人之脏腑。有血脉。有津液。津液又在血脉之先。得心火之化。变成血脉。流于坎宫。得命门真火之化。变成真精。
其原生于胃。输于脾肺。下灌两肾膀胱。以为一身之阴气。胃气得之。则留恋不脱。若津液亏损。胃为孤阳。阴绝
而阳亦绝。古云。伤寒偏死下虚人。盖有见于此也。今之医家。不知津液为何物。动手便用燥剂。杀人惨于刀刃矣。
然而
燥之一气。诸书从未辨明。即以素问之遗。亦言秋伤于虚。后代名医错出。并无一人改正其讹。所以疑
误至今。用药鲜当也。惟法律始详辨之。盖言风主于春。寒主于冬。暑湿火兼主于夏。而燥则专主于秋也。立秋之后。
犹是夏天余气。热中有湿。所以草木犹青。一交秋分。燥金司令。所起之风。全是一团燥烈之气。干而不润。
是以无草不黄。无木不凋。人身应之。燥病生焉。(阐发致燥之由较胜于喻氏)凡有身热咳嗽
内烦口干一切百病。无不起于干燥。治当养血生津。不可妄投燥剂。戕人
性命。极为要紧。然燥令虽主于秋。凡久亢不雨。津液少者。亦生燥病。岂独
主于秋乎。治者明之。
柴胡芍药汤
柴胡 黄芩 花粉 甘草 白芍 麦冬 知母
(清燥救肺汤亦可用较此方尤为得宜用桑麻麦冬阿胶以滋燥杏仁梨皮以润肺是谓有制之师也)
The viscera and bowels of the human body possess blood vessels (Xuemai, blood vessels) and body fluids (Jinye, body fluids). Body fluids exist prior to the formation of blood vessels. Through the transformation of Heart Fire (Xinhuo, the fire energy of the heart), they become blood vessels, flowing into the Kan Palace (Kan Gong, referring to the Kidneys in the Five Elements theory). Through the transformation of the True Fire of the Gate of Life (Mingmen Zhenhuo, the vital fire of the kidneys), they become true essence (Zhenjing, refined essence).
The origin of body fluids lies in the Stomach (Wei), is transported by the Spleen (Pi) and Lungs (Fei), and pours downward into the two Kidneys (Shen) and Bladder (Pangguang), serving as the Yin Qi (Yinqi, yin energy) of the entire body. When Stomach Qi (Weiqi, stomach energy) obtains these fluids, it remains retained and does not dissipate. If body fluids are depleted, the Stomach becomes a solitary Yang (Guyang, isolated yang), and when Yin is exhausted, Yang is also exhausted. The ancients said, "In cold damage diseases (Shanghan, cold-induced disorders), those with deficiency in the lower jiao are prone to death," which likely stems from this observation. Modern physicians do not understand what body fluids are; upon treatment, they immediately use drying agents (Zaoji, drugs with drying properties), killing people more cruelly than blades.
However, the qi of Dryness (Zao, dryness pathogen) has never been clearly distinguished in various medical texts. Even the remnants of *Suwen* (Basic Questions, part of Huangdi Neijing) state that "autumn injury occurs due to deficiency." Subsequent famous doctors have produced numerous errors, and no one has corrected this mistake. Thus, confusion persists to this day, and medication is rarely appropriate. Only the legal principles (Falü, therapeutic laws/principles) in this work begin to analyze it in detail. It states that Wind (Feng) governs Spring, Cold (Han) governs Winter, Summerheat (Shu), Dampness (Shi), and Fire (Huo) jointly govern Summer, while Dryness (Zao) exclusively governs Autumn. After Liqiu (Start of Autumn), there are still residual energies of summer, where heat contains dampness, so grass and trees remain green. Once Qiu Fen (Autumn Equinox) arrives, Metal of Dryness takes command. The wind arising is entirely a mass of dry and fierce qi, dry rather than moist. Therefore, no grass remains unyellowed, and no tree remains undeciduous. The human body responds to this, and dryness diseases arise. (The exposition on the causes of dryness here surpasses that of Yu Shi [Yu Jia Yan]). Any bodily fever, cough, internal vexation, dry mouth, and all hundred diseases originate from dryness. Treatment should focus on nourishing blood and generating fluids (Yangxue Shengjin, nourishing blood and producing fluids); one must not recklessly administer drying agents, which harm life. This is extremely important. Although Dryness governs Autumn, whenever there is prolonged drought without rain, or when body fluids are scarce, dryness diseases also arise. Does it only govern Autumn? Physicians must understand this.
Chaihu Shaoyao Tang (Bupleurum and White Peony Decoction)
Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri), Huang Qin (Radix Scutellariae), Hua Fen (Rhizoma Typhonii / Paeoniae Radix Alba - note: traditionally Tianhuafen), Gan Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae), Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba), Mai Dong (Radix Ophiopogonis), Zhi Mu (Rhizoma Anemarrhenae).
(Qingzao Jiufei Tang [Clearing Dryness and Saving the Lung Decoction] can also be used, which is even more suitable for this condition. Using Sang Ye [Folium Mori], Ma Ren [Semen Cannabis], Mai Dong, and E Jiao [Colla Corii Asini] to nourish against dryness, and Xing Ren [Semen Armeniacae Amarae] and Li Pi [Pericarpium Pyri] to moisten the lungs constitutes an army with proper discipline and restraint.)