四证者,惊风痰热是也。八候者,搐搦掣颤。反引窜视是也。搐者两手伸缩,搦者
十指开合,掣者势如相扑,颤者头偏不正,反者身仰向后,引者臂若开弓,窜者目直似怒,
视者睛露不活。四证已备,八候生焉。四证既无,八候安有专是业者,可不究心及此。脉
病证治,明有条类。大抵婴孩得疾,如火燎原,扑之在微,不致有延蔓之盛。疗病亦然。
若初觉是受惊伤风发热,便与疏解,何患有传变之误。所谓闾门之盗,不可以固留,逆
流之水,不可以顺决,此有疾在谨初之意也。
衡州万户张侯寓屯田日,长子三岁,六月得患不语,手足蜷缩,已经二旬,命余至
彼,诸医议论不一,观外形面垢有热,气促流涎,口眼 斜,不省人事,次则手足俱冷
而蜷缩,身臂反张,诊六脉沉,按而取,独心肝脉虚而细数,余脉缓弱。余曰∶面垢色
脉细数,此因中暑感风,前贤所谓暑风者是也。手足冷缩而不伸,或服凉剂太过,寒之
使然。若手足温,其效自速。愚以治法分阴阳顺乎气,五苓散加宽气饮,姜汁沸汤调下
三服,其证稍慢,次疏风和荣卫,百解散加荆芥、人参、当归,水、姜煎投。随以温灰
汤浇洗手足,药一服,洗一次,至八九次,手足温则血活,血活则筋舒,筋舒则手足运动
如常,余热未除,消暑清心饮主之。声音不全,二圣散取效。调理惟用万安饮,恰九日
前证俱减。张侯曰∶此子更生,端藉药力,不敢妄也。因笔漫纪,后有是证,仿此活人亦方便心矣。
The "Four Syndromes" refer to Wind-Convulsion (Jing Feng), Phlegm, and Heat. The "Eight Signs" refer to Twitching (Chu), Grasping (Nuo), Jerking (Che), Trembling (Chan), Retroflexion (Fan), Drawing/Pulling (Yin), Gazing/Strabismus (Cuan), and Staring (Shi). "Twitching" refers to the extension and flexion of both hands; "Grasping" refers to the opening and closing of the ten fingers; "Jerking" refers to movements resembling wrestling; "Trembling" refers to the head tilting to one side and failing to remain upright; "Retroflexion" refers to the body arching backward; "Drawing" refers to the arms extending as if drawing a bow; "Gazing" refers to eyes staring straight ahead as if in anger; "Staring" refers to the eyeballs being exposed and lacking flexibility. When the Four Syndromes are fully present, the Eight Signs arise. If the Four Syndromes are absent, how can the Eight Signs exist? Practitioners specializing in pediatrics must not fail to study these matters carefully. Pulse patterns, diseases, syndromes, and treatments are clearly categorized. Generally speaking, when infants fall ill, it spreads like a prairie fire; it must be extinguished while still slight to prevent extensive propagation. Treating disease is no different. If at the initial stage one perceives an attack by Wind-Convulsion due to shock or wind-pathogen with fever, immediate dispersal and resolution should be applied; how could there be errors due to disease transmission? This is akin to saying that thieves in the alleys cannot be retained by mere fortification, nor can reverse-flowing water be directed by順决 (following the flow); this embodies the principle of caution at the onset of illness.
When Marquis Zhang of Hengzhou was stationed at Tuntian, his eldest son, aged three, fell ill in June with mutism and curled limbs, a condition persisting for twenty days. He summoned me to attend. Physicians debated differing opinions. Observing the exterior, the face was grimy with heat, breathing was rapid with salivation, there was facial paralysis (deviation of mouth and eyes), and unconsciousness. Subsequently, the limbs were cold and curled, and the body and arms exhibited retroflexion. Palpation of the six pulses revealed a deep quality; upon pressing, only the Heart and Liver pulses were deficient, fine, and rapid, while the remaining pulses were slow and weak. I stated: "A grimy complexion and fine, rapid pulse indicate Summerheat combined with Wind-pathogen, what the sages referred to as 'Summerheat-Wind' (Shu Feng). Cold, curled limbs unable to extend may result from excessive administration of cooling agents, causing cold to constrict. If the limbs become warm, efficacy will naturally accelerate." My treatment strategy divided Yin and Yang, aligning with Qi dynamics. Initially, Wuling San (Five-Ingredient Poria Decoction) was combined with Kuanqi Yin (Broad-Qi Infusion), administered with ginger juice and boiling water for three doses, after which symptoms slightly improved. Next, to disperse wind and harmonize Ying and Wei (Defensive and Nutritive levels), Baisan Jie (Hundred-Resolution Powder) was used with added Jingjie (Schizonepetae Herba), Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), and Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), decocted with water and ginger. Following this, the limbs were washed with warm ash-water after each dose; after eight or nine washes, the limbs warmed, blood circulation activated, sinews relaxed, and limb movement returned to normal. Residual heat remained, so Xiaoshu Qingxin Yin (Summerheat-Relieving Heart-Clearing Infusion) was prescribed. For incomplete voice recovery, Ersheng San (Two-Sage Powder) proved effective. For convalescence, Wan'an Yin (Ten-Thousand-Peace Infusion) was used exclusively. Within nine days, all prior symptoms subsided. Marquis Zhang said: "This child's revival is entirely due to medicinal power; I dare not speak lightly." Thus, I recorded this casually, hoping that future practitioners encountering such cases may find it convenient and compassionate to apply similar methods.