Library

(Commentary on the manuscript by disciple Jiang Juren)

In winter, the climate is closed and obstructed; its function lies in storage (Cang). In spring, the climate is open and dispersing; its function lies in movement. The reason why one does not fall ill immediately after being injured by cold (Han) is that because the external climate is closed, the internal Yang Qi also remains closed within. Since one has been injured by cold, illness will inevitably occur in spring because the external climate is dispersing, and thus the internal Yang Qi also disperses outward. To contract cold yet subsequently develop a warm disease (Wen Bing) — is this not the principle of extreme cold generating heat? Furthermore, water is silent until agitated by wind. Among the Five Elements (Wu Xing), winter corresponds to cold and Water, while spring corresponds to wind and Wood. One may remain unharmed after contracting cold in winter because the Yang Qi has not yet stirred. However, when the Qi of spring erupts, Yang Qi rises slightly and becomes rigid and strong, while Yin Qi descends slightly and becomes soft and weak, presenting an apparent imagery of Yang rigidity and Yin softness. Wind, aided by Yang Qi, disperses outward and agitates inward; the cold contracted previously is all blown out. At this juncture, what was previously cold should transform into warmth. There are also cases where failure to store essence (Jing) during winter leads to warm disease. If essence is not stored, Kidney Qi is deficient internally; upon contact with the seasonal pathogenic factors of spring, internal infection occurs easily. Regarding warm diseases occurring in spring, it is acceptable to attribute them to latent cold in the Shaoyin (Lesser Yin) channel. It is also acceptable to state that due to the failure of proper storage during the Cold-Water season of winter, one is prone to infecting seasonal pathogens in spring, rather than attributing it entirely to latent cold from winter. Those who adhere rigidly to the view that spring warm diseases must stem from winter latent cold, and consequently insist on treating them using methods for cold damage (Shang Han), err by being pedantic about ancient texts. As for Ye Tianshi’s theory that warm diseases begin in the Upper Jiao (Upper Burner), advocating light, clear, acrid-cool herbs as the method for treating seasonal infectious warm diseases: however, the concept of latent Qi is also frequently discussed by Ye Tianshi in his *Essentials of Pediatrics* (*Youke Yaolue*). Chen Pingbo and Wu Jutong, among others, established theories focusing exclusively on seasonal infections, remaining ignorant of the principles of latent Qi; this represents a severe degree of mediocrity, shallowness, and absurdity.

(Commentary on the manuscript by disciple Wu Yuchun)

Diarrhea caused by Shang Han (Cold Damage) indicates a deep-seated disease, whereas diarrhea caused by Wen Xie (Warm Pathogens) indicates a superficial disease. Generally, Shang Han involves cold injuring the exterior; when diarrhea occurs, the exterior pathogen sinks inward, leading to complications such as Jie Xiong (Chest Binding) or Pi Ying (Epigastric Fullness and Hardness). Warm pathogens cause heat to steam internally; unable to resolve via the exterior, they must exit through the lower orifices. Diarrhea provides an outlet for the heat, preventing major catastrophe. However, within diarrhea, there are cases of pure heat, heat mixed with dampness, heat mixed with accumulation, and heat binding with peripheral flow of fluids. Without prior differentiation, how can one decisively determine the critical signs of life and death? Broadly speaking, diarrhea caused by heat presents as loose, bright yellow stools, burning sensation at the anus, and urgent, unbearable defecation, consistent with the classic saying: "Acute diarrhea with tenesmus belongs to heat." Diarrhea caused by sinking dampness presents as turbid stool resembling black bean juice or sauce color, distinctly different from the porridge-like yellow stool of heat diarrhea. Diarrhea caused by Qi transformation failure and accumulation presents with frequent flatus, abdominal distension and pain, or incomplete evacuation, unlike the torrential flow of heat diarrhea or the rumbling bowel sounds of damp diarrhea. Diarrhea caused by heat binding with peripheral flow presents as pure watery discharge without fecal matter, possibly accompanied by intense heat or abdominal tenderness/rejection, differing further from the thick yellow of heat, the sticky nature of dampness, and the incomplete passage of Qi stagnation. How do these diseases primarily affect the Zang-Fu organs? It is said: Heat diarrhea belongs to the Lung, where lung heat transmits to the Large Intestine. Damp-heat diarrhea belongs to the Spleen, where spleen dampness flows downward. Qi transformation failure and heat binding with peripheral flow belong to the Stomach and Intestines, where dry feces in the intestines are obstructed, causing pathogenic heat to become firmly entrenched. If pathogenic factors enter the Shaoyin channel, presenting with spontaneous purging of clear water, pure green color, dry throat and mouth, chest fullness, vexation, cough, vomiting, and insomnia, the underlying principles are profound and difficult to analyze item by item.