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Frequent recurrences of acute convulsion (Ji Jing Feng) treated with numerous purgative or clearing-draining medicines will damage the Spleen Qi and consume Yin fluids, transforming into chronic convulsion (Man Jing Feng). The treatment should primarily focus on tonifying the Spleen and nourishing Blood, assisted by herbs that calm the Mind, clear Lung Heat, and subdue Liver Wind.

My commentary: The aforementioned conditions are mostly caused by vomiting and diarrhea leading to Spleen-Stomach deficiency and damage, where Liver Wood overacts upon Spleen Earth, or Kidney Water counter-attacks Spleen Earth. Thus, the symptoms present as apparent spasms without actual severe convulsions. Initially use Gouteng Yinzi (Uncaria Decoction); if the spasms subside slightly after onset, then use Baojian Tianma San (Baojian Gastrodia Powder). If accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, and anorexia, urgently use Muxiang Yigong San (Aucklandia Six Gentlemen Powder) to fortify Spleen Earth, and the disease will resolve itself; if there is no response, use Liujunzi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction) added with Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix) and Paojiang (Prepared Zingiberis Rhizoma) to warm and tonify Spleen Earth; if still ineffective, urgently add Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata) to restore Yang. Generally, the syndrome of chronic convulsion presents with exterior false heat but interior true cold. There is no wind to dispel and no phlegm to drive away; the primary approach must be warming and tonifying the Spleen and Stomach. Generally speaking, convulsions due to Wind manifest with greenish eyes and red face; those due to Shock manifest with crying out and spasmodic jerking; those due to Food Stagnation manifest with belching, vomiting, and chest oppression. Deficiency of Lung and Spleen generates sticky phlegm, producing a sawing sound in the throat. This occurs because Heart Fire fails to generate Spleen Earth, and Spleen Earth fails to generate Lung Metal, resulting in the Lung’s inability to govern Qi and the Spleen’s inability to control saliva. Consequently, saliva overflows upward, causing sounds in the throat! If agents for dispelling Wind, resolving Phlegm, or regulating Qi are used, it will scatter Zheng Qi and consume Yin, accelerating the critical condition.

The son of an official from Wangzhi Fang in Taiping Prefecture suffered from malaria. He strictly used phlegm-resolving formulas, leading to the manifestation of all deficiency syndromes, closely resembling convulsion. He asked me, "What is happening?" I said, "Frequent urination indicates Yin deficiency of the Liver Meridian; frequent blinking of both eyes indicates Wind-Heat in the Liver Meridian; nausea and poor appetite indicate weak Stomach Qi; diarrhea with tenesmus indicates weak Spleen Qi." He recovered after using Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) and Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia).

The son of Juren Yu Shizheng contracted carbuncle (Danshu) due to food stagnation. After taking exterior-releasing formulas, he developed spasms of the hands and feet; after taking Baolong Wan (Embrace Dragon Pill), he developed retracted eyes, asthma, and profuse phlegm. I stated this was a transformation into chronic convulsion due to Spleen-Stomach damage. There is no Wind to dispel and no Phlegm to expel; this is a deficiency pattern. I subsequently prescribed Liujunzi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction) added with Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata). After one dose, the condition stabilized; after two doses, he was cured.

A child, after recovering from illness, was startled by fright, immediately developing profuse phlegm, teeth grinding, spasms, head shaking, and diarrhea. However, he administered formulas containing Bull Brain (Nao), Musk (She Xiang), and Cinnabar (Zhusha), leading to death from chronic convulsion.