香港脚者。腿足肿痛也。腿足之下。乃肝脾肾三阴所主。三阴之脉。起于足之中指。若当风洗足。或汗
出风吹。风邪客之。上动于气。故名香港脚。初起不觉。因他病乃成。即如腿足红肿。恶寒发热。脉浮弦数者。
素有风湿。又遇奔走劳役。饮食郁结。水谷之气。陷于至阴。故成此症。宜用柴葛二妙汤。散去表
邪。再用宽中化滞之剂。自无不痊。大便不通者。法当下之。至于白肿不红者。其候有寒湿风湿湿痰之分。
寒湿脉沉细缓。多因坐卧湿地。寒月涉水。湿邪在表。未郁为热。宜用补中汤加桂枝独活之类。日久寒
郁为热。不可以寒湿论也。风湿脉浮弦细。微微带数。风伤气分。未入于荣。所以白而不
红。治以发散为主。不宜天凉。当用疏风胜湿汤。若夫脉来弦数。白肿不红者。此属湿痰。宜用柴陈四妙之类。
不可以湿治也。
又有干香港脚者。不肿不红。但骨内酸痛。其候有轻重之殊。轻者痛而不甚。脉浮弦细。微微带
数。亦用疏风胜湿汤。重者恶寒发热。脉浮弦急。痛而难忍。亦因水谷之气下陷。宜用柴葛二妙汤。余邪不解。
可用除湿养荣之剂。外有脚丫出水。虽由湿热所使。亦必有风当以养血除湿为主。少佐以防风独活。方为尽致。至若
足跟作痛。多属阴处。用六味丸。加苡仁木瓜杜仲五茄皮之类。斯得之矣。
柴葛二妙汤
柴胡 黄芩 半夏 甘草 赤芍 干葛 苍术 黄柏 浓朴 山楂 木瓜 槟椰
此即疝气门去川穹香附。加木瓜槟榔是也。
疏风胜湿汤
紫苏 干葛 柴胡 川芎 陈皮 半夏 前胡 苡仁 木瓜 续断 枳壳 香附 黄芩
柴陈四妙汤
柴胡 黄芩 半夏 甘草 陈皮 白茯 苍术 黄柏 防风 金银花 贝母 花粉 山栀
除湿养荣汤
当归 川芎 白芍 熟地 黄芩 知母 木瓜 苡仁 续断 五茄皮 牛膝 杜仲 车前子 独活 防风 秦艽
Hong Kong Jiao (Gouty Arthritis / Podagra) refers to swelling and pain in the legs and feet. The region of the legs and feet is governed by the three Yin meridians: Liver, Spleen, and Kidney. The meridians of these three Yin channels originate from the middle toe. If one washes their feet while exposed to wind, or if sweat is exposed to wind after perspiration, Wind Pathogen invades the body and disturbs Qi upward, hence the name "Hong Kong Jiao." This condition often begins imperceptibly and manifests due to other illnesses. For instance, if there is redness and swelling of the legs and feet, accompanied by aversion to cold and fever, with a floating, wiry, and rapid pulse, this indicates that the patient has previously harbored Damp-Heat and Wind pathogens, and subsequently suffered from strenuous labor or running, combined with dietary stagnation. Consequently, the Qi of water and grain sinks into the extreme Yin region, forming this syndrome. Treatment should initially employ Chai Ge Er Miao Tang (Bupleurum and Pueraria Two Marvels Decoction) to disperse exterior pathogens, followed by formulas that broaden the middle jiao and resolve stagnation, ensuring recovery. In cases of constipation, purgative methods should be applied.
Regarding white swelling without redness, the presentation can be differentiated into Cold-Damp, Wind-Damp, and Phlegm-Damp patterns.
Cold-Damp pattern presents with a deep, fine, and slow pulse, often caused by sitting or lying on damp ground, or wading in water during cold months. The Damp Pathogen remains at the exterior and has not yet constrained into Heat. It is suitable to use Bu Zhong Tang (Tonify the Middle Decoction) added with Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig) and Du Huo (Angelica Pubescens). If Cold constrains into Heat over time, it can no longer be treated as Cold-Damp.
Wind-Damp pattern presents with a floating, wiry, fine, and slightly rapid pulse. Wind damages the Qi level but has not entered the Ying (Nutritive) level, resulting in white swelling without redness. Treatment focuses on dispersion; Shu Feng Sheng Shi Tang (Dispel Wind and Overcome Damp Decoction) should be used.
If the pulse is wiry and rapid, with white swelling but no redness, this belongs to Phlegm-Damp. Chai Chen Si Miao Tang (Bupleurum and Chenpi Four Marvels Decoction) is appropriate, and it should not be treated merely as Dampness.
There is also Dry Hong Kong Jiao, characterized by no swelling or redness, only deep bone soreness and pain. The severity varies. Mild cases involve slight pain with a floating, wiry, fine, and slightly rapid pulse, treated with Shu Feng Sheng Shi Tang. Severe cases present with aversion to cold, fever, a floating, wiry, and urgent pulse, and unbearable pain, also caused by the sinking of Water and Grain Qi. Chai Ge Er Miao Tang is indicated. If residual pathogens remain, Chu Shi Yang Rong Tang (Remove Damp and Nourish Blood Decoction) may be used. If fluid oozes from the toes, although caused by Damp-Heat, Wind must also be considered. Treatment should primarily nourish blood and remove dampness, with minor additions of Fang Feng (Saposhnikovia Root) and Du Huo.
For pain in the heel, which often relates to Yin deficiency or Yin pathology, Liu Wei Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) added with Yi Yi Ren (Coix Seed), Mu Gua (Chaenomeles Fruit), Du Zhong (Eucommia Bark), and Wu Qia Pi (Acanthopanax Bark) is effective.
Chai Ge Er Miao Tang (Bupleurum and Pueraria Two Marvels Decoction)
Ingredients: Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix), Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix), Ban Xia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Chi Shao (Paeoniae Radix Rubra), Gan Ge (Puerariae Lobatae Radix), Cang Zhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma), Huang Bai (Phellodendri Cortex), Hou Po (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex), Shan Zha (Crataegi Fructus), Mu Gua (Chaenomelis Fructus), Bing Lang (Arecae Semen).
Note: This formula is derived from the Hernia Gate section, removing Chuan Xiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma) and Xiang Fu (Cyperi Rhizoma), and adding Mu Gua and Bing Lang.
Shu Feng Sheng Shi Tang (Dispel Wind and Overcome Damp Decoction)
Ingredients: Zi Su (Perillae Folium), Gan Ge, Chai Hu, Chuan Xiong, Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Ban Xia, Qian Hu (Peucedani Radix), Yi Yi Ren (Coicis Semen), Mu Gua, Xu Duan (Dipsaci Radix), Zhi Ke (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus), Xiang Fu, Huang Qin.
Chai Chen Si Miao Tang (Bupleurum and Chenpi Four Marvels Decoction)
Ingredients: Chai Hu, Huang Qin, Ban Xia, Gan Cao, Chen Pi, Bai Fu Ling (Poria), Cang Zhu, Huang Bai, Fang Feng, Jin Yin Hua (Lonicerae Japonicae Flos), Bei Mu (Fritillariae Thunbergii Bulbus), Hua Fen (Trichosanthis Radix), Shan Zhi (Gardeniae Fructus).
Chu Shi Yang Rong Tang (Remove Damp and Nourish Blood Decoction)
Ingredients: Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Chuan Xiong, Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Shu Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata), Huang Qin, Zhi Mu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma), Mu Gua, Yi Yi Ren, Xu Duan, Wu Qia Pi, Niu Xi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix), Du Zhong, Che Qian Zi (Plantaginis Semen), Du Huo, Fang Feng, Qin Jiao (Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix).