风者,以病因而为名者也。痹与痿,以病形而为名者也。夫风为六淫之长,痹则三气杂
合,
故有以风痹同称者。因其病形之相似也。痹与痿,俱有筋骨皮肉脉五者之分,又俱有气血不
行,肌肉不仁,四肢不用等证,故有以痹痿同称者,因其病形之相似也。至于风与痿,则不
可概而称,又不可概而治,此丹溪所以斥《局方》之非,正千古之误。而徐彦纯特分风痿为
二门,有功于来学不小。虽然,宁独风与痹不可混,即风证与痿皆不可混。如风证之四肢不
用,分左瘫为血虚为痰,右痪为气虚有痰。痹证之四肢不用,乃湿土化,重着不移,伤于风
,则阳受之,感于风寒湿,则阴受之,是风与痹之不可混而称,亦不可混而治也。痹者,三
气杂至,为外来有余之邪,法当疏风散寒利湿为主,则气行血顺而愈。痿则积虚内热,而后
病
及于脏,为内生不足之证,法当独取阳明,或兼泻南补北,则气升血旺而愈,是痹于痿之不
可混而称,亦不可混而治也。然则三者,既不可混,将安别之?亦在夫脉与证相参而已。如
因中风卒倒之后,以至半身不遂,或手足不随,兼有痰不语,口眼歪斜等证,虽有气虚血虚
之分,然留而不去,其病则实。此风证也。其脉必浮而滑。如因汗出当风,坐卧卑湿,涉水
冲寒,以至骨节疼痛,皮肤不仁,肢体重着,四肢缓纵引急等证,虽与风证同系外邪,然引
痛重着,自有三者之状,此痹证也。其脉必紧而涩。如因七情劳役,酒色无节,既非冲寒受
湿之邪,又无卒倒暴厥之证,日渐痿疲,而至精枯髓减,筋骨痿弱,缓纵不收,此痿证也。
其脉必虚而数,明乎此,则三证之不可混,洞若观火,又安得有混治之误哉!
Wind is named according to its etiology. Bi syndrome (Bi Syndrome, obstruction syndrome) and Wei syndrome (Wei Syndrome, flaccidity syndrome) are named according to their clinical manifestations. Wind is the leader of the Six Excesses (Six Pathogenic Factors: wind, cold, summerheat, dampness, dryness, fire), while Bi syndrome results from the mixture of three pathogenic factors; hence, some refer to them together as "Wind-Bi," due to the similarity in their clinical presentations. Both Bi syndrome and Wei syndrome involve the five tissues—tendons, bones, skin, flesh, and vessels—and both present with symptoms such as impaired circulation of Qi and Blood, insensitivity of muscles, and inability to use the limbs. Therefore, some refer to them together as "Bi-Wei," again due to the similarity in their clinical presentations. However, Wind syndrome and Wei syndrome cannot be generalized or treated uniformly. This is why Zhu Danxi criticized the errors in *Ju Fang* (Formulas of the Bureau for the Care of the People's Health), correcting a millennium-old misconception. Xu Yanchun’s specific division of Wind and Wei syndromes into two separate categories has been of great benefit to later scholars. Nevertheless, not only must Wind and Bi syndromes not be confused, but Wind syndrome and Wei syndrome must also not be confused. For instance, in Wind syndrome, the inability to move the limbs is differentiated: left-sided hemiplegia is often due to Blood deficiency generating Phlegm, while right-sided hemiplegia is often due to Qi deficiency with Phlegm. In Bi syndrome, the inability to move the limbs arises from the transformation of Dampness, characterized by heaviness and fixed location. If injured by Wind, the Yang meridians are affected; if exposed to Wind-Cold-Dampness, the Yin meridians are affected. Thus, Wind and Bi syndromes cannot be conflated in name or treatment. Bi syndrome involves the confluence of three pathogenic factors and represents an external excess pathogen; the treatment principle should primarily focus on dispersing Wind, scattering Cold, and promoting diuresis to resolve Dampness, thereby ensuring the smooth flow of Qi and Blood for recovery. Wei syndrome, conversely, stems from chronic deficiency leading to internal heat, subsequently affecting the Zang organs; it is an internal deficiency condition. The treatment principle should primarily select the Yangming channel, or alternatively employ the method of purging the South (Heart/Fire) and tonifying the North (Kidney/Water), thereby raising Qi and enriching Blood for recovery. Consequently, Bi and Wei syndromes cannot be conflated in name or treatment. Given that these three cannot be mixed, how should they be distinguished? It lies in the correlation between pulse diagnosis and clinical signs. For example, after sudden collapse due to Zhong Feng (Wind Stroke), resulting in hemiplegia or limb paralysis, accompanied by Phlegm obstructing the speech and facial deviation, although there may be distinctions between Qi and Blood deficiency, the persistence of the pathogen renders the condition Excess. This is Wind syndrome. The pulse will necessarily be Floating and Slippery. For instance, exposure to wind during sweating, sitting or lying in damp places, or wading through cold water, leading to joint pain, cutaneous insensitivity, limb heaviness, and flaccidity or spasmodic tension in the limbs, although related to external pathogens like Wind, the characteristics of pain and heaviness distinguish it as Bi syndrome. The pulse will necessarily be Tight and Choppy. For example, following excessive emotional stress, overwork, or unrestrained alcohol and sexual activity, without exposure to Cold-Dampness or sudden collapse, presenting with progressive flaccidity and fatigue, eventually leading to depletion of Essence and Marrow, weakness of tendons and bones, and inability to maintain posture, this is Wei syndrome. The pulse will necessarily be Deficient and Rapid. Understanding this makes the distinction among these three syndromes as clear as daylight, eliminating any error in mixed treatment.