人禀天地之气以生,故其气体随地不同。西北之人,气深而浓,凡受风寒,难于透出,
宜用
疏通重剂;东南之人,气浮而薄,凡遇风寒,易于疏泄,宜用疏通轻剂。又西北地寒,当用
温热之药,然或有邪蕴于中,而内反热,则用辛寒为宜;东南地温,当用清凉之品,然或有
气邪随散,则易于亡阳,又当用辛温为宜。至交广之地,则汗出无度,亡阳尤易,附桂为常
用之品。若中州之卑湿,山陕之高燥,皆当随地制宜。故入其境,必问水土风俗而细调之,
不但各府各别,即一县之中风气亦有迥殊者。并有所产之物,所出之泉,皆能致病,土人皆
有极效之方,皆宜详审访察。若恃己之能,执己之见,治竟无功,反为土人所笑矣!
湖州长兴县有合溪,小儿饮此水,则腹中生痞。土人治法,用钱挂颈,以两头按乳头上
,剪
断,即将此线挂转,将两头向背脊上,一并拽齐。线头尽处将黑点记脊上,用艾灸之,或三
壮,或七壮好消,永不再发。服药无效。
天地之气运,数百年一更易,而国家这气运亦应之。上古无论,即以近代言,如宋之末
造,
,《局方》亦然。至于明季,主暗臣专,膏泽不下于民,故丹溪以下诸医,皆以补阴益下为
主。至我本运录极隆之会,圣圣相承,大权独揽,朝纲整肃,惠泽旁流,此阳盛于上之明征
也。又冠饰朱缨,口燔烟草,五行惟火独旺,故其为病,皆属盛阳上越之证,数十年前,云
间老医知此义者,往往专以芩、连、知、柏,挽回误投温补之人,应手奇效,此实与运气相
符。近人不知此理,非惟不能随症施治,并执宁过温热,毋过寒冷之说。偏于温热,又我矫
枉过正之论。如中暑一症,或有伏阴在内者,当用大顺散、理中汤,此乃千中之一。今则不
论何人,凡属中暑,皆用理中等汤,我目睹七窍皆裂而死者,不可胜数。至于托言祖述东垣
,用苍术等燥药者,举国皆然。此等恶习,皆由不知天时国运之理,误引旧说以害人也。故
古人∶不知天、地、人者,不可以为医。
Human beings are born from the Qi of Heaven and Earth; therefore, their physiological constitution varies with geography. People in the Northwest possess deep and dense Qi. When they contract Wind-Cold, it is difficult for the pathogen to be expelled outward. Thus, heavy-dosing unblocking agents are indicated. People in the Southeast have floating and thin Qi. When they encounter Wind-Cold, it is easy for the pathogen to be dispersed through sweating. Thus, light-dosing unblocking agents are indicated. Furthermore, the Northwest is cold, so warm-hot medicines should generally be used. However, if pathogens are constrained internally causing internal heat, acrid-cold medicines are appropriate. The Southeast is warm, so cooling substances should generally be used. However, if the warmth causes Qi to dissipate with sweat, leading to a risk of Yang collapse, acrid-warm medicines become appropriate. In the regions of Jiaozhou and Guangzhou, excessive sweating occurs easily, making Yang collapse particularly common; *Fuzi* (Aconite Lateralis Radix Preparata) and *Guizhi* (Cinnamomi Ramulus) are commonly used herbs. For the low-lying dampness of the Central Plains or the high aridity of Shanxi and Shaanxi, treatment must be adapted to local conditions. Therefore, upon entering a region, one must inquire about the local water, soil, and customs to carefully adjust the treatment. Not only do practices differ between prefectures, but even within a single county, the local climate may vary significantly. Additionally, locally produced items and springs can cause diseases; locals often possess highly effective prescriptions for these, which should be thoroughly investigated. If one relies solely on personal skill and clings to preconceived notions, resulting in ineffective treatment, one will be ridiculed by the locals!
In Hexi Creek, Changxing County, Huzhou, children who drink this water develop abdominal masses (*Pi*). The local treatment involves hanging a thread around the neck, pressing both ends against the nipples, cutting the thread, then flipping it so the ends point toward the spine and pulling them taut. The point where the thread ends is marked with a black dot on the spine, which is then moxibusted. Three or seven moxa cones are sufficient to resolve the condition permanently without recurrence. Oral medication is ineffective.
The movement of Heaven and Earth's Qi changes every few hundred years, and the fortune of the state corresponds to it. We need not discuss ancient times; looking at recent history, such as the late Song Dynasty, the *Jufang* (Formulary of the Bureau of Imperial Medical Establishment) followed similar patterns. By the late Ming Dynasty, the ruler was dim-witted and ministers were autocratic, with benevolence failing to reach the people. Consequently, physicians following Zhu Danxi focused primarily on nourishing Yin and benefiting the lower body. During the current dynasty's peak prosperity, sage rulers succeeded one another, holding supreme power, restoring court discipline, and spreading grace widely. This is clear evidence of excess Yang ascending above. Furthermore, red tassels adorn headgear, and tobacco is smoked, meaning the Fire element is exceptionally vigorous among the Five Elements. Thus, diseases prevalent during this time belong to syndromes of excessive Yang ascending. Decades ago, old physicians in Yunjian who understood this principle often used *Qin* (Scutellariae Radix), *Lian* (Phellodendri Cortex), *Zhi* (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma), and *Bo* (Phellodendri Cortex) to reverse cases mistakenly treated with warming tonics, achieving miraculous results promptly. This truly aligns with the principles of Qi movement. Recent practitioners, unaware of this theory, not only fail to treat according to symptoms but also adhere to the saying: "Better to err on the side of warm-hot than cold." This bias toward warmth is an overcorrection. For example, in cases of Heatstroke (*Zhongshu*), some patients have latent Yin inside and require *Dashun San* (Great Smooth Powder) or * Lizhong Tang* (Regulate the Middle Decoction); this applies to only one in a thousand cases. Now, regardless of the patient, all Heatstroke cases are treated with *Lizhong Tang* and similar formulas. I have witnessed countless deaths where the seven orifices burst with blood. Others claim to follow Li Dongyuan, using drying herbs like *Cangzhu* (Atractylodis Rhizoma) nationwide. These bad habits stem from ignorance of the principles of heavenly timing and national fortune, erroneously citing old theories and harming people. Thus, the ancients said: "One who does not understand Heaven, Earth, and Man cannot be a physician."