Library

Huo Huo disease is the ancient name for what is now known as cancrum oris (gangrenous stomatitis) and chancroid. In recent times, it is only referred to as "Gan" (nutritional deficiency/gangrene). Chancroid corresponds to "Hu" (Fox), characterized by erosion and ulceration of the anus and genitals. Cancrum oris corresponds to "Huo" (Delusion), characterized by erosion of the pharynx, rotting gums, tooth loss, perforation of the cheeks, and rupture of the lips. This is caused by residual pathogenic toxins and dampness after a Taiyang cold damage disease (Taiyang Shanghan). It may also occur after the eruption of macules and papules, or after chronic abdominal masses and dysentery/diarrhea; the harm inflicted is the same. The symptoms include abnormal coloration of the face and eyes, which may be red, white, or black, changing constantly. The patient prefers sleep but cannot close their eyes completely, suffers from tidal fever and hoarseness, and the eroded areas emit a foul odor. If the stomach qi is strong enough to eat and tolerate purgative treatments, or if the disease progression is slow, recovery is likely with treatment.

Bai He Bing (Lily Disease) refers to a condition where Shanghan (cold damage) has passed its expected duration, lingering unresolved. It does not belong to any specific meridian but involves all hundred vessels combining into one disease. Symptoms resemble cold yet feel like heat, and various medicines are ineffective. The patient desires to drink but cannot, desires to eat but cannot, desires to lie down but cannot rest, and desires to walk but cannot move. The spirit is vague and confused, as if possessed by spirits or ghosts attached to the body, leaving the patient unsure of what to do. If the pulse is rapid and headache occurs immediately upon urination, recovery takes sixty days. If urination feels comfortable but dizziness occurs, recovery takes twenty days.

Women suffering from Shanghan are treated similarly to men, except when postpartum or during menstruation, where pathogenic heat enters the Blood Chamber (Xue Shi - uterus and related collaterals) due to deficiency, requiring different treatment methods. For Heat Entering the Blood Chamber, the patient is lucid during the day but delirious at night, hallucinating spirits and ghosts. Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) added with Sheng Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata) and Mu Dan Pi (Moutan Cortex) is indicated. If there is no sweating, it indicates Exterior Excess; add Ma Huang (Ephedrae Herba) to induce sweating. If there is sweating, it indicates Exterior Deficiency; add Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) to release the exterior. If there are exterior signs of fever and aversion to cold, and sweating has already been induced, even without current sweating, do not add Ma Huang; instead, add Gui Zhi to resolve the exterior. If there are chills and fever resembling malaria, add both Ma Huang and Gui Zhi to resolve both aspects. If there is cold extremities with diarrhea, it indicates Interior Cold; remove Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix) and add Gan Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma) and Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) without hesitation. If sweating leads to irritability and thirst, it indicates Interior Heat; remove Ban Xia (Pinelliae Tuber) and combine with Bai Hu Tang (White Tiger Decoction), or add Hua Fen (Trichosanthis Radix) and Ge Gen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix). If there is fullness, hardness, or pain in the chest, hypochondrium, or lower abdomen, it indicates Blood Stasis; combine Tao Ren Cheng Qi Tang (Peach Kernel and Magnolia Bark Decoction) to purge. Although there are many conditions related to postpartum and pregnancy that cannot be fully listed, they generally fall under the treatments of Yin/Yang and Exterior/Interior. It is up to the practicing physician to judge and adjust according to the specific situation.