霍乱起于病初者,是寒邪伤于里也。在上焦则吐,在下焦则泻,在中焦则既吐又
泻。若吐泻后而伤寒之症不罢,则必乘脾胃虚弱,而再传吐泻,是为重虚,乃危候也。
更有不吐不泻,而卒微微腹痛,渐甚,不知人事者,名曰干霍乱,即俗所谓痧气。世有
于股边颈后刮伤,名曰刮痧,或于足弯青筋刺之,令其出血,名曰放痧,总脾主四肢,
导四关之气,以宣通脾家之郁滞也。丹溪曰∶放痧出血气,不若刮痧行血气之为愈
也。并忌五谷热物。
二便虽出于二肠;然莫非皆属于阴也,莫非皆属于肾之开窍也。有因过汗亡阴,热
耗津液,以致小便秘涩,而大便燥结者,或热结大小二肠,以致津液不行,热无以泄
者,由此而谵妄发狂,及发黄等症随焉。血虚者,润剂通之,热结者,苦寒下之。
喘之为病多矣,总因肺气上逆也。如未汗而喘,是邪在表,气不利也,宜疗以解
肌。发惊而喘,疗以镇心,痰壅腹满而喘,疗以荡涤,发疹而喘,疗以透托,停饮而
喘,疗以散水,至若直视烦满气粗,身汗如油,喘而不休者,此坏症也。
遗尿者,小便自出而不知也。大抵热盛神昏遗尿者,可治。若阴症下寒,逆冷遗
尿,脉沉迟欲脱者不治,宜四逆汤,加益智仁主之。厥阴囊缩逆冷,脉沉遗尿者,宜四
物加茱萸汤。阳不回者,死。若汗下之后,热不解,阴虚火动而遗尿者,用人参三白汤
加黄柏、知母、麦冬、五味、归地主之。
Cases of Huoluan (cholera-like syndrome with sudden vomiting and diarrhea) that arise at the beginning of the disease indicate that cold pathogenic factors have injured the interior. If the pathology is in the Upper Jiao (Upper Burner), it manifests as vomiting; if in the Lower Jiao (Lower Burner), as diarrhea; and if in the Middle Jiao (Middle Burner), both vomiting and diarrhea occur. If, after vomiting and diarrhea, the symptoms of Shanghan (Cold Damage) do not resolve, the condition will inevitably relapse into further vomiting and diarrhea due to the weakness of the Spleen and Stomach. This constitutes a severe deficiency and is a critical prognosis.
Furthermore, there are cases where there is neither vomiting nor diarrhea, but rather a sudden onset of mild abdominal pain that gradually worsens, accompanied by loss of consciousness. This is named Gan Huoluan (Dry Cholera), commonly known in folk medicine as Sha Qi (Sha Gas). In practice, some people scrape the skin on the side of the thighs or behind the neck until petechiae appear, a method called Gua Sha (Scraping Therapy); or they prick the visible veins in the popliteal fossa (back of the knee) to release blood, a method called Fang Sha (Bloodletting for Sha). The underlying principle is that the Spleen governs the four limbs and guides the Qi of the four extremities to disseminate and unblock the stagnation within the Spleen system. Zhu Danxi stated: "Releasing blood via Fang Sha depletes Qi, whereas Gua Sha promotes the circulation of Qi and Blood more effectively." One must also avoid consuming grains and hot-natured foods.
Although urination and defecation exit through the Large Intestine and Small Intestine respectively, both belong to Yin and are connected to the opening and closing of the Kidneys. Some cases result from excessive sweating leading to the loss of Yin fluids, where heat consumes body fluids, causing urinary retention and dry, hard stools. Others result from heat accumulation in both intestines, preventing fluid distribution and trapping heat without an outlet. Consequently, symptoms such as delirium, mania, and jaundice may follow. For constipation due to Blood deficiency, moistening agents should be used to unblock the bowels; for constipation due to heat accumulation, bitter-cold purgatives should be used to drain the heat.
The disease of panting (Chuan) is numerous, but fundamentally stems from the rebellious upward movement of Lung Qi. If panting occurs before sweating, it indicates the pathogen is in the Exterior with obstructed Qi flow, requiring treatment with methods that release the muscle layer (Jie Ji). If panting follows fright, it requires calming the Heart and anchoring the Spirit. If panting is accompanied by phlegm obstruction and abdominal fullness, it requires purging accumulated phlegm and stagnation. If panting accompanies the eruption of rashes, it requires promoting the outward expulsion of pathogens. If panting is due to retained fluid, it requires dispersing water-dampness. However, if the patient presents with fixed staring, irritability, chest fullness, coarse breathing, sweat like oil, and incessant panting, this is a sign of a deteriorated condition (Huai Zheng).
Yinuria (Weyu) refers to involuntary urination without the patient's awareness. Generally, Yinuria caused by intense heat leading to clouded consciousness is treatable. However, Yinuria occurring in Yin syndromes with lower jiao coldness, cold extremities, and a deep, slow pulse indicating impending collapse is considered untreatable. In such cases, Sini Tang (Frigid Extremities Decoction) added with Yizhi Ren (Alpinia Oxyphylla Fruit) should be administered. For Ju Yin (Liver Meridian) conditions presenting with testicular retraction, cold extremities, deep pulse, and Yinuria, Si Wu Jia Zhuyu Tang (Four Substances plus Cornus Decoction) is indicated. If Yang Qi fails to return, death ensues. After sweating or purging therapies, if heat persists and Yin deficiency leads to deficient fire disturbing the bladder causing Yinuria, Renshen Sanbai Tang (Ginseng Three Whites Decoction) added with Huangbai (Phellodendron Bark), Zhimu (Anemarrhena Rhizome), Maidong (Ophiopogon Tuber), Wuweizi (Schisandra Berry), and Danggui (Angelica Sinensis Root) should be used.