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This volume discusses stroke, including opisthotonos (body bent backward like a bow), wind-bi (numbness and pain in limbs caused by wind pathogen), inability to move hands and feet, hemiplegia, trismus (lockjaw), deviation of the mouth and eyes, wind-dizziness with headache, blood-wind (diseases caused by wind pathogen entering the blood level), palpitations due to heart-mind disturbance, epilepsy and mania, gout in bone joints, wandering blood-wind (wind pathogen wandering in blood vessels), itching and urticaria, wind-phlegm, Hong Kong foot (foot qi disease), lower back pain, and various phlegm syndromes. Although each of the above syndromes has its own formula discussion, one must first understand the general situation, examine the pulse for deficiency or excess, differentiate the syndrome for cold or heat, observe the patient's physical strength, determine whether the pathogen is in the Zang organs or Fu organs, and whether it is in the collaterals or meridians. Initially refer to the *Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang* for treatment, and do not rashly use potent drugs. Current treatment methods should first regulate Qi, then treat wind, which is infallible. This is because stroke, cold-stroke, damp-stroke, phlegm-stroke, and Qi-stroke can all cause excessive salivation, fainting, and obstruction. As the saying goes, "vermilion and purple are mixed, jade and stone are indistinguishable" (referring to the difficulty in distinguishing complex conditions). Physicians must investigate in detail. If stroke is treated as Qi-stroke, eight or nine out of ten cases may be cured; if Qi-stroke is treated as stroke, none out of ten will survive. Therefore, in cases of doubt, regardless of whether it is stroke or Qi-stroke, initially use Suhe Xiang Wan (Styrax Pills), Shexiang Jian (Musk Decoction), or Wuji San (Five Accumulations Powder). If it is phlegm-stroke, use Shen Su Yin (Ginseng and Perilla Drink); if it is cold-stroke, use Lizhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction); if it is damp-stroke, use Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction). If it is clearly identified as stroke, such as using Sansheng Yin (Three Lives Drink), Muxiang Zhusan (Aucklandia Boiled Powder), Paifeng Tang (Expel Wind Decoction), Xuming Tang (Continue Life Decoction), Fengyin Dan (Wind Guide Pill) (large and small versions), Zhuli Tang (Bamboo Sap Decoction), Da Bafeng Tang (Great Eight Winds Decoction), Zhibao Dan (Precious Treasure Pill), or Niuhuang Qingxin Wan (Calculus Bovis Heart-Clearing Pill), differentiate for cold, heat, deficiency, and excess before administering medication, and there will be no instability. However, this disease accumulates over a long period and does not occur in a day. Modern patients take three or five doses and blame the doctor for ineffectiveness, demanding too quick results from physicians. It is appropriate to use large doses and take them for a long time to achieve effects. Mencius said: "For a seven-year illness, seek three-year-old mugwort."

Stroke refers to empty wind invading the human body. Wind is the Qi of the four seasons and eight directions, usually rising from the Kan position (North) on the day of Winter Solstice. Observe the winds from the eight directions; those coming from their native direction nourish all things; those not coming from their native direction are called empty wind, harming all things. When the human body is deficient, it is invaded by empty wind. Although it may not manifest immediately at the time, it stays in the skin and muscles. Later, if re-injured by wind, overlapping with previous injuries, it manifests due to bodily deficiency, entering the Zang and Fu organ Shu points. Shu points are all located on the back. Stroke often enters through Shu points and manifests according to the specific Shu point invaded. Women suffer from stroke due to deficiency and damage of blood and Qi. One should observe the opening and closing of the mouth and eyes to distinguish severity, and check for the presence of saliva to clarify the syndrome and treatment. If the eyes are open and the mouth closed, hands and feet cannot open, and there is salivation without sound, it is treatable. If the eyes are closed and the mouth open, the sound is like snoring sleep, and there is urinary incontinence, death ensues. Zhibao Dan (Precious Treasure Pill), Suhe Xiang Wan (Styrax Pills), Wuji San (Five Accumulations Powder) (add Shexiang Jian/Musk Decoction), Niuhuang Qingxin Wan (Calculus Bovis Heart-Clearing Pill) (see *Heji Ju Fang* formulas), Da Bafeng Tang (Great Eight Winds Decoction). (Formula see Hemiplegia Chapter 7)