别驾吴勉斋翁,体丰腴,嗜炮炙,任性纵欲,年六十七。极躁急。一日跌伤其齿,恬不
为意,
阅三日复跌,亦不为意,复跌之次日晚,左手足忽不能动,口眼歪斜。陆怀南先生,公通家
友也。即往诊之,语公诸郎曰∶此中风也,治不可缓,急取牛黄丸进之,诸郎皆有名博士弟
子。延予为治。诊其脉,左洪大,右缓大,观其色苍黑,神昏鼾呼,呼长而吸短,呼至口气
HTHT 出不能回,终日偃卧如醉,人不能动。陆曰∶此非半身不遂乎?予曰∶症候甚恶,不
特半身不遂也。半身不遂者,中风已过之疾,其势仍缓,亦有十余年无恙者,今才病,势便
若此,乃中风之渐,方来且不可测。陆重浓长者,所诣亦精,闻予言,当下了然,即与予商
确用药。始以六君子汤加全蝎、僵蚕、天麻,与之两日,神气仍未清,犹昏睡,睡犹呼吸,
口边HT HT 然,间作吐,粒米尚不进,前药再加竹茹。又两日,神始苏,欲言而舌难掉,嗫嗫
不能出诸口,前药又加石菖蒲、远志、红花,始能进粥数口,日计亦可茶瓯许,夜与正舌散
,同前药饮之。又三日,能坐,粥亦颇加,唯言尚謇涩,欲言以笔代口,写我左手甚痛,大
小便艰少。又用四君子汤加陈皮、竹茹、当归、芍药、红花、钩藤、天麻,服三日,神思大
好,饮食日加,以是方调理弥月,手痛减,稍能动,足稍能伸,扶起能坐,且能自按谱铺牌
,语言十厘清至八九, 有万全之望。唯大便有七八日或十余日始一行。予曰∶此血少之
故,补养久当自全,幸无他用而速害。公常自言吾疾乃痰在膈间,何能得一吐为快,此医家
有授之言也。予曰∶公脉大虚,非余痰为害,况今以补养而渐安,此其明验,何敢轻试一吐
,愿宁耐静俟,毋涉危险也。此戊戌九月念五,予以是日别往苕城,别不及旬,公复倾心而
任
张甲,张大言曰∶公病可吐,早吐早愈,诸郎君始信予言,持议不可。彼曰∶公病痰也,不
可不吐,吐而后补,可全愈而无后患,不然必成痼疾。公欲速效,决意吐之。诸郎君不能阻
,一吐而烦躁,犹曰吐不快耳,须大吐始可,再吐而神昏气促,汗出如雨,立时就殂,可叹
可叹!
Mr. Wu Mianzhai, a Jieba (Prefectural Vice-Administrator), had a robust and plump physique, had a preference for food that was fried or roasted, indulged in his desires without restraint, and was sixty-seven years old at the time. His temperament was extremely irritable. One day, he fell and injured his teeth, but he paid it no mind. Three days later, he fell again, still disregarding it. On the evening following this second fall, his left hand and foot suddenly became immobile, and his mouth and eyes deviated to one side. Mr. Lu Huainan, a family friend of long standing, went to examine him and said to Mr. Wu's sons: "This is Wind-Stroke (Zhong Feng). Treatment cannot be delayed; quickly administer Niu Huang Wan (Calculus Bovis Pill)." The sons were all distinguished scholars (Tai Xue Sheng). They invited me to treat him. Upon examining his pulse, the left side was Hong Da (Surging and Large), and the right side was Huan Da (Moderate and Large). Observing his complexion, it was Cang Hei (Dark Blue-Black); his spirit was confused, he snored, his exhalations were long while inhalations were short, and breath would exit but not return. He lay supine all day as if intoxicated, unable to be moved by others. Mr. Lu asked: "Is this not Hemiplegia (Ban Shen Bu Sui)?" I replied: "The symptoms are severe; it is not merely hemiplegia. Hemiplegia is a sequela of wind-stroke where the condition progresses slowly, with some remaining asymptomatic for over ten years. Here, the disease has just begun, yet the momentum is already so fierce; this is the onset of wind-stroke, and its future course is unpredictable." Mr. Lu was a dignified elder with profound expertise. Hearing my words, he immediately understood and discussed medication with me. We initially prescribed Liu Jun Zi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction) added with Quan Xie (Whole Scorpion), Jiang Can (Bombyx Batryticatus), and Tian Ma (Gastrodia Rhizome). After two days of administration, his spirit remained unclear, still in a coma-like sleep, breathing while asleep, with saliva dripping from the corners of his mouth, occasional vomiting, and refusing even a grain of rice. Zhu Ru (Bamboo Shavings) was added to the previous prescription. Two days later, his consciousness finally returned. He wished to speak but his tongue was stiff and difficult to move, mumbling without being able to articulate. Shi Chang Pu (Acorus Rhizome), Yuan Zhi (Polygala Root), and Hong Hua (Carthamus Flower) were added to the previous prescription. Only then could he consume a few mouthfuls of congee, amounting to roughly a cup of tea per day. At night, Zheng She San (Tongue-Correcting Powder) was administered together with the previous decoction. Three days later, he could sit up, and his congee intake increased significantly. However, his speech remained slurred and hesitant; he used a pen to write when he wanted to speak, indicating that his left hand was very painful, and his urination and defecation were difficult and scanty. Si Jun Zi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) was then prescribed with Chen Pi (Citrus Peel), Zhu Ru, Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis), Shao Yao (Peony Root), Hong Hua, Gou Teng (Uncaria Rhizoma cum Uncis), and Tian Ma. After three days, his mental state improved greatly, and his diet increased daily. This formula was used for conditioning for a month. His hand pain decreased, and he could move slightly; his legs could extend slightly, and when supported, he could sit. He could even play card games by arranging cards according to a pattern. His speech clarity reached eighty or ninety percent, giving hope for complete recovery. However, his defecation occurred only once every seven to eight days or even ten-plus days. I said: "This is due to blood deficiency. Long-term nourishment will naturally restore health. Fortunately, no other treatments were used that might cause rapid harm." Mr. Wu often claimed that his illness was caused by phlegm in the diaphragm region and that he needed to vomit to feel relief. This was advice given to him by another physician. I said: "Your pulse is large and deficient; it is not residual phlegm causing harm. Moreover, your gradual improvement through nourishing treatment is clear evidence. How dare I lightly attempt emesis? I wish you to endure patiently and wait quietly, avoiding danger." On the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month of the Wuxu year, I departed for Tiao City on that day. Less than ten days after our parting, Mr. Wu placed his trust entirely in Zhang Jia. Zhang loudly declared: "Your illness can be treated with emesis; early emesis leads to early cure." Mr. Wu's sons initially believed my words and opposed this view. Zhang argued: "Your illness is phlegm; emesis is indispensable. Emesis followed by tonification can lead to full recovery without sequelae. Otherwise, it will inevitably become an entrenched disease." Desiring a quick effect, Mr. Wu resolved to undergo emesis. His sons could not stop him. After the first emesis, he became restless and agitated, yet still complained that the vomiting was not thorough enough and insisted on vigorous emesis. After the second emesis, he fell into a coma, experienced shortness of breath, sweated profusely like rain, and died immediately. It is truly lamentable!