凡人少壮及老年,其气血有盛衰不等。岐伯曰∶少火之气壮,壮火之气衰。盖少火
生气,壮火食气,况复衰火,不可不知也。故治法亦当分别其等,少年、壮年自是区分不同,
陈令尹集方俱为老人备用,今所续编亦皆据其对证轻重处方而品列之也。
人,万物中一物也,不能逃天地之数。若天癸数穷,则精血耗竭,神气浮弱,如同小
儿全假护持以助衰养。若遇水火兵寇非横惊怖之事,必先扶持老人于安稳处避之,不可喧忙
惊动。年高之人一遭大惊,便致冒昧,因生余疾。凡丧葬凶祸不可令吊,疾病危困不可令惊,悲
哀忧愁不可令人预报,秽恶臭败不可令食,粘硬毒物不可令飧,敝漏卑湿不可令居,卒风暴
寒不可令冒,烦暑懊热不可令中,动作行步不可令劳,暮夜之食不可令饱,阴雾晦冥不可令
饥,假借鞍马不可令乘,偏僻药洱不可令服,废宅 宇不可令人,坟园冢墓不可令游,危险之
地不可令行,涧渊之水不可令渡,间昧之室不可令居,凶祸远报不可令闻,轻薄婢使不可令亲,
家缘冗事不可令管。若此事类颇多,不克备举。但人子悉意深虑过为之防,稍不便于老人者,
皆宜忌之,以保长年。
四气调神论曰∶阴阳四时者,万物终始,死生之本也。逆之则灾害生,从之则奇疾不起,
是谓得道。春温以生之,夏热以长之,秋凉以收之,冬寒以藏之。若气反于时,则皆为疾厉。
此天之常道也。顺之则生,逆之则病。经曰∶观天之道,执天之行,尽矣。人能执天道生杀
之理,法四时运用而行,自然疾病不生,长年可保。其黄发之人,五脏气虚,精神耗竭,若稍
失节宣,即动成危瘵。盖老人倦惰不能自调,在人资养以延遐算。为人子者,深宜察其寒温,
审其 药,根据四时摄养之方,顺五行休王之气,恭恪奉亲,慎无懈怠。
For both the young and vigorous and the elderly, their Qi and Blood vary in abundance and deficiency. Qibo stated: "The Qi of Shao Huo (mild fire/warm Yang) is robust; the Qi of Zhuang Huo (excessive fire/pathogenic heat) is deficient." This is because Shao Huo generates Qi, while Zhuang Huo consumes Qi. How much more so for a state of deficient fire, which must not be ignored. Therefore, treatment methods should also distinguish between these levels. The conditions of youth and prime adulthood are naturally distinct. The prescriptions collected by Chen Lingyin were all prepared for the elderly. The content continued here is also compiled and categorized based on prescribing according to the severity of symptoms.
Humans are but one among all things, unable to escape the numerical laws of Heaven and Earth. When Tian Gui (the substance promoting reproductive maturation) reaches its limit, Essence and Blood are exhausted, and Shen Qi (Spirit and Vital Qi) becomes floating and weak. It is akin to a child who relies entirely on care and support to aid decline and nourish the body. If encountering unexpected events such as fire, water disasters, military conflict, or robbery that cause terror, the elderly must first be supported to a safe place to avoid them; they must not be disturbed by noise or busyness. Once an elderly person suffers a great fright, it leads to mental confusion and may give rise to secondary illnesses. They should not be allowed to attend funerals or mourn disasters; they should not be startled when ill and critical; they should not be forewarned of sorrow or worry; they should not eat foul, rotten, or unclean food; they should not consume sticky, hard, or toxic substances; they should not dwell in dilapidated, leaking, low-lying, or damp places; they should not be exposed to sudden storms and cold; they should not suffer from stifling summer heat; they should not exert themselves through walking or movement; they should not overeat at night; they should not go hungry during foggy or dark times; they should not ride borrowed saddles or horses; they should not take remote or obscure medicines; they should not enter abandoned houses; they should not tour cemeteries or graveyards; they should not walk in dangerous places; they should not cross deep ravines or abysses; they should not reside in dimly lit rooms; they should not hear reports of distant disasters; they should not associate with frivolous maids or servants; they should not manage household trivialities. There are many such matters that cannot be fully enumerated. As long as children think deeply and take excessive precautions, avoiding anything slightly inconvenient for the elderly, longevity can be preserved.
The *Si Qi Tiao Shen Lun* (Treatise on Regulating the Spirit According to the Four Seasons) states: "Yin, Yang, and the Four Seasons are the beginning and end of all things, the root of life and death. To go against them brings disaster; to follow them prevents strange diseases; this is called attaining the Dao. Spring warmth promotes growth; summer heat promotes flourishing; autumn coolness promotes harvesting/convergence; winter cold promotes storage. If the climate contradicts the season, all become epidemics. This is the constant way of Heaven. Following it ensures life; opposing it causes illness. The Classics say: 'Observe the Way of Heaven, hold fast to the actions of Heaven, and you have reached the limit.' If humans can grasp the principles of generation and destruction of Heaven's Way, and act in accordance with the movements of the Four Seasons, naturally diseases will not arise, and longevity can be maintained. For those with yellow hair (the elderly), the Qi of the Five Zang Organs is deficient, and Spirit/Essence is exhausted. A slight loss of regulation and ventilation will immediately lead to critical consumptive diseases. Generally, the elderly are too weary and lazy to self-regulate; they rely on others' support to extend their lifespan. Children should carefully observe the elder's cold and heat status, prudently administer herbs, follow the regimens for seasonal care, align with the resting and thriving Qi of the Five Elements, serve parents with reverence and diligence, and never slacken."