《病机机要》云∶“中腑者,宜汗之,中脏者,宜下之。”此腑脏二字,实是指经络,言腑无汗法,入脏亦岂有下法?
“五脏者,藏精气而不写,故满而不能实;六腑者,传化物而不藏,故实而不能满。”此脏宜补,腑宜通之要旨也。考
长沙三百九十七法,邪归中土,乃可议下,其少阴急下三条,指转入阳明腑证者言,仍是土郁夺之之义,如已脏真失守,
而复泻之,是虚虚也。古于汗下之法,禁例綦严,岂宜如是之倒行逆施乎?观其论中腑曰脉浮恶风寒,则明是中经;论
中脏曰大便秘结,则明是中腑。辨名正误,庶于立言之旨有合云。
按周天三百六十五度四分度之一,其间日月星辰之周流循环而不息者,有南北两极以为枢纽。二极居其所,而众星
共之,星动而极不动,动主于静也。《灵枢·五十营篇》曰∶人经脉上下、左右、前后二十八脉,以应二十八宿,一呼
气
行三寸,一吸气行三寸,一万三千五百息,气行五十营于身,水下百刻,日行二十八宿,漏水皆尽,脉终矣。夫人之营
卫营运,无极以统之,焉得常周不休。心主与命门,即人身之南极北极也。心者,神之舍也,神藏不露而无为,五藏六
府之营运,莫不以心为君主,故《经》言“主明则下安,主不明则十二官危。”心之元神,即天之南极也。命门一点,为
生气之原,藏于两肾中间,以为十二经脉之根本,必须锁钥闭固,即《经》所云“阴平阳秘,精气乃治。”肾之元气,即
天之北极也。天之南极,入地三十六度,而位乎南,下为阴而南为阳,居阴位之阳也。人之心君位乎腹之上,腹为阴而
上为阳,亦居阴位之阳。天之北极,出地三十六度,而位乎北,上为阳而北为阴,居阳位之阴也。人之命门,位乎背之
下,背为阳而下为阴,亦居阳位之阴。天之二极,对待以为中枢,而后营运不息;人之心君与命门,亦必神气相合,而
后营卫得以周流不息。顾静者,动之根也,心为十二官之君主,而主乎静定,命门为十二经脉之根本,而主乎秘密,是
即两极之居其所而不动也。
The *Jingui Yaolue* (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet) states: "For diseases affecting the Fu organs, sweating methods are appropriate; for diseases affecting the Zang organs, purgative methods are appropriate." The terms "Fu" and "Zang" here actually refer to the meridians. If it is said that there is no sweating method for Fu organ diseases, how could there be a purgative method for pathogens entering the Zang organs?
The *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) states: "The five Zang organs store essence and qi without excreting, thus they are full but not solid; the six Fu organs transmit and transform substances without storing, thus they are solid but not full." This is the key principle that Zang organs should be tonified and Fu organs should be unblocked. Examining the three hundred and ninety-seven treatment methods established by Zhang Zhongjing (the Grand Administrator of Changsha), purgation can only be considered when the pathogen enters the central earth (Spleen/Stomach or Yangming). The three clauses regarding urgent purgation in Shaoyin disease refer to cases where the pathogen has transferred to the Yangming Fu organ syndrome, which still aligns with the meaning of "attacking the stagnation of earth" (resolving middle-jiao stagnation via purgation). If the true qi of the Zang organs has already been lost, administering purgatives would constitute "making the deficient more deficient" (exacerbating deficiency). Ancient texts were extremely strict regarding contraindications for sweating and purging methods; how could one act so contrary to reason? Observing the discussion on "diseases affecting the Fu," it mentions "floating pulse, aversion to wind and cold," which clearly indicates "diseases affecting the meridians" (pathogens in the collaterals); discussing "diseases affecting the Zang," it mentions "constipation," which clearly indicates "diseases affecting the Fu organs" (obstruction of Fu organ qi). Distinguishing names to correct errors would better align with the original intent of the discourse.
According to the celestial sphere, there are 365 and 1/4 degrees. The continuous circulation of the sun, moon, and stars relies on the North and South Poles as pivots. The two poles remain stationary while all other stars revolve around them; the stars move, but the poles do not, demonstrating that motion is governed by stillness. The *Lingshu: Fifty Circulations Chapter* states: "The human body has twenty-eight meridians running up, down, left, right, front, and back, corresponding to the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions. With each exhalation, Qi moves three cun; with each inhalation, Qi moves three cun. After thirteen thousand five hundred breaths, Qi completes fifty circuits in the body, water drains from the clepsydra for one hundred marks, and the sun travels the distance of the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansitions. When the water runs out, the meridian Qi also ends." The circulation of Ying (Nutritive) and Wei (Defensive) Qi cannot ceaselessly cycle without a fundamental controller. The Heart Master and the Mingmen (Gate of Life) serve as the South and North Poles of the human body. The Heart is the residence of Shen (Spirit); Shen resides within, remains concealed, and acts through non-action. The operations of the five Zang and six Fu organs are all directed by the Heart as the sovereign. Thus, the Classics state: "If the Sovereign is clear-minded, the subordinates are at peace; if the Sovereign is unclear, the twelve officials are in danger." The primordial Shen of the Heart corresponds to the Celestial South Pole. A single point of Yuan Qi (Original Qi) in the Mingmen is the root of vital energy, hidden between the two Kidneys, serving as the foundation of the twelve meridians. It must be securely locked like a gate latch, as stated in the Classics: "When Yin is peaceful and Yang is secure, Jing and Qi are regulated." The Yuan Qi of the Kidney corresponds to the Celestial North Pole. The Celestial South Pole dips thirty-six degrees below the horizon and is positioned in the south; below is Yin and south is Yang, representing Yang residing in a Yin position. The Human Heart Sovereign is located above the abdomen; the abdomen is Yin and above is Yang, also representing Yang residing in a Yin position. The Celestial North Pole rises thirty-six degrees above the horizon and is positioned in the north; above is Yang and north is Yin, representing Yin residing in a Yang position. The Human Mingmen is located below the back; the back is Yang and below is Yin, also representing Yin residing in a Yang position. The two celestial poles stand opposite each other as the central pivot, enabling endless circulation; similarly, the Human Heart Sovereign and Mingmen must have their Shen and Qi combined to allow Ying and Wei Qi to circulate endlessly. However, stillness is the root of motion. As the sovereign of the twelve officials, the Heart governs stillness and stability; as the foundation of the twelve meridians, the Mingmen governs secrecy and retention. This is analogous to the two poles remaining stationary in their positions.