痿证之义,《内经》言之详矣,观所列五脏之证,皆言为热。而五脏之证,又总于肺热
叶焦,以致金燥水亏,乃成痿证。如丹溪之论治,诚得之矣。然细察经文,又曰悲哀太甚则
胞络绝,传为脉痿。思想无穷,所愿不得,发为筋痿。有渐于湿,以水为事,发为肉痿之类
,则又非尽为火证,此其有余不尽之意,犹有可知。故因此而生火者有之。因此而败伤元气
者,亦有之。元气败伤,则精虚不能灌溉,血虚不能营养者,亦不少矣。若概从火论,则恐
真阳亏败,及土衰水涸者,有不能堪,故当酌寒热之浅深,审虚实之缓急,以施治疗,庶得
治痿之全矣。
经曰∶湿热不攘,则大筋 短,小筋弛长, 短为拘,弛长为痿,此《内经》言筋病之
概,乃举隅之谈,以启人之自反耳,非谓大筋必无弛长,小筋必无 短也。即如痿弱必由于
弛长,岂大筋果无涉乎?此经言之意,从可知矣。故于痿证之外,凡遇螈 等病,
当知拘挛者必由 短,瘫弱者必由弛长,斯得《内经》之意,而于寒热燥湿之辨,亦可得其
据矣。
一、凡痿由湿热,脉洪滑而证多烦热者,必当先去其火,宜二妙散随证加减用之。若阴
虚兼热者,宜《正传》加味四物汤、虎胫骨丸,或丹溪补阴丹、滋阴八味丸之类主之。若绝
无火证,而止因水亏于肾,血亏于肝者,则不宜兼用凉药,以伐生气,惟鹿角胶丸为最善。
或加味四斤丸、八味地黄丸、金刚丸之类,俱可择用。若阴虚无湿,或多汗者,俱不宜轻用
苍术。盖痿证最忌散表,亦恐伤阴也。
一、东垣取黄柏为君,黄 等补药辅佐,以治诸痿,无一定之方。有兼痰积者,有湿多
热多者,有湿热相半者,有挟气者。临病制方,其亦治痿之良法也。
The meaning of Wei Syndrome (Flaccidity Syndrome) has been elaborated in detail in the *Neijing* (*Classic of Internal Medicine*). Observing the syndromes listed for the five Zang organs, all are described as Heat syndromes. Furthermore, the syndromes of the five Zang organs are summarized by "Lung Heat causing withering of the lung leaves," leading to dryness of Metal and deficiency of Water, thereby forming Wei Syndrome. Zhu Danxi's discussion on the treatment of Wei Syndrome indeed grasps the key point. However, a careful examination of the classic text also states: "Excessive grief causes the closure of the pericardium collaterals, transmitting into Mai Wei (Vessel Flaccidity); endless thinking and unfulfilled desires develop into Jin Wei (Tendon Flaccidity); gradual exposure to dampness and engaging in water-related work develop into Rou Wei (Muscle Flaccidity)." These indicate that not all cases are Fire syndromes. The deeper implications here can be understood. Thus, there are cases where these factors generate Fire; there are also cases where these factors damage Yuan Qi (Original Qi). When Yuan Qi is damaged, Jing (Essence) becomes deficient and cannot irrigate the body, and Blood becomes deficient and cannot nourish the limbs; such cases are not few. If one generally treats from the perspective of Fire, it may be unbearable for patients with true Yang deficiency and collapse, or those with Spleen Earth decline and Kidney Water exhaustion. Therefore, one must weigh the depth of Cold and Heat, examine the urgency of Deficiency and Excess, and apply treatment accordingly, so as to master the comprehensive approach to treating Wei Syndrome.
The Classic states: "If Damp-Heat is not eliminated, the large tendons shorten, and the small tendons become lax and elongated. Shortening leads to spasm/contracture, while laxity and elongation lead to flaccidity." This is a general statement about tendon diseases in the *Neijing*, serving as an illustrative example to inspire self-reflection, rather than asserting that large tendons never become lax or small tendons never shorten. Just as flaccidity necessarily results from laxity, how could large tendons be irrelevant? The intent of the Classic can be understood from this. Therefore, outside of Wei Syndrome, whenever encountering conditions like convulsions, one should know that contractures must result from shortening, and paralysis/flaccidity must result from laxity. Only then will one grasp the meaning of the *Neijing*, and find a basis for distinguishing among Cold, Heat, Dryness, and Dampness.
1. For Wei Syndrome caused by Damp-Heat, with a洪滑 (Surging-Slippery) pulse and symptoms mostly showing irritability and heat, one must first eliminate the Fire. Er Miao San (Two Marvels Powder) should be used with modifications according to the syndrome. If Yin Deficiency accompanies Heat, Jia Wei Si Wu Tang (Modified Four Substances Decoction) from *Zheng Chuan*, Hu Jing Gu Wan (Tiger Tibia Pill), or Danxi's Bu Yin Dan (Nourish Yin Pill) and Zi Yin Ba Wei Wan (Nourish Yin Eight Ingredients Pill) may be used as main formulas. If there are absolutely no Fire syndromes, but only Kidney Water deficiency and Liver Blood deficiency, cool/cold medicines should not be used concurrently to avoid damaging Sheng Qi (Vitality/Life Force). Lu Jiao Jiao Wan (Deer Antler Glue Pill) is the most suitable. Alternatively, Jia Wei Si Jin Wan (Modified Four Jin Pills), Ba Wei Di Huang Wan (Eight Ingredient Rehmannia Pill), or Jin Gang Wan (Diamond Pill) can be selected. If there is Yin Deficiency without Dampness, or if the patient sweats excessively, Cang Zhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma) should not be used lightly. Wei Syndrome most strictly forbids dispersing the Exterior, as it fears injuring Yin.
2. Li Dongyuan took Huang Bo (Phellodendri Cortex) as the Sovereign herb, assisted by tonifying herbs such as Huang Qi (Astragali Radix), to treat various Wei Syndromes, without a fixed formula. Some cases involve Phlegm accumulation, some have more Dampness than Heat, some have equal Dampness and Heat, and some involve Qi stagnation. Formulating prescriptions based on the specific disease is also an excellent method for treating Wei Syndrome.