Library

The five zang and six fu organs, fullness in the heart and abdomen, pain in the waist and back, vomiting and regurgitation after eating, alternating aversion to cold and fever, difficult urination, emaciation with shortness of breath, moxa on Sanjiaoshu (BL-22, Triple Energizer Shu), one moxa cone per year of age. Abdominal disease with lower back pain, cold fluid pouring down due to Bladder cold, moxa on Xiajishu (EX-B15, Lower Pole Shu), one moxa cone per year of age. Heat qi in the Kidney affecting the Sanjiao and Bladder, moxa on Shuidao (ST-28, Water Path), one moxa cone per year of age; the point is located beside the flexed bone, five cun apart. (The flexed bone is five cun below the umbilicus; the Shuidao points at both ends of the flexed bone are each two and a half cun from the midline). Cold and heat in the Sanjiao, moxa on Xiaochangshu (BL-27, Small Intestine Shu), one moxa cone per year of age.

(Two Treatises, Four Symptom Patterns)
The treatise states: The origin of Huoluan (Cholera-like disease) lies entirely in dietary indiscretion, not in ghosts or spirits. If one eats until full, consuming raw meat slices, followed by dairy products; eats indiscriminately from all kinds of land and sea delicacies; sleeps on cold mats, and drinks large amounts of cold water; the various foods in the stomach congeal and fail to digest. The Qi of Yin and Yang becomes obstructed and rebellious. The Yang Qi desires to ascend, while the Yin Qi desires to descend. Due to the separation and conflict of Yin and Yang, vomiting and dysentery ensue. The headache feels as if the head will split, the joints feel as if they are disintegrating, and the tendons throughout the body undergo torsion and spasms. Although the symptoms may appear minor, among sudden acute diseases, it is the most terrifying; even facing an abyss or treading on a precipice cannot adequately describe its danger. Those who practice health preservation should understand this principle, so as to avoid premature death.
In cases of Huoluan, it is essential to maintain warmth and rest. If exposed to cold, it leads to generalized tendon spasms. For this disease, it is best to abstain from food for one day. For three days, consume small amounts of rice gruel. After three days, one may resume normal diet and rest. It is advisable to avoid mixed foods for seven days to nourish the Spleen Qi.
Generally, Huoluan results from overindulgence in meat, dairy, and miscellaneous foods without self-restraint, combined with poor sleep cover and inadequate care at night, leading to death. Human life relies primarily on the Five Zang organs. These Zang organs correspond to the Five Elements. Internally, they are the Five Elements; externally, they relate to the Five Flavors. The Five Elements and Five Flavors require balancing and regulation. Therefore, in spring, summer, autumn, and winter, one must regulate according to the season and avoid excessive eating. Foods that clash with the Zang organs cause disease. As the classics state: In spring, do not eat pungent flavors; in summer, do not eat salty flavors; in late summer, do not eat sour flavors; in autumn, do not eat bitter flavors; in winter, do not eat sweet flavors. This does not mean complete abstinence, but rather avoiding excess. As the proverb says, "A hundred diseases arise from the mouth," which is true. Overeating at any time can cause illness. From Summer Solstice to Autumn Equinox, avoid rich and greasy foods. However, people often prefer cold food in hot weather, combined with greasy food, unregulated consumption of fruits and vegetables, sleeping in the cold, bathing in cold water, and conflicting flavors, making it impossible to avoid disease. Thus, suffering is self-inflicted, not determined by fate. The book says: "It is not Heaven that kills people, but people who kill themselves." This refers to such cases.
For all types of Huoluan, avoid giving rice water, as it causes continuous vomiting. Instead, provide decoctions of Houpo (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex) and Gegen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix). If using Dongguaye (Benincasae Caulis et Folium), it moistens the throat but should not be given in large quantities. If vomiting occurs immediately after taking the decoction, wait until vomiting subsides before stopping. If the pulse is absent and unobtainable, use Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) combined with Gegen as a drink. If vomiting stops but irritability remains, and there is internal heat without sweating, and no rapid tendon spasms, use Xijiao (Rhinocerotis Cornu) combined with Gegen. If vomiting and diarrhea persist, accompanied by fever, irritability, and thirst, a small amount of rice flour juice is best. If it continues, administer Gegen combined with Jiqing (Capsellae Fructus).
Question: What constitutes Huoluan?
Master said: Vomiting and diarrhea constitute Huoluan.
Question: A patient has fever, headache, body pain, aversion to cold, and recurrent vomiting and diarrhea. To which disease does this belong?
Master said: This belongs to Huoluan. Huoluan involves vomiting and diarrhea, followed by recurrence of fever. In Shaoyin disease, the pulse is faint and choppy. Originally Huoluan, now after four or five days of Taiyang disease, it transfers to the Yin meridians and causes diarrhea. If there was originally vomiting and diarrhea, it is difficult to treat. In Huoluan with predominant vomiting, there is likely tendon spasm without thirst, and a sensation of movement above the umbilicus. If Huoluan presents with movement above the umbilicus, it indicates Kidney Qi moving; treat the movement first with Zhizhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction), removing Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) and adding Guixin (Cinnamomi Cortex). Baizhu is removed because it causes stagnation. Guixin is added to prevent Ben Tun (Running Piglet syndrome). For Huoluan with movement above the umbilicus, predominant vomiting, or predominant diarrhea, Huoluan with fright, Huoluan with thirst, Huoluan with abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea, and those desiring water due to vomiting and diarrhea, all are treated with Zhizhong Tang.