周凤亭公,年五十有八。正月肠风下血,又饮食过伤,大吐。而朱友以枸杞地黄膏一斤
进之
。不知此公肝气素盛,中焦原有痰积,且多思伤脾,又值卯木正旺之月,投以地黄、枸杞,
适以滋其湿而溢滞其痰耳。由是饮食减少,肌肉日消,腹中痞滞。又吴友以归脾汤进之。讵
知湿热未除,先用温补,是以油扑火,势成燎原。以致大便燥结,口干舌燥。据巳午未三时
,中焦蒸蒸发热,烦闷,酉时而退。此皆湿热壅滞于脾无疑矣。且面色黄中带黑,下午足面
有浮气,皆是湿势伤脾之征。法宜清肃中焦,彻去湿热,则饮食自加,而新痰不生,宿痰磨
去,庶五谷精华不生痰而生血矣。血充则精神长,而肌肉可复,且秋来无疟痢之患。公曰∶
清肃中焦,当用何剂?予曰∶二陈汤加薏苡仁、酒炒白芍药、麦芽以养脾而消痰,以枳实、
黄连泄痞而去热,以青蒿分利阴阳而消其黄,葛根升引清阳之气,使肌热清,而口渴可止矣
,
当服十剂。公曰∶先生之方善,但枳实、黄连恐体虚者不足以当之。予曰∶惟此二味,适可
以去公之病根,舍是则不效。缘中焦有余之疾,非此不能去,亦非它药所能代。公半信半疑
,服四剂而诸疾皆愈。公遽中止,不复服完。至七日尽,果发疟疾,而以木香槟榔丸下去稠
积甚多,乃追悔予言,而延之诊。予教以前方仍服十剂,夜以丹溪保和丸调理,则永无疟痢
之患矣。
Mr. Zhou Fengting, aged fifty-eight. In the first month, he suffered from intestinal wind with blood in the stool (Changfeng Xiexue), and due to excessive dietary intake causing injury, he experienced severe vomiting. At this time, a physician named Zhu administered one jin of Gouqi Dihuang Gao (Lycium Fruit and Rehmannia Paste). Unaware that this gentleman’s Liver Qi was naturally vigorous, and that there were originally phlegm accumulations in the Middle Jiao, compounded by overthinking injuring the Spleen, and occurring during the Mao month (when Wood Qi is at its peak), the administration of Shudihuang (Prepared Rehmannia Root) and Gouqizi (Lycium Fruit) merely nourished dampness and further obstructed phlegm. Consequently, food intake decreased, muscles wasted away daily, and abdominal distension and stagnation occurred. Subsequently, a physician named Wu administered Guipi Tang (Restore the Spleen Decoction). Little did they know that the Damp-Heat had not been eliminated; using warm tonification first was like adding oil to fire, leading to an uncontrollable blaze. This resulted in dry and hard stools, dry mouth, and dry tongue. During the Si, Wu, and Wei hours (9:00 AM to 5:00 PM), there was steaming heat in the Middle Jiao, accompanied by irritability and闷 (stifling sensation), which subsided at the You hour (5:00 PM - 7:00 PM). This undoubtedly indicates Damp-Heat stagnation in the Spleen. Furthermore, the yellowish complexion with black undertones, and the floating edema on the dorsum of the feet in the afternoon, are all signs of Dampness injuring the Spleen. The treatment method should be to clear and purify the Middle Jiao, thoroughly eliminating Damp-Heat. Then, appetite will naturally increase, new phlegm will not be generated, old phlegm will be ground down, and thus the essence of the five grains will generate Blood rather than Phlegm. When Blood is sufficient, Spirit will grow, muscles will recover, and there will be no risk of Malaria or Dysentery in autumn. Mr. Zhou said, "To clear and purify the Middle Jiao, what formula should be used?" I replied, "Erchen Tang (Two Aged Decoction) added with Yiyiren (Coix Seed), Jiuchao Baishaoyao (Wine-fried White Peony Root), and Maiya (Malt) to nourish the Spleen and eliminate phlegm; Zhishi (Immature Bitter Orange) and Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome) to drain fullness and clear heat; Qinghao (Sweet Wormwood) to differentiate Yin and Yang and resolve jaundice; Gegen (Kudzu Root) to ascend and guide Clear Yang Qi, clearing muscular heat and stopping thirst." Ten doses should be taken. Mr. Zhou said, "Your prescription is good, but Zhishi and Huanglian may be too harsh for a constitutionally weak person." I said, "Only these two ingredients can precisely remove the root of your disease; without them, there will be no effect. Because the excess pathogen in the Middle Jiao cannot be removed without these, nor can it be replaced by other herbs." Half-believing and half-doubting, he took four doses, and all ailments were cured. He abruptly stopped medication and did not finish the remaining doses. By the end of the seventh day, Malaria indeed manifested, and after taking Muxiang Binglang Wan (Aucklandia and Areca Pill), a large amount of thick accumulation was expelled. He then regretted not following my advice and invited me again for consultation. I instructed him to continue with the previous prescription for ten more doses, and at night, regulate with Danxi Baohe Wan (Danxi Harmonize the Stomach Pill), so that he would never suffer from Malaria or Dysentery again.