癃闭者,小便点滴不通,甚而为胀为肿,喘满欲死;五淋者,小便痛涩淋沥,欲去不去
,欲止不止,有沙、膏、气、血、劳五种之分。
癃闭用利水之药,人所知也。若愈利而愈闭,胀闷欲死,宜治其本。《经》云∶膀胱者,州
都之官,津液藏焉,气化则能出矣。今小水点滴不能出,病在气化可知。桂性直走太阳而化
气,此症实不可缺。阴虚不化,热逼膀胱,小腹胀痛,尺脉旺,宜服滋肾丸主之;阳虚不化
,寒结膀胱,小腹不痛,尺脉弱,宜加减肾气丸主之。然犹恐未能即效,又有巧法以施。譬之滴水之器,闭其上而倒悬
之,点滴不能下也。去其上之闭,而水自通流,宜以补中益气汤提之。即以此药再煮服尽,以手探
吐,顷刻即通。而更有启其外窍,即所以开其内窍之法。麻黄力猛,能通阳气于至阴之下。肺
主皮毛,配杏仁以降气,肺气下达州都,导水必自高原之义也。以八正散加此二味,其应如
响。如夏月不敢用麻黄,恐阳脱而汗漏不止,以苏叶、防风、杏仁三味等分,水煎温服,覆
取微汗,而水即利矣。(此张隐庵治水肿验案。)虚者以人参、麻黄各一两煎服,神效。(此卢
晋公验案。)如汗多不任再散者,即以紫菀、桑白皮各三钱,麦冬五钱,加于利水药中,或加
于升提药中,亦效,(此李士材验案。)皆下病上取之法也。(治水肿者,可遵此法以治其标,
即以六君子汤去甘草加苍术、浓朴、炮姜、附子以扶脾气,以复元气。)
淋症有五,方治甚多,而总不外于蕴热,统以景岳大厘清饮主之。
五淋,下如沙石,合益元散更加琥珀,或石首鱼头纳石子五六个,研末调下。
膏淋,下如膏脂,加萆 、海蛤粉各二钱、石菖蒲八分。
气淋气滞不通,脐下妨闷胀痛,加荆芥二钱、香附、生麦芽各一钱,不愈,再加升麻,或用吐法。
血淋,瘀血停蓄茎中,割痛难忍,加牛膝、生地、当归、桃仁各三钱,红花、川芎各一
钱。不愈,另用牛膝膏。劳淋,从劳役而得,气化不及州都,本方合补中益气汤同煎服。
以上五淋,俱属蕴热所致。又有一种,名曰冷淋。四肢口鼻冷,喜饮热汤,以加味肾气
汤主之。更有过服金石热药,败精为淋,与老人阳已痿,而思色以降其精,则精不出而内败
,以致大小便牵痛如淋。愈痛则愈便,愈便则愈痛。宜前饮加萆 、菟丝子、石菖蒲、远
志以导之,后服六味丸。
Lungbi (Oliguria/Anuria) refers to the condition where urination is scanty or completely obstructed, which in severe cases leads to distension and edema, even causing panting, chest fullness, and a sensation of impending death. Wulin (Five Types of Strangury) refers to painful, difficult, and dribbling urination, characterized by the urge to void but inability to do so, or the inability to stop the flow. It is divided into five types: Shilin (Gravel Strangury), Gaolin (Gelatinous Strangury), Qilin (Qi Strangury), Xuelin (Blood Strangury), and Laolin (Labor Strangury).
It is common knowledge that Lungbi is treated with diuretic herbs. However, if increased diuresis worsens the obstruction, leading to severe distension and suffocation, one must treat the root cause. The *Classic of Medicine* states: "The Bladder is the official of the Zhou Du (State Capital), storing body fluids; it can discharge them only through Qi transformation." Since urine cannot be discharged drop by drop, the pathology lies in impaired Qi transformation. Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig) has a direct path to the Taiyang meridian and promotes Qi transformation; thus, it is indispensable for this condition. If Yin deficiency fails to transform fluids, and heat forces the Bladder, presenting with lower abdominal distension and pain, and a vigorous Chi pulse, Zishen Wan (Kidney-Nourishing Pill) should be used as the main formula. If Yang deficiency fails to transform fluids, and cold congeals in the Bladder, presenting with no lower abdominal pain and a weak Chi pulse, Jiajian Shenqi Wan (Modified Kidney Qi Pill) should be used as the main formula. Nevertheless, fearing that these may not yield immediate results, there are ingenious methods to apply. Consider a vessel for dripping water: if its top is sealed and it is inverted, drops will not fall. Removing the blockage at the top allows water to flow freely; thus, Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) should be used to lift the Qi. Even after consuming this decoction, inducing vomiting by stimulating the throat can lead to urination within moments. Furthermore, there is a method of opening external acupoints to open internal orifices. Mahuang (Ephedra Herb) has potent action and can unblock Yang Qi below the extreme Yin. The Lung governs the skin and hair; when paired with Xingren (Apricot Seed) to descend Qi, Lung Qi descends to the Zhou Du (Bladder), following the principle that "draining water must start from high places." Adding these two herbs to Bazheng San (Eight-Ingredient Powder for Rectification) yields immediate results. In summer, if Mahuang is contraindicated due to fear of Yang collapse and profuse sweating, equal parts of Suye (Perilla Leaf), Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia Root), and Xingren (Apricot Seed) can be decocted in water, taken warm, and covered to induce slight sweating, after which urination will proceed smoothly. (This is a verified case by Zhang Yinan treating edema.) For those with deficiency, taking Ren Shen (Ginseng Root) and Mahuang (Ephedra Herb) each in 1 liang, decocted and taken, yields miraculous effects. (This is a verified case by Lu Jingong.) If excessive sweating precludes further diaphoresis, Ziwan (Aster Root) and Sangbaipi (Mulberry Bark) each in 3 qian, along with Maidong (Ophiopogon Tuber) in 5 qian, added to diuretic or lifting formulas, are also effective. (This is a verified case by Li Shicai.) All these are methods of treating lower diseases by addressing upper causes. (For treating edema, one may follow this method to address the branch symptoms, while simultaneously using Liujunzi Tang (Six-Gentlemen Decoction) minus Gancao (Licorice Root), plus Cangzhu (Atractylodes Rhizome), Houpo (Magnolia Bark), Paojiang (Prepared Ginger), and Fuzi (Aconite Root) to support Spleen Qi and restore Yuan Qi.)
Strangury encompasses five types, with numerous formulas for treatment, but all essentially relate to accumulated heat. Generally, Jingyue's Dali Qingyin (Great Purifying Infusion) is used as the main formula.
For Gravel Strangury, where urine passes like sand and stones, combine Yiyuan San (Benefit Origin Powder) with Hupo (Amber), or use the head of a Sciaena fish containing 5-6 small stones, ground into powder and taken with water.
For Gelatinous Strangury, where urine passes like gelatin, add Biba (Dioscorea Hypoglauca Rhizome) and Haigefen (Clam Shell Powder) each in 2 qian, and Shichangpu (Acorus Rhizome) in 8 fen.
For Qi Strangury, caused by Qi stagnation and obstruction, presenting with discomfort, fullness, distension, and pain below the umbilicus, add Jingjie (Schizonepeta Spike) in 2 qian, Xiangfu (Cyperus Rhizome) and Sheng Maiya (Unroasted Barley Sprout) each in 1 qian. If ineffective, add Shengma (Cimicifuga Rhizome), or employ emetic therapy.
For Blood Strangury, caused by blood stasis accumulating in the urethra, presenting with cutting pain that is unbearable, add Niuxi (Achyranthes Root), Shengdi (Rehmannia Root), Danggui (Angelica Sinensis Root), and Taoren (Peach Kernel) each in 3 qian, and Honghua (Carthamus Flower) and Chuanxiong (Ligusticum Rhizome) each in 1 qian. If ineffective, separately use Niuxi Gao (Achyranthes Paste).
For Labor Strangury, acquired through overexertion, where Qi transformation fails to reach the Zhou Du (Bladder), combine the base formula with Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) and decoct together.
The above five types of strangury are all caused by accumulated heat. There is another type called Lenglin (Cold Strangury). Symptoms include cold limbs and nose/mouth, and a preference for hot drinks; Jiawei Shenqi Tang (Modified Kidney Qi Decoction) is used as the main formula. Additionally, some cases arise from excessive consumption of mineral-based heating drugs, leading to degenerated essence causing strangury. Similarly, in elderly men with impotence who desire sexual activity to release essence, if the essence does not exit but rots internally, it causes pulling pain in both bowel movements and urination resembling strangury. The more painful, the more frequent the urge to defecate; the more one defecates, the more painful it becomes. Use the previous infusion (Dali Qingyin) plus Biba (Dioscorea Hypoglauca Rhizome), Tusizi (Cuscuta Seed), Shichangpu (Acorus Rhizome), and Yuanzhi (Polygala Root) to guide the pathology, followed by Liuwei Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia).