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Qian Yi said: Various jaundice diseases have similar symptoms. If the body skin and eyes are yellow, it is a yellow disease. Body pain, stiffness in the arms and back, difficulty in urination and defecation, whole body yellowing, face, eyes, fingers, and nails all yellow, urine like the color of house dust, staining clothes yellow, with thirst which is difficult to treat, this is Dan Huang (Jaundice). This condition often occurs after a severe illness. There is another symptom where the body is slightly yellow not due to post-illness, which is Wei Re (Stomach Heat). Adults present similarly. There is also facial yellowing with abdominal distension, eating earth, and thirst, which is Pi Gan (Spleen Malnutrition). There is also yellowing from birth, which is Tai Dan (Fetal Jaundice). Ancient texts state that all jaundices are heat syndromes; deep yellow indicates this. If pale yellow mixed with white, it is Wei Qie (Stomach Weakness) or Wei Bu He (Stomach Disharmony). Nan Zhi stated: Color like smoked yellow indicates Shi Bing (Dampness Disease), accompanied by whole-body pain. If the color is like orange peel, it is Huang Bing (Yellow Disease), without body pain. Dry Huang indicates Zao (Dryness), with free urination, non-heavy limbs, thirst with desire to drink, suitable for Zhizi Bopi Tang (Gardenia and Phellodendron Bark Decoction). Wet Huang indicates Pi (Spleen) issues, with difficult urination, heavy limbs, apparent thirst but no desire to drink, suitable for Da Yinchen Tang (Major Artemisia Capillaris Decoction). If stool is free yet yellow, use Yinchens Zhizi Huanglian Sanwu Tang (Artemisia Capillaris, Gardenia, and Coptis Three-Ingredient Decoction). Or if there are alternating chills and fever with whole-body yellowing, use Xiaochaihu Jia Zhizi Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction plus Gardenia).

Zeng Shirong said: Yellow disease cannot be generalized. The root and branch differ, so symptoms and treatments vary. It arises from Spleen and Stomach Qi deficiency, contracting damp-heat, stagnating in the Cou Li (interstices), flooding the skin, accumulating into yellow, steaming outward, thus causing these symptoms. Alternatively, Spleen and Stomach weakness with internal Zheng Xi (masses/accumulations) caused by aggressive treatment. However, Gan Xie (Malnutrition Diarrhea) also leads to yellow skin, large and rigid abdomen, blue-green veins, emaciation, lackluster appearance, and inevitable body yellowing. Treatment: For contracted damp-heat, use Ju Wuling San (Five-Ling Powder prepared by chewing/crushing) added with Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba) and Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Fresh); sweating will cure it. Or Yinchen Hao Tang (Artemisiae Scopariae Decoction) taken with Wuling San is also acceptable. If suffering from Gan Pi (Malnutrition Masses) with a form resembling yellow earth, one should Xing Pi (Awaken the Spleen) or use Huapi Wan (Mass-Dissolving Pill).

Luo Qianfu said: I treated a child in late summer with steaming body heat, chest and diaphragm fullness and irritability, skin like orange yellow, sclera yellow, weak bones and sinews, unable to walk or stand. This was due to heat combined with dampness, steaming and binding in the meridians, entering the bone marrow, preventing Zang Qi from generating, causing the Spleen to overact on the Heart. Damp-heat combined to form the disease. Generally, excess Heart Fire causes steaming heat and chest/diaphragm fullness; Spleen Dampness excess causes orange-colored skin. Excess Qi attacks what it conquers and insults what it cannot conquer, leading to Kidney and Liver pathogen invasion, resulting in weak sinews and bones, inability to walk. The Neijing states: Those with Spleen Heat have yellow complexion and twitching muscles. It also states damp-heat leads to Wei (Flaccidity Syndrome). This is correct. As stated, "The child can make the mother full"; when full, drain the child. Essentially, Spleen Earth retreats from its original position, Kidney Water recovers, and Heart Fire calms naturally. Use Jiawei Xiehuang San (Modified Draining Yellow Powder).