Library

The methods for treating diseases are nothing more than sweating (inducing perspiration) and purging (drastic evacuation). Purging harms the body, and its danger is immediately apparent; therefore, both physicians and patients dare not administer it lightly. Regarding sweating, patients also emphasize covering themselves with thick quilts to keep warm, and physicians state that after taking medicine, recovery must occur through perspiration. Thus, patients seeking perspiration consider this a matter of course.

During autumn and winter, excessive warmth causes little harm; however, in midsummer and early autumn, when the weather is hot and dry, Wei Qi (defensive Qi circulating on the surface) opens and leaks easily. If one further closes doors and windows, wears multiple layers of quilts, and takes diaphoretic agents to disperse exterior pathogens, it will inevitably lead to incessant profuse sweating and the collapse of Yang Qi. Furthermore, although outwardly appearing normal, before perspiration occurs, there is invariably irritability and aversion to heat; after profuse sweating, as Wei Qi is completely exhausted, Yang deficiency and cold intolerance inevitably follow. The initial warming and covering were merely forced measures; at this stage, even if one wishes to remove the covers, it is impossible. The more one covers up, the more one sweats; the more one sweats, the colder one feels, until the sweat becomes like oil and the extremities become cold, rendering the condition incurable. Death occurs with clear consciousness and without pain. Patients, physicians, and bystanders do not understand why death occurred suddenly, only staring at each other in shock. I have seen many such cases and must examine them carefully. In summary, those who are ill should not be kept too warm, nor too cold, and should not be made to sweat unnecessarily. Only when taking medicine should slight perspiration be induced. Zhang Zhongjing’s method for administering Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) states: "After taking the decoction, cover warmly to induce a slight perspiration resembling mist, but not dripping like water." This is the correct method. As long as Yang collapse is not severe, it can still be reversed; methods such as Zhenwu Tang (True Warrior Decoction), Lizhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction), and Sini Tang (Frigid Extremities Decoction) in the Shanghan Lun (Treatise on Cold Damage Disorders) can be consulted. If collapse is complete, no remedy remains. Moreover, during peak summer heat, patients may reside upstairs or sleep near a stove. A healthy person standing in such a place would sweat profusely like rain; an ill person will inevitably sweat constantly, leading to Yang collapse and eventually death due to Yin exhaustion. Even if relocation is impossible, one must choose a slightly cooler place to stay; otherwise, even miraculous medicines cannot save them.

When ordinary people accidentally contract wind-cold, presenting with headache, fever, cough, and runny nose, it is colloquially called "Shangfeng" (Wind Injury). This is not the "Shangfeng" described in the Shanghan Lun, but rather miscellaneous infections prevalent in the season. People often neglect it, unaware that it is a difficult-to-treat disease concerning life and death. Wind injury enters the Lungs via the skin and hair. The Lung is a delicate organ, unsuited to either extreme cold or heat. Excessive cold causes pathogenic factors to coagulate and remain trapped; excessive heat scorches Metal (Lung) and disturbs blood. Excessive moisture generates phlegm-fluids; excessive dryness consumes essence and fluids. Excessive leakage leads to sweating and Yang deficiency; excessive stagnation causes Qi obstruction and pathogenic binding. Many regard it as a minor ailment, failing to avoid wind and cold or regulate diet. Over months and years, the pathological mechanism deepens, potentially developing into Blood Syndromes, Fei Wei (Lung Withering), Asthma, or Qie Ruo (Debility), which are common occurrences. The harm of misdiagnosis and mistreatment is countless. The proverb says, "If Wind Injury is not cured, it transforms into Consumption (Lao)." This is a profound truth. So, how should it be treated? 1. Dispel Wind, using herbs like Perilla Leaf (Suye) and Schizonepeta (Jingjie). 2. Resolve Phlegm, using Pinellia (Banxia) and Fritillaria Thunbergii Bulb (Xiangbei). 3. Descend Qi, using Perilla Seed (Su Zi) and Peucedanum Root (Qianhu). 4. Harmonize Ying and Wei (Nutritive and Defensive Qi), using Cinnamon Twig (Guizhi) and White Peony Root (Baishao). 5. Moisten Fluids, using Trichosanthes Seed (Gualou Ren) and Scrophularia Root (Xuanshen). 6. Nourish Blood, using Angelica Sinensis (Danggui) and Donkey-Hide Gelatin (Ejiao). 7. Clear Fire, using Scutellaria Root (Huangqin) and Gardenia Fruit (Shanzhi). 8. Regulate the Lung, using Mulberry Root Bark (Sangpi) and Arctium Fruit (Niubangzi). These eight methods are modified according to the severity of symptoms. Combined with avoiding wind and cold and abstaining from pungent and sour foods, gradual recovery is possible; otherwise, major illness will ensue. Physicians often add ascending and acrid-drying agents, such as Platycodon Root (Jiegeng) and Dried Ginger (Ganjiang). If ineffective, they add astringents like Schisandra Berry (Wuweizi), which inevitably leads to hemoptysis. Once bleeding appears, they subsequently use Rehmannia Root (Shudi) and Ophiopogon Tuber (Maidong) to tonify the Lung, resulting in Consumption and death. Over the past forty years, I have witnessed thousands of such cases. How tragic!