,寒邪与寒药相结,成
寒实结胸。无热证者,不四肢烦疼者也。名曰三白者,三物皆白,别于黄连小陷胸也。旧本误作三物,以黄连、
栝蒌投之,阴盛则亡矣。又误作白散,是二方矣。黄连、巴豆,寒热天渊,云亦可服,岂不误人?且妄编于太阳
篇中水 证后,而方后又以身热皮粟一段杂之,使人难解。今移太阴胸下结硬之后,其证其方,若合符节。
按∶三白小陷胸,非是两汤,系三白可陷下胸中之结耳。不可作
两句看,盖既称寒实,小陷胸是大寒之药,乃下井投石耳。
三物白散∶
桔梗 贝母(各二钱) 巴豆(一分,去皮熬黑研如脂)
上二味为散,内巴豆,更于臼中杵之,以白饮和服。强人半钱匕,羸者减之。
贝母主疗心胸郁结,桔梗能开提血气利膈宽胸。然非巴豆之辛热斩关而入,何以胜硝、黄之苦寒,使阴气
流行而成阳也?白饮和服者,甘以缓之,取其留恋于胸,不使速下耳。散者散其结塞,比“汤以荡之”更精。
病在膈上者,必吐;在膈下者,必利。
本证原是吐利,因胸下结硬,故不能通。因其势而利导之,则结硬自除矣。
不利,进热粥一杯,利过不止,进冷粥一杯。
东垣云∶“淡粥为阴中之阳,所以利小便。”今人服大黄后,用粥止利,即此遗意耳。
Cold-solid Jie Xiong (Chest Binding Syndrome) without heat manifestations should be treated with Sanbai Xiaoxianxiong Tang (Three-White Minor Phlegm-Thrashing Decoction); it may also be administered as a powder.
When the exterior heat of Taiyang (Greater Yang) has not yet resolved, and purgation is mistakenly applied, heat pathogens bind with cold water, forming Re-shi Jie Xiong (Heat-Solid Chest Binding).
When Taiyin (Lesser Yin) presents with abdominal fullness and intermittent pain, and purgation is mistakenly applied, cold pathogens bind with cold-natured medicines, forming Han-shi Jie Xiong (Cold-Solid Chest Binding).
"No heat manifestations" refers to the absence of irritability and pain in the four limbs.
It is named "Sanbai" (Three Whites) because all three ingredients are white, distinguishing it from Huanglian Xiaoxianxiong Tang (Coptis Minor Phlegm-Thrashing Decoction).
Old editions erroneously wrote "Sanwu" (Three Things); administering Huanglian (Rhizoma Coptidis) and Gualou (Fructus Trichosanthis) would cause excessive Yin-cold and lead to death.
Others erroneously wrote "Baisan" (White Powder), implying two different formulas.
Huanglian (Rhizoma Coptidis) and Badou (Semen Crotonis) differ in temperature like heaven and earth; suggesting that cold herbs can also be used would surely mislead people.
Moreover, some recklessly placed it after the Water Syndromes in the Taiyang chapter, and mixed text regarding body heat and skin pruritus after the formula, causing confusion.
Now moved to follow the section on chest hardness below the sternum in the Taiyin chapter, the symptoms and formula match perfectly like a tally.
Note: "Sanbai Xiaoxianxiong" does not refer to two decoctions; rather, Sanbai Powder can resolve the binding in the chest.
It should not be read as two separate sentences. Since it is termed Cold-Solid Jie Xiong, Xiaoxianxiong Tang consists of great cold medicines; using it here would be like throwing stones into a well (adding insult to injury).
Sanwu Baisan Formula (Three-Ingredient White Powder):
Jiegeng (Radix Platycodi) and Beimu (Bulbus Fritillariae Cirrhosae) (each 2 qian), Badou (Semen Crotonis) (1 fen, peeled, stir-fried until black, ground into a paste).
Grind the first two ingredients into a powder, mix with Badou, and pound further in a mortar. Mix with Baiyin (white rice gruel) for administration.
Strong individuals take half a Qianbi (a measuring spoon size); frail individuals reduce the dose.
Beimu (Bulbus Fritillariae Cirrhosae) primarily treats depression and binding in the heart and chest; Jiegeng (Radix Platycodi) can lift Qi and Blood, benefit the diaphragm, and broaden the chest.
However, without the pungent-hot nature of Badou (Semen Crotonis) breaking through barriers, how could it overcome the bitter-cold nature of Xiaoshi (Natrii Sulfas) and Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei), allowing Yin Qi to circulate and transform into Yang?
Mixing with white rice gruel utilizes sweetness to moderate the action, keeping the medicine lingering in the chest to prevent rapid downward purging.
Powders disperse blockages, which is more precise than "decoctions sweeping away" pathogens.
If the disease is located above the diaphragm, vomiting will necessarily occur; if below the diaphragm, diarrhea will necessarily occur.
This syndrome originally involves vomiting and diarrhea, but due to hardness and binding below the chest, free flow is obstructed.
Guiding according to the pathological trend will naturally eliminate the binding.
If there is no diarrhea, drink one cup of hot porridge to promote bowel movement; if diarrhea is excessive and unceasing, drink one cup of cold porridge to inhibit the effect.
Li Dongyuan stated: "Light porridge is Yang within Yin, thus it promotes urination."
The modern practice of drinking porridge to stop diarrhea after taking Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei) follows this legacy.