苦丁香一物为末，熟枣肉作丸梧子大。每三十丸，空心枣汤下。
诸鼓胀内热者，此方主之。
苦丁香，即苦瓜蒂也。散用之则吐，丸用之则泻，凡有形之邪无不出之。亦良方也！
大戟（连根叶一握） 大枣（一斗）
二物同煮一时，去大戟不用，旋旋吃枣无时，服尽决效。
此攻水证鼓胀之方也。
大戟气大寒而味苦甘，有小毒，能下十二经之水。大枣味甘，取其大补脾胃，而不为攻
下所伤耳。服此方大忌甘草，以其与大戟相反故也。
人参 白术 茯苓 半夏（姜煮） 陈皮 甘草
脾虚鼓胀，手足倦怠，短气溏泄者，此方主之。
经曰∶脾主行气于三阴。三阴者，太阴脾、厥阴肝、少阴肾也。其脉皆行于腹里，脾病
则三阴之气不行，故令鼓胀。手足倦怠者，四肢受气于脾，脾病则无以受气，故倦怠。短气
者，脾病而中气弱也。溏泄者，土弱不能制湿也。是方也，人参、白术、茯苓、甘草，甘温
益脾之物也。半夏、陈皮，快脾利气之物也。然温者益气，甘者守中，下咽之后，必增胀满，
此勿疑之。经曰∶塞因塞用，故用补剂以治胀满，初服则胀，久服则通。此惟精达经旨者知
之，庸医未足道也。
叙曰∶溲溺不通，匪细故也。期朝不通，便令人呕，名曰关格，又日不通而死矣。一见
呕证，便不可救。经曰∶出入废，则神机化灭，升降息，则气立孤危。此之谓也。故考五方
以通溲溺。
[Xiangzao Wan Formula]
Grind *Ku Dingxiang* (Bitter Dingleberry) alone into powder, and make pills using ripe jujube flesh the size of a Chinese quince seed. Take thirty pills each time, with jujube decoction on an empty stomach.
This formula is indicated for all cases of drum distension (*Guzhang*) accompanied by internal heat.
*Ku Dingxiang* is the pedicel of the bitter melon (*Momordica charantia*). When used as a powder, it induces vomiting; when used as pills, it causes purgation. All有形 (material/structural) pathogenic factors will be expelled. It is also an excellent formula!
[Daji Dazao Decoction]
*Daji* (Rhizoma et Radix Euphorbiae, including roots and leaves, one handful) Jujube (one dou, approx. 10 liters)
Boil these two ingredients together for one shi (two hours), remove the *Daji* and do not use it. Eat the jujubes slowly at any time without restriction. After finishing the dose, efficacy is guaranteed.
This is a formula for attacking water retention in cases of drum distension.
*Daji* has a great cold nature and a bitter-sweet taste, with slight toxicity; it can purge water from the twelve meridians. Jujube has a sweet taste, chosen to greatly tonify the Spleen and Stomach so as not to be injured by the purgative action. The use of Gancao (Licorice Root) is strictly contraindicated with this formula because it is incompatible with *Daji* (according to the Eighteen Incompatibilities).
[Sijunzi Tang Modified Formula]
Renshen (Ginseng Root) Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome) Fuling (Poria) Banxia (Pinellia Tuber, boiled in ginger juice) Chenpi (Tangerine Peel) Gancao (Licorice Root)
This formula is indicated for drum distension caused by Spleen deficiency, accompanied by fatigue in the limbs, shortness of breath, and loose stools.
The Classics state: "The Spleen governs the distribution of Qi to the Three Yin meridians." The Three Yin meridians refer to the Taiyin Spleen meridian, Jueyin Liver meridian, and Shaoyin Kidney meridian. Their channels all run within the abdomen. When the Spleen is diseased, the Qi of the Three Yin meridians cannot circulate, thus causing drum distension. Fatigue in the limbs occurs because the four limbs receive their Qi from the Spleen; when the Spleen is diseased, it cannot transmit Qi, leading to fatigue. Shortness of breath occurs because Spleen disease weakens Middle Qi. Loose stools occur because weak Earth (Spleen) fails to control dampness. In this formula, Renshen, Baizhu, Fuling, and Gancao are sweet-warm substances that benefit the Spleen. Banxia and Chenpi are substances that promote Spleen function and move Qi. However, warm substances tonify Qi, and sweet substances secure the center; after swallowing, bloating will inevitably increase. Do not doubt this. The Classics state: "Use tonification to treat obstruction" (Se due sai yong). Therefore, tonifying formulas are used to treat distension. Initially, there may be increased bloating, but with prolonged use, patency will be achieved. Only those who thoroughly understand the principles of the Classics know this; mediocre physicians are not worthy of mention.
[Preface to the Section on Obstruction of Urination]
It is stated: Obstruction of urination is no trivial matter. If urine does not pass for a full day, it leads to vomiting, a condition named "Guan Ge" (Lock and Grid). If obstruction persists, death ensues. Once vomiting appears, the condition is incurable. The Classics state: "When exit and entry cease, the Spirit mechanism perishes; when ascent and descent stop, the Qi establishment stands alone and in danger." This refers to such cases. Therefore, five methods are examined to unblock urination.