岵翁公祖。深知医理。投剂咸中肯綮。所以长年久世。然苦耳鸣。不乐对客。其左右侍从。谁能究心医
药之事。前病获安。竞以为人参之力。而卸祸者反得居功。谓其意原欲用参。但不敢专主。姑进不肖商榷。
以示详慎耳。于是善后之宜。一以诿之。曾罔顾夫一误再误也。吁嗟。善后之图维。果易谋乎哉。前
所论虚风一症。昌才用甘寒药一剂稍效。俄焉更医。误以伤寒为治。而致危殆。昌虽用旋复代赭二剂回天。然
前此虚风本症。尚无暇于驱除。而主家及医。其时方竞夸人参之力。谓调理更宜倍用。无俟参酌。曾不思虚风
酝酿日深。他日再求良治。不能及矣。此际欲造庭力争。是谓生端。即上书陈说。又恐中格。惟
有抚膺展转太息而已。吁嗟。时事之不可为。大都若此矣。然虽不得借箸前筹。未可不列眉而论也。内经云。
风者善行而数变。言风之为病。无定体也。又曰病成而变。此则专言胃风所传之病。变症最多也。变症有五。
一曰风成为寒热。以风气通肝。则木盛而侮脾胃。故生寒热也。祖翁前病时。左关之脉独大。自云
气反攻左。而每多寒热之候。致医辈视为外感者。是其征也。一曰厥成为巅疾。厥者逆也。谓胃气逆而上升。
成巅顶之疾。如眩晕之类也。祖翁前病时。呃逆不休。时觉昏晕者。是其征也。一
曰瘅成为消中。瘅者热也。热积胃中。善食而易饥。火之害也。祖翁胃中。素有积热。而多欲得食者。是其征
也。一曰久风为飧泄。言胃中风炽。飧已即泄。不留停也。祖翁平素三四日始一大
便。今尝无故泄下数行。是其征也。一曰脉风成为疠。言胃中之风。酝酿既久。则荣气腐而不清。肌肉之间。
渐至溃烂。以胃主肌肉也。祖翁四末及脉道之间。惯生疮疡。浸淫为害者。是其征也。此五者。总为胃风之
病。祖翁俱已见端。又喜飧羊肉河豚以召致之。然亦不自繇也。盖风煽胃中。如转丸之捷。食入易消。
不得不借资于浓味。而不知胃中元气。久从暗耗。设虚风止熄。即清薄之味。尚不易化。况于肥甘乎。今之
医者。全不究病前病后消息。明明语以虚风之证。竟不知虚风为何物。奈何言医耶。
奈何言调摄耶。昌于此殆不胜古今家国之感矣。
案虽定。而狂瞽之言。未便呈览。兼值昌有浙游。旋日。祖翁复得重恙。召诊时。语昌云。一病几危
。今幸稍可。但彻夜撰改本章不辍。神乱奈何。昌对曰。胃风久炽。津液干枯。真火内燔。宜用知母一两。
人参甘草各一钱。日进二剂自安。众议方中用参太少。且无补药佐之。全无取义。竟置不用。连进参术大
剂。不效。越三日。剂中人参竟加一两。服后顷刻气高不返而仙逝。八旬元老。勋勒鼎彝。子姓森森。绕榻
三匝。夫复何憾。独昌亲承 朴之化。于报称之心。有所未慊也。哀哉。
Grandfather Hu possessed profound knowledge of medical principles, and his prescriptions always hit the mark accurately; thus he enjoyed a long life. However, he suffered from tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and was disinclined to receive guests. Among his attendants, who could devote themselves to studying medicine and pharmacology? When his previous illness was resolved, everyone attributed it to the efficacy of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen), while those who had caused harm by misdiagnosis claimed credit for themselves. They argued that their original intention had been to use Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen), but they dared not take sole responsibility, so they merely consulted with the humble physician to demonstrate caution and thoroughness. Consequently, all matters regarding post-illness care were delegated to them, without regard for the fact that one error led to another. Alas! Is planning for convalescence truly easy to manage?
Regarding the syndrome of Deficient Wind (Xu Feng) discussed earlier, I initially used a dose of Sweet-Cold herbs (Gan Han Yao) which provided slight relief. Soon after, a different physician was called, who mistakenly treated the condition as Cold Damage (Shang Han), leading to a critical state. Although I used two doses of Xuanfu Daizhe Decoction (Xuanfu Daizhe Tang) to reverse the crisis, there was no time to eliminate the underlying Deficient Wind (Xu Feng). At that time, the household and the physicians were boasting about the power of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen), claiming that for regulation, the dosage should be doubled without further consultation. They failed to realize that as Deficient Wind (Xu Feng) accumulated and deepened over days, any attempt at proper treatment later would be futile. At that moment, wishing to argue forcefully in court would be seen as causing trouble; submitting a written memorial might also be blocked. I could only sigh deeply, pacing back and forth. Alas! The affairs of the times are largely like this. Yet, although I cannot plan ahead using borrowed chopsticks, I must still speak out clearly.
The *Neijing* states: "Wind is agile and changes frequently," meaning that wind pathogens have no fixed manifestation. It also says: "When a disease forms, it transforms." This specifically refers to diseases transmitted from Stomach Wind (Wei Feng), which present with the most varied symptoms. There are five types of transformed symptoms:
1. "Wind transforming into Cold and Heat": Since wind qi connects with the Liver, excessive Wood overacts on Spleen and Stomach, generating cold and heat. During Grandfather Hu's previous illness, his Left Guan pulse was uniquely large, and he reported that Qi attacked the left side, often presenting with alternating chills and fever. This was the sign that physicians mistook it for an External Contraction (Wai Gan).
2. "Jue transforming into Head Disease": Jue means reversal. It refers to Stomach Qi reversing upward, causing disorders of the vertex, such as dizziness. During Grandfather Hu's previous illness, he had incessant hiccups and occasional fainting spells. This was the sign.
3. "Dan transforming into Xiao Zhong (Middle Consumption)": Dan means heat. Heat accumulating in the Stomach leads to good appetite and easy hunger, a harm of Fire. Grandfather Hu naturally had accumulated heat in his Stomach and desired food frequently. This was the sign.
4. "Long-standing Wind transforming into Sun Xie (Undigested Diarrhea)": This means wind in the Stomach is intense; after eating, diarrhea occurs immediately without retention. Grandfather Hu usually had a bowel movement only once every three or four days, but recently experienced several episodes of unprovoked diarrhea. This was the sign.
5. "Pulse Wind transforming into Li (Leprosy/Skin Ulcers)": Wind in the Stomach, if allowed to ferment for a long time, causes Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi) to become turbid and impure. Between the muscles, ulcers gradually form because the Stomach governs the muscles. Grandfather Hu habitually developed sores between his extremities and along the pulse channels, spreading and causing harm. This was the sign.
These five conditions are collectively diseases of Stomach Wind (Wei Feng), all of which Grandfather Hu had shown early signs. He also enjoyed eating mutton and pufferfish, inviting these pathogens, though he was not entirely free to control his desires. Wind fanning within the Stomach acts swiftly like a rolling ball; food digests easily, forcing reliance on rich flavors. Unaware that his Yuan Qi (Primal Qi) in the Stomach was being secretly depleted, even if the deficient wind subsided, light and bland foods would still be difficult to transform, let alone rich and sweet ones.
Physicians today do not investigate the nuances before and after illness. Even when explicitly told about the syndrome of Deficient Wind (Xu Feng), they do not know what it is. How can they claim to practice medicine? How can they discuss regimen? I feel overwhelmed by sentiments of past and present, family and state.
Although the case record was finalized, my rash words were not suitable for presentation. Furthermore, I was traveling in Zhejiang. Upon my return, Grandfather Hu fell seriously ill again. When summoned to diagnose him, he said to me, "That illness nearly killed me. Fortunately, I am slightly better now, but I have been revising memorials all night without rest. What should I do about my disturbed spirit?" I replied, "Stomach Wind has burned for a long time, drying up Jin Ye (Body Fluids), and True Fire (Zhen Huo) flares internally. You should use Mother-of-Ginseng Rhizome (Zhimu) 1 liang, Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen) and Licorice Root (Gancao) 1 qian each, taking two doses daily to stabilize." The group argued that the amount of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen) in the formula was too small and lacked supporting tonifying herbs, rendering it meaningless. They discarded it completely. Instead, they continuously administered large doses of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen) and Atractylodes Rhizome (Baizhu), which were ineffective. Three days later, the dosage of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen) in the prescription was increased to 1 liang. After taking it, his Qi rose uncontrollably, and he passed away instantly. An eighty-year-old veteran, whose merits were engraved on bronze vessels, surrounded by numerous descendants circling his bed—what more could he regret? Only I, having personally received the transformation of simplicity, felt my heart of gratitude was not fully satisfied. How sorrowful.