Library

Scholar Xu treated a woman suffering from Shanghan (Cold Damage). She presented with alternating chills and fever, and at night appeared to see ghosts. After six or seven days, she suddenly fell into a state of coma and obstruction, with rattling phlegm sounds like sawing, locked jaws, closed eyes, and loss of consciousness. The condition was critical. Upon being summoned, I asked, "At the onset of the illness, did her menstruation occur?" Her family replied, "Her menses were just beginning; when the illness struck, the flow stopped." A day or two later, chills and fever developed. Although she was quiet during the day, she hallucinated ghosts at night. Since yesterday, she had been unconscious. I said, "This is Re Ru Xue Shi Zheng (Heat Entering the Blood Chamber)." Zhang Zhongjing stated: "In women with Fengzhong (Wind Strike), if there is fever and chills, and the menses happen to be present, the patient is clear during the day but delirious at night, appearing to see ghosts, with paroxysmal symptoms; this is named Heat Entering the Blood Chamber." I prepared Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) with added Sheng Di Huang (Raw Rehmannia Root). After three doses, the fever subsided, and the disease resolved spontaneously without sweating.

Another woman suffered from Heat Entering the Blood Chamber. The physician failed to recognize the syndrome and treated her with herbs for tonifying blood and regulating qi and blood. After several days, this progressed to Xue Jie Xiong (Blood Stagnation in the Chest). Someone advised using the previous prescription. I said, "The use of Xiao Chai Hu Tang has already been delayed; it cannot be used now. If forced, there is one method: one may puncture Qi Men (LR14)." I am not skilled in acupuncture, so I requested an expert to treat her. Following this advice, she recovered. Someone asked, "Why does Heat Entering the Blood Chamber result in Jie Xiong (Chest Binding)?" I said, "Pathogenic factors enter the meridians and contend with healthy qi, circulating up and down. When encountering the arrival or cessation of menses, pathogenic factors take advantage of the deficiency to enter the Blood Chamber. The blood is forced by the pathogens to enter the Liver Meridian. When the Liver is affected by pathogens, delirium and ghost visions occur. If it re-enters the Dan Zhong (Chest Center), blood stagnates in the chest. Why do I say this? In women at rest, Water nourishes Wood, and Blood nourishes the Liver. Before conception, blood flows downward as menstrual water; after conception, it is retained centrally to nourish the fetus; after childbirth, it flows upward to become milk. All are forms of blood. Now, pathogens chase the blood, causing it to return to the Liver Meridian, gather at the Dan Zhong, and knot beneath the breasts. Therefore, touching it causes pain. Because medicine cannot reach this area, one should puncture Qi Men (LR14)."

[Xiao Chai Hu Tang with Rehmannia] treats postpartum lochia that begins then suddenly stops. Hai Ge San (Clam Shell Powder) from Huo Ren Shu (Book of Saving Lives) also treats this condition, recorded below.

Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix) (1 liang 2 qian 5 fen), Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), Ban Xia (Pinelliae Tuber), Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix), Zhi Gan Cao (Prepared Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Sheng Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix) (each 7 qian).

These six ingredients are coarse-crushed. Each dose uses 5 qian, boiled with 2 zhan of water, 5 slices of fresh ginger, and 1 jujube. Decoct until 1 zhan remains, strain, and take warm. Take at any time.

[Hai Ge San] treats women with Shanghan resulting in Blood Stagnation in the chest and diaphragm, where palpation causes severe pain and the area is intolerable to touch.

Hai Ge (Concha Arcae), Hua Shi (Talcum), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) (each 1 liang), Mang Xiao (Natrii Sulfas) (0.5 liang).

Grind into powder. Each dose is 2 qian, taken mixed with egg white. Once urination becomes smooth and several flows of bloody discharge occur, administer Gui Zhi Hong Hua Tang (Cinnamon Twig and Carthamus Decoction) to induce sweating, and the patient will recover.