Library

The onset of all diseases invariably takes advantage of deficiency to manifest. Take smallpox as an example. If the Yuan Qi (Primordial Qi) is robust and regulation is appropriate, even during an epidemic season, one cannot be infected. Otherwise, due to external contraction or internal injury, new illnesses may emerge alongside latent pathogens. However, in individuals with internal injury and deficiency, the Middle Qi (Spleen and Stomach Qi) is already deficient. If they contract external pathogens and time is allowed to pass, considering that where pathogens gather, Zheng Qi (Upright Qi) is already weak, having suffered from exogenous illness further damages Zheng Qi. Smallpox takes advantage of this deficiency to move, exacerbating the deficiency. The practitioner must carefully examine whether the condition is Yin or Yang, exterior or interior, and regulate according to the etiology, so that Qi and Blood are stirred and encouraged, naturally driving out toxins. When Qi and Blood act in harmony, pathogens have no place to reside. It is like sifting rice; as the movement continues, chaff gathers into a clump without mixing with the grains. If Qi and Blood are harmonious and mutually supportive, their circulation remains unceasing. The Yin-shrouded toxins will naturally emerge and transform on the surface of the muscles, making it difficult for them to hide within the Zang-Fu organs and meridians. Only when re-contracted by wind-cold, closing the Cou Li (skin pores and interstices), should one use Jing Jie (Schizonepetae Herba), Fang Feng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), Qiang Huo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix), and Ge Gen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix) to slightly open the pores and disperse toxins outward. This is what is meant by "when there is disease, the disease bears the brunt." If one indiscriminately uses methods to release the exterior and resolve the muscle layer, aiming to attack toxin with toxin, yet there is no severe cold pathogen externally, and the Cou Li are loose and not tight, and the infant is tender and fragile with insufficient Zheng Qi to govern, allowing the fierce medicinal force to cause the toxic momentum to collapse and surge out together, the form resembling bran or fragments is caused by insufficient Qi being forced out. The color resembling macules or erythema is caused by insufficient Blood drying up and manifesting. However, if Middle Qi and Ying-Wei (Defensive and Nutritive Qi) leak to the exterior and dry up internally, while the pathogen is unresolved and Zheng Qi lacks the momentum for continuous operation, there will inevitably be the risk of sinking again, becoming dry with no pus. If the practitioner understands this profound principle, when the pathogenic toxin emerges to the exterior and toxic vapors dissipate outward, the heat and momentum can be temporarily moderated. If Fire is excessive, heavily employ Yin-nourishing herbs to transform Yang hyperactivity, still encouraging but avoiding stagnation. If Fire is deficient, double the dosage to tonify Middle Qi and secure the root, still incorporating moistening herbs to avoid dryness. Within the method of supporting toxins, incorporate herbs that cultivate the root to prepare ahead. Then, when the critical period of pus formation arrives, these Qi and Blood will serve as the tools for generating pus. If one waits until the pus formation period, it will be too late. However, determining deficiency relies on pulse diagnosis, so medications must not tonify Yin and Yang incorrectly. People say that when toxin is excessive, early tonification is difficult. They do not realize that with excessive toxin but lacking Qi and Blood, what would drive out and transform the toxin? Zhang Shen pitied their plight, seeking desperately in dreams, and obtaining this profound understanding, one could save one or two out of ten. Generally, when smallpox erupts all at once, the toxin is entirely on the exterior at that moment, leaving only Zheng Qi deficiency. This is the situation where "one commits the error that should be committed, appearing as if no error was made." Taking advantage of this momentum to urgently support Zheng Qi is the way to expel pathogens. If pathogens are controlled by our Zheng Qi, there is nowhere they cannot be managed. But if one reaches the pus formation period, Qi and Blood cannot connect, and Ying-Wei strength becomes exhausted, from where can toxic vapors be transformed and discharged? Falling into deficiency, what method remains for rescue! People generally know to treat toxin as Fire and clear Fire to detoxify, not realizing that toxin is Fire itself; when toxin transforms, Fire clears; when toxin coagulates, Fire becomes more stagnant. Yet, the transformation of toxin must occur through pus, the arrival of pus depends on Qi and Blood, and the transformation of Qi and Blood depends on Fire. How can one use cold and cool clearing and resolving methods? Even if Fire is excessive, it is due to Water insufficiency; nourishing Water can transform Fire, and further nourish the root of Blood, which serves as the foundation for pus. Moreover, cold and cool detoxification is only applicable to Fu-organ toxins and sores/ulcers. As for smallpox, it belongs to Zang-organ toxins, deeply Yin in nature. It must rely on Qi and Blood to send it out to the skin, circulate and transform within the pustule sacs, condense and form scabs, and return to the Primordial State before ending. How could there be internal resolution? How could there be no pus formation! The shaping and coloring of smallpox are the tangible functions of acquired Post-Heaven Qi and Blood. Using Qi and Blood to shape and color, transforming into pus and forming scabs, are the intangible virtues of innate Pre-Heaven Water and Fire. Because it is intangible, it can produce the tangible. Therefore, tangible diseases are hard to eliminate; one must seek the true medicine of intangible Water and Fire to transform them. Consider the changes of smallpox from red to white, white to yellow, and yellow to black; are these not manifestations of the intangible transformation of Water and Fire? Furthermore, all smallpox, as well as carbuncles, ulcers, and swollen toxins, result from disharmony of Qi and Blood, deviation towards Yin or Yang, and stagnation. Deviation towards Yin with Qi insufficiency is called Yin Toxin in carbuncles/ulcers, and Qi Deficiency in smallpox. Deviation towards Yang with Blood insufficiency is called Yang Toxin in carbuncles/ulcers, and Blood Heat in smallpox. Thus, it originates from the excess of Yin or Yang within Qi and Blood, not from some evil Qi existing outside Qi and Blood. How can it take tangible form? Using cold and cool astringent methods to attack intangible deficiency contradicts this. Hence, the *Classic* states: "When Ying Qi does not flow smoothly and reverses within the flesh, abscesses and swellings arise." Since it is transformed by intangible Yin-Yang imbalance, one should observe the pulse and signs, regulating based on the deviation of Yin and Yang. Transform this tangible excess into intangible deficiency, using this intangible Water and Fire to achieve tangible miraculous effects. From non-being to being, from being to non-being, the divine power of restoring creation operates silently within, beyond measure.