6．邪退正虚发热此与上条病后复感实邪之发热迥乎不同，乃大病之后（例如大吐泻症，大瘟疫，伤寒等症），汗下攻伐太甚，或饥馑、劳役又近女色，或病势太剐，消耗气血太多，自然而然必致变成虚怯之症，原病实邪早已丝毫不存在矣。此症现象，多有午后发热、自汗、盗汗、精神恍惚、不寐或睡梦纷纭、或似睡非睡、恍见鬼物、（此余临症实验，参看后列徐君医案）惊悸、虚烦、脉虚小微细（最要注意），或有微泻、小便清白、口渴、皮枯色夺、睡时二目不能紧闭，且微有谵语。此症若与汗、下、凉解宣伐之剂，绝无生望，且最忌西药退热（例如阿斯比林、安基比林、别拉密童等一服再服，暂觉退热，殊不知此药多有发汗之副作用，均能令心脏骤然停止而死，可不慎欤？）此症之皮肤发热，并不拘拘于日哺，或亦有一日之中，绵绵延延，恍如细雨蒙蒙，其热不断。（类似西医所称之消耗热）愈服清凉和解之药，其热愈甚。医者如遇此等症候，切须抛开病者之原始病名，（例如斑疹，霍乱，伤寒，瘟疫种种大病，皆是已往之病。）一眼看定此是虚热。（此症之脉极可凭信（即一虚字），用中药补养大剂，起死回生，必能大效，绝不可存余邪未尽之心。）大凡阴虚者（注意前列各症），则于发热之外，必有口渴枯燥之现象，以大剂六味地黄汤加减，或加重滋阴之品治之。阳虚者（注意前列各症，不必全具），则于发热之外，必有惊悸、眩晕、下利之现象（此现象要记清此症之外，尚有前列各症也。），以大剂六君子汤加减，或稍加补阳之品（例如桂、附不可太多）治之（参、芪必重用），其效如神。至若阳虚之证，稍兼阴亏；阴虚之证，稍兼气虚，亦可斟酌滋阴补阳之品，略与辅佐，方为圆到，不可不知。医者临是症，以己之灵明，运用方剂，消息阴阳，随机应变，自能得心应手，起死回生，此中医之特长，故特表而出之。于此有一极应注意之事，即大病之后，津液消耗，阴亏者多，故虽见阳虚证，亦不可不加入护阴之品（例如白芍、地黄等）。又有一种久病单纯阳虚之证，除有全身衰弱各症外，微觉恶寒，并不发热者，脉反洪大而虚，治亦同前，此所谓阳虚生外寒也（参看桂兰坊张君医案），兹录治验三则于下。
①徐君住德县二郎庙街，26岁。于南方从役，积日劳苦太甚，行役中感受时邪，军旅之内，医药不便，勉强治愈。又复跋涉长途，饥饿劳苦，元气未复，返家后复近女色，遂致病倒。初病之时，日哺发热，不思饮食，气喘神衰，手足逆冷，渐渐自汗失眠，精神恍惚，每一欲睡如见鬼物。诸医均以清热之剂，中西并进，迄未收效，月佘病渐垂危，延余诊治，见其脉象虚数无力，断为原病时邪早已不存，纯系阳虚生热，亟以大剂参、芪、白术、白芍、甘草等治之，约十馀剂，诸症皆退而愈。
②秦夫人住德县南关柴市街‘秦焕德君之家族），初病霍乱，治疗不得法，经过四十余日，时有吐泻等症，渐即病重。延余诊治，通身均凉，脉细微已极，似有似无，口开气促，自汗神昏而泻仍然，不能言语，断为霍乱本病已成过去，目下只有阳虚欲脱，危险昧甚。急以大剂西洋参、肉桂、附子、炙芪、白芍、甘草等与之，一剂阳回，渐省人事，约十余日痊愈。此症治疗颇复杂，用药凡三变，系在光绪二十三年，因此症特危险，故至今仍能记忆，因撮其大要，附记于此，以告学者。
③张君住北京鼓楼东街，桂兰坊经理，五十岁。于民国二十七年三月来诊，自述病已经年，自觉精神衰败，手指尖感觉过敏，例如洗手水微热，则觉热不可耐，且无论如何，从来不见些微之汗，每日觉冷，形寒体衰，不思饮食，时欲睡眠，气短，视物不明，渐即病倒，不能支持，诊脉洪大特甚，症脉相反，最为不利，断为阳虚脾弱，所谓阳虚生外寒也。急以参、芪、桂、附、炮姜、白术等大剂与服。病有转机，后觉全身脱皮，有如蚁行，诸症均去。亦能自然汗出而愈。此症大剂补阳，约服药百剂，调理年余始愈。
7．大热似寒此是得病稍久，实邪入里，失于攻下十余日（当下不下），热毒郁结，内外闭塞，遏其阳气，反将表面一切热象渐渐隐去，始则四肢厥逆（手足凉也），渐凉渐往上（过肘膝皆凉，所谓热深厥亦深也。），病者反觉恶寒而不发热（庸医见此症候，以为表证，投以发散之药，杀之易于反掌。），渐次全身皆凉如冰，脉亦停闭（六脉皆无），至此已成危候。（庸医见此以为大寒，又投以补阳大热之药，火上加油，其死更速。）此时诊察最要之点，即在或呕吐，或目赤，神识不清（此象多有，极应注意），鼻干唇燥，舌黄黑（甚则舌短不能出），耳聋，或大渴（饮水即吐），小便短赤，或溺后有白粉‘极应注意）沉淀，或小便不通，大便燥结，或泻恶臭稀粪，或下血。如有以上等症（不必全有），急下之（大承气汤之类）无迟疑。（此必审知肠热已极，方可下之，若系温病逆传，邪在膻中，仍以芳香开窍为准，参看袁柳庄张姓医验自明。）下后内外阳气二透，立时大热真象（例如烦渴发热，次第发现，再以热病治法，万无一失。所可虑者，一见恶寒即用发散药（桂枝、麻黄等），一见厥逆又用回阳药（肉桂、附子等）。更有依违两可者，或利小便，或止呕吐（木通、半夏、厚朴等），病已危殆，再加以药剂之错误，杀人即在顷刻间也，慎之慎之。（此症死后全身移时必大热，可以证明热邪内郁，此余所亲见也。）8．大寒似热此症系元阳将散，必在久病之后，俗名假热。内系虚寒之极，外则皮肤发热，若服清凉药，愈治愈危，法宜大补元阳，参看第10阳虚发热条自明。此处特标明大寒似热病状者，所以与上条大热似寒相对比，使学者易于明了也。（参看徐君医验）9.阴虚发热中医书所称阴虚发热；率皆虚劳之症，亦系皮肤发热，此症多半指痨瘵而尝，例如西医所称之肺结核是也。（肺痨诱因最多，凡大病之后，多能锈起肺痨。（例如温病），故此处阴虚二宇，不可作仅指肺结核而育也。）此种发热，又与上条大病之后，阴虚发热之治法不同，其症状率多咳嗽、或吐血、自汗、盗汗、咽干、舌或无苔或薄苔、两颊潮红，（余对肺痨发热，另有实验主张，并非臆断，参看病症编肺痨症自明。）甚则泄泻、皮肤感觉日哺潮热、（亦有稍觉恶寒者，骨瘦如柴、脉则细数、全身衰弱。此种热象，关系本病之进退，热退则病减，热盛则病加，且其热绵绵，极难减退（消耗热）。中医治此，率用滋阴或补肾健脾补肺等药，比较有效，但能根本治愈，亦属不易（间有治愈者）。西医治此症，更无根治疗法，然退热之药，则一时多有著效。例如别拉密童、（退热药对于此症，虽服极小之量，往往诱起自汗，不可不慎，用时以樟脑酸配合于别拉密童中，似较稳妥也。）爱儿帮等（此药效缓。继续常服一月至数月，间能徐徐退热有效。余对此症退热药，试验极多，以此药比较的满意。）可以试用。但能收较大之效者，则仍宜以中药为主也。此症发热，有用滋阴药（例如地黄、白芍、鳖甲、牡蛎等），得效者，有用健睥药得大效者，（例如山药、莲子、苡仁、扁豆、茯苓等），有用甘寒清凉药（例如金银花、菊花、桑叶，竹叶、生地露等）甘寒之药得效者，然较少也。此症至今尚无特效疗法，但细心体认病机，以中药缓缓消息之，（余多用膏剂，不用丸药，且喜辅以西药）实较只用西药治法，活动可喜，收效较多。所最要者，不可拘泥于虚痨二字（只要见有微似实热，即可试与甘寒，但谨防泄泻可也。）此中运用；全在医者心灵手敏，不可泥古不通，亦不可先有中西偏见，治之得法，并非必死之症也。兹将曩著之肺痨病自疗法列下，此系余自患肺病之实验，无一字虚伪，愿学者参考也。（参看后列肺痨医案）肺痨病自疗法肺痨病西医名肺结核，中医则名肺痨，或痨瘵病，为一种慢性传染，不易根治之险症。其症状，则四肢无力、食思缺乏、咳嗽、痰血、盗汗、日哺潮热、泄泻、怔忡等，以至全身衰弱而死。倘医治稍有错误，危险立至，势必丧其生命。此就一般之肺痨病而言，然一考其病历，治疗得法，亦非绝对必死之症。常年累月，仅有疗养挽救之余地，又似一极平常，而有希望治愈之疾病。所可惧者，病人习闻此症中外皆无根本治法之论，道听途说。不求甚解，张慌忧惧，医药率投，今日入一著名之医院，明日请一著名之医生，纷纭舛错，卒致不救者，累累皆是，此非病杀之，自杀之也。而经济宽裕之家及知识分子，又失之于偏重科学，过信西压之新奇医术，人云亦云，毫无判断自觉之能力，一惟最新学理之是从。殊不知现在东西洋对于是病，尚在极力研究试验时期，仍无一定特效之疗法。入此途者，金钱耗费，犹其馀事，所得结果，并不能十分完善，而无丝毫流弊，且有误于此种情形之下，甘心牺牲性命，而不自知者，讵不大可悲耶？贫困患者，更觉十分可怜，既无常识，只求串愈偏方成药，纷然杂进。环境困难，已觉不适疗养。庸医伪药更足误其病机，展转缠绵，断送生命者，不知凡几？言念及此，惕然心伤。余体素弱，自光绪二十四年，已罹是病，咳嗽。吐血，身热，痰喘，常年医治，屡濒于危。幸喜家传医学，颇有渊源，合力医治，得以带病延年；亘十五年之久，幸未发生不测。中西医药，反复应用，不知几费试验，几经失败，挣扎多年，最后始能认识此症之真正治法及有效药品，并已实验中西医关于是症之种种理论，何者可从，何者错误，认识既真，标准斯定。从此一本经验之所得，从事治疗，此可畏之肺病毒菌，始于民国二年，舍我以去，迄今二十余年，已届花甲，不但日渐强壮，体貌丰腴，而且精神畅适。回忆过去病程，实有虎口余生，不寒而栗之感。天下同病，恒河沙数，余实不忍偏信西医者，枉死于不完全之科学，而尤不忍只知中医者，枉死于无办法之欺骗；更不忍我可怜之同病，迷途彷徨，呼救无门，以坐待肺痨病菌之屠杀。爱将余亲身实验所得，以及历年治疗此种病人之有效办法，坦白记述，竭诚奉告，窃愿病家潜心试验，勿以余言为平淡无奇，不足治病，则化险为夷，同登彼岸，生死关头，间不容发，愿明眼人审思之。
（1）治疗肺病之条件①精神愉快此可为治疗肺病之先决条件。无论病势如何？环境如何？当此治疗期间，万不可惶恐忧虑，最妙将肺病二字，置之度外，一切烦恼思虑，一概解除。而后内心怡悦，气血调和，自易疗养。否则无论如何，不易见效。
②饮食滋养治疗肺病，唯一方法，即系饮食滋养。身体强壮，使其自能抵抗病菌，不令繁殖，此为一般医学家所公认，是以病者对于本身滋养之饮食，不得不充分注意（参看后条）⑧户外运动长时间户外运动，或山坡水滨，为治疗肺病之天然药品。但运动云者，非剧烈操作之谓，不过略略活动身体，藉以吸收新鲜空气及充分日光。除大风雨或大吐血之时，不宜运动外，最好终日起居于户外清洁之地，早起早睡，万不可谬于旧说，深居避风，致肺中污浊，促其生命。
④药物治疗本病发现种种征象，当然对症用药，以冀补救。然此症用药得法，亦必须长年累月，方能痊愈。病家必须精选真正有经验，有学术之医生，极端信任，请其治疗，万不可盲从庸医，寒热滥投，必不得已，宁以暂不服药为愈。
（2）治疗肺痨之宜忌①宜食诸品菠菜（此菜最宜常食）、白菜、豆芽、豆腐、豆类、蓟菜（此菜有二种，一名蓟菜，一名曲麻菜，最有止血之效宜常食之）、黄瓜、茄子及青菜等，肉汁、鸡汤、牛乳、鸡蛋、鱼肝油。
②忌食诸物烟、酒、浓茶及一切辛辣之品，油炸火烤之品，干燥之品，不喜食之物（虽系应食之品倘病人不喜食之，不可强与。例如牛乳、鱼肝油等）⑧应忌事项大热大寒天气（尤以大热为最甚）、大声喊叫、猛烈震动、忿怒、，色欲、过劳、悲惨、执拗、不合理之长时间仰卧。
6. Fever due to Pathogenic Factor Retreat and Righteous Qi Deficiency: This condition is completely different from the fever caused by re-contracting excess pathogenic factors after an illness, as described in the previous article. It occurs after a major illness (such as severe vomiting and diarrhea, great plague, typhoid fever, etc.), where sweating or purgative treatments were too harsh, or due to famine, overwork, excessive sexual activity, or simply because the disease was too severe, consuming too much Qi and Blood. Naturally, this leads to a deficiency and timidity syndrome, where the original pathogenic factors no longer exist at all. The manifestations of this syndrome often include afternoon fever, spontaneous sweating (daytime sweating without exertion), night sweats (sweating during sleep), mental confusion, insomnia or restless dreaming, a state between sleeping and waking, hallucinations of seeing ghosts (this is my clinical experience, see the case of Mr. Xu listed later), palpitations, empty irritability, and a pulse that is deficient, small, weak, and fine (this point requires utmost attention). Some cases may have mild diarrhea, clear and colorless urine, thirst, dry skin, sallow complexion, inability to fully close the eyes during sleep, and slight delirium. If one uses diaphoretic, purgative, cooling, resolving, or dispersing agents for this syndrome, there is absolutely no hope for survival. Furthermore, it is strictly contraindicated to use Western antipyretics (such as Aspirin, Antipyrine, Pyramidon, etc.). Although they may temporarily reduce fever with one or two doses, these drugs often have the side effect of inducing sweating, which can cause sudden cardiac arrest and death. Can one be not cautious? The skin fever in this syndrome is not confined to the late afternoon (Ribu); it may persist throughout the day, continuous like misty rain, with unceasing heat (similar to what Western medicine calls consumption fever). The more cooling and harmonizing medicines are taken, the worse the fever becomes. When doctors encounter such symptoms, they must discard the patient's original disease name (e.g., erysipelas, cholera, typhoid, plague—these are past diseases) and immediately recognize this as deficiency heat (the pulse of this syndrome is highly reliable, characterized by "deficiency"; using large doses of Chinese herbal tonics can bring the dying back to life and will be highly effective. One must absolutely not harbor the thought that "residual pathogens remain"). Generally, those with Yin deficiency (note the symptoms listed above) will have thirst and dryness in addition to fever. Treat with large doses of Liuwei Dihuang Tang (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Decoction) modified, or increase Yin-nourishing herbs. Those with Yang deficiency (note the symptoms listed above, not necessarily all present) will have palpitations, vertigo, and diarrhea in addition to fever (remember this phenomenon; besides this syndrome, there are also the previously listed symptoms). Treat with large doses of Liujunzi Tang (Six-Gentleman Decoction) modified, or slightly add Yang-tonifying herbs (e.g., Guizhi and Fuzi should not be used in excessive amounts) (Renshen and Huangqi must be heavily used). The effect is miraculous. In cases where Yang deficiency is slightly accompanied by Yin deficiency, or Yin deficiency is slightly accompanied by Qi deficiency, one may cautiously add Yin-nourishing and Yang-tonifying herbs as auxiliary support. This must be understood. When facing this syndrome, doctors should use their wisdom to apply formulas, balance Yin and Yang, and adapt flexibly, thereby achieving mastery and saving lives. This is the specialty of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), so I specifically highlight it. One extremely important point to note is that after a major illness, body fluids are consumed, and Yin deficiency is common. Therefore, even if Yang deficiency signs are seen, Yin-protecting herbs (e.g., Baishao, Dihuang) should not be omitted. There is another type of prolonged illness presenting with pure Yang deficiency: besides general weakness, there is slight aversion to cold but no fever, and the pulse is surprisingly flooding yet deficient. Treatment is the same as above; this is what is called "Yang deficiency generating external cold" (see the case of Mr. Zhang from Guilanfang). Below are three recorded successful treatments.
① Mr. Xu, 26 years old, lived on Erlang Temple Street, De County. He served in the south, suffering from extreme long-term labor. During his march, he contracted seasonal pathogens. Medical care was inconvenient in the military, so he barely recovered. He then endured a long journey, hunger, and fatigue, while his Yuan Qi had not yet recovered. After returning home, he engaged in sexual activity, leading to his collapse. Initially, he had afternoon fever, loss of appetite, panting, mental exhaustion, cold hands and feet, gradually developing spontaneous sweating, insomnia, and mental confusion, hallucinating ghosts whenever he tried to sleep. Various doctors used clearing-heat agents, combining Chinese and Western medicines, with no effect. Over a month, his condition became critical. I diagnosed that the original seasonal pathogen was gone, and it was purely Yang deficiency generating heat. I urgently prescribed large doses of Renshen, Huangqi, Baizhu, Baishao, and Gancao. After about ten doses, all symptoms subsided, and he recovered.
② Madam Qin, living on Chai Shi Street, South Gate, De County (family of Mr. Qin Huande), initially suffered from cholera. Improper treatment led to persistent vomiting and diarrhea for over forty days, worsening her condition. Upon examination, her whole body was cold, her pulse was extremely minute and faint, almost imperceptible. Her mouth was open, breathing rapid, with spontaneous sweating, coma, and continued diarrhea. She could not speak. I judged that the original cholera had passed, and she now faced impending Yang collapse, a dangerous situation. I urgently administered large doses of Xiyangshen (American Ginseng), Rougui, Fuzi, Zhi Huangqi, Baishao, and Gancao. After one dose, her Yang returned, and she gradually regained consciousness. She recovered in about ten days. This case was complex, requiring three changes in medication. It occurred in the 23rd year of Guangxu. Due to its severity, I still remember it clearly. I record its essentials here for students.
③ Mr. Zhang, 50 years old, manager of Guilanfang, lived on East Gulou Street, Beijing. He consulted me in March of the 27th year of the Republic of China. He reported being ill for a year, feeling mentally exhausted, with hypersensitive fingertips (e.g., finding warm water for handwashing unbearable). He never sweated, felt cold daily, had a cold and weak physique, loss of appetite, drowsiness, shortness of breath, blurred vision, eventually collapsing. His pulse was excessively flooding, contradicting his symptoms, which is unfavorable. I diagnosed Yang deficiency and Spleen weakness, i.e., "Yang deficiency generating external cold." I urgently prescribed large doses of Renshen, Huangqi, Guizhi, Fuzi, Paojiang, and Baizhu. His condition improved. Later, he experienced whole-body peeling, sensation of ants crawling, and all symptoms disappeared. He naturally sweated and recovered. This case required large-dose Yang tonification, taking about a hundred doses, followed by over a year of regulation until full recovery.
7. Great Heat Resembling Cold: This occurs when a disease has persisted for some time, excess pathogens enter the interior, and purgatives are neglected for over ten days (should have been purged but wasn't). Heat toxins stagnate, blocking internal and external pathways, suppressing Yang Qi. Consequently, surface heat signs gradually disappear. Initially, there is limb厥逆 (cold extremities), which progressively worsens upwards (cold beyond elbows and knees, known as "deeper heat leads to deeper cold"). The patient feels aversion to cold without fever (unscrupulous doctors might mistake this for a exterior syndrome and prescribe dispersing herbs, killing the patient easily). Gradually, the whole body becomes ice-cold, and the pulse stops (all six pulses are absent), reaching a critical state (unscrupulous doctors might mistake this for extreme cold and prescribe hot Yang-tonifying herbs, adding fuel to the fire, accelerating death). The most crucial diagnostic point at this stage is the presence of vomiting, red eyes, clouded consciousness (common and significant), dry nose and lips, yellow or black tongue coating (or a short tongue unable to protrude), deafness, intense thirst (vomiting upon drinking), scanty dark urine, white powder sediment after urination (significant), urinary retention, dry constipation, foul-smelling loose stools, or bloody stools. If any of these symptoms are present (not necessarily all), urgently purge (e.g., Dachengqi Tang) without hesitation. (This must only be done if intestinal heat is extreme. If it is a reverse transmission of Warm Disease with pathogens in the Danzhong, aromatic opening methods should be used instead; see Mr. Zhang's case verified by Yuan Liuzhuang.) After purging, internal and external Yang Qi penetrate, and the true heat signs (e.g., irritability, thirst, fever) appear sequentially. Treating as a heat disease thereafter is foolproof. The danger lies in using dispersing herbs (Guizhi, Mahuang) for aversion to cold, or returning-Yang herbs (Rougui, Fuzi) for cold extremities. Hesitation, or using diuretics/emetic-stopping herbs (Mutong, Banxia, Houpo), can lead to immediate death amidst errors. Be extremely cautious. (Post-mortem, the body becomes hot, proving internal heat stagnation, as I have witnessed personally.)
8. Great Cold Resembling Heat: This syndrome involves the dispersion of Primordial Yang, occurring after prolonged illness, commonly known as false heat. Internally, there is extreme deficiency cold; externally, the skin is hot. Taking cooling herbs worsens the condition. The method is to strongly tonify Primordial Yang. See Article 10 on Yang Deficiency Fever for clarity. Here, "Great Cold Resembling Heat" is specified to contrast with "Great Heat Resembling Cold," aiding student understanding (see Mr. Xu's case).
9. Yin Deficiency Fever: TCM texts refer to Yin deficiency fever mostly as consumptive disease (Xu Lao), involving skin fever, often pointing to Tuberculosis (Lao Zhai), e.g., Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Western medicine. (Tuberculosis has many triggers; post-major illnesses like Warm Diseases often induce it. Thus, "Yin deficiency" here does not exclusively mean tuberculosis.) This fever differs from the post-major-illness Yin deficiency fever mentioned earlier. Symptoms typically include cough, hemoptysis, spontaneous sweating, night sweats, dry throat, tongue with little or no coating, malar flush (I have experimental views on TB fever, not mere speculation; see Tuberculosis section in Symptom Compilation). Severe cases involve diarrhea, evening tidal fever (sometimes with slight aversion to cold), emaciation, fine and rapid pulse, and general weakness. This heat reflects disease progression: less heat means improvement, more heat means deterioration. The heat is continuous and hard to reduce (consumption fever). TCM usually treats this with Yin-nourishing, Kidney-tonifying, Spleen-strengthening, or Lung-supplementing herbs, which are relatively effective, though radical cure is difficult (some recover). Western medicine lacks a radical cure but antipyretics often work temporarily. For example, Pyramidon (use with caution as even small doses may induce sweating; mixing Camphoric Acid with Pyramidon seems safer) or Ehbene (slow-acting; continuous use for months can gradually reduce fever; I tested many antipyretics, finding Ehbene satisfactory) can be tried. However, Chinese medicine remains superior for significant effects. Some respond to Yin-nourishing herbs (Dihuang, Baishao, Biejia, Muli); others to Spleen-strengthening herbs (Shanyao, Lianzi, Yiren, Bian Dou, Fuling); fewer to sweet-cold cooling herbs (Jinyinhua, Juhua, Sangye, Zhuye, Shengdi Lu). No specific cure exists yet. Careful analysis of pathology and slow adjustment with Chinese medicine (I prefer pastes over pills, sometimes aided by Western medicine) is more dynamic and effective than Western medicine alone. Crucially, do not rigidly adhere to "consumptive disease." If slight real heat signs appear, try sweet-cold herbs (watch for diarrhea). Application depends on the doctor's skill, avoiding rigidity or bias. With proper treatment, it is not inevitably fatal. Below is my self-treatment method for Tuberculosis, based on my personal experience, truthful and intended for reference (see Tuberculosis cases later).
Self-Treatment Method for Tuberculosis
Western medicine calls it Pulmonary Tuberculosis; TCM calls it Fei Lao or Lao Zhai. It is a chronic infectious, dangerous disease difficult to cure radically. Symptoms include limb weakness, loss of appetite, cough, blood in sputum, night sweats, evening tidal fever, diarrhea, palpitations, leading to general weakness and death. Slight medical error brings immediate danger. Generally, it seems fatal, but with proper treatment, it is not absolutely incurable. It requires long-term nursing and rescue, resembling a common disease with hope for cure. The fear is patients hearing rumors of no cure, panicking, seeking random remedies, visiting famous hospitals/doctors indiscriminately, leading to failure—not killed by the disease, but by themselves. Wealthy families and intellectuals, biased towards science and trusting new Western techniques blindly, follow latest theories without judgment. Yet, East and West are still researching this disease with no definitive specific therapy. Entering this path wastes money, yields imperfect results, and may lead to unconscious sacrifice of life, which is tragic. Poor patients are pitiable, lacking common sense, seeking folk remedies, unable to maintain proper nursing conditions. Quack doctors and fake drugs worsen the pathology, leading to countless deaths. Thinking of this breaks my heart. My constitution was weak; since the 24th year of Guangxu, I suffered from this disease: cough, hemoptysis, fever, phlegm-wheezing. Constant treatment brought me near death repeatedly. Fortunately, my family's medical heritage provided resources. Combined efforts allowed me to live with the disease for 15 years without incident. Repeated trials and failures of Chinese and Western medicines finally revealed the true treatment and effective drugs. I experimented with various TCM and Western theories, determining what to accept and what to reject. Establishing standards based on true understanding, I treated according to experience. Since the 2nd year of the Republic of China, the dreaded tubercle bacillus left me. Now over twenty years later, at sixty, I am strong, robust, and mentally cheerful. Recalling the past, I feel like a survivor from the tiger's mouth, shuddering. Countless people suffer similarly. I cannot bear to see those trusting Western medicine die needlessly due to incomplete science, nor those trusting only TCM die due to helplessness/deception. Most of all, I cannot bear to see my fellow sufferers lost, crying for help, waiting to be slaughtered by the bacillus. Therefore, I honestly record my experimental results and effective methods for treating such patients, sincerely offering them. I hope patients test them carefully, not dismissing my words as ordinary. Then danger turns to safety, and we reach the other shore. At the juncture of life and death, moments matter. I urge discerning people to consider this carefully.
(1) Conditions for Treating Lung Disease
① Mental Joy: A prerequisite. Regardless of disease severity or environment, avoid panic and worry during treatment. Best to disregard "lung disease," eliminating all troubles and thoughts. Inner joy harmonizes Qi and Blood, facilitating recovery. Otherwise, effectiveness is low.
② Nutritional Diet: The sole method for treating lung disease is nutritional diet. A strong body resists bacteria proliferation, recognized by medical experts. Patients must pay full attention to nourishing foods (see next item).
③ Outdoor Exercise: Long-duration outdoor exercise, or activities on hillsides/waterbanks, are natural medicines for lung disease. Exercise here means slight bodily movement to absorb fresh air and sunlight, not strenuous labor. Except during heavy storms or massive hemoptysis, it is best to live outdoors in clean places all day, wake early, sleep early. Do not follow old sayings to stay indoors away from wind, causing lung pollution and shortening life.
④ Medicinal Treatment: Symptomatic medication is necessary when signs appear. However, proper medication requires long-term persistence for cure. Patients must select experienced, scholarly doctors, trust them completely, and avoid quacks who indiscriminately use hot/cold drugs. If necessary, it is better to temporarily abstain from medication than to take wrong ones.
(2) Dietary Precautions for Tuberculosis
① Recommended Foods: Spinach (best eaten regularly), Chinese cabbage, bean sprouts, tofu, beans, Thistle (two types: Thistle and Quma Cai, excellent for stopping bleeding, eat regularly), cucumber, eggplant, green vegetables, meat broth, chicken soup, milk, eggs, cod liver oil.
② Forbidden Foods: Tobacco, alcohol, strong tea, all spicy foods, fried/roasted foods, dry foods, disliked foods (even if nutritious, do not force intake, e.g., milk, cod liver oil).
③ Items to Avoid: Extreme hot or cold weather (especially heat), loud shouting, violent shaking, anger, sexual desire, overwork, sadness, stubbornness, unreasonable prolonged supine position.