大少爷之病,伏暑晚发之病也。暑邪者何?天之热气下,地之湿气上,人在气交之中,
无隙可避,感而受者。假使发于当时,其邪易达,其气未深耳。惟深伏三焦,直至秋晚而发,
道远气深自内达外,焉得见轻。所以病经十有三日,日重一日矣。然伏邪仅在三焦,不逢寒
热分争之下,所见者无非胸前痞闷,口中甜腻,二便失调而已。兹乃肢麻不已,更见厥逆,
显系所患之邪不从三焦而出,反入于肺肝。肝者将军之宫,其性横逆,上犯肺气则见为厥,
傍流中土则见为麻,麻厥并至,不惟热盛,亦且肝伤逆矣。然肝阳之逆,暑气之侵,原非无
故而作,良以风喜伤肝,未平之前先招风气,引动伏邪。加以阴气素虚,肝失所养,所谓最
虚之处便是客邪之处。三焦久病累及乎肝,最
为恶候,能不虑其虚不化邪、厥逆频频乎?所幸者,胆受暑。胆属少阳,其机不枢,有出入之
意焉。是以寒热之势变为寒热往来,间日而作,俾得从此渐轻,不独肝脏之邪可以外传于
腑,即溜在三焦者,亦可望其归并也。但少阴本虚,脉弦而芤,最怕欲化不能,亦恐半途而
废,邪实正虚,用药最难入手。然就寤言不寐,多梦纷纭,邪在胆经为甚,惟有十味温胆汤加
减,似属左右咸宜。未知是否?候政。
十味温胆汤加羚羊角、龙齿、省头草。
The young master's illness is a case of latent summerheat manifesting late. What is summerheat pathogen? It refers to the hot qi from heaven descending and the damp qi from earth ascending; humans exist within this intersection of qi, with no gap to avoid it, thus contracting the pathogen upon exposure. If it were to manifest at the time of contraction, the pathogen would be easily expelled, and its depth would be shallow. However, since it has deeply lodged in the Sanjiao (Triple Burner) and only manifests in late autumn, the distance is long and the pathology is deep, naturally attempting to reach the exterior from the interior; how can it be expected to improve easily? Therefore, after thirteen days of illness, the condition worsens day by day. Nevertheless, if the latent pathogen remains solely within the Sanjiao, without encountering a struggle between cold and heat, the observed symptoms would merely be chest stuffiness, a sweet and sticky taste in the mouth, and irregular bowel and bladder movements. Currently, however, there is incessant numbness of the limbs, accompanied by cold extremities (Jue Ni). This clearly indicates that the pathogen does not exit via the Sanjiao but instead penetrates into the Lung and Liver organs. The Liver is the palace of the general; its nature is horizontal and rebellious. When it invades the Lung qi upwards, it manifests as Jue Ni (cold extremities/reversal); when it flows laterally affecting the Middle Jiao (Spleen/Stomach), it manifests as numbness. With both numbness and Jue Ni present, it indicates not only excessive heat but also liver injury and rebellious qi. However, the rebellion of Liver Yang and the invasion of summerheat do not occur without cause. Likely, wind pathogen tends to injure the Liver; before the condition stabilizes, it first attracts wind qi, stirring up the latent pathogen. Furthermore, given the patient's inherent deficiency of Yin qi, the Liver lacks nourishment. As the saying goes, "the most deficient area is where the pathogen resides." Prolonged illness of the Sanjiao affecting the Liver is an ominous sign; one must worry about the deficiency failing to transform the pathogen and frequent episodes of Jue Ni. Fortunately, the Gallbladder has been affected by summerheat. The Gallbladder belongs to the Shaoyang (Lesser Yang) channel; its pivot mechanism is obstructed, possessing the intent of entry and exit. Thus, the pattern of cold and heat has transformed into alternating chills and fever, occurring every other day, allowing the condition to gradually lighten. Not only can the pathogen in the Liver organ transmit outward to the Fu organs, but even that lingering in the Sanjiao may be expected to converge and dissipate. However, the Shao Yin (Lesser Yin) is inherently deficient, with a wiry (Xuan) and hollow (Kou) pulse. There is great fear that the pathogen cannot be transformed, or that progress will stall halfway. With excess pathogen and deficient healthy qi, prescribing medication is extremely difficult. Regarding sleep, the inability to fall asleep and numerous dreams indicate that the pathogen is prominent in the Gallbladder channel. Only the modification of Shi Wei Wen Dan Tang (Ten-Ingredient Warming the Gallbladder Decoction) seems appropriate. Whether this is correct awaits your judgment.
Shi Wei Wen Dan Tang (Ten-Ingredient Warming the Gallbladder Decoction) added with Lingyang Jiao (Antelope Horn), Long Chi (Dragon Teeth), and Sheng Tou Cao (Herba Menthae Haplocalycis).