螈者,筋脉拘急也, 者,筋脉弛纵也。《经》云∶肝主筋藏血,肝气为阳为火,
肝血为阴为水,去血过多,阳火炽盛,筋无所养而然,用八珍汤加丹皮、钩藤以生阴
血,则阳火退而诸证愈,不应,用四君子芎归丹皮钩藤补脾土,盖血生于至阴,至阴
者,脾土也,且气有生血之功耳。故小儿吐泻之后,脾胃亏损,亦多患之,乃虚象也。
若肢体恶寒,脉微细者,此为真状。若脉浮大,发热烦渴,此为假象,惟当固本为善。
若无力抽搐,戴眼反折,汗出如珠者,不治。
产后惊悸者,由脏虚,心气不足,阴虚邪热乘心,以致惊不自安,悸动不定,目睛
不转,而不能动,诊其脉动而弱者,惊悸也。惟宜养血,佐以安神,血生则神有所根据也。
产后发狂者,此阴血暴崩,肝虚火炎之极也。宜泽兰、归、地、牛膝、茯神、远志、枣仁加
童便主之。若因败血停滞,用调经散。若因
心血虚损,用柏子仁散,若因肾虚阴火上迫,而为如狂者,宜八味汤加减服之。要知产后
大虚,而继诸病,则当以虚为本,而病为标也。
书以产后口鼻黑气,及见鼻衄,为不可治者,何也?盖五脏之华,皆上注于面,见
色红赤者,阳热之生气也。青黑者,阴寒之绝气也。况口鼻为阳明多血多气之部,而见
阴寒惨杀之气,则胃中阳和之气衰败可知矣。复至鼻衄,则阳亡阴走也。胃绝肺败,
阴阳两亡,故不可治。及产后舌紫黑者,为血先死,不治,盖心主血,少阴气绝,则血不上阴耳。
Convulsion (Jingchou) refers to the spasm and tension of sinews and vessels, while Ji Zong (jiè zòng) refers to the relaxation and laxity of sinews and vessels. The *Classic* states: "The Liver governs the sinews and stores blood; Liver Qi is Yang and Fire, while Liver Blood is Yin and Water." When excessive blood loss occurs, Yang Fire becomes blazing, causing the sinews to lose nourishment, which leads to this condition. Use Bazhen Tang (Eight-Treasure Decoction) added with Mudanpi (Moutan Cortex) and Gouteng (Uncariae Ramulus cum Uncis) to generate Yin Blood; then Yang Fire will recede and all symptoms will resolve. If there is no response, use Sijunzi Tang (Four-Gentlemen Decoction) added with Chuanxiong (Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Mudanpi, and Gouteng to tonify Spleen Earth. This is because blood is generated from the Supreme Yin, and the Supreme Yin is Spleen Earth; furthermore, Qi has the function of generating blood. Therefore, after vomiting and diarrhea in infants, when the Spleen and Stomach are damaged and depleted, they often suffer from this condition, which is a manifestation of deficiency. If the limbs feel aversion to cold and the pulse is faint and thin, this is true convulsion. If the pulse is floating and large, accompanied by fever, irritability, and thirst, this is a false appearance; one should only focus on consolidating the root as the best approach. If there is weak convulsion, Dai Yan (eyes fixed upward), Fan Zhe (opisthotonos or body bent backward like a bow), and sweating like pearls, it is incurable.
Postpartum Jing Ji (palpitations and fright) arises from visceral deficiency and insufficient Heart Qi. Yin deficiency allows pathogenic heat to invade the Heart, resulting in uncontrolled fright, restless palpitations, inability to move the eyeballs, and immobility of the body. Palpation reveals a moving and weak pulse, indicating Jing Ji. Treatment should primarily nourish Blood and assist in calming the Spirit; once Blood is generated, the Spirit has a foundation.
Postpartum mania results from sudden massive hemorrhage of Yin Blood and extreme Liver deficiency with blazing Fire. The appropriate prescription includes Zelan (Lycopii Herba), Danggui, Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix), Niuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix), Fushen (Poria cum Radice), Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix), Suanzaoren (Ziziphi Spinosae Semen), and Tongbian (Human Urine). If caused by stagnant lochia, use Tiaojing San (Regulating Menstruation Powder). If caused by Heart Blood deficiency, use Baiziren San (Biota Seed Powder). If caused by Kidney deficiency with pressing Yin Fire leading to manic-like symptoms, use Bawei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill) with modifications. It must be understood that postpartum is a state of great deficiency; subsequent diseases should be treated by addressing the deficiency as the root and the disease as the branch.
Texts record that black qi appearing around the mouth and nose during the postpartum period, along with Bi Nu (epistaxis/nosebleed), are considered incurable. Why? The essence of the Five Zang organs flows upward to the face. Redness indicates vigorous Yang Heat. Cyan or black indicates the extinction of Yin Cold. Moreover, the mouth and nose are areas where the Yangming Meridian has abundant Qi and Blood. The presence of Yin Cold and desolate Qi indicates that the warm Yang Qi in the Stomach has declined and failed. With the addition of epistaxis, it signifies the loss of Yang and the escape of Yin. With the exhaustion of Stomach Qi and the failure of Lung Qi, both Yin and Yang perish; thus, it is incurable. As for a purple-black tongue after childbirth, it indicates that the Blood has died first, which is also incurable. This is because the Heart governs Blood; when the Qi of the Shaoyin Meridian is exhausted, Blood cannot ascend to nourish the upper regions.