Library

Abdominal pain presents with two patterns: cold and heat. If accompanied by irritability, fullness, coarse breathing, thirst, belching, food stagnation, or the accumulation of old blood, it belongs to the Heat pattern.

If accompanied by borborygmus, diarrhea, or dysentery, frequent mild pain that is not severe but persistent, vomiting of bitter saliva, and relief upon deep pressure on the abdomen, it belongs to the Cold pattern. If the body has a high fever while abdominal pain strongly desires heavy pressure from thick quilts, this indicates Exterior Heat with Interior Cold.

"Accumulated Blood" (commonly known as internal injury), caused by chronic fatigue, excessive anger, sexual intercourse after a full meal, straining under heavy loads, falling from heights, or running too fast, all lead to accumulated blood. Its symptoms often include fever resembling exterior pathogens, but without headache or thirst. The condition is slightly better in the morning and worsens around noon. Sweating stops at the neck. There is spontaneous sweating and shortness of breath. The gaze is short, unable to lie down comfortably, with no appetite. Urination and defecation are free; urine may be red, stool may be loose. The lower abdomen feels urgent, stool is black, urination is free, and symptoms such as mania-like behavior and forgetfulness occur. Treatment should employ acrid-warm blood-invigorating herbs, assisted by salty-cold herbs, such as Tao Ren (Persicae Semen), Hong Hua (Carthami Flos), Yan Hu Suo (Corydalis Rhizoma), Yu Jin (Curcumae Radix), Gui Wei (Angelicae Sinensis Radix Caulis), Su Mu (Daemonorops Draco), Jiang Xiang (Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum), Chi Shao (Paeoniae Radix Rubra), Wu Ling Zhi (Trogopterori Faeces), Pu Huang (Typhae Pollen), Hong Qu (Monascus Purpureus), Niu Xi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix), Jiu Zhi (Allii Tuberosi Juice), Hua Rui Shi (Rhabdodonis Pulvis), and Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma). After the stasis resolves, the focus should be on tonifying the Spleen and harmonizing the Liver, primarily to regulate Qi and Blood. Zhang Congzheng (Hai Zang) stated: Generally, patients with blood disorders do not desire water, whereas those with Qi disorders do. In accumulated blood cases, although there is restlessness, there is no interior thirst; even if one rinses the mouth with water, they do not wish to swallow it.

Retraction of the scrotum (Nuo Suo) can be either Yang or Yin. In Yang pattern retraction, extreme heat causes tendons to dry up and retract; urgently use Da Cheng Qi Tang (Major Chengqi Decoction) to purge. In Yin pattern retraction, extreme cold causes tendons to soften and contract; urgently use Si Ni Tang (Sini Decoction) combined with Wu Zhu Yu Tang (Evodia Decoction) to warm. Women do not have a scrotum; observe retraction of the nipples to identify this condition. For treating these conditions, moxibustion on Guan Yuan (CV-4), Qi Hai (CV-6), Dan Tian, and steaming/warming the navel method are very effective. Retraction of the penis (Yin Suo) is due to cold in the Liver tendons. Prolapse of the uterus (Yin Ting) is due to heat in the Liver tendons.

In cases of grasping at empty air (Xun Yi Mo Chuang), fixed staring, delirious speech, and a wiry pulse, the prognosis is good (life); if the pulse is choppy, the prognosis is poor (death). If urination is free, it is treatable because Lung Qi can still descend, Bladder can still transform Qi, and Kidney Water is not exhausted. If urination is obstructed, it is untreatable, indicating exhaustion of body fluids. This is Liver Heat attacking the Lung, with deficient and declining Yuan Qi, unable to govern, leading to the exhaustion of both Yin and Yang Qi, named "Grasping at Empty Air Syndrome." This is an extremely deficient state. Regardless of the specific Shanghan disease, large doses of Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), or Ba Zhen Tang (Eight Treasures Decoction), or Du Shen Tang (Single Ginseng Decoction) should be used for vigorous tonification, and many patients survive. If accompanied by constipation, grasping at empty air, delirium, and dry thirst, this is Excess Heat, and Cheng Qi Tang should be used to purge.