夫骨蒸劳者,由热毒瓦斯附骨,故谓之骨蒸也。亦曰传尸,亦谓 殊,亦称复连,亦名
无辜。丈夫以 癖为根,女人以血气为本,无问少、长,多染此病。内既伤于脏腑,外则损
于肌肤,日久不痊,遂致羸瘦。因服冷药过度,则伤于脾,脾气既衰,而传五脏。脾初受病
,或胀或妨,遂加泄痢,肌肉瘦瘠,转增痿黄,四肢无力,饮食少味。脾既受已,次传于肾
;肾既受病,时时盗汗,腰膝冷疼,梦鬼交侵,小便赤黄。肾既受已,次传于心;心既受病
,往往忪悸,或喜或嗔,两颊常赤,唇色如朱,乍热乍寒,神气不守。心既受已,次传于肺
;肺既受病,胸满短气,咳嗽多唾,皮肤甲错,状如麸片。肺既受已,次传于肝;肝既受病
,两目昏暗,胁下妨痛,不欲见人,常怀忿怒。五脏既病,渐渐羸瘦,即难疗也。
治妇人骨蒸劳,四肢无力,每至晚间既热,两颊红色,食饮不下,心神烦躁。
天灵盖(酥炙) 安息香 地骨皮 当归 山栀子仁 人参(去芦) 贝母(去心) 黄
连桃仁(去皮尖、双仁,麸炒黄) 槟榔(各一两) 鳖甲(醋炙) 北柴胡 生干地黄 赤
茯苓 麦门冬(各一两半) 阿魏
上为粗末,以童子小便一大盏,桃、柳枝各七寸,姜五片,葱白五寸,药四钱,煎至七
分,去滓温服。
Bone-steaming consumption disease is caused by heat-toxic qi attaching to the bones, hence it is called "bone-steaming." It is also referred to as "transmitting corpse" (Chuan Shi), "ghost stasis" (Gui Zhu - *note: original text has missing character here, contextually implied*), "repeated connection" (Fu Lian), and is also named "innocent" (Wu Gu). In men, the root of the disease lies in abdominal masses (Pi); in women, it is rooted in blood and qi disharmony. Regardless of age, many contract this illness. Internally, it damages the Zang-Fu organs; externally, it depletes the muscles and skin. If left untreated for a long time, it leads to emaciation and weakness. Overuse of cold medicines may damage the Spleen; once Spleen Qi declines, the disease transmits to the Five Zang organs. When the Spleen is initially affected, there may be distension or discomfort, progressing to diarrhea and dysentery, emaciated muscles, worsening sallow complexion, weakness in the four limbs, and loss of taste in food. Once the Spleen is diseased, it next transmits to the Kidney; when the Kidney is diseased, there are frequent night sweats, cold pain in the waist and knees, dreams of ghostly intercourse, and dark yellow urine. Once the Kidney is diseased, it next transmits to the Heart; when the Heart is diseased, there is often palpitations, alternating joy and anger, persistent redness on both cheeks, lips colored like cinnabar, alternating hot and cold sensations, and unsettled Shen (Spirit). Once the Heart is diseased, it next transmits to the Lung; when the Lung is diseased, there is chest fullness and shortness of breath, coughing with excessive saliva, rough skin resembling fish scales or bran flakes. Once the Lung is diseased, it next transmits to the Liver; when the Liver is diseased, there is dim vision, painful obstruction under the hypochondrium, aversion to seeing people, and constant resentment. Once the Five Zang organs are diseased, the body gradually becomes emaciated and weak, making it difficult to treat.
To treat female bone-steaming consumption with symptoms of weakness in the four limbs, fever worsening in the evening, redness on both cheeks, inability to eat or drink, and restless Shen causing irritability:
Tianlinggai (Sculpted Human Skull, prepared with butter) 1 liang, Anshixiang (Styrax) 1 liang, Digupi (Cortex Lycii) 1 liang, Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) 1 liang, Shanzhiziren (Semen Gardeniae) 1 liang, Renshen (Radix Ginseng, radix removed) 1 liang, Beimu (Bulbus Fritillariae Cirrhosae, core removed) 1 liang, Huanglian (Rhizoma Coptidis) 1 liang, Taoren (Semen Persicae, peel and tip removed, stir-fried with bran until yellow) 1 liang, Binglang (Areca Seed) 1 liang; Biejia (Carapax et Plastrum Testudinis, vinegar-processed) 1.5 liang, Beichaihu (Radix Bupleuri) 1.5 liang, Sheng Gan Dihuang (Radix Rehmanniae Preparata) 1.5 liang, Chi Fuling (Poria with Red Core) 1.5 liang, Maimendong (Radix Ophiopogonis) 1.5 liang; Awei (Resina Ferulae).
Preparation and Administration: Grind the above herbs into coarse powder. Take one large cup of urine from an uncircumcised boy, seven-inch pieces of peach branch and willow branch each, five slices of ginger, five inches of white part of scallion, and four qian of the herbal powder. Decoct until three-tenths remains, strain, and take warm.