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See the sections on Malaria (Nüe) and Dysentery (Zhixia).

See the section on this disease.

Li Dongyuan said: When the Spleen and Stomach are weak, during the seventh and eighth months when rivers flood and rain persists, all things become moist. People sweat until their clothes are damp, feel heavy in the body, suffer from shortness of breath, and in severe cases, experience flaccidity and weakness in the four limbs, unsteady gait, foot deviation, and blurred vision. This is a state where Kidney Water and Bladder Qi are exhausted. Immediate rescue is required. One should nourish Lung Qi to replenish the upper source of fluids, prevent the Large Intestine from being invaded by pathogenic heat, and avoid excessive sweating. If sweating is excessive, fluid production ceases, and Shen (Spirit) loses its foundation. Fluids mutually generate, and Shen stabilizes itself. Fluids are governed by the Large Intestine (Geng Metal). During the Sanfu days, Geng Metal is confined, and Wood cannot control it; thus, Wind-Dampness combats each other, causing joint pain and whole-body ache. This illustrates the principle that "excess leads to harm, and restraint brings regulation." Taking Wuweizi (Schisandra Chinensis Fruit) regularly in the fifth month helps to drain Bing Fire (Heart Fire), tonify Geng Large Intestine, and benefit the Yuan Qi of the Five Zang Organs. The cold of Ren Bladder is exhausted by Ji Earth, and Gui Kidney Water is exhausted by Wu Fire. Now, with abundant Dampness assisting Heat as a pathogen, the cold and clear Qi of the West and North have ceased. The Sages established the method that in summer, one should tonify the Tianyuan True Qi, not tonify Hot Fire. Nowadays, people eat cold foods in summer because Heat has injured their Yuan Qi. Shengmai San (Pulse-Generating Powder), composed of Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), Maidong (Ophiopogonis Tuber), and Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus), is used to tonify Yuan Qi.

Commentary: Wang Bing stated: Heaven distributes Qi, which does not exceed the Five Elements. Humans exist within Qi; how could they not correspond to the Way of Heaven? However, if physicians do not examine the principles of Yin-Yang waxing and waning, ascending and descending, floating and sinking, what basis do they have? Therefore, Mr. Danxi wrote "On Hidden Yin Inside During Summer," profoundly elucidating points not fully addressed by Dongyuan. It is attached here for reference.

Zhu Danxi said: Heaven and Earth transform and generate all things through the Qi of One Origin. Those rooted inside are called Shenji (Spirit Mechanism); those rooted outside are called Qili (Qi Establishment). All things share this single Qi with Heaven and Earth. Humans are more spiritual than other beings, their forms resembling Heaven and Earth, participating as three because they obtain the upright Qi and connect with it. Thus, when Heaven and Earth's Qi ascends, human Qi also ascends; when it floats, human Qi floats; when it descends, human Qi descends; when it sinks, human Qi sinks. Humans and Heaven and Earth are identical. In Zi Month, one Yang arises; in Yin Month, three Yangs arise; this is the rising of Qi. In Si Month, six Yangs arise, and Yang Qi emerges completely above ground; this is the floating of Qi. The human abdomen corresponds to Earthly Qi. At this time, Yang Qi floats on the muscle surface and disperses into the skin and hair, leaving the internal Yang deficient. The Classics state: In summer, meridians are full, Qi overflows into Sunluo (Sun Collaterals), blood is received, and skin becomes firm. It also states: In Changxia (Late Summer), meridians are prosperous, Qi enters the throat and muscles. Furthermore: Summer Qi resides in Sunluo; Changxia Qi resides in muscles. Therefore, when the exterior is excess, the interior must be deficient. The saying "Hidden Yin inside during summer" implies that "Yin" refers to deficiency. Interpreting it as coldness is a serious error. Some ask: Touching the abdomen clearly feels cold. Why did predecessors use warm and hot agents like Yulong Dan, Dashun San, Guiling Wan, boiled Liangjiang (Galangal Rhizome), or Suopi Yin with Caoguo (Tsaoko Fructus) to treat Summerheat diseases? Have you not considered this deeply? I say: The Classics state "Nourish Yang in Spring and Summer." Wang Bing said eating cool in spring and cold in summer nourishes Yang. This intent is visible. Regarding cool pavilions, water halls, large fans, wind wheels, shady woods, cold springs, fruits, ice, and snow—these cold injuries affect from inside out. Without warm agents, how can the illness resolve peacefully? Examining the meaning, these were not used for hidden internal cold. Former sages also said: For ascending, descending, floating, and sinking, follow their nature; for cold, heat, warm, and cool, oppose their nature. If one recklessly administers warm and hot agents during the Fire Command of summer, will one not incur the disaster of reinforcing excess and depleting deficiency? Some argue: Si Month is pure Yang, so perhaps it allows flexibility; May sees one Yin arising, June sees two Yin arising. Since Yin Qi moves, is there no cold? I say: This is the initial movement of Yin underground. Four Yangs float on the ground, blazing and burning, melting metals and cracking stones. Where is the cold? Sun Simiao's Shengmai San is taken in summer; if not for deficiency, for what else?