易老法。凉膈散减大黄芒硝。加桔梗同为舟楫之剂浮而上之。治胸膈中与六经热。以其
手足
少阳之气俱下胸膈中。三焦之气同相火游行于身之表。膈与六经乃至高之分。此药浮载亦至
高之剂。故能于无形之中。随高而走。去胸膈中及六经热也。
阳明证。身热目疼鼻干。不得卧不恶风寒。而自汗。或恶热脉尺寸俱长。(白虎汤)主之
。石膏辛寒入肝。知母苦寒入肾。甘草 粳米之甘(居中。挽二药上下)
不当发汗。不当利小便。若发汗利小便。竭其津液。则生蓄血证也
。唯当益津液为上。以其火就燥也。益津液者。连须葱白汤是也。汗多亡阳。下多亡阴。小
便重利之走气。三者虽异。为言少津液则一也。
汗者。本所以助阳也若阳受阴邪。寒结无形须当发去阴邪以复阳气。所谓益阳而除风寒
客气
也。阴邪已去。而复汗之。反伤阳也经曰。重阳必阴故阳气自亡。汗多亡阳。此之谓也。
下者。本所以助阴也。若阴受阳邪热结有形。须当除去已败坏者。以致新阴此所谓益阴
而除
火热邪气也。阳邪已去。而复下之。反亡阴也。经曰。重阴必阳。故阴气自亡。下多亡阴。
此之谓也。
非预早之早。乃早晚之早也。谓当日午以前为阳之分。当发其汗。午后阴之分也。不当
发汗。故曰汗无太早。汗不厌早。是为善攻。
This is the method of Yi Lao (Zhang Yuansu). Use Liangge San (Cool the Diaphragm Powder), reducing Dahuang (Rhubarb Root) and Mangxiao (Mirabilite), adding Jiegeng (Platycodon Root), together forming a "boat and keel agent" (a term for herbs that guide other drugs upward) to float and ascend. It treats heat in the chest and diaphragm, as well as heat in the Six Channels (Taiyang, Yangming, Shaoyang, Taiyin, Shaoyin, Jueyin). This is because the Qi of the Hand-Shaoyang (Sanjiao/Triple Burner) and Foot-Shaoyang (Gallbladder) meridians both descend into the chest and diaphragm, while the Qi of the Sanjiao travels with Ministerial Fire on the exterior of the body. The diaphragm and the Six Channels belong to the highest parts of the body. This medicine has floating and carrying properties and is also an agent acting on the highest part. Therefore, it can move along the high positions within the formless realm, removing heat from the chest, diaphragm, and Six Channels.
Yangming Syndrome: Body fever, eye pain, nasal dryness, inability to sleep, aversion to wind and cold absent, spontaneous sweating, or aversion to heat; the pulse is long at all three positions (Cun, Guan, Chi). Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction) is the primary treatment. Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum) is acrid and cold, entering the Liver channel; Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma) is bitter and cold, entering the Kidney channel; Gancao (Licorice Root) and Jingmi (Millet) possess sweetness (residing in the Middle Jiao, pulling the two medicines up and down).
One should not induce sweating, nor should one promote urination. If sweating or promoting urination is performed, depleting the Body Fluids will lead to the formation of Blood Stasis Syndrome. The best approach is to replenish the Body Fluids, because fire tends toward dryness. The formula for replenishing Body Fluids is Lianxu Congbai Tang (Decoction of Scallion White with Roots). Excessive sweating leads to the loss of Yang Qi; excessive purgation leads to the loss of Yin Qi; heavy promotion of urination dissipates Qi. Although these three differ in manifestation, they are identical in causing a deficiency of Body Fluids.
Sweating is originally intended to assist Yang Qi. If Yang Qi is invaded by Yin pathogenic factors, and cold condenses in a formless state, one must induce sweating to expel the Yin pathogen and restore Yang Qi. This is referred to as benefiting Yang and expelling Wind-Cold external pathogens. If the Yin pathogen has already been expelled, inducing sweating again will反而 injure Yang Qi. The Classics state: "Extreme Yang transforms into Yin," thus Yang Qi perishes spontaneously. Excessive sweating leads to the loss of Yang Qi; this is what is meant.
Purgation is originally intended to assist Yin Qi. If the Yin aspect is invaded by Yang pathogenic factors, and heat condenses into a formed state, one must remove the already corrupted material to generate new Yin. This is referred to as benefiting Yin and expelling Fire-Heat pathogenic factors. If the Yang pathogen has already been expelled, purging again will反而 cause the loss of Yin Qi. The Classics state: "Extreme Yin transforms into Yang," thus Yin Qi perishes spontaneously. Excessive purgation leads to the loss of Yin Qi; this is what is meant.
The "early" here does not mean premature, but rather early in the day. It means that before noon belongs to the Yang phase, and sweating should be induced; after noon belongs to the Yin phase, and sweating should not be induced. Therefore, it is said that "sweating should not be too late," and sweating is not disliked if done early; this constitutes skillful attack.