Library

[Background Information]
Book Title: Selected Medical Discussions from Futai Caotang
Chapter: Main Text (47/56)
Category: Medical Discussion

[SOURCE TEXT]

Sanqi Sheng
2002-12-14 13:08:44
The patient just called. After taking the newly prescribed medicine, he expelled a large amount of gas; the previous gas had an odor, but this time it did not. It had been only twenty minutes since he took the medicine when we spoke on the phone. The family asked the patient to speak for himself. His speech was now more relaxed, and his voice showed no signs of agitation. When asked if his chest still felt tight, he said it was no longer tight; when asked if his abdomen was still bloated, he said it was not; when asked if his left leg still felt uncomfortable, he said it felt slightly uncomfortable at times; when asked if he could see, he said he could already see. He expressed some words of gratitude, indicating that his mental state was completely normal. The family said the patient requested discharge himself, and the family members no longer insisted on intravenous drip therapy.
A life has been snatched back from modern medicine by traditional medicine. Regrettably, facts show that modern medicine once again played the role of the grim reaper in reality. This live broadcast is coming to an end.
To dispel the doubts of the ignorant, Sanqi swears: If there is any fabrication, may heaven and earth destroy me. Of course, I know this cannot dispel the suspicions of the cunning, but there is no other way.

Color Capitalist
2002-12-14 13:18:45
Brother Sanqi, I do not doubt at all that you cured someone else's illness. However, there are too many examples of Western medicine curing diseases. How can one draw the conclusion that modern medicine plays the role of the grim reaper in reality?

Xiaoyang Feifang
2002-12-14 13:22:07
Remember this day!
Sanqi Sheng has created another great miracle in Chinese medicine! (Voiceover)
Credits roll
Sponsors:
Tianya Teahouse
Special Appearances:
Daguo Xiaomin, Zidan, Yidao, Xiaoyang, Xiaoyang Liu...

Nanyang Laonong
2002-12-14 13:53:28
Rare and precious. Independent and unique. Makes us feel ashamed.
I saw your post when you published it and was the first to write a reply, spanning hundreds of words. I intended to copy it before sending the message, hesitated, and decided against it. Who would have thought that after clicking, a prompt suddenly appeared: "The website is being adjusted, messages cannot be sent temporarily." The reply was lost along with it, as if preventing communication. So, I let fate take its course and remained silent.

Xiaoyang Feifang
2002-12-14 13:56:20
Heaven's will is hard to defy! ~~~~~~~~~
Just kidding, Mr. Laonong, don't be angry. :)

Nanyang Laonong
2002-12-14 14:19:27
Here is a smile from a country old farmer. :)
However, this smile is born on an old face, covered with crisscrossing wrinkles, profound like ravines. These ravines are rigidly filled with the dust of years. When smiling, due to multi-directional tension, those longitudinal and transverse cracks must look most like the dry, cracked fields in autumn. I hope I don't scare you.

Sanqi Sheng
2002-12-14 14:22:18
Brother Capitalist, this conclusion is not drawn from this single case alone. I have treated such patients many times before. I recorded this incident to illustrate the flaws in Western medical theory. For patients with extreme accumulation of Cold Pathogen (Han Qi), this kind of "treatment" by Western medicine is not only ineffective but harmful. Because Western medical theory has never recognized disease caused by Cold Pathogen, how could it possibly treat Cold Syndromes (Han Zheng)? Conversely, most Western anti-inflammatory drugs are cold-natured, which would only add frost to snow regarding the condition.
Regardless of whether Western medicine has successfully resuscitated patients, for this type of heart disease where the Cold Water Qi reaches its peak around the Winter Solstice, Western medicine would likely conclude anywhere that the patient would not survive the night. Western experience is also derived from practice; that blood pressure status is considered a terminal syndrome (Si Zheng) in their rescue experience, and the time would not be long. They know that vasopressors would not work, but they have no other drugs. Little do they know that their so-called vasopressors actually exert the opposite effect, lowering blood pressure. From this case, where blood pressure quickly returned to normal after stopping vasopressors and using only Chinese herbal medicine, we can draw this conclusion.
Vasopressors instead lowered blood pressure. On what cognitive basis is Western theory founded? This is not a simple matter of success or failure in rescuing a case. Regarding the understanding of this disease, either Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) or Western medicine must have erroneous understanding. Shouldn't this attract the attention of doctors and patients?
Xiaoyang Feifang: You say you love TCM, but from your conversation, I read absolutely no interest in medicine. Learning medicine with this mindset easily leads to harming others. Let me tell you, the rescue of this case is indeed a miracle for Western medicine, but a very normal occurrence for TCM. This might be another reason why I dare to despise Western medicine.

Xiaoyang Feifang
2002-12-14 14:34:01
Mr. Laonong, as long as the smile comes from the heart and appears on a sincere face, it is the most moving. Do you remember the oil painting "Father"? That is my favorite Chinese oil painting. If you had such a face, I would be full of reverence.

Xiaoyang Feifang
2002-12-14 14:37:33
Sanqi Sheng, I am just repulsed by super narcissists like you, which has nothing to do with TCM or Western medicine.
Speaking of which, I am quite narcissistic too. However, compared to you, I am still several levels short in technique.

Sanqi Sheng
2002-12-14 14:54:15
If you understand the issue only in this way, it is truly disappointing. I merely want people to know a fact. As for empty fame, Sanqi is no different from dog feces.

Sanqi Sheng
2002-12-14 15:25:36
The patient's family just called. They said his complexion is still red, indicating that Yuan Qi (Primordial Qi) has not yet gathered inward; the second prescription should be changed. Blood pressure measured in the afternoon: 70-110, completely normal. Mental state is clear; he sat up and talked with his family for a while. Judging from the situation, he has basically escaped danger.

Sanqi Sheng
2002-12-14 16:15:06
Brother Laonong, thank you for your support. It is regrettable that I did not hear your high opinions. I have an immodest request: could you briefly restate the outline of your previous reply of hundreds of words, so everyone can share your insights together.

Sanqi Sheng
2002-12-14 18:03:45
Latest condition of the patient: Blood pressure 80-130, body temperature 36.5°C. Pulse stopped three times yesterday, now continuous. Chest feels no longer tight, breathing is not difficult, and he does not feel cold. Turbid Qi still descends occasionally, and vision has become clearer. Only the complexion remains red, legs feel sore and heavy, and waist sometimes hurts, which is a sign of Cold Pathogen descending. Cardiopulmonary function has basically returned to normal.

Nanyang Laonong
2002-12-14 19:39:25
Xiaoyang Feifang: Thank you, and thank you for the word "reverence," which is becoming increasingly rare. :)
Sanqi Sheng: There are no high opinions there, just things that flow naturally. Like wind or light, once they leave the heart and chest, they become formless; even trying to recall them, one cannot find their complete shadow. Recalling roughly, there are three main points. First, Sanqi (Notoginseng Radix): Taste is bitter with slight sweetness, nature is neutral. It excels at resolving blood stasis and regulating blood circulation. Within its power to unblock and break stagnation, it also possesses a force of constraint and limit. All known classifications possess the power of holistic mutual assistance; the same applies to the coexistence of TCM and Western medicine. Only by integrating the excellence of both can a brand-new medicine be created. Second, should we establish a theory of psychosomatic disorders and discuss how spirit (Shen) is the highest evolutionary form and result of the self-protection mechanism of human beings? Third, what is the difference between the technical culture of cultivating Spirit (Shen) and the technical culture of cultivating Essence (Jing)? Cultivating Jing involves understanding and transforming formed life forms, while cultivating Shen involves understanding and transforming life forms in the process of formation. The West focuses mainly on cultivating Jing, while the East focuses mainly on cultivating Shen. The two technical cultures target different levels of life for understanding and transformation. The historical culture of cultivating Shen mainly discusses the compatibility of individual personality with the natural whole, discussing life by dissolving it into the overall nature. The historical culture of cultivating Jing mainly discusses the self-sufficient mechanisms formed during the history of life generation for this lonely individuality, discussing life by stripping it from the natural whole. Thus, pathology, physiology, anatomy, biochemistry, etc., which exist only on this lonely individuality, are all understandings and discussions of formed individuality. However, Eastern culture, including the technical culture marked by TCM, always focuses on the aspect of formation, possessing more dynamic factors. The problem is that both are natural existences of life; they have a fixed historical individuality but are in constant formation every moment. Life evolution must be realized within the compatibility of the natural whole. Why can't these two be unified? I have pondered this for a hundred thoughts without resolution. Well, the above is roughly my previous line of thinking, extended with thought. It serves as a glimpse of my view. Please forgive me.
Different understandings of life and the resulting views on disease based on this understanding are probably the greatest divergence between Chinese and Western medicine. A unity of philosophical worldview might be needed. But such a worldview has not been created by anyone. :)

Sanqi Sheng
2002-12-15 11:07:08
The patient's family called late last night, past 1 AM. They said the patient's temperature was slightly high, 37°C, complexion somewhat pinkish, and left arm uncomfortable. This is a sign of Cold Pathogen traveling from Foot Jueyin Liver Channel (Zu Jueyin Gan Jing) entering Hand Taiyin Lung Channel (Shou Taiyin Fei Jing). Other aspects were still normal. Called again near 8 AM this morning. Temperature normalized, urination normal, defecation still not performed, but a spoonful of sticky substance came out with the gas. Legs still uncomfortable but relieved, waist no longer painful, arms no longer uncomfortable. However, breathing felt laborious again, wanting oxygen inhalation, indicating Cold Pathogen has entered the Lungs again. Instructed to take the previous day's formula containing Xixin (Asari Radix) and Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba). If chest feels tight, take yesterday's noon prescription for lowering [pressure]. The patient has suffered from leg discomfort for years. From this morning's changes, one can see the transmission path of pathogenic Qi from limbs along meridians to internal organs. This is a very obvious path, requiring repeated attention.

Sanqi Sheng
2002-12-15 12:30:48
Brother Laonong indeed has a wonderful interpretation, corresponding exactly to the original meanings of East and West:
East belongs to Wood, already nurturing the sprout of Fire; Fire belongs to Heart, governing the storage of Shen (Spirit); West belongs to Metal, early pregnant with the root of Water; Water belongs to Kidney, governing the storage of Jing (Essence). Jing, Shen, Qi, and Blood transform into each other: Jing is the material basis of life; Shen is the life energy of matter.
When Jing is warm, it transforms into Qi, governing growth: Water generates Wood, Wood generates Fire, Fire generates Earth, Earth generates Metal, Metal generates Water, like plants rooting and sprouting.
When Shen is clear, it moves Blood, governing collection: Fire overcomes Metal, Metal overcomes Wood, Wood overcomes Earth, Earth overcomes Water, Water overcomes Fire, like plants flowering and bearing fruit.
Water resides below and governs ascending; Jing transforming into Qi means Wood generating Fire. Fire resides above and governs descending; Shen moving Blood means Metal generating Water.
Governing growth means nature is outward and progressive; governing collection means nature is inward and retreating. Being solely progressive risks losing the root; being solely retreating risks losing prosperity. Those who value Jing excessively suffer from licentiousness; those who value Shen excessively suffer from delusion.
Jing belongs to Yin, Shen belongs to Yang. Yin forms structure, Yang transforms into Qi. The *Neijing* states: "When Yin is balanced and Yang is secure, Spirit and Essence are governed; when Yin and Yang separate and cut off, Essence and Qi perish." This emphasizes equal importance of Yin and Yang, and that Spirit and Essence are both treasures. Form without Qi dies; Qi without form scatters. Knowing only form but not Qi leads to轻视 (disregard) of life; knowing only Qi but not form makes it difficult to respect corpses.
Yet humans live in Qi; when Qi scatters, death occurs. Merely knowing form but not Qi, seeing only Jing but not Shen,背离 (deviates from) the root, galloping on branches, disregarding life, distancing from nature. Is this not the reason why Western medicine's healing science is far inferior to TCM?

Sanqi Sheng
2002-12-15 13:35:20
Latest condition of the patient:
After drinking the Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba) and Xixin (Asari Radix) medicine twice, the patient no longer felt breathing was laborious. At noon, he got up and walked two laps, saying it was just the feeling of lying down for too long, with no sense of severe deficiency, and wanted to defecate himself. Ate a can of Eight-Treasure Porridge, wanted to eat beef huoshao (flatbread). Instructed him that after a major illness, Spleen and Stomach have not yet recovered; avoid overly greasy and hard-to-digest foods; only light diet is suitable. Otherwise, eating might cause bloating again.
Patient's complexion has returned to normal, only occasional waist and arm pain, leg discomfort remains as before. This is the root of the disease. Advised to continue taking medicine. Best to find an expert in acupuncture to needle the Chengshan (BL57) acupoint on the left leg. Combining acupuncture and herbs yields better results. Otherwise, if the root is not removed, recurrence is feared in the future. Pulse rate 60 beats per minute, similar to an athlete.
It seems discharge is imminent, and opportunities for further reports will not be many.

Sanqi Sheng
2002-12-15 14:21:11
If an architect is only interested in the internal structure of bricks, it is difficult for him to design a structurally sound building. In other words, the internal rationality of architectural structure does not depend on the molecular structure of building materials. Studying the molecular structure of materials should not be the architect's business, but the material scientist's. Speaking of which, the overall function of the human body and the function of various organs are determined by whether Jing, Shen, Qi, and Blood can transform smoothly, i.e., whether Yin and Yang are balanced. It does not depend on the molecular structure constituting the organs. Although organ lesions lead to changes in the molecular structure of organs, it is not the change in molecular structure that causes changes in organ function. Seeking the cause of organ functional changes from molecular structural changes is putting the cart before the horse. This may be the reason why Western medicine cannot understand the origins of most internal diseases. From the relationship between methodology and epistemology, what Western medicine calls "understanding" might actually be distortion and misunderstanding. This method of treating disease that fails to grasp the root may be the essential reason why Western therapies have many side effects and ultimately cannot cure diseases radically.

Nanyang Laonong
2002-12-15 18:38:46
"Governing growth means nature is outward and progressive; governing collection means nature is inward and retreating. Being solely progressive risks losing the root; being solely retreating risks losing prosperity. Those who value Jing excessively suffer from licentiousness; those who value Shen excessively suffer from delusion."
Good text. The East has a head but no belly, possessing only a chaotic chest. Does the West have a belly but no head? Building an iron-stone foundation. Must there be a spiritual development of the chest? Also the development of Heart and Lung spirit. Only through it can upper/lower and inside/outside be connected, achieving a unity of East and West? Structuring the historical excellence accumulated by Eastern and Western lives in a thousand years of individual exploration, realizing overall transcendence? How can this spirit be revealed and culturally marked? TCM contains spiritual components that may realize that transcendence, but how to perform modern cultural conversion, including conversion to modern culture? Years of pondering still yield no solution. Glad to meet you.

Sanqi Sheng
2002-12-15 18:55:39
A strange phenomenon
The patient's daughter resolutely pulled out various Western medicines, using only Chinese herbal medicine for treatment, and finally saved her father's life. The next day, other relatives of patients saw the patient's condition improve significantly. Instead of showing appropriate joy, it made some people furious, as if their good deeds were ruined. Especially one of the patient's sons-in-law, who seemed almost indignant. His meaning was simple: here, you must listen to here. Don't listen? Not allowed. As if becoming a martyr defender of procedural justice. So the patient decided to be discharged. No way! (The patient currently feels everything is normal. Besides Eight-Treasure Porridge at noon, he ate a meat pie. In the evening, he said he was hungry and wanted to eat rice. Obviously, Spleen and Stomach function is recovering.)
If anyone breaks the norms of procedure, for example, a person declared dead by the procedure dares not to comply with the inevitability of the procedure and finds another path to life, it will make many defenders of procedural justice enraged. At this moment, they will show anger and courage that cannot be manifested before true justice, remaining unyielding even unto death to maintain unreasonable procedures.
Farrell, this is what you emphasize: procedural justice is greater than reasonable justice, right? At this time, I begin to understand why your understanding of breaking conventions is so dismissive, even using a tone of justice to indicate maintaining order. But I still ask: since procedural justice is unreasonable, is the absurdity of its own justice really so unshakable?