薄荷汤内用金银,多为讹传误后人;细读明医何氏论,于中载述得其真。
古方所载金银薄荷为汤,使后人之医者,遂薄荷之外,加以金 银 同煎,殊欠讲明。
夫者,乃妇人常带之物,垢腻浸渍,用以煎煮,其味杂乎药内,大非所宜,切须戒此。
昔明医何澄论金银薄荷,乃金钱薄荷,即今之家园薄荷叶小者,是其叶似金钱花叶,名
曰金钱薄荷。此理甚明,非所谓再加金银同煎。大概钱字与银字相近,故讹以传讹,是
亦鲁鱼亥豕之类也。
(先后数诗虽曰繁紊,诚为学人识证提纲)
孩儿百日胎寒候,足曲难伸两手倦(音拳);口冷腹膨身战栗,昼啼不已夜 HT 。
手兼足冷面微青,腹痛肠鸣泄泻频,盖为生时感寒湿,夜多啼切日常轻。
三朝旬外月间儿,目闭胞浮证可推,常作呻吟烦躁起,此为胎热定无疑。
弄舌微微露即收,得于病后最难瘳,出长收缓名舒舌,热在心脾不用忧。
风邪早受入脐中,七日之间验吉凶,若见腹疼脐凸(音迭)起,恶声口撮是为风。
婴孩生下旬余日,脐突光浮非大疾,秽水停中明所因,徐徐用药令消释。
夜啼四证惊为一,无泪见灯心热烦,面莹夹青脐下痛。睡中顿哭是神干。
If Gold Foil (Jinyin) and Silver Foil are added to the Bohe Tang (Peppermint Decoction), it is mostly a misinterpretation that has misled later generations; carefully reading the treatise by the Ming Dynasty physician He reveals what is truly correct.
Ancient formularies mention "Jinyin Bohe" as a decoction, leading physicians of later generations to mistakenly believe that in addition to Bohe (Menthae Haplocalycis Herba), one should add Jinyin (Gold and Silver foils/metals) for simultaneous decoction, which lacks clarity and explanation.
The term "Jinyin" here refers to items commonly worn by women, which become stained with dirt and grease; using such items for decocting medicine causes their flavors to mix with the herbs, which is highly inappropriate and must be strictly avoided.
In the past, the Ming physician He Cheng discussed "Jinyin Bohe," referring to "Jinqian Bohe" (Coin-shaped Peppermint), which is the smaller-leaved peppermint grown in modern home gardens. Its leaves resemble those of the Coin Flower, hence the name "Jinqian Bohe." This principle is clear; it does not imply adding actual gold and silver metals for decoction. It is likely that due to the visual similarity between the character "Qian" (Coin) and "Yin" (Silver), errors were passed down, similar to textual corruptions like "Lu Yu Hai Shi" (confusion of characters due to similar shapes).
(Although these preceding poems may seem numerous and disordered, they genuinely serve as an outline for learners to identify syndromes.)
When infants reach one hundred days old, signs of Congenital Cold (Taihan) may appear: the legs are curved and difficult to extend, and the hands are tired and curled (pronounced 'quan'); the mouth feels cold, the abdomen is distended, and the body trembles. There is incessant crying during the day, while at night... [text missing/unclear].
If the hands and feet are cold and the face is slightly cyanotic, accompanied by abdominal pain, borborygmus, and frequent diarrhea, this is because the infant contracted cold-dampness at birth. Crying is severe at night but lighter during the day.
For infants aged three days to several weeks or months, if the eyes are closed and eyelids are swollen, this syndrome can be inferred: frequent groaning and irritability indicate definitively that this is Fetal Heat (Tai Re).
Slight protrusion of the tongue followed by immediate retraction occurs after illness and is difficult to cure. If the tongue extends long and retracts slowly, it is called "Shu She" (Relaxed Tongue); if caused by heat in the Heart and Spleen, there is no need to worry.
If wind-pathogens invade the umbilicus early, auspicious or ominous signs can be verified within seven days. If abdominal pain and umbilical protrusion (pronounced 'die') are seen, along with harsh sounds and puckering of the mouth, this indicates Wind (Feng Zheng/Jing Feng).
For infants born more than half a month ago, umbilical protrusion with shiny swelling is not a major disease. The cause is clearly the retention of unclean fluids; medication should be administered gradually to resolve it.
Night crying has four syndromes, with Shock (Jing) being one. Absence of tears, use of Deng Xin Cao (Acori Tenuifolii Rhizoma/Stem), irritability, a face that appears lustrous with greenish tints, and pain below the navel suggest that sudden crying during sleep is due to disturbance of the Spirit (Shen).
Red face, sudden onset of heatstroke with whole-body fever, black lips, locked jaw, breath nearly absent, upward rolling of eyes, convulsions, and phlegm in the throat characterize Ji Jing Feng (Urgent Wind Syndrome), which is easy to diagnose.
Tian Gou (Sky Hook, a type of pediatric convulsion) originates from deep accumulation of heat, spreading to the Heart collaterals and accompanied by fright. Upward rolling of the eyes, dry and scorched lips, and frequent yawning indicate that the disease will arise quickly.