《发明》云∶经曰阳之气,以天地之疾风名之,此中风者,非外来风邪,乃本气
病也。凡人年逾四旬气衰之际,或因忧喜忿怒伤其气者,多有此疾,壮岁之时无有也,若
肥盛则间有之,亦是形盛气衰而如此。治法当和脏腑,通经络便是治风。然亦有贼风袭虚
伤之者也。治法轻重有三,见前在经、在腑、在脏之异。
《元戎》云∶酒湿之为病,亦能作痹证。口眼 斜,半身不遂,浑似中风,舌强
不正,当泻湿毒,不可作风病治之而汗也。《衍义》论甚当,《易简》与此相同。
河间曰∶风病多因热甚。俗云风者,言末而忘其本也。所以中风有瘫痪者,非谓肝木
之风实甚,而卒中风也,亦非外中于风,良由将息失宜,而心火暴甚,肾水虚衰,不能治
之,则阴虚阳实而热气怫郁,心神昏冒,筋骨不用,而卒倒无知也。多因喜怒悲愁恐五志
过极而卒中者,皆为热甚故也,若微,则但僵仆,气血流通,筋脉不挛。缓者,发过如
故,或热气太甚,郁滞不通,阴气暴绝,阳气后竭而死。痰涎由热甚则水化挟火
而生。偏枯者,由经络一侧不得通,左右痹而成瘫痪也。口禁筋急者,由风热太甚,以
胜水湿,又津液滞于胸膈以为痰涎,则筋太燥,然燥金主收敛劲切故也。或筋反缓者,乃燥
之甚,血液衰少也。诸筋挛易愈,诸筋痿
难复。此皆燥之微甚也。
*Bencao Faming* (Inventions of Materia Medica) states: The medical classics assert that the Qi of Yang is named after the swift wind of heaven and earth. Therefore, "Zhongfeng" (Stroke/Wind-Strike) does not refer to an external pathogenic wind invading the body, but rather a disease originating from the body's own vital Qi. Individuals who have passed forty years of age, a period when Qi declines, or those whose Qi has been damaged by emotions such as worry, joy, or anger, are prone to this ailment; it is typically absent during one's prime. If obese individuals occasionally suffer from it, it is also due to a condition where the physical form is robust but the vital Qi is deficient. The treatment principle should focus on harmonizing the Zang-Fu organs and unblocking the meridians; this constitutes the treatment for wind diseases. However, there are also cases caused by "Zei Feng" (Thieving Wind/External Pathogenic Wind) attacking deficiency. There are three degrees of severity in treatment, as detailed previously regarding the differences between pathogens residing in the channels, fu-organs, and zang-organs.
*Yuanrong* (also known as *Zhu Shi Ji Yan Fang*) states: Diseases caused by alcohol-dampness can also manifest as Bi syndrome (Obstruction Syndrome). Symptoms include deviation of the mouth and eye, hemiplegia, resembling stroke; stiff tongue with improper articulation. In such cases, one must purge damp-toxin and must not treat it as a wind disease using diaphoresis (sweating method). The discussion in *Bencao Yan Yi* (Expanded Meaning of Materia Medica) is highly appropriate, and *Yi Jian Fang* shares this same view.
Liu Hejian states: Wind diseases are mostly caused by extreme heat. The common term "wind" describes the manifestation while forgetting the root cause. Therefore, paralysis resulting from Zhongfeng is not due to an excess of Liver Wood wind suddenly striking the body, nor is it caused by external wind invasion. It is indeed because of improper lifestyle management leading to a sudden暴 (violent/sudden) rise of Heart Fire, while Kidney Water is deficient and unable to control it. This results in Yin deficiency and Yang excess, with hot Qi stagnating and郁 (depressing/blocking), causing the Heart Spirit to become confused and obscured, leading to loss of function in tendons and bones, and sudden collapse with unconsciousness. Most cases of sudden Zhongfeng triggered by the extremes of five emotions (joy, anger, sorrow, worry, fear) are due to extreme heat. If the heat is mild, there may only be temporary stiffness/collapse, but Qi and Blood circulation remains intact, and tendons and vessels do not spasm. In milder cases, the patient returns to normal after the episode; however, if the heat is too severe, causing stagnation and blockage, Yin Qi may suddenly cease, followed by the exhaustion of Yang Qi, leading to death. Phlegm-saliva arises because extreme heat causes water metabolism to transform, generating phlegm accompanied by fire. Hemiplegia (Pian Gu) occurs because one side of the meridians is blocked, causing Bi obstruction on both sides and resulting in paralysis. Jaw lock and tendon tension occur because wind-heat is too excessive, overcoming dampness, and fluids stagnate in the chest and diaphragm to form phlegm-saliva, making the tendons excessively dry; this is because Metal of Dryness governs contraction and rigidity. Alternatively, if tendons are flaccid, it is due to extreme dryness and depletion of blood. Spasms of various tendons are easy to cure, whereas atrophy of various tendons is difficult to recover from. These conditions all depend on the degree of dryness.