Library

The limbs, muscles, and fingers of the hands and feet, if severed by knives or axes, provided the injury is not in a vital area, may still have skin connecting them or the skin may be completely severed. Initially, it is advisable to stop the bleeding. Acting quickly while the blood has not yet cooled and the Qi (vital energy) has not yet scattered, restore the limb to its original position without any deviation. Apply muscle-regenerating herbs directly to the wound, cover with an external plaster, and bind tightly with cloth strips to prevent movement. Change the dressing every three or four days; recovery can be expected in about a month. If the treatment for severed limb tissue is delayed, leading to dried blood and scattered Qi, even if treated correctly with proper placement and medication, reattachment and restoration will be difficult. Since the vital Qi has departed, regeneration is impossible. Regarding the setting of broken bones, the skill lies in manual manipulation, which one can learn by consulting orthopedic trauma texts.

Although hematemesis (vomiting blood) involves large volumes, if the source is the Lung, Stomach, or Liver, seven or eight out of ten cases are treatable. However, hemoptysis (coughing up blood-streaked sputum), characterized by phlegm mixed with blood threads, is caused by prolonged coughing damaging the Lungs, Spleen deficiency failing to generate Lung Qi, or Wind transforming into Fire that scorches Metal (Lung). It is easy to treat initially but becomes difficult if prolonged. The most critical condition is when round red pearls of blood appear in the phlegm. At this stage, the patient's physical form, spirit, and appetite have not yet severely deteriorated, indicating that Kidney Water (Yin fluids) is nearly exhausted, causing Dragon Fire (Ministerial Fire) to stir. Ying (Nutritive) blood overflows into the upper orifices. Symbolically, the circle represents Heaven, and "Heaven generates One," corresponding to Water. The Kidneys are the Water organ; when Fire blazes within the Water, it transgresses its position and invades the Lungs. Thus, coughing up round specks of blood indicates that all ten cases are fatal.

People often suffer minor injuries to the head, face, and limbs due to scratching or bumping, breaking the skin and muscle. Or they may be cut by knives or axes. Initially, these may seem harmless, but if one does not avoid pork, strong flavors, and "fa-wu" (stimulating foods that trigger disease), the affected area may become red, swollen, hot, and painful, transforming into a Ding sore (a severe, toxic carbuncle). Both patients and physicians often fail to understand the cause. It is essential to strictly avoid spicy and rich foods and to treat based on the external symptoms. Delay leads to untreatable conditions.

After illness, the body is deficient and Qi is weak, unable to ascend. This causes the Qi mechanism at the vertex of the head to stagnate, forming a swelling resembling a tumor. It feels soft upon pressure, varying in size from a cup to a peach. Surgical incision or acupuncture should not be used; instead, vigorous tonification of Righteous Qi (Zheng Qi) is indicated, and the swelling will naturally subside in about a month. Additionally, newborn infants with congenital insufficiency may also present with such tumors. No treatment is necessary, as they will heal spontaneously after two months.

When a person is ill, anger, physical exertion, sexual indulgence, worry, and overthinking can transform mild conditions into severe ones, and severe conditions into critical ones. Even as the illness approaches resolution, it is crucial to eliminate external distractions to facilitate recovery. If these prohibitions are not observed, various pathological changes will arise. Whose fault would that be?