伏温由阴而出于阳,于病机为顺。若病发于阴,而即溃于阴,不达于阳,此病机为逆。若是乎阴阳两层,
界限分明,安有淆乱者哉。凡病之阴阳淆乱者,其故有二∶一则由乎正虚,如阳虚者阴必凑之,则阴病可淆于
阳矣∶阴虚者阳必扰之,则阳病可淆于阴矣。一则由乎药误,如病在阴而误投阳药,则阳气
为药所伤,而阴病淆于阳矣;病在阳而误投阴药,则阴气为药所伤,而阳病淆于阴矣。至其见证错杂,有即由
于阴阳淆乱而杂者,有由他邪之兼挟而杂者。看此等证∶全要天分聪明,识见老到,方有把握。盖此等证,变
化最多,无一定路迳可循。临病者,须将正气邪气,表病里病,新邪旧邪,孰本孰标,孰轻孰重,孰缓孰急,
一一衡量得宜,方可施治。有当先顾本元,苟得正气一旺,而邪自解散者;有当急祛外邪,必得邪气速退,而
正乃不伤者;有症虽错出,而发于一原,只须专治其本,而各症自退,所谓缓则治其本者;有证虽在标,而病
机甚急,必须先治标病(如小便不利之类),而本病从缓,所谓急则治其标者;有病势蔓延,欲治其根,而正
气不支,只可先披其枝叶,而用渐衰渐胜之法者∶有病情纠结,必除其根,而各证自退,不得不攻其坚垒,而
用擒贼擒王之计者;以上所谓错杂,犹不过表里虚实,其用药尚可一线相承。此外更有寒热错杂,如阴虚而挟
寒饮,阳虚而挟肝火,治此则碍彼,治彼则碍此者,其用药更难措手。此中奥妙,有知之而不能言,言之而不
能尽者。总宜于轻重缓急,权之极精,方可论治。至选药宜彼此照顾,尤必有手挥五弦、目送飞鸿之妙,乃为
得法。否则失之毫厘,谬以千里,其不误人性命者鲜矣。
Fuwen (latent warm pathogen) emerging from the Yin level to the Yang level is considered a favorable progression in disease mechanism. If the pathogen originates in the Yin but remains entrenched in the Yin without penetrating to the Yang, this constitutes an unfavorable (reverse) progression. Given that the boundaries between the Yin and Yang levels are distinct, how can confusion arise? There are two main causes for such Yin-Yang confusion: first, due to deficiency of healthy Qi (Zhengqi). For instance, when Yang Qi is deficient, Yin pathogens inevitably encroach, causing Yin pathology to confuse with Yang; conversely, when Yin fluids are deficient, Yang pathogens inevitably disturb, causing Yang pathology to confuse with Yin. Second, due to therapeutic errors. If the pathology resides in the Yin but Yang-tonifying or Yang-releasing herbs are mistakenly administered, the Yang Qi is damaged by the medication, leading to Yin pathology confusing with Yang; if the pathology resides in the Yang but Yin-nourishing or Yin-cooling herbs are mistakenly administered, the Yin Qi is damaged, leading to Yang pathology confusing with Yin. Regarding the complex clinical manifestations, some arise directly from Yin-Yang confusion, while others result from the concurrent presence of other pathogens. Diagnosing such cases relies entirely on the physician's innate intelligence and mature diagnostic insight to ensure accuracy. These cases exhibit the most variations, with no fixed pathways to follow. The clinician must carefully weigh the relationship between healthy Qi and pathogenic factors, exterior and interior syndromes, new versus old pathogens, root versus branch, severity, and urgency. Only after proper assessment can treatment be initiated. In some cases, it is necessary to first protect the fundamental Yuan Qi; once healthy Qi is robust, pathogens will dissipate naturally. In other cases, it is urgent to expel external pathogens; only by rapidly eliminating pathogens can healthy Qi remain unharmed. Some symptoms appear mixed but originate from a single root; treating the root specifically allows all symptoms to recede, which is known as "treating the root in slow/chronic conditions." Some presentations manifest as branch symptoms, yet the disease mechanism is critical; the branch must be treated first (e.g., difficulty in urination), while the root is addressed later, known as "treating the branch in acute/emergency conditions." In cases where the disease spreads widely but healthy Qi cannot support aggressive radical treatment, one may first address the superficial branches using methods that gradually reduce pathogens while gradually strengthening healthy Qi. In situations where the condition is tangled and requires removing the root for all symptoms to resolve, one must attack the solid pathological fortress, employing a strategy akin to "capturing the king to capture the rebels." The aforementioned complexities mainly involve exterior-interior and deficiency-excess dynamics, allowing for consistent therapeutic approaches. However, there are further complexities involving mixed cold and heat, such as Yin deficiency accompanied by cold-fluid retention, or Yang deficiency accompanied by Liver Fire. Treating one aspect hinders the other, making medication difficult to administer. The subtleties involved are often known but indescribable, or describable but not fully comprehensible. Ultimately, precise weighing of severity and urgency is essential before discussing treatment. Herb selection must consider mutual interactions, requiring the skillful mastery likened to "playing the lute while watching the flying geese" (handling multiple tasks with grace and precision). Otherwise, a slight error leads to a massive deviation, and survival is rare.