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Chen Wuzhe stated: Spleen deficiency often leads to the invasion of dampness; thus, it is said that when dampness flows into the joints, it frequently causes distension in the limbs and joint pain accompanied by irritability. Over time, this may progress to edema, asthma (wheezing), chest fullness, mental confusion, or even unconsciousness. If complicated by wind pathogen, symptoms such as vertigo, vomiting, and hiccups occur; if complicated by cold pathogen, symptoms such as limb spasms, convulsions, and pulling pain appear. Treatment should not employ vigorous sweating methods, nor moxibustion or purgation; promoting urination is the best approach.

According to commentary: Spleen deficiency with internal dampness often manifests internally as abdominal fullness, diaphragmatic obstruction, diarrhea, and dysentery; externally, it often presents as flaccidity syndromes (Wei syndrome), bi-syndromes (painful obstruction), edema, and pain. This is because the Spleen governs the muscles. Furthermore, there are various combinations involving wind, cold, summer-heat, and heat pathogens. Detailed discussions follow: Predecessors held that for wind and dampness at the exterior, muscle-releasing methods are suitable; for cold and dampness at the half-exterior/half-interior level, warming and dispersing or渗泄 (percolating and draining) methods are suitable; only for damp-heat in the interior, purgative methods are suitable; for interior deficiency, separating and eliminating dampness while strengthening the Spleen Earth is the superior strategy. For external contraction not caused by Spleen deficiency, sweating or moxibustion may be used, provided the condition is treated appropriately.

See the section on Phlegm-Retention.

See the sections on Diarrhea and Dysentery.

See the section on Wind-Stroke.

See the section on Hong Kong Foot (Gouty Arthritis).

Jia Zhen Sun stated: Dampness is the qi of Earth; fire and heat can generate damp Earth. Thus, in summer heat, all things are moist; in autumn coolness, all things are dry. Damp diseases do not arise spontaneously but are generated because heat pathogen causes stagnation and depression, preventing the smooth flow of water passages, leading to dampness accumulation. Moreover, individuals with fragile Spleen Earth are easily affected by external pathogens; one need not wait for stagnant water to constitute dampness. People only recognize the severity of wind and cold but fail to realize how insidiously summer-heat and dampness affect them. The *Bingshi* states: Various spasmodic conditions, rigidity, and accumulated fluid retention syndromes all belong to dampness. Or, body swelling, aversion to cold with water qi, where internally there must be scanty, dark red, or obstructed urination, or thirst—this indicates deep accumulation of heat in the interior, not a cold disease. Generally, treatment should prioritize regulating the Spleen, clearing heat, and promoting urination. Therefore, treating dampness without promoting urination is incorrect. Suitable treatments include Guiling Ganlu San (Cassia Seed and Poria Decoction), Muxiang Tingli Tang (Aucklandia and Lepidium Decoction), and Mutong (Akebia Caulis). Master Shouzhen stated: Tingli Muxiang San (Lepidium and Aucklandia Powder) and Xia Shenxiong Wan (Divine Xion Pill for Descending) are medicines that drain damp-water, reduce swelling, promote urination, and regulate the Spleen and Stomach; nothing surpasses these. For severe abdominal distension and leg swelling, Zhouche Wan (Boat and Cart Pill) should be used to purge; for deep-seated damp-heat causing jaundice, Yinchin Tang (Artemisiae Scopariae Decoction) should be used to purge; or supplemented with Fangji Huangqi Tang (Stephania and Astragalus Decoction). If the whole body is swollen and painful, or if there is no sweating, this indicates dampness flowing into the joints with pathogenic factors at the exterior; Wuling San (Five-Ingredient Poria Decoction) plus Guigui (Cinnamon Twig) and Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma) should be used to induce slight sweating, not profuse sweating. If spontaneous sweating is excessive, leading to heat-dryness damaging fluids and internal water imbalance, diuretics must not be used, as they would further damage fluids. Fangfeng Baizhu Gancao Tang (Saposhnikovia, Atractylodes Macrocephala, and Licorice Decoction) is indicated. There are two types of dampness syndromes: damp-heat is common, while damp-cold is rare; they must be distinguished clearly by pulse and symptoms. For example, a slippery and rapid pulse, dark and astringent urination, and polydipsia indicate a damp-heat syndrome. If urination is clear and abundant, stool is loose or dysenteric, body aches, and there is spontaneous sweating, it is a damp-cold syndrome. Treatment for damp-cold should use Wuling San (Five-Ingredient Poria Decoction) plus Sheng Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root), Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma), and Mugua (Chaenomelis Fructus).