经曰∶足太阴厥气上逆则霍乱。又曰∶不远热则热至,热至则身热,吐下霍乱。夫霍乱之病,起于仓卒,其
证挥霍扰乱,无有宁止,故名霍乱。多因夹食伤寒,阴阳乖隔,上吐下泻,而烦躁闷乱者是也。盖人有三焦∶
上焦受纳水谷,主入而不主出;中焦腐化水谷,流行于五脏六腑;下焦分别水谷,主出而不主纳。故邪在上焦
则吐,邪在下焦则泻,邪在中焦则上吐下泻。凡霍乱得吐泻,则邪气上下得出,斯无苦也;陈 出尽,而吐泻
自止。乃有上不得吐,下不得泻,为干霍乱,又名绞肠痧。其病因脾胃之邪无从而出,若加喘满作搐者,十不救
一。其有上吐下泻者,当分寒热而治之,亦宜止其乳食,恐其增痰也。故霍乱饮米汤必死,以其助胃邪故也,
宜藿香正气散。
有先泻后吐者,乃脾胃虚寒,故先泻白水,而吐亦不多,口气缓而神色慢,额上有汗,六脉沉细,此为虚
冷,宜温之,六君子汤。不愈,则理中汤加藿香、木瓜各一钱。
有先吐后泻者,乃脾胃有热,故喘促唇红,吐多面赤,渴饮水浆,脉洪而数。此为热也,宜和解之,五苓
散加藿香。
其干霍乱上不得吐,下不得泻,最为危迫,速用盐汤探吐之,必待其吐出宿食积痰,然后用药,或以针刺
十指甲边令血出,或刺膝湾名委中穴,出血即解,后用藿香正气散。
The *Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic* states: "When the rebellious qi of the Foot-Taiyin [Spleen] channel ascends, Huoluan occurs." It also states: "If one does not keep away from heat, heat will arrive; when heat arrives, the body becomes hot, accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, and Huoluan." The disease known as Huoluan arises suddenly. Its symptoms are characterized by chaotic turmoil without cessation, hence the name "Huoluan" (sudden chaos). This condition is often caused by cold damage complicated by food stagnation, leading to a discordance and separation of Yin and Yang, resulting in upper vomiting, lower diarrhea, and irritability with mental confusion.
Generally, the human body possesses three Jiao (Triple Burners): The Upper Jiao receives and accepts water and grain, primarily governing intake rather than excretion; the Middle Jiao rots and ferments water and grain, circulating its essence to the five zang organs and six fu organs; the Lower Jiao separates water and grain, primarily governing excretion rather than acceptance. Therefore, if pathogenic factors affect the Upper Jiao, vomiting occurs; if they affect the Lower Jiao, diarrhea occurs; if they affect the Middle Jiao, both vomiting and diarrhea occur. In cases of Huoluan where vomiting and diarrhea are present, the pathogenic factors can be expelled from above and below, thus relieving suffering; once the accumulated pathogens are exhausted, vomiting and diarrhea cease naturally. However, in cases where there is neither vomiting nor defecation, it is called "Dry Huoluan," also known as "Intestinal Colic Sha" (Jiao Chang Sha). This occurs because the pathogens in the Spleen and Stomach have no outlet to exit. If accompanied by wheezing, chest fullness, and convulsions, fewer than one in ten patients can be saved. For those presenting with both vomiting and diarrhea, treatment must differentiate between cold and heat patterns. One should also suspend milk and solid food intake to prevent increasing phlegm. Therefore, drinking rice soup for Huoluan leads to death, as it aids the stomach pathogens; instead, Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San (Agaricus Powder for Rectifying the Qi) is indicated.
In cases where diarrhea precedes vomiting, this indicates deficiency-cold of the Spleen and Stomach. Consequently, white watery stools appear first, followed by minimal vomiting. The breath is weak, the spirit is lethargic, sweat appears on the forehead, and the six pulses are deep and fine. This is a deficiency-cold pattern, suitable for warming treatment using Liu Jun Zi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction). If ineffective, add Huo Xiang (Patchouli Herb) and Mu Gua (Papaya Fruit), each 1 qian, to Li Zhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction).
In cases where vomiting precedes diarrhea, this indicates heat in the Spleen and Stomach. Symptoms include rapid breathing, red lips, profuse vomiting, flushed face, thirst for fluids, and a flooding and rapid pulse. This is a heat pattern, suitable for harmonizing treatment using Wu Ling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria) added with Huo Xiang (Patchouli Herb).
Dry Huoluan, characterized by the inability to vomit or defecate, is the most critical and urgent condition. Immediately induce vomiting using salt water solution. Only after the retained food and accumulated phlegm are expelled should medication be administered. Alternatively, prick the sides of the ten fingernails (Shi Xuan points area) to allow blood to flow, or prick the Weizhong point (BL40, located at the popliteal crease) to release blood, which provides immediate relief. Subsequently, administer Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San (Agaricus Powder for Rectifying the Qi).