Library

According to *Yi Shuo* (Medical Narratives): Dong Shouyue, a native of Baishi, suffered severely from Hongxiangjiao (a condition characterized by damp-heat toxicity in the lower limbs causing swelling and pain). Someone advised him to crush several snails (*Concha Meretrix*), apply the flesh to his upper thighs, after which he felt the cold qi descend to his feet and was relieved. This is because snails have the property of separating the clear from the turbid, thus they can treat the damp-heat syndrome of Hongxiangjiao.

Gu Anzhong, a native of Guangde, had long suffered from Hongxiangjiao, with tendon tightness and leg swelling, making walking impossible. He went to Huzhou and boarded a boat. There was a bag of items in the cabin; due to leg pain, he rested his leg on the bag and felt slight relief from pain, and his tendons relaxed without tightness. He asked the boatman: "What is in this bag?" The boatman replied: "Quince."

In his preface, he stated: The eyes are one of the five sense organs. Without clarity, one cannot perceive wisdom; thus, the eyes are of great importance. Ophthalmology exists as a specialized department precisely because of this importance. Herein, fifteen famous prescriptions are examined and listed. If people consider their suitability and use them appropriately, it will be a help in restoring vision.

Jingjie (Schizonepetae Herba), Mandingzi (Viticis Semen), Juhua (Chrysanthemi Flos), Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix), Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba, nodes removed), Taoren (Persicae Semen, skin and tips removed), Honghua (Carthami Flos, wine-fried), Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), Chuanxiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma) (each 5 fen); Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix, washed with wine), Caojueming (Cassiae Semen), Shijueming (Concha Argo), Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix Alba, wine-fried), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) (each 1 qian).
This prescription is indicated for eye pain, redness, and swelling.
Pain indicates excess pathogenic factors. Redness indicates wind-heat injuring the blood. Swelling indicates infiltration by wind-heat. In this formula, Jingjie, Juhua, Mandingzi, Baizhi, Mahuang, and Fangfeng can dispel wind and clear heat. Once wind-heat is eliminated, redness and swelling subside. Taoren, Honghua, Danggui, Shaoyao, Caojueming, and Shijueming can resolve stasis, nourish blood, and harmonize the Liver. When stasis resolves, pain ceases; when blood is nourished and the Liver is harmonized, vision is restored. Gancao serves to harmonize the various herbs and regulate the Qi of the eyes.

Shudihuang (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata, 2 liang), Shengdihuang (Rehmanniae Radix), Shanyao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma), Shanzhuyu (Corni Fructus), Dangguishao (tip of Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus), Mudanpi (Moutan Cortex), Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix) (each 5 qian); Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma), Fushen (Poria cum Radix Pini) (each 2.5 qian).
This prescription is indicated for dim vision due to Kidney deficiency.
Essence generates Qi, and Qi generates Shen (Spirit). Therefore, if Kidney essence is deficient, Yang fire (hyperactive fire) acts alone. When Yang fire acts alone, vigorous fire consumes Qi, failing to generate Shen, leading to dim vision. Wang Bing said: "Strengthen the master of Water to control Yang fire." Thus, Shengdihuang, Shudihuang, Shanzhuyu, Wuweizi, Dangguishao, Zexie, and Mudanpi, which are substances with strong flavors, are used to nourish Yin and tonify the Kidney. Nourishing Yin causes Kidney fire to descend naturally; tonifying the Kidney causes Essence to generate spontaneously. Shanyao is used to benefit the Spleen and cultivate the mother of all things (the Spleen being the source of postnatal Qi and Blood).

For those suffering from eye diseases after middle age, tonification is appropriate rather than purgation. This can be said to have opened the eyes of the world! Li Dongyuan's prescription approaches this principle closely.