Library

The annotation states: "Nu" (epistaxis/nasal bleeding) refers to blood discharge. "Wu" (turbid) refers to turbid fluids. When Heart Fire is extremely hyperactive, there is an excess of blood; when heat qi ascends excessively, it leads to blood溢 (overflow/bleeding). When the heat pathogen reaches extreme hyperactivity, it dries and turbidifies the blood; according to the principle of "Hyperactivity brings harm, succession brings control," extreme heat may counteract with water transformation, resulting in a color mixed with black and appearing purple.

"Dampness" corresponds to Taiyin Damp Earth, which is the Qi of the Spleen and Stomach.

[All cases involving spasmodic rigidity of tendons, accumulation of retained fluid causing chest diaphragm obstruction and fullness, cholera-like vomiting and diarrhea, heavy body with edema, muscles soft like mud that do not rebound upon pressure, all belong to Dampness].

The annotation states: Tendons are stiff and rigid, lacking flexibility, because the nature of Earth is quiet. Yin spasm is called Rigid Spasm (Rou Jing), while Yang spasm is called Stiff Spasm (Gang Jing). Following the rule of "Hyperactivity brings harm, succession brings control," when Dampness becomes excessive, it counteracts itself by assuming Wind characteristics to exert control. However, this assumed characteristic is a false image (deficiency pattern), not true Wind; treating it as Wind would be a mistake.

The annotation states: Retained fluid refers to water-dampness accumulating and failing to dissipate. Water dissipates when meeting Dryness but fails to resolve when meeting Dampness, thereby forming accumulated retained fluid, primarily due to Earth-Dampness leading to obstruction.

The annotation states: "Pi" (obstruction/stuffiness) is synonymous with "Pi" (unsmoothness), referring to closed and dense textures leading to a Pi syndrome (obstructive sensation).

The annotation states: "Zhi" (blockage) refers to the isolation of the intestines and stomach, resulting in abnormal transmission and digestion functions.

The annotation states: Dampness causes accumulation and obstruction; since Earth governs the physical form and resides in the center, it manifests as central fullness.

The annotation states: Dampness causes retained fluid and obstruction, disrupting transmission and digestion; severely, this leads to cholera-like vomiting and diarrhea. The Great Law states: If the stool is green, this is the color of Liver Wood. This occurs because excessive Fire controls Metal (Lung), preventing Metal from balancing Wood (Liver), causing Liver Qi to become excessive, hence the green color. Some claim green stool indicates Cold; this is incorrect. As Zhang Zhongjing stated: In Shaoyin disease, if there is purging of clear water with pure green color, the heat is in the interior, and Da Cheng Qi Tang should be used to purge. Similarly, in children with severe heat causing acute convulsions, stools are often green, clearly indicating Heat. Yellow stool occurs because excessive Fire weakens Water, allowing Spleen Earth to prosper naturally, resulting in yellow color. Red stool indicates Heat, the color of Heart Fire; dark red or crimson indicates deeper heat. Black stool, conversely, can indicate Heat; this happens when Fire is extremely excessive and counteracts with Water transformation, resulting in black color. For instance, in Yangming heat disease of Cold Damage, there is tidal fever at dusk, severe confusion, picking at clothes and bedrails, hallucinations, and muttering alone; Da Cheng Qi Tang should be used. Stools that are not black are easier to treat; those that are black are difficult. All types of dysentery follow this method. However, when distinguishing cold and heat by stool color, one must carefully examine the colors of diet and medication. For example, if a child with heat disease suffers from vomiting, diarrhea, and cholera, and the milk has not yet digested, resulting in white stool, one cannot immediately diagnose it as Cold; pulse and symptoms must be differentiated. Another method states: In all cases of diarrhea, clear white urine without difficulty indicates Cold; red/yellow urine with difficulty indicates Heat. Another method states: Undigested food in stool with unchanged color, foul-smelling vomit, clear and cold excrement, non-astringent urine, cool body without thirst, and slow, fine, and faint pulse indicate a Cold pattern. Although food is undigested, if the color changes to non-white, accompanied by irritability, thirst, red/yellow possibly astringent urine, it indicates a Heat pattern. Any case where food is digested normally, regardless of other symptoms, is classified as Heat.