寒热有真假者,阴证似阳,阳证似阴也。盖阴极反能躁热,乃内寒而外热,即真寒假热
也。阳极反能寒厥,乃内热而外寒,即真热假寒也。假热者,最忌寒凉,假寒者,最忌温热
。察此之法,当专以脉之虚实强弱为主。
一、假热者,水极似火也。凡病伤寒,或患杂证,有其素禀虚寒,偶感邪气而然者,有
过于劳倦而致者,有过于酒色而致者,有过于七情而致者,有原非火证,以误服寒凉而致者
。凡真热本发热,而假热亦发热。其证则亦为面赤躁烦,亦为大便不通,小便赤涩,或为气
促,咽喉肿痛,或为发热,脉见紧数等证。昧者见之,便认为热,妄投寒凉,下咽必毙。不
知身虽有热,而里寒格阳,或虚阳不敛者,多有此证。但其内证,则口虽干渴,必不喜冷,
即喜冷者,饮亦不多,或大便不实,或先硬后溏,或小水清频,或阴枯黄赤,或气短懒
言,或色黯神倦,或起倒如狂,而禁之则止,自与登高骂詈者不同,此虚狂也;或斑如蚊迹
而浅红细碎,自与紫赤热极者不同,此假斑也。凡假热之脉,必沉细迟弱,或虽浮大紧数而
无力无神,此乃热在皮肤,寒在脏腑,所谓恶热非热,实阴证也。凡见此内颓内困等证,而
但知攻邪,则无有不死。急当以四逆、八味、理阴煎、回阳饮之类,倍加附子填补真阳,以
引火归源,但使元气渐复,则热必退藏,而病自愈。所谓火就燥者,即此义也。故凡见身热
脉数,按之不鼓击者,此皆阴盛格阳,即非热也。仲景治少阴证面赤者,以四逆汤加葱白主
之。东垣曰∶面赤目赤,烦躁引饮,脉七八至,按之则散者,此无根之火也。以姜附汤加人
参主之。《外台秘要》曰∶阴盛发躁,名曰阴躁,欲坐井中,宜以热药治之。
一、假寒者,火极似水也。凡伤寒热甚,失于汗下,以致阳邪亢极,郁伏于内,则邪自
阳经传入阴分,故为身热发厥,神气昏沉,或时畏寒,状若阴证。凡真寒本畏寒,而假寒亦
畏寒,此热深厥亦深,热极反兼寒化也。大抵此证,必声壮气粗,形强有力,或唇焦舌黑,
口渴饮冷,小便赤涩,大便秘结,或因多饮药水,以致下痢纯清水,而其中仍有燥粪,及矢
气极臭者,察其六脉必皆沉滑有力,此阳证也。凡内实者,宜三承气汤择而用之。潮热者,
以大柴胡汤解而下之。内不实者,以白虎汤之类清之。若杂证之假寒者,亦或为畏寒,或为
战栗,此以热极于内而寒侵于外,则寒热之气两不相投,因而寒栗,此皆寒在皮肤,热在骨
髓,所谓恶寒非寒,明是热证。但察其内证,则或为喜冷,或为便结,或小水之热涩,或口
臭而躁烦,察其脉必滑实有力。凡见此证,即当以凉膈、芩连之属,助其阴而清其火,使内
热既除,则外寒自伏。所谓水流湿者,亦此义也。故凡身寒厥冷,其脉滑数,按之鼓击于指
下者。此阳极似阴,即非寒也。
一、假寒误服热药,假热误服寒药等证,但以冷水少试之。假热者,必不喜水,即有喜
者,或服后见呕,盒饭以温热药解之。假寒者,必多喜水,或服后反快而无所逆者,盒饭以
寒凉药解之。
There are true and false manifestations of cold and heat, namely Yin syndromes resembling Yang, and Yang syndromes resembling Yin. When Yin-cold reaches its extreme, it may paradoxically manifest as restlessness and heat; this is internal cold with external heat, known as True Cold and False Heat. When Yang-heat reaches its extreme, it may paradoxically manifest as cold extremities (Jue); this is internal heat with external cold, known as True Heat and False Cold. For False Heat, the greatest contraindication is the use of Cold-Cooling remedies; for False Cold, the greatest contraindication is the use of Warm-Hot remedies. The method to discern this lies primarily in examining the deficiency or excess, and strength or weakness of the pulse.
I. False Heat is when Water (Cold) is at its extreme and resembles Fire (Heat). In cases of Shanghan (Cold Damage) or other miscellaneous diseases, this may arise from a constitution inherently deficient and cold, accidentally contracting pathogenic factors; from excessive fatigue; from excessive indulgence in alcohol and sexual activity; from excessive emotional stress; or from a condition originally not characterized by Fire, but caused by the mistaken administration of Cold-Cooling drugs. Both True Heat and False Heat present with fever. Symptoms include flushed face, restlessness, constipation, dark and scanty urine, shortness of breath, sore throat, or fever with a tight and rapid pulse. Ignorant physicians seeing these signs assume it is Heat and recklessly administer Cold-Cooling drugs, which will inevitably lead to death upon ingestion. They fail to realize that although the body feels hot, it is due to Internal Cold repelling Yang Qi, or Deficient Yang failing to consolidate. However, observing the internal signs: although the mouth is dry and thirsty, there is no desire for cold drinks; even if desired, intake is small; stool may be loose, or hard initially then soft; urine may be clear and frequent; the genitals may appear dry and yellowish; there may be shortness of breath and reluctance to speak; complexion may be dull with mental fatigue; or there may be manic behavior like rising and falling, which stops when restrained, differing from the shouting and cursing seen in Excess mania (this is Deficient Mania); or macules may appear like mosquito bites, light red and fine, differing from the purple-red macules of extreme Heat (this is False Macules). The pulse in False Heat must be deep, fine, slow, and weak, or if floating, large, tight, and rapid, it lacks force and spirit. This indicates Heat on the skin and Cold in the Zang-Fu organs. This is what is meant by "aversion to heat" not being true Heat, but actually a Yin syndrome. If one sees such internal collapse and distress and only knows how to attack the pathogen, death is certain. One must urgently use formulas such as Sini Tang (Four Reversal Decoction), Bawei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill), Liyin Jian (Yin-Regulating Decoction), or Huiyang Yin (Yang-Recovering Drink), doubling the dosage of Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) to tonify True Yang and guide Fire back to its source. Once Yuan Qi (Original Qi) gradually recovers, the Heat will retreat and subside, and the disease will heal spontaneously. This illustrates the principle that "Fire follows dryness." Therefore, whenever fever and a rapid pulse are present, but pressing reveals no beating force against the fingers, this is Yin Excess repelling Yang, and is not Heat. Zhang Zhongjing treated Shaoyin syndrome presenting with a flushed face using Sini Tang plus Congbai (Allii Tuberosi Bulbus). Li Dongyuan stated: Flushed face and eyes, restlessness with thirst, pulse rate of 7-8 beats per breath, scattering upon pressure, indicates Rootless Fire. Treat with Jiangfu Tang (Ginger and Aconite Decoction) plus Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma). The *Waitai Miyao* states: Yin Excess causing restlessness is called Yin Restlessness; the patient desires to sit in a well, and should be treated with Hot medicines.
II. False Cold is when Fire (Heat) is at its extreme and resembles Water (Cold). In severe Shanghan with Heat, if sweating or purging is neglected, Yang Pathogens become hyperactive and stagnant internally. The pathogen then transmits from Yang meridians into Yin levels, resulting in fever with cold extremities, mental lethargy, and occasional aversion to cold, resembling a Yin syndrome. True Cold inherently involves aversion to cold, and False Cold also involves aversion to cold; this is because deeper Heat leads to deeper Jue (cold extremities), and extreme Heat paradoxically manifests with Cold transformations. Generally, this syndrome presents with a strong voice and coarse breathing, robust physical strength, scorched lips and black tongue, thirst with desire for cold drinks, dark and scanty urine, and constipation. Or, due to excessive intake of medicinal fluids, it may cause diarrhea of pure clear water while dry feces remain inside, accompanied by extremely foul-smelling flatus. Examination of the six pulses will reveal them all to be deep, slippery, and forceful, indicating a Yang syndrome. For internal Excess, choose among the Three Chengqi Tangs (Three Miracle Formulas). For tidal fever, use Dachaihu Tang (Major Bupleurum Decoction) to harmonize and purge. For internal non-excess, use Baizhu Tang (White Tiger Decoction) to clear Heat. In miscellaneous diseases presenting as False Cold, there may be aversion to cold or shivering. This occurs because Heat is extreme internally while Cold invades externally, causing the two energies to clash, resulting in chills. This is Cold on the skin and Heat in the marrow. This means "aversion to cold" is not true Cold, but clearly a Heat syndrome. Observing internal signs: desire for cold drinks, constipation, hot and painful urination, bad breath with restlessness. The pulse must be slippery, full, and forceful. Upon seeing this, one should use Lianpo San (Cool the Chest Powder) or Huangqin and Huanglian (Scutellariae Radix and Coptidis Rhizoma) to nourish Yin and clear Fire. Once internal Heat is removed, external Cold will naturally subside. This illustrates the principle that "Water flows to dampness." Therefore, whenever the body is cold and extremities are chilled, but the pulse is slippery and rapid, beating forcefully against the fingers upon pressure, this is Yang Extreme resembling Yin, and is not Cold.
III. For conditions where False Cold is mistakenly treated with Hot medicines, or False Heat with Cold medicines, a small amount of cold water can be used as a test. Patients with False Heat will definitely dislike water; even if they show some preference, vomiting may occur after drinking, requiring immediate relief with Warm-Hot medicines. Patients with False Cold will generally prefer water; if they drink it and feel comfortable without adverse reactions, it should be relieved immediately with Cold-Cooling medicines.