脉
经云∶脉浮而缓，湿在表也。脉沉而缓，湿在里也。或弦而
缓，或缓而浮，皆风湿相搏也。又曰∶或涩或细，或缓或濡，皆可得而断。
证
夫湿之为病，所感不同。有从外感而得之者，有从内伤而得之者。若居处卑湿之地，与夫道途冲斥风雨，
或动作辛苦之人，汗出沾衣，皆湿从外感者也。或恣饮酒浆醺酩，多食柑橘瓜果之类，皆
湿从内伤也。湿之中人，入皮肤为顽麻，入气血为倦怠，入肺为喘满，入脾为湿痰肿胀，入肝为胁满而肢
节不利，入肾则腰疼胯痛，身如板夹，脚如砂坠，入腑则麻木不仁，入脏则舒伸不得，而肢体强硬。又云∶湿
本土气，火热能生湿土，故夏月则万物湿润，秋凉则万物干燥。湿病本不自生，因热而怫郁，不
能宣行水道，故脾滞而生湿也。
治
因湿生痰，故用二陈汤加羌活、防风、酒炒黄芩，去风行湿，
盖风能胜湿故也。大抵宜发汗及利小便，使上下分消其湿，是其治也。
方
独活寄生汤〔批〕（按此方补虚除湿之剂）
治肾气虚弱，坐卧湿地，腰背拘急，筋挛骨痛。或当风取凉过
度，风邪流入脚膝，为偏枯冷痹，缓弱疼痛。或腰痛牵引，行步艰辛，及白虎历节风。
独活（一两五钱） 桑寄生（三两，如无，以续断代之） 当归（一两五钱） 川芎
（一两五钱） 白芍（一两五钱） 熟地黄（一两） 人参（一两，去芦） 茯苓（一两） 牛膝
（酒浸，一两） 杜仲（酒炒，一两） 秦艽（去芦，一两） 细辛（一两） 防风（去芦，一两）
桂心（一两） 甘草（炙，三钱）
上锉，每服一两五钱，加生姜三片，水煎服。妇人带下，作腰腿痛，合平胃散，加附子、小茴香。
羌活胜湿汤 治风湿相搏，一身尽痛。
羌活（七分） 独活（七分） 防风（五分） 升麻（五分） 柴胡（五分） 本（一钱）
苍术（一钱） 川芎（八分） 蔓荆子（八分） 甘草（五分）
上锉一剂，水煎温服。
升阳除湿汤 治湿郁在下，此汤升以散之。
升麻（一钱） 柴胡（一钱） 防风（一钱） 茯苓（八分） 猪苓（一钱） 泽泻（一钱）
苍术（一钱） 陈皮（八分）
上锉一剂，加生姜一大片，水煎服。
经验白术酒（秘方） 治中湿遍身疼痛，难以转侧。
白术（去芦，一两）
上锉一剂，无灰老酒一钟半，煎一钟，去渣温服。
The *Mai Jing* (Pulse Classic) states: A pulse that is floating and slow indicates dampness in the exterior. A pulse that is deep and slow indicates dampness in the interior. Whether it is wiry and slow, or slow and floating, these all indicate the interplay of wind-dampness. It further states: Whether the pulse is choppy or fine, slow or soggy, these can all be diagnosed accordingly.
Regarding Syndromes
The pathogenesis of dampness varies depending on the mode of contraction. Some are contracted externally, while others result from internal injury. Those who dwell in low-lying, damp places; those exposed to wind and rain during travel; or those engaged in strenuous labor whose sweat soaks their clothes—all these constitute external contraction of dampness. Conversely, excessive consumption of alcohol or eating too much citrus fruit and melons constitutes internal injury leading to dampness. When dampness invades the human body, entering the skin causes stubborn numbness; entering the qi and blood leads to fatigue and lassitude; entering the Lung causes wheezing and chest fullness; entering the Spleen generates damp-phlegm and swelling; entering the Liver results in hypochondriac fullness and stiffness of the limbs and joints; entering the Kidney causes lower back and hip pain, a sensation as if the body were clamped between boards, and legs feeling heavy as if weighed down with sand; entering the Fu organs causes numbness and loss of sensation; entering the Zang organs restricts extension and flexion, causing limb rigidity. Furthermore, it is said that dampness is the native qi of Earth; fire and heat generate damp Earth, hence the ten thousand things are moist in summer and dry in autumn. Dampness does not arise spontaneously; rather, due to heat stagnation, the water passages cannot circulate freely, causing Spleen stagnation which generates dampness.
Regarding Treatment
Since dampness generates phlegm, Er Chen Tang (Two-Aged Decoction) is used with added Qiang Huo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix), Fang Feng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), and Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix) stir-fried with wine, to dispel wind and eliminate dampness, for wind can overcome dampness. Generally, treatment should involve inducing sweating and promoting urination to dissipate dampness from both the upper and lower aspects, which is the therapeutic principle.
Regarding Formulas
Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang (Radix Angelicae Pubescentis Decoction to Support the Living) [Commentary] (Note: This formula tonifies deficiency and eliminates dampness.)
Treats weakness of Kidney Qi, sitting or lying on damp ground, tension and spasm of the lower back and back, tendon contraction and bone pain. Or, when cooling oneself excessively in the wind, allowing wind pathogens to flow into the feet and knees, resulting in hemiplegia, cold bi-syndrome, flaccidity, weakness, and pain. Or lower back pain radiating, difficulty walking, and Bai Hu Li Jie Feng (White Tiger Joint Pain Syndrome).
Du Huo (Qiang Huo, 1 liang 5 qian) Sang Ji Sheng (Taxilli Cacuminis, 3 liang; if unavailable, Xu Duan replaces it) Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix, 1 liang 5 qian) Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizoma, 1 liang 5 qian) Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix Alba, 1 liang 5 qian) Shu Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata, 1 liang) Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix, 1 liang, remove rhizome) Fu Ling (Poria, 1 liang) Niu Xi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix, soaked in wine, 1 liang) Du Zhong (Eucommiae Cortex, stir-fried with wine, 1 liang) Qin Jiao (Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix, remove rhizome, 1 liang) Xi Xin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma, 1 liang) Fang Feng (Saposhnikoviae Radix, remove rhizome, 1 liang) Gui Xin (Cinnamomi Cortex, 1 liang) Gan Cao (Licorice Root, honey-fried, 3 qian)
Chop the above ingredients. For each dose, take 1 liang 5 qian, add 3 slices of fresh ginger, decoct in water, and take warm. For women with leukorrhea accompanied by lower back and leg pain, combine with Ping Wei San (Powder to Maintain Equilibrium) plus Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) and Xiao Hui Xiang (Foeniculi Fructus).
Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang (Notopterygii Decoction to Overcome Dampness)
Treats wind-dampness interplay causing pain throughout the entire body.
Qiang Huo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix, 7 fen) Du Huo (Angelicae Pubescentis Radix, 7 fen) Fang Feng (Saposhnikoviae Radix, 5 fen) Sheng Ma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma, 5 fen) Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix, 5 fen) Ben Cao (Ligustici Wallichii Rhizoma et Radix, 1 qian) Cang Zhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma, 1 qian) Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizoma, 8 fen) Man Jing Zi (Vittariae Fructus, 8 fen) Gan Cao (Licorice Root, 5 fen)
Chop one dose, decoct in water, and take warm.
Sheng Yang Chu Shi Tang (Decoction to Raise Yang and Eliminate Dampness)
Treats dampness stagnant in the lower jiao; this formula raises and disperses it.
Sheng Ma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma, 1 qian) Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix, 1 qian) Fang Feng (Saposhnikoviae Radix, 1 qian) Fu Ling (Poria, 8 fen) Zhu Ling (Polyporus, 1 qian) Ze Xie (Alismatis Rhizoma, 1 qian) Cang Zhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma, 1 qian) Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, 8 fen)
Chop one dose, add one large slice of fresh ginger, decoct in water, and take.
Jing Yan Bai Zhu Jiu (Experienced White Atractylodes Wine) [Secret Formula]
Treats middle-jiao dampness causing pain throughout the body and difficulty turning or changing position.
Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, remove rhizome, 1 liang)
Chop one dose, use unadulterated aged wine (one zhong and half), decoct until reduced to one zhong, strain dregs, and take warm.