男女幼年过劳,壮时心境不遂,至老来未有他病,只微寒不发热,胸闷常不思食,神
安力怯,少食腹便胀。此向来精气衰微,今加中宫生化之源欲绝,不过久延而已。
凡男妇稍发热头晕舌即干短,言謇神清,不渴饮,投救阴法,热退舌润,但形神削脱,
此真阴先绝,净阳欲离,数日之寿耳。
元气素亏之体,若作劳太过,或负重忍饥,或气脑伤中,或病后不慎,或房欲过度,
或多思深虑,或大暑大寒时远行并烦劳,皆损人精气,岂非虚中加虚?故每昏晕猝倒,无
寒热表象,无吐泻里患,须大补益方,以培真元。
小孩生下数日,浑身发紫红块,大小不一,走散极速,为赤游丹。急砭去恶血可救。
或高肿如痈,一二日即成脓,速宜刺放,迟则内溃。因在胎中受父母热毒,生下外热触
动而发也。
小孩之头颅,每浮软如杯,或如碗,按之不痛。若痈毒一按即疼,颇似痈疽脓熟之
状。此先后天皆亏,或久病伤气,气伤无以固血,血虚无以辅气,所以气不上升,血瘀
而肿。误用刀针,则血出不止,立危。以益气固阴汤(方见后)缓治,自然头皮坚硬。
胃主容纳,脾主消化,居人身中,属土色黄,蒸腐水谷,分别清浊而行升降,以生
气血而助精神,一失常度,即易生病,身面虚浮而色淡黄,如目珠不黄,并非黄胆病,乃
脾虚,补土为治。
Males and females who were overworked in childhood, and experienced unfulfilled moods in their prime, may reach old age without other diseases, presenting only with slight aversion to cold without fever, chest fullness, frequent loss of appetite, peaceful spirit but weak strength, reduced food intake, and abdominal distension. This is due to the long-standing decline of essence and qi, and now the source of transformation and generation in the Middle Palace (Spleen and Stomach) is about to be exhausted; it is merely a matter of prolonged duration.
In cases where males or females have slight fever, dizziness, and an immediately dry and short tongue, with slurred speech but clear consciousness, and no desire for water, if Yin-nourishing methods are applied, the fever subsides and the tongue becomes moist, yet the body and spirit become emaciated and depleted, this indicates that True Yin has been exhausted first, and isolated Yang is about to depart; life expectancy is only a few days.
For constitutions with inherent deficiency of Yuan Qi (Original Qi), excessive labor, bearing heavy loads while fasting, emotional anger injuring the Middle Jiao, negligence after illness, excessive sexual activity, deep and excessive thinking, or traveling far during extreme heat or cold accompanied by mental and physical fatigue, all damage the person's essence and qi. Is this not deficiency adding to deficiency? Therefore, fainting and sudden collapse often occur, without exterior signs of chills or fever, and without interior symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea. Large tonifying formulas must be used to cultivate and support the True Yuan.
A few days after birth, infants may develop purple-red patches all over the body, varying in size, spreading rapidly. This is called Chi You Dan (Red Roaming Carbuncle). Immediate bloodletting with bi stones to remove evil blood can save the patient. Or, if the swelling is high like a carbuncle, suppurating within one or two days, it should be pricked and drained promptly; delay will lead to internal ulceration. This occurs because the fetus was affected by heat toxins from the parents, which are triggered by external heat after birth.
An infant's skull may float and feel soft like a cup or bowl, without pain upon pressure. If it were a carbuncle or toxin, pressing would cause pain, resembling a mature abscess. This is due to deficiency in both congenital and acquired sources, or qi injury from prolonged illness. When qi is injured, it cannot secure blood; when blood is deficient, it cannot assist qi. Thus, qi fails to ascend, blood stasis causes swelling. Mistaken use of knives or needles will cause uncontrollable bleeding, leading to immediate danger. Yi Qi Gu Yin Tang (see formula below) should be used for slow treatment, and the scalp will naturally become firm.
The Stomach governs reception and containment; the Spleen governs digestion. Located in the center of the human body, belonging to Earth and associated with the color yellow, they steam and rot food and drink, separate the clear from the turbid, and regulate ascending and descending movements, thereby generating qi and blood and assisting spirit. Once normal function is lost, disease easily arises. The body and face appear puffy with a pale yellow complexion. If the sclera is not yellow, it is not Huang Dan Bing (Jaundice); it is Pi Xu (Spleen Deficiency), and the treatment principle is to tonify Earth.