Library

Ren Shen Bai Du San (Ginseng Decoction to Overcome Toxicity), used for treating colds in all four seasons, and as an aid for the eruption and dispersion of smallpox.
Chuan Qiang Huo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix) (7 fen), Chuan Du Huo (Angelicae Pubescentis Radix) (5 fen), Bei Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix) (5 fen), Xin Qian Hu (Peucedani Radix) (4 fen), Zheng Chuan Xiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma) (5 fen), Bai Yun Ling (Poria) (5 fen).
Zhen Zhi Ke (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus) (5 fen), Ya Jie Geng (Platycodonis Radix) (5 fen), Shang Jian Shen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) (3 fen), Zhi Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Preparatum cum Melle) (4 fen).
One slice of fresh ginger, one date, decocted in water, taken hot.

Dao Chi San (Guide Out Redness Powder), this formula clears heat from the Heart channel, allowing it to exit via urination.
Da Sheng Di (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata) (3 qian), Chuan Mu Tong (Akebiae Caulis) (2 qian), Sheng Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) (1 qian).
These ingredients constitute one dose. Use seven leaves of Zhu Ye (Bambusae Folium) as a guide. Decoct in water. Before administration, add 1 fen of Zhu Sha Mo (Cinnabar Powder), mix well, and take.

Xiong Huang Jie Du Wan (Realgar Detoxification Pill), see the previous section on Sores and Ulcers.

Mr. Zhang Litian of Yangwen Xiang had a three-year-old son who, after receiving variolation (smallpox inoculation) this spring, experienced convulsions more than ten times in one night. A certain smallpox doctor stayed at his house but could not stabilize the condition. Early the next morning, Mr. Zhang came to my residence knocking on the door and explained the cause of the convulsions. Thinking of the child of an old friend, I went to examine him. The child was comatose and unconscious, with convulsive movements of the hands and feet, and countless moxa scars all over his body. Upon asking about the medication taken, I found it consisted entirely of cooling and purgative herbs, realizing it was mismanagement. I then used whole-body Deng Huo (fire-lamp moxibustion) to awaken him, after which he could speak. I then prescribed Ren Shen Bai Du San (Ginseng Decoction to Overcome Toxicity) for both mother and child to take together. After one dose, the convulsions stopped, and the smallpox erupted. This shows that if principles are not understood, a slight error leads to a huge discrepancy. Generally, when smallpox or measles first appear, they rely entirely on the warm, ascending, and generating Qi of Yang. Therefore, fever is a normal sign. Because the pores were not unblocked, the toxin remained stagnant and could not extend outward, leading to convulsions. At this time, it is appropriate to use ascending and dispersing methods to assist vitality. Instead, they used moxa fire to block it and cooling medicines to suppress it. How could they expect the convulsions to stop? The theory of "convulsive wind" in pediatrics is often the disaster brewed by such practitioners; what benefit does it bring to the patient?

The Classic states: When the rebellious Qi of the Foot Taiyin Spleen channel ascends, Huoluan (cholera-like syndrome) occurs. The symptoms begin with dietary injury followed by contraction of wind-cold. Evil and righteous Qi struggle against each other, causing severe pain in the heart and abdomen. Some present with vomiting and diarrhea; others cannot vomit nor defecate, resulting in restlessness and confusion. This condition is most urgent. One should quickly use salt water to induce vomiting. After vomiting and diarrhea have occurred, then use Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San (Patchouli Powder to Rectify the Qi) to separately regulate Yin and Yang. However, if panting and convulsions are seen, it is untreatable.
Commentary: This is Dry Huoluan, commonly known as "Intestinal Colic Plague." Because the patient cannot vomit nor defecate, convulsions and confusion occur. If the patient can vomit and defecate, the retained food and phlegm-fluid will be expelled, so how could confusion arise? If confusion appears after severe vomiting and diarrhea, this is a case of Collapse Syndrome (Tuo Zheng), not convulsions. Reading books merely by interpreting words literally leads to rigidity and failure even in old age. This applies to those of average ability; however, there are many among physicians who know nothing, spread hearsay, and deceive the people and confuse the world. Ancients said that shamans can still recite rituals from their books, while medical ethics have fallen into ruin. I say that shamans can at least recite from a book, whereas unethical physicians, even if they wished to recite, would suffer from having no book to reference. Thus, the degradation of medical ethics must be even more severe.