丹溪云∶夫湿者土之气,土者火之子,故湿病多自热生,盖火热能生土湿也。或曰∶湿
温风湿寒湿矣,未闻有所谓湿热病者。由六气之中,湿热为病,十居八九,故《内经》云∶
湿上润而热。又云∶因于湿,首如裹,湿热不攘,大筋软短,小筋驰长,软短为拘,弛长为
痿。或云∶温热在其中。又云∶湿热在其中。此古人论其细微之处。世之有病湿者,或处卑
湿,或冒雨露,或卧阴润,或衣湿汗,俱能致害。其病关节疼痛而烦,肢体顽麻而重,脉沉
细者名曰湿痹,其小便不利,大便反快者,当利其小便,或身痛而烦,脉沉而缓,名曰重湿
。患一身尽痛发黄,小便自利,当燥阴土。若肢体重着者可转侧,额上微汗,不欲去被,身
微肿,或脉浮者,名曰风湿,是真风湿二气相搏以致此,治当微微发汗,使风湿俱从汗出。
若大发汗,则风去而湿存,两胫逆冷,胸腹满,头自痛,多汗妄言,脉阳濡溺,阴急小,是
名湿温。因伤湿而复伤暑者,湿热相搏而成此患,不可发汗,汗则必不能言及耳聋,不知痛
痒,乃是重 。湿家寒多者,为痛为肿。凡湿家不可大下,下之额上汗出,微喘,小便利者
不治,下利不止者亦不治。又有脾胃素弱,内蓄痰饮,外冒雨露,痰湿相搏,上冲心胸令人
涎潮壅塞,口眼歪斜,半身不随,昏不知人,与中风相似,但脉沉涩或沉而细,不可作中风
治之,谓其脾土好干恶湿,而被湿流相干,则有是疾,若作中风治之,脾元愈虚,痰湿愈盛
,必致危笃。戴人论湿之证,而以湿热为源,风寒为兼,深得《内经》之旨也。治湿得行则
涣然,而湿行而气复散,临时开也。殊不知湿得行,则豁然而收也,湿得卫也,或从针灸而
得安,有以其开通而壅滞,殊不知湿得开通而壅滞行,如此亦用权者有可劫之病也,要当分
别上下内外之由,自外而感者,或因雾露阴雨所客,澡浴为风所关,涉水为寒所郁,汗出当
风而快坐卧,卑地清气袭虚,从下而起,上为头重,鼻塞而烦,表郁则发寒热,身色如似熏
黄,着入骨节,为重疼痛,足趺浮肿,其脉浮缓。《内经》曰∶地之湿气,感则害人皮肉筋
脉。又云∶伤于湿者下先受之,非外感所致乎。大法腰以上宜汗,腰以下宜利小便之分。东
垣云∶湿淫所胜,助风以平之,非风药表散之谓乎?经云∶湿上甚而热,治以苦温,佐以甘
辛,以汗为故而止。此治上治外之法也。自内而致者,或因酒面积多,过饮汤液停滞腻物,
甘滑陈久,烧炙香辛,膏粱过度,气热熏蒸,浊液不行,涌溢于中,湿从内作,重则发痉强
直,霍乱吐利,轻则痞膈中满,怠惰嗜卧,沉重无力,流滥关节则烦疼,注于络脉,屈伸不
可转侧。水性润下,气不能煦,滞于经络,发肿肉软如泥,按之不起,其脉多沉潜。《内经
》曰∶湿气在中。又曰∶脾恶湿,非内致所生乎,治法脾苦湿,急食苦以燥之。又曰∶湿淫
于内,以苦燥之,以淡泄之。此湿自内成,故宜燥宜利小便,非表散所能去也,此内治下之
法也。今湿分上下内外,盖可知矣,药亦有所据乎?《金匮》方以汗药发湿者也,古方以热
药燥寒湿者也,东垣以风药胜湿者也,河间以凉药治湿热者也。大率言淡渗之药,利湿者也
,诸家发明,互相迨矣。前人所述一证,各有立论,全在医者识病,或内因外因,或虚或实
,六淫七情所感,的于何经受证以致之,治之无不效矣。
Zhu Danxi stated: Dampness is the qi manifestation of Earth. Since Earth is the child generated by Fire (in Five Elements theory, Fire generates Earth), dampness diseases often arise from Heat, as fiery heat can generate the dampness of Earth. Some ask: Although there are discussions on Warmth, Wind, Cold, and Dampness, no so-called "Damp-Heat disease" has been heard of. In fact, among the pathogenic factors of the Six Qi, Damp-Heat accounts for eight or nine out of ten cases. Therefore, *Nei Jing* (The Inner Canon) states: "Dampness tends to moisten upwards accompanied by Heat." It also says: "Due to Dampness, the head feels as if wrapped; if Damp-Heat is not eliminated, the large tendons become short and soft, while the small tendons become long and lax. Shortening leads to spasms/cramps, while laxity leads to flaccidity/paralysis." Some say: "Warmth is within it." Others say: "Damp-Heat is within it." These are the ancients' discussions on the subtle aspects of the condition. People in the world suffering from Dampness diseases may dwell in low, damp places, be exposed to rain and dew, lie in cold and moist environments, or wear sweat-drenched clothes, all of which can cause harm. Their symptoms include joint pain with irritability, limb numbness and heaviness, and a deep, fine pulse, named Shi Bi (Dampness Bi syndrome). If urination is difficult but stool is loose, one should promote diuresis. If body pain with irritability occurs with a deep and slow pulse, it is named Chong Shi (Heavy Dampness). If the whole body hurts and turns yellow with free urination, one should dry the Spleen Earth. If limbs are heavy but movable, with slight sweating on the forehead, aversion to removing blankets, slight edema, or a floating pulse, it is named Feng Shi (Wind-Dampness), caused by the struggle between true Wind and Dampness. Treatment should involve mild diaphoresis to expel both Wind and Dampness through sweat. Profuse sweating will expel Wind but retain Dampness, leading to cold legs, chest and abdominal fullness, headache, excessive sweating, delirium, and a pulse that is soggy at the Yang position and urgent/small at the Yin position, named Shi Wen (Damp-Warmth). If Dampness injury is compounded by Summerheat, forming this condition via Damp-Heat struggle, diaphoresis is contraindicated; inducing sweat will likely cause aphonia, deafness, and loss of pain/temperature sensation, known as Zhong Yue (Severe Summerheat). For patients with excess Cold-Dampness, pain and swelling occur. Purging is strictly forbidden in Dampness patients; if purging causes forehead sweating, slight wheezing, and free urination, it is incurable; likewise, unceasing diarrhea is incurable. Those with inherent weak Spleen and Stomach, retaining phlegm-fluids internally, and exposed to external dampness, may experience Phlegm-Dampness struggling and rushing upward to the chest and heart, causing salivary flooding and obstruction, facial paralysis, hemiplegia, and coma, resembling Stroke (Zhong Feng). However, the pulse is deep and choppy or deep and fine, so it must not be treated as Stroke. This is because the Spleen Earth prefers dryness and dislikes dampness; when invaded by flowing dampness, such diseases arise. Treating it as Stroke would further weaken Spleen Yuan Qi and increase Phlegm-Dampness, leading to critical danger. Dai Ren (Zhang Congzheng) discussed Dampness syndromes, identifying Damp-Heat as the source and Wind-Cold as concurrent factors, deeply grasping the essence of *Nei Jing*. Treating Dampness allows its movement, dispersing the pathogen; as Dampness moves, Qi circulation resumes, resolving temporary blockages. Unknowingly, once Dampness moves, recovery is sudden; with Wei Qi support, or via acupuncture, peace is restored. Some physicians believe opening up causes stagnation, unaware that opening facilitates Dampness movement; this is a flexible approach for treatable conditions, requiring differentiation of upper/lower and internal/external origins. External contraction may result from mist, rain, or clouds, wind exposure during bathing, cold depression from wading, or sitting/lying in drafts after sweating. Clear qi from low ground invades deficiency, rising from below to cause heavy head, nasal congestion, and irritability. Exterior constraint causes chills and fever, sallow complexion like smoked yellow, deep penetration into joints causing heavy pain, dorsal foot edema, and a floating-slow pulse. *Nei Jing* says: "Earth's dampness, when invading, harms skin, flesh, tendons, and vessels." It also says: "Those injured by Dampness are first affected below," indicating external contraction. The general rule is: above the waist, use diaphoresis; below the waist, use diuresis. Li Dongyuan said: "When Dampness prevails, assist with Wind herbs to pacify it," referring to using Wind herbs for exterior dispersion. Classics state: "For Dampness prevailing above with Heat, treat with Bitter-Warm herbs, assisted by Sweet-Acrid herbs, stopping when sweat occurs." This is the method for treating Upper and Exterior. Internal generation may result from excessive alcohol and food, overconsumption of liquids, stagnation of greasy foods, aged sweet/slippery items, roasted/spicy foods, or excessive rich diet. Qi-Heat steaming causes turbid fluids to stagnate and overflow internally, generating Dampness from within. Severe cases cause spasms and rigidity, cholera-like vomiting and diarrhea; mild cases cause epigastric fullness, lethargy, drowsiness, heaviness, and weakness. Flowing into joints causes painful irritation; entering collaterals prevents flexion and extension. Water nature is moist and downward; without Yang warmth, stagnation in collaterals causes edema and soft muscles like mud, leaving indentations upon pressure, with a deep-submerged pulse. *Nei Jing* says: "Dampness is within." It also says: "Spleen dislikes Dampness," indicating internal origin. Treatment: Spleen suffers from Dampness, urgently use Bitter herbs to dry it. Also: "When Dampness invades internally, use Bitter to dry, and Pale to drain." Since Dampness forms internally, drying and diuresis are appropriate, not exterior dispersion. This is the method for treating Internal and Lower. Thus, Dampness is divided into Upper/Lower and Internal/External, with corresponding herbal strategies. *Jin Gui Yao Lue* formulas use diaphoretics to disperse Dampness; ancient formulas use Hot herbs to dry Cold-Dampness; Li Dongyuan uses Wind herbs to overcome Dampness; Liu Hejian uses Cool herbs to treat Damp-Heat. Generally, Pale-draining herbs promote Dampness elimination. Various schools have elaborated mutually. Predecessors described each syndrome with specific theories; success depends on the physician's ability to identify the disease, whether internal/external, deficiency/excess, or influenced by Six Excesses or Seven Emotions, pinpointing the affected meridian for effective treatment.