一妇无故悲泣不止。或谓之有祟。祈禳请祷不应。许学士曰。金匮云。妇人脏燥。喜悲
伤欲哭。象如神灵所作。数欠伸者。甘麦大枣汤主之。用其方十四帖而愈。盖悲属肺。经云
在脏为肺。在志为悲。又曰。精气并于肺则悲是也。此方补脾而能治肺病者。虚则补母之
义也。
息城司侯。闻父死于贼。乃大悲。哭罢。便觉心痛。日增不已。月余成块。状若覆杯。
大痛不任。药皆无功。乃求于戴人。戴人至。适巫者在其旁。乃学巫者。杂以狂言。以谑病
者。至是大笑不忍。回面向壁。一二日。心下结硬皆散。所谓喜胜悲。内经自有此法也。
资生经曰。王执中母久病。忽泣涕不可禁。知是心病也。灸百会而愈。后遇忧愁凄怆者
灸此穴。无不愈。
高逢辰表侄。尝游惠山。暮归。遇一巨神卧寺门。恐惧奔避。自是便溺日五六十次。周
恭曰。惊则心无所倚。恐则伤肾。是为水火不交。二脏俱病。故其所合之府受盛失职。州都
不禁矣。
震按此证当死。或用参、 温补之药以图侥幸。
卫德新之妻。旅中宿于楼上。夜值盗劫烧舍。惊坠状下。自后每闻有响。则惊倒不知人
家人辈蹑足而行。莫敢冒触以声。岁余不痊。医作心病治之。人参珍珠及定志丸。皆无效
戴人见而断之曰。惊者为阳。从外入也。恐者为阴。从内出也。惊者。为自不知故也。恐
者。自知也。足少阳胆经属木。胆者。敢也。惊怕则胆伤矣。乃命二侍女执其两手于高椅之
上。当面前下。置一小几。戴人曰。娘子当视此。一木猛击之。其妇大惊。戴人曰。我以
木击几。何必惊乎。伺少定击之。惊少缓。又斯须。连击三五次。又以杖击门。又暗使人击
背
后之窗。徐徐惊定而笑。曰。是何治法。戴人曰。内经云。惊者平之。平者常也。平常见之
必无惊。是夜使人击其门窗。自夕达曙。寝息如故。夫惊者神上越也。从下击几。使之下
视。所以收神也。从此遂愈。
王中阳治江东富商。自奉颇浓。忽患心惊。如畏人捕之。闻脂粉气即遗泄。昼夜坐卧。
常欲人拥护方安。甫交睫。即阳动精滑。遍身红晕紫斑。两腿连足浸淫湿烂。脓下
不绝。饮食倍常。酬应不倦。累医不效。王诊得六脉俱长。三部九候往来有力。两手寸尺特
盛。猝难断证。因问之。商告曰。某但觉虚弱无力。多惊悸。及苦于下元不固。两腿风疮。
侍奉皆赖妇人。而又多欲不能自禁。奈何治之。王曰。时医必作三种治。一者治惊悸。二者
治虚脱。三者治风疮。以余观之。只服滚痰丸。然后调理。满座愕然。王曰。此系太过之脉
总是湿痰为病。与火炎水涸。神怯精伤者。本异标同也。逐去痰毒。不必缕治。服丸三日
脉稍平。曰。君连年医药不效。反增剧者。不识虚实。认假为真故也。再令服三次。越五
日。脉已和。不言惊悸之苦。但求遗泄之药。王用豁痰汤加茯苓煎服。月余诸证悉减。乃用
泥金膏。以新汲水调敷两腿。干则再上。周时洗去。则热气已衰。皮肉宽皱。然后用杖毒活
血方。调敷全愈。
震阅洞虚子原案。曰。此系太过之脉。心肾不变。又曰。水火亢行。心不摄血。运于下
不能上升。凝于肌肤。日久湿烂。与火炎水滥。神不宁阳频泄者。本同标异也。其词涩而义
晦。不如曰湿热生痰。上壅下注。反觉径捷。故僭改之。再查豁痰汤。亦逸人自定。乃以小
柴胡汤去姜、枣。加紫苏、薄荷、羌活、陈皮、浓朴、枳壳、南星。云治一切痰疾。与滚痰
丸相副。或以前胡易柴胡。其泥金膏。则用阴地上蚯蚓粪三分。熟皮朴硝二分。同研细。水
调敷。杖毒活血方。则用蛇床子、光草乌、火 炉甘石、枯矾、槟榔、花粉、绿豆粉、凌霄
花、赤石脂、白石脂、大蓟根叶、小蓟根叶为末。另煎大黄汁调敷。云治杖疮奇妙。
〔附〕一富室子弟。因忧畏官事。忽患恶闻响声。鞋履作声。亦即惊怖。有事则彼此耳
语而已。饮食自若。举动无差。王令服滚痰丸二次。即能起坐应酬。再以豁痰汤、分心气饮
相间服之而愈。分心气饮者。乃二陈汤加紫苏、羌活、桑白皮、肉桂、青皮、腹皮、木通
赤芍也。
又一人因相识官员为事。猝为当道直入其室搜索。男人即惊死。其妻须臾苏省。失志颠
倒。弃衣摸空。王亦令服滚痰丸二次。下咽即睡。次夜又一服。仍用豁痰汤加枳实。服数日
即安。
张路玉治河南督学汪缄庵媳。产后病虚无气。洒洒然如惊。常时咳青黑结痰。欲咳则心
中 大动。咳则浑身麻木。心神不知所之。偶闻一声响。则头面哄热。微汗。神魂如飞越
状。专事妇科者。屡用补养心血之剂。罔效。虚羸转剧。邀张诊之。脉浮。微弦而芤。独左
寸厥厥动摇。此必胎前先伤风热。坐草时迸力过甚。痰血随气上逆。冲过膈膜而流入心包也
朝用异功散加童便 淬蛤粉。以清理痰气。大剂独参汤下来复丹。以搜涤瘀积。盖痰在膈
膜之上。非焰硝无以透之。血在膈膜之上。非五灵无以浚之。然非藉人参相反之性。不能激
之使出也。服数日。神识渐宁。形神渐旺。改用归脾汤加龙齿、沉香。调理而康。
吴昭如室。年壮体丰。有素而呕血。腹胀。脾约便难之恙。两遭回禄。忧恚频仍。近
于失血之后。忽然神气愦乱。口噤目瞠。石顽诊之。气口数盛而促。人迎弦大而芤。形神不
能自主。似有撮空之状。一医以为证犯条款。不出五日当毙。张谓不然。若是撮空。必然手
势散漫。今拈着衣被。尽力扯摘。定为挟惊挟怒无疑。爪者筋之余。非惊怒而何。况脉来见
促。当是痰气中结。殊非代脉之比。询其病因。惊怒俱有。遂用钩藤钩一两。煎成。入竹沥
半盏。姜汁五匙。连夜服药。即得安寐。次日六脉稍平。但促未退。仍用前方减半。调牛黄
末一分。其夕大解三度。共去结粪五六十枚。腹胀顿减。脉静人安。稀糜渐进。数日之间。
平复如常。
震按七情致病。病本难治。戴人丹溪治法神矣。洞虚子专主痰火。亦难奉为要诀。石顽
二案。论病最精。用药更巧。
A woman wept incessantly for no reason. Some said she was possessed by evil spirits, but prayers and exorcisms were ineffective. Academician Xu said, "The *Jingui Yaolue* (Essential Prescriptions from the Golden Cabinet) states: Women suffering from Zang Dryness (a syndrome caused by deficiency of Yin fluids in the Zang organs) often feel sad and wish to cry, with symptoms resembling spirit possession, accompanied by frequent yawning and stretching. It should be treated with Ganmai Dazao Tang (Licorice, Wheat, and Jujube Decoction)." He prescribed this formula for fourteen doses, and she recovered. Since grief is associated with the Lung, the *Neijing* states that in the Zang it belongs to the Lung, and in the emotions it is Grief. It also says: "When Essence and Qi merge into the Lung, Grief arises." This formula treats Lung disease by tonifying the Spleen, following the principle of "tonifying the mother when there is deficiency" (Spleen is the mother of Lung).
The Magistrate of Xicheng heard that his father had died at the hands of bandits and became extremely grieved. After crying, he felt heart pain, which worsened daily. Over a month later, a mass formed, shaped like an inverted cup, causing unbearable severe pain. All medicines failed, so he sought help from Dai Ren (Zhang Congzheng, courtesy name Zihe, pseudonym Dai Ren). When Dai Ren arrived, a shaman was present nearby. Dai Ren imitated the shaman, mixing in mad words to tease the patient. The patient could not help but laugh, turned away, and within one or two days, the hard knot under the heart dissipated. This is what is meant by "Joy overcomes Grief," a method found in the *Neijing*.
The *Zisheng Jing* records: Wang Zhizhong's mother, who had been ill for a long time, suddenly wept uncontrollably. Knowing it was a Heart disorder, he moxaized the Baihui (GV20) acupoint, and she recovered. Later, for those suffering from sorrow and desolation, moxibustion on this point was always effective.
Gao Fengchen's cousin once visited Huishan. On his way back at dusk, he encountered a giant deity statue lying at the temple gate. Fearing it, he ran to hide. From then on, he urinated and defecated 50-60 times a day. Zhou Gong said, "Fright causes the Heart Spirit to have no support; Fear injures the Kidney. This is a failure of communication between Water and Fire, affecting both Zang organs. Consequently, the paired Fu organ (Bladder) fails in its function of receiving and storing, and the Zhoudou (Bladder) loses its ability to control retention."
Yu Zhen notes: This condition should be fatal, though one might attempt to survive by chance using Ginseng and other warming and tonifying medicines.
Wei Dexin's wife, traveling, stayed on an upper floor. At night, bandits raided and burned the house. In her fright, she fell from the bed. Thereafter, every time she heard a noise, she would faint from fright. Her family walked on tiptoes, daring not make any sound to startle her. She remained unwell for over a year. Physicians treated it as a Heart disorder, using Ginseng, Pearl, and Dingzhi Wan (Stabilize the Mind Pill), all without effect. Dai Ren examined her and diagnosed: "Fright is Yang, entering from outside; Fear is Yin, arising from inside. Fright occurs because one does not know the cause; Fear occurs because one knows the cause. The Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian belongs to Wood. The Gallbladder represents courage. Fright and fear injure the Gallbladder Qi." He ordered two maids to hold her hands while she sat on a high chair. A small table was placed before her face. Dai Ren said, "Madam, look at this." He suddenly struck the table with a piece of wood. The woman was greatly frightened. Dai Ren said, "I only struck the table with wood; why are you frightened?" Waiting until she calmed slightly, he struck again. The fright subsided somewhat. After a short while, he struck three or four more times, then hit the door with a stick, and secretly had someone strike the window behind her. Gradually, her fright settled, and she laughed, asking, "What kind of treatment is this?" Dai Ren said, "The *Neijing* states: 'For fright, normalize it.' Normalize means making it common. One will not be frightened by things seen commonly." That night, they struck her doors and windows from evening until dawn, and she slept peacefully. Fright causes the Spirit to float upward and outward. Striking the table from below made her look down, thereby gathering the Spirit. She recovered completely thereafter.
Wang Zhongyang treated a wealthy merchant from Jiangdong, who lived luxuriously. He suddenly suffered from palpitations, feeling as if he were being chased by police. Upon smelling cosmetics, he experienced seminal emission. Day and night, he sat and lay uneasily, requiring companionship to feel secure. As soon as he closed his eyes to sleep, his Yang Qi would rise, leading to spermatorrhea. His body showed red flushes and purple spots; his legs and feet were macerated and wet, with continuous pus discharge. His appetite doubled, and he attended social gatherings tirelessly. Multiple physicians failed to cure him. Wang's pulse diagnosis revealed all six pulses were long, with vigorous movement in the Three Positions and Nine Probes, especially strong at the Cun and Chi positions of both wrists. Hasty diagnosis was difficult. He asked the patient, who replied, "I feel weak and fatigued, prone to palpitations, and suffer from insecurity of the Lower Yuan. I have wind sores on my legs. My attendants are all women, and I have excessive desires that I cannot control. How should I treat this?" Wang said, "Contemporary physicians would likely use three treatments: one for palpitations, one for collapse/deficiency, and one for wind sores. In my view, simply administer Gun Tan Wan (Rolling Phlegm Pill), followed by conditioning." The audience was astonished. Wang said, "This is a Surplus Pulse, indicating pathology due to damp-phlegm. Although the presentation differs from cases of Fire flaring and Water drying up, with timid Spirit and injured Essence, the root is different but the manifestation is similar. Expel the phlegm toxin; there is no need to treat each symptom individually." After three doses, the pulse smoothed slightly. Wang said, "Your medical treatments have failed and worsened your condition over the years because you do not understand Excess and Deficiency, mistaking the false for the true." He ordered three more doses. Five days later, the pulse harmonized. The patient no longer complained of palpitations but requested medicine for emission. Wang used Huo Tan Tang (Resolve Phlegm Decoction) with added Poria (Fu Ling) decocted and administered. After a month, all symptoms decreased. Then, Ni Jin Gao (Mud Gold Ointment) was applied to the legs mixed with fresh well water, reapplied when dry, and washed off after a week. Heat declined, skin wrinkled. Then, Zhang Du Huo Xue Fang (Stick Poison Blood Invigorating Formula) was applied topically, resulting in complete recovery.
Yu Zhen reviewed Dongxu Zi's original case record: "This is a Surplus Pulse, with Heart and Kidney unchanged. Also stated: Water and Fire hyperactive, Heart fails to control Blood, transporting it downward unable to ascend, condensing in the skin and muscles, becoming wet and rotten over time. This is essentially the same as Fire flaring and Water overflowing, with restless Spirit and frequent Yang emission, differing only in superficial manifestations." His wording was obscure. It would be clearer to say "Damp-Heat generates Phlegm, obstructing above and pouring downward." Thus, I arbitrarily revised it. Checking Huo Tan Tang, it was self-formulated by Yiren: Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) minus Ginger and Jujube, plus Perilla Leaf (Zi Su Ye), Mint (Bo He), Notopterygium (Qiang Huo), Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi), Magnolia Bark (Hou Po), Aurantium (Zhi Ke), and Arisaema (Nan Xing), claiming to treat all phlegm diseases, complementary to Gun Tan Wan. Alternatively, replace Bupleurum (Chai Hu) with Peucedanum (Qian Hu). As for Ni Jin Gao, it uses earthworm castings from shaded ground (3 fen), prepared Mirabilite (Shu Pi Xiao) (2 fen), ground fine, mixed with water for topical application. Zhang Du Huo Xue Fang uses Cnidium (She Chuang Zi), Aconitum (Guang Cao Wu), Calamine (Huo Lu Gan Shi), Alum (Ku Fan), Betel Nut (Bing Lang), Rehmannia Root (Hua Fen), Mung Bean Powder (Lu Dou Fen), Trumpet Creeper Flower (Ling Xiao Hua), Red Kaolin (Chi Shi Zhi), White Kaolin (Bai Shi Zhi), Greater Thistle Root/Leaf (Da Ji Gen Ye), and Lesser Thistle Root/Leaf (Xiao Ji Gen Ye) powdered, mixed with decocted Rhubarb juice for topical application, claimed to be miraculous for stick wounds.
[Appendix] A young man from a wealthy family, worried about legal troubles, suddenly developed an aversion to loud noises. Even the sound of shoes startled him. He whispered when communicating. His diet and movements were normal. Wang ordered two doses of Gun Tan Wan, after which he could sit up and socialize. Alternating Huo Tan Tang and Fen Xin Qi Yin (Divide Heart Qi Decoction) cured him. Fen Xin Qi Yin is Er Chen Tang (Two-Aged Phlegm Resolving Decoction) plus Perilla Leaf, Notopterygium, Mulberry Bark, Cinnamon Bark, Green Aurantium, Areca Peel, Akebia Stem, and Red Peony Root.
Another person, whose acquaintance was involved in a legal case, was suddenly searched by authorities in his room. The man died of fright; his wife revived shortly after, exhibiting mental confusion, discarding clothes, and groping in the air. Wang also ordered two doses of Gun Tan Wan. She slept immediately after swallowing. Another dose that night, along with Huo Tan Tang added with Aurantium Fruit (Zhi Shi), brought peace after several days.
Zhang Luyu treated the daughter-in-law of Wang Jian'an, Inspector General of Henan. Postpartum, she suffered from emptiness and lack of Qi, feeling chilly as if frightened. She usually coughed up dark green/black clotted phlegm. When wanting to cough, her Heart moved violently; upon coughing, her whole body went numb, and her Spirit wandered. Occasionally hearing a sound caused heat in her head and face, slight sweating, and a sensation of her Spirit flying away. Gynecologists repeatedly used blood-nourishing formulas without effect, worsening her emaciation. Zhang diagnosed a floating, slightly wiry, and knotted pulse, with violent throbbing specifically at the Left Cun position. He deduced that prior to pregnancy, Wind-Heat had invaded; during childbirth, excessive bearing down caused Phlegm and Blood to reverse upward with Qi, crossing the diaphragm and entering the Pericardium. Morning: Yigong San (Extraordinary Success Powder) with child's urine quenched clam powder to clear Phlegm and Qi. Evening: Large dose of Single Ginseng Decoction with Laifu Dan to search out and purge stasis. Phlegm above the diaphragm requires Saltpeter (Yan Xiao) to penetrate; Blood above the diaphragm requires Cynoglossum (Wu Ling Zhi) to dredge. However, without the opposing nature of Ginseng, it cannot be stimulated to exit. After several doses, Spirit calmed, form and Spirit strengthened. Switched to Guipi Tang (Restore the Spleen Decoction) with Dragon Teeth (Long Gu) and Agarwood (Chen Xiang) for conditioning and recovery.
Wu Zhaoru's wife, young and robust, had a history of vomiting blood, abdominal distension, and constipation due to Spleen constraint. After two fires, she suffered frequent worry and resentment. Following recent blood loss, her Spirit suddenly became confused, mouth locked, eyes staring. Shiweng diagnosed a rapid, full, and hurried pulse at the Qi Kou, and wiry, large, and knotted pulse at the Ren Ying. Form and Spirit lost autonomy, resembling grasping at empty air. One physician predicted death within five days. Zhang argued otherwise: If grasping at empty air, hand movements should be scattered. Here, she grabbed clothes and bedding, pulling vigorously, definitely indicating Fright and Anger. Claws are the surplus of Tendons; how could it not be Fright/Anger? Moreover, the hurried pulse indicates Phlegm-Qi knotting in the center, distinct from the intermittent pulse. Inquiry confirmed Fright and Anger. Prescription: Uncaria (Gou Teng) 1 liang, decocted, mixed with Bamboo Juice (Zhu Li) half cup and Ginger Juice (Jiang Zhi) five spoons. Taken overnight, she slept peacefully. Next day, six pulses smoothed slightly, but hurriedness remained. Same formula halved, mixed with Buffalo Horn Powder (Niu Huang) 1 fen. That night, three bowel movements occurred, expelling 50-60 hardened fecal pellets. Abdominal distension reduced instantly, pulse quieted, person calm, thin gruel gradually resumed. Within days, fully recovered.
Yu Zhen notes: Diseases caused by the Seven Emotions are fundamentally difficult to treat. Dai Ren and Danxi's methods were divine. Dongxu Zi focused solely on Phlegm-Fire, which is hard to regard as the essential key. Shiweng's two cases discussed the pathology most precisely and prescribed medicines cleverly.