汗者,心之液,故叔和心脏歌曰∶液汗通皮润,声言爽气清。盖人之气血,犹水火
也。平则宁,偏则病,阴虚阳必凑,则发热自汗,阳虚阴必乘,则发厥自汗。小儿脾虚
自汗,多出额上,沾黏人手,速救胃气,全蝎观音散,用姜、枣煎汤调服,及沉香饮为
治。脾虚泻自汗遍身冷而出,有时遇泻则无,泻过即有,此候大虚,急当补脾,投益黄散、
参苓白术散、附子理中汤。肺虚自汗,其候右脸色多 白,肺脉按之无力。盖久因咳嗽,
连声不已,痰少不活,乃肺经虚气上壅,致令汗出,宜用补肺散为治,及以藿香饮调脾。
此又益母救子之义也。慢惊自汗,遍体俱有,其冷如冰,此证已危,金液丹、固真汤主之。
有实证自汗,外因感冒风邪发热,无问昏醒,浸浸汗出,当救表解肌,用百解散,水煎服。
或间投五苓散,温白汤调下。有小儿无疾,睡中遍身汗出如水,觉而经久不干,此名积证
盗汗,脾冷所致,用三棱散,水、煨姜煎服,次投益黄散、参苓白术散。有时时冷汗微出,
发根如贯珠,面额上 然,此为惊汗证,宜镇惊丸或琥珀抱龙丸,及茯神汤加麻黄根,水
煎服取效。有夜睡中而汗自出者,名曰盗汗。《巢元方论》云∶病因睡寐中而身体汗流,此
因阳虚所致久不已者,令人羸瘠枯瘦,心气不足,津液妄出故也。用茯神汤加黄 ,水。
姜、枣烧盐煎服。
Sweat is the fluid of the Heart (Xin, 心), so Shuhe’s Song of the Heart states: "Fluid sweat penetrates the skin and moistens it; its sound indicates clear Qi and freshness." Generally, human Qi and Blood are like water and fire. When in balance, there is tranquility; when imbalanced, disease arises. Yin deficiency leads to Yang pathogenic factors gathering within, causing fever and spontaneous sweating (Zihan, 自汗); Yang deficiency allows Yin cold pathogens to invade, causing cold extremities (Jue, 厥) and spontaneous sweating.
In children, spontaneous sweating due to Spleen deficiency (Pixu, 脾虚) often occurs on the forehead, making the skin sticky to the touch. One must quickly rescue Stomach Qi (Wei Qi, 胃气). Use Quanxie Guanyin San (Scorpion Guanyin Powder) mixed with ginger and jujube decoction, along with Chenxiang Yin (Agarwood Decoction) for treatment. For Spleen deficiency diarrhea accompanied by spontaneous sweating, where the body feels cold and sweat appears after diarrhea ceases but not during it, this condition represents severe deficiency. Urgent tonification of the Spleen is required using Yihuang San (Yellow-Protecting Powder), Shenling Baizhu San (Ginseng, Poria, and Atractylodes Macrocephala Powder), or Fuzi Lizhong Tang (Aconite Regulate-the-Middle Decoction).
Spontaneous sweating due to Lung deficiency (Feixu, 肺虚) presents with a pale complexion on the right side of the face and a weak Lung pulse upon palpation. This is often caused by prolonged coughing that is continuous, with scanty and unproductive phlegm. It results from deficient Qi of the Lung meridian rising and obstructing, leading to sweating. Treatment should employ Bufei San (Tonify-Lung Powder) and Huoxiang Yin (Patchouli Decoction) to regulate the Spleen. This embodies the principle of benefiting the mother to save the child (Peitu Shengjin, 培土生金 - strengthening Earth to generate Metal).
Spontaneous sweating associated with slow convulsions (Manjing, 慢惊) covers the whole body, with the body feeling cold as ice. This condition is critical; treat primarily with Jinye Dan (Golden Liquid Pill) or Guzhen Tang (Solidify-True Decoction).
There are cases of spontaneous sweating due to excess syndromes, caused externally by wind-pathogen invasion leading to fever. Regardless of whether the patient is unconscious or awake, sweat oozes continuously. One must rescue the exterior and release the muscle layer using Baisan San (Hundred-Rescue Powder) taken as a water decoction. Alternatively, Wuling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria) may be administered intermittently, taken with warm white soup.
Some healthy children sweat profusely all over their bodies during sleep, which remains wet for a long time after waking. This is called "accumulation-type night sweats" (Jizheng Daohan, 积证盗汗), caused by cold in the Spleen. Use Sanleng San (Curcuma Powder) decocted with water and baked ginger, followed by Yihuang San and Shenling Baizhu San.
Sometimes, slight cold sweat occurs frequently, with hair roots appearing like beads, and the face and forehead becoming damp. This is called "fright-sweat syndrome" (Jinghan Zheng, 惊汗证). Treat with Zhenjing Wan (Calm-Fright Pill) or Hupo Baolong Wan (Amber Embrace-Dragon Pill), or Fushen Tang (Poria Spirit Decoction) added with Mahuang Gen (Ephedrae Radix et Rhizoma), taken as a water decoction.
Night sweats (Daohan, 盗汗) refer to sweating that occurs spontaneously during sleep. The *Chao Yuan Fang Lun* states: "The cause is sweating of the body during sleep, resulting from Yang deficiency. If prolonged, it causes emaciation and thinness, insufficiency of Heart Qi, and reckless loss of body fluids." Use Fushen Tang added with Huangqi (Astragali Radix), decocted with water, ginger, jujube, and burnt salt.