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Leprosy (Dama Feng)

Chen Shigong stated: Leprosy (Dama Feng, a severe form of leprosy characterized by nodules and deformities) is a rare condition in the world. In summary, it is caused by sudden exposure to intense sunlight, invasion by mist, dew, wind, and rain, or attack by Wind Pathogens after sexual intercourse when the body is deficient. It may also result from sleeping outdoors facing the wind or lying on damp ground for a long time. Ultimately, it stems from the mutual assault of Wind and Dampness, leading to stagnation of Qi and Blood, disharmony between the exterior and interior, obstruction of the Zang-Fu organs, and transformation by Yang Fire. This constitutes its root cause. The disease initially presents with numbness and insensitivity, followed by the appearance of red macules. Over time, the skin becomes ulcerated and edematous without pus. In the early stage, treatment should favor diaphoresis (inducing sweating). For chronic cases, tonifying and supporting Qi and Blood is necessary. (*Waike Zhengzong*)

He further stated: If the skin dies, there is numbness and insensitivity; if the flesh dies, cutting causes no pain; if the blood dies, ulcers weep fluid; if the tendons die, finger joints detach; if the bones die, the nasal bridge collapses. These are known as the "Five Untreatable Conditions."

He also stated: If the Heart is affected, the eyes are damaged first; if the Liver is affected, purple blisters appear on the face; if the Spleen is affected, the whole body resembles tinea; if the Lungs are affected, eyebrows fall out first; if the Kidneys are affected, the soles of the feet perforate first. These are known as the "Five Defeat Syndromes," which are untreatable.

He further stated: Treatment requires abstaining from sexual activity and consuming rich flavors or foods that stir Wind.

*Mai Jue* (Pulse Classic) states: A洪大 (Hongda, surging and large) pulse indicates survival, while a 沉细 (Chenxi, deep and fine) pulse indicates death.

Wang Shengzhi stated: Leprosy has three etiologies: one is Wind Toxin, two is Dampness Toxin, and three is contagion. (*Li Li*)

A maxim states: To treat Wind, first regulate Qi; when Qi is sufficient, Wind naturally dissipates. To treat Wind, first nourish Blood; when Blood is sufficient, Wind naturally diminishes. Therefore, treatment should distinguish between Qi and Blood, with specific methods for nourishing Qi and nourishing Blood. Thus, the key to treating Wind lies primarily in benefiting Qi and invigorating Blood.

Jiang Shiji stated: Loss of eyebrows, blindness, everted lips, hoarseness, and dysphagia are all difficult to treat. The reason is that pathogenic factors and healthy Qi contend, causing Qi and Blood to boil, while Phlegm-Dampness and dead Blood fill the meridians. Excessive Heat rots the flesh, leading to the generation of parasites and sores, resulting in pain, itching, and numbness. The treatment method involves unblocking the Zang-Fu internally, venting the meridians externally, nourishing Ying and Wei, tonifying healthy Qi to expel pathogens. Using large doses of potent tonics taken over a long period will allow the parasites, sores, pain, itching, and numbness to heal spontaneously. (*Yangyi Shuyue*)

Feng Luzhan stated: The classic texts mention two treatment methods: diaphoresis and bloodletting. Sweating releases the stagnant heat within Ying and Wei; puncturing swellings expels retained evil blood. Zhang Zihe said: One instance of sweating equals a thousand needle pricks, because bloodletting is not as comprehensive as sweating. It is especially important to support Stomach Qi to consolidate the root, and to solidify Wei Qi and nourish Ying Blood subsequently. Tracing the origin, this arises from excessive desires and labor damaging Qi and Blood, combined with failure to avoid pathogenic Wind, Cold, and Dampness. This causes Dampness to interfere with Stomach Qi. Thus, Healthy Qi deficiency is the root, and Damp-Heat is the branch. Although termed a Wind disease, it cannot be treated solely as Wind. (*Yangyi Jinnang*)

Lin Shi stated: Someone asked: What is Li Feng? Which meridians are involved? Why is mortality high and survival low? The answer is: "Li" means fierce/malignant. It refers to the Qi of Yin-Yang discordance, commonly known as Leprosy. This Qi is the shady, damp-heat, thieving Wind, and irregular Qi of the world. If it enters the Lung system, Yuan Qi is already deficient, making the nasal orifices susceptible. Consequently, the skin pores and interstices become loose. If one rises early, sleeps late, travels at night, or sleeps outdoors, the toxic vapors enter through the nose first. The Yangming Meridians alone bear this pathogen. Since the nose is the orifice of the Lungs, and the collateral vessels of the Hand and Foot Yangming Meridians originate near the intersection of the nose, when a person is amidst the interaction of Qi, the nose serves as the portal for respiration and the ascending/descending functions of the Lungs and intestines/stomach. Upon Wind Pathogen invasion, symptoms include nasal congestion, coarse breathing, sneezing, rhinorrhea, and soreness/aching in the brow ridge. Thus, the malignant Qi enters the Yangming collaterals directly via the nose. Initially, eyebrows itch and gradually fall out; the zygomatic areas become red, swollen, and itchy. Gradually, the skin on both arms becomes rough with hair loss. Eventually, the entire body suffers unbearable itching. When the toxin penetrates deeply into the blood vessels, Damp-Heat accumulates and generates parasites, eroding the Zang-Fu organs and corroding muscles. Over time, spirit and essence wither away, parasites gather to feed, transmitting into consumption (Lao Zhai), leading to death. (*Huo Ren Lu*)

He further stated: Someone asked: Although malignant Qi lurks in the collaterals, why does treatment with clearing, dispersing, and resolving herbs fail to cure quickly, instead leading to parasite generation, skin corrosion, organ failure, and death by rotting? The answer is: The classics state that Great Wind and harsh toxins, false evils and thieving winds, are all transformed from Yin-closed, Damp-Heat stagnant Qi. Their nature is inherently Hot. Upon reaching Yangming, which represents the convergence of two Yangs and is a reservoir of abundant Qi and Blood, the warmth of Qi and heat of Blood easily generate parasites. As parasites multiply and spread, slow treatment is ineffective. Patients initially lack awareness, then neglect the condition allowing the toxin to deepen, and finally receive improper treatment, leading to deterioration and death. It is not merely that Malignant Wind kills; patients must be cautious.

He further stated: This condition must be cleared and dispersed rapidly within one month to ensure safety. If spirit, Qi, and Blood are not yet depleted, and the six pulses are Hongda (surging-large) and solid, or Hongshu (surging-rapid) and forceful, use the three methods of Diaphoresis, Emesis, and Purging to attack the exterior and interior respectively, preventing toxin retention and facilitating rapid resolution. Subsequently, administer formulas that clear Heat, resolve toxicity, cool Blood, and nourish Blood. Strictly avoid acrid-dry drugs and substances that consume fluids, essence, and blood, which would exacerbate the fierce pathogen. Patients must cultivate a pure heart, reduce desires, avoid sexual activity, and observe dietary restrictions to benefit.

Feng Luzhan stated: Da Feng Bing (Great Wind Disease) results from inhaling the "killing wind" of the world, anciently called Li Feng due to its cruelty and ferocity. It must be differentiated as upper or lower. For upper manifestations, Zuixian San is used to extract foul saliva and evil blood from the teeth gaps. For lower manifestations, Tongtian Zaizao San is used to expel evil matter and old parasites via the anus. Although the exit routes differ (upper vs. lower), both involve the Hand and Foot Yangming Meridians. The intestines and stomach are like a market, accepting everything. The Spleen governs muscle, and the Lungs govern skin/hair; thus, Fu organ disease affects the Zang organs. Treating this requires observing nodules and sores: if appearing first on the upper body, the disease is upper; if lower, the disease is lower; if simultaneous, it involves both. Stomach and Large Intestine accept all; if Qi is affected, symptoms dominate above; if Blood is affected, symptoms dominate below; if both are affected, it is severe. Without a divine physician's skill and an iron-willed patient, recovery is rare. If onset is gradual from top or bottom, it is treatable. However, if patients are negligent and cannot abstain from flavors and sex, relapse is inevitable, leading to ultimate incurability.

He further stated: Wind originates from eight directions; it promotes growth when in season but kills when out of season. People with insufficient Middle Qi are vulnerable to this killing Qi, which condenses into Dampness, then Heat. Turbid Qi and filthy Blood circulate through the Zang-Fu, generating parasites and ulcerating muscles. Parasites eating the Heart cause foot perforation and knee swelling; eating the Liver causes eyebrow loss; eating the Lungs cause nasal collapse and hoarseness; eating the Kidneys cause tinnitus (buzzing/rumbling) and ear sores; affecting the body causes skin itching like insects crawling. Onset from the head is "Shun Feng" (Smooth Wind); onset from the soles is "Ni Feng" (Reverse Wind). Both stem from Damp-Heat toxin accumulation. First, use Zaizao San to purge, followed by thin rice gruel for regulation, avoiding exertion. Then, use Zuixian San to extract foul saliva and evil blood via vomiting or purging to vent the pathogen. The complexion turns from black to white, and peace is restored.

He further stated: Causes of Da Feng Zheng vary: sexual activity in the wind, drunken sleep on damp ground, undressing while hot, entering water while sweating, fasting hunger, mountain miasma, laborious running, or exposure to cold rain/dew. All result from internal injury to the body, failure to avoid taboos, and external contraction of Wind-Damp-Toxin Vapors entering skin, blood vessels, muscles, and bones. Failure to disperse them initially leads to stagnation, blocking Ying and Wei, causing internal/external steaming, internal parasite generation, and external sores, affecting all Zang-Fu and meridians. Eyebrow loss indicates Lung toxin; facial purple blisters indicate Liver toxin; foot pain/perforation indicates Kidney toxin; body-wide tinea-like rash indicates Spleen toxin; eye damage indicates Heart toxin. These are severe Zang diseases. Ancients spoke of Three Causes and Five Deaths. Three Causes: Wind Toxin, Dampness Toxin, Contagion. Five Deaths: 1. Skin death (numbness); 2. Pulse death (blood suppurates); 3. Flesh death (cutting causes no pain); 4. Tendon death (limbs flaccid); 5. Bone death (nasal collapse). Plus eyebrow loss, blindness, lip eversion, and dysphagia are difficult to treat. Reason: Pathogen vs. Healthy Qi contention, boiling Qi/Blood, Phlegm-Damp/Dead Blood in meridians, Heat rotting flesh, generating parasites/sores/pain/itch/numbness. Treatment: Unblock Zang-Fu internally, vent meridians externally, nourish Ying/Wei, tonify healthy Qi/expel pathogen. Use large doses of strong tonics long-term. Must abstain from alcohol and sex, avoid Wind-stirring/spicy/salty/fried/cold foods, cultivate purity and reduce desires to ensure safety.

He further stated: Li Yang lesions affect more than one Zang, inevitably injuring Qi and Blood, with mixed complications. Chronic external manifestations require differentiating meridian location (upper/lower) and syndrome nature (deficiency/excess). Do not indiscriminately use toxic-expelling drugs. First, strengthen Stomach and boost Qi to secure the root before treating sores. Diseases vary in change and category; treatments vary in diaphoresis, purging, scarification, tonification, and draining. Complications require assessing severity; changes require judging sequence; similar syndromes require distinguishing true/false. Diaphoretic, purgative, scarification, tonifying, and draining methods must be tailored to the patient's deficiency/excess and the disease's origin. Deficiency refers to Healthy Qi deficiency; Excess refers to Pathogenic Qi excess. Zaizao San treats Yin-location diseases using Gleditsiae Spina (Zaojiaoci) to reach the lesion, expelling Wind Toxin from Ying-Blood. Liver governs Blood; stagnant evil blood belongs to Liver. Parasites also arise in Jueyin (Wind-Wood). This formula targets the Zang Qi to kill parasites. Bai Chou (Semen Canavaliae) enters Stomach/Large Intestine, moves Lower Jiao Blood, removes Qi-level Damp-Heat, drives out parasites/accumulations via stool/urine. Yujin (Curcumae Radix) is light and ascending, resolving Qi-Blood stagnation; bitter/acrid, clearing Yang-Toxin Heat. Combined with Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) to guide into Gut Ying-Blood, purging瘀血 (stasis) and parasites. Zuixian San treats Yang-location diseases using Niubangzi (Arctii Fructus) to resolve Yangming Wind Toxin and general sores; Huma (Sesami Fructus) dispels Wind and moistens skin; Jili (Tribuli Fructus) scatters evil Blood, clears Stomach, opens nose, expels Wind; Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix) commands all Winds; Gualougen (Trichosanthis Radix) resolves烦热 (vexing heat); Gouqi (Lycii Fructus) moistens Kidney dryness and expels Wind; Manjingzi (Vitalae Fructus) disperses Wind-Excess and brightens eyes; Kushen (Sophorae Flavescentis Radix) attacks Damp-Heat, cleanses ulcers, removes toxin causing erythema/nodules and eyebrow loss. These eight herbs scatter Wind and resolve Toxin, covering upper/lower and interior/exterior comprehensively.

He further stated: There are 36 Wind syndromes, with Li Feng being the most cruel. Death is common due to non-compliance with taboos. Classics say: "Pulse Wind abundance creates Li; Li means evil." Pulse governs Blood; Blood Heat attacked by Killing/Malignant Qi causes Blood vessel coagulation/stagnation and Wei Qi stagnation. Qi becomes turbid. Nose is vital for respiration and Zong Qi passage. Current circulating Qi fails to ascend, causing nasal pillar decay and muscle ulceration.

He further stated: A poor woman, lacking rich food, took Zuixian San plus Jiajian Siwu Tang (Modified Four Substance Decoction) for over 100 doses. Within half a year, menstruation resumed, and Wind syndrome healed. Thus, bland diet is valuable.

*Lun Feng* states: Wind Qi enters with Taiyang, moves through Shu points, spreads between muscle layers, interferes with Wei Qi, obstructing flow, causing muscle swelling and sores. Stagnant Wei Qi fails to move, causing tissue dysfunction. Li Feng involves hot Ying Qi, turbid Qi, leading to nasal pillar decay, pallor, skin ulcers. Cold-Wind lodging in vessels without departing is named Li Feng or Han Re (Cold-Heat).

*Chang Ci Jie Lun* states: Da Feng with heavy joints and lost eyebrows/beards is named Da Feng. Prick muscles until sweating for 100 days; prick marrow until sweating for 100 days. Total 200 days until eyebrows/beards regrow, then stop needling. For Li Feng, always prick swellings with sharp needles, press to expel evil Qi, stop when swelling resolves. Eat regular food, avoid other foods.

*Mai Yao Jingwei Lun* states: Pulse Wind transforms into Li.

Zhang Jingyue stated: Li Feng is Da Feng, also called Lai Feng, popularly Da Ma Feng. Though named Wind, it is not exogenous Wind. It is actually Yin-Li turbid evil Qi from the world, transforming via Wood-Wind into Wind-Heat parasites, or Damp-Toxin on skin spreading to Ying-Wei, or from uncleanness/contagion generating parasites. Parasites are governed by Jueyin (Wind-Wood), which generates five types of worms. Initially unnoticed, they multiply over time, becoming incurable. It is the most evil, dangerous, and ugly syndrome. *Qianjin Fang* says it is retribution for extreme cruelty, hence hard to treat. Sun Simiao treated hundreds, none survived due to taboo violations. Only one woman recovered after taking Jiajian Siwu Tang for 100+ doses over 6 months. Danxi treated five, only one survived due to poverty/abstinence. Others relapsed in 2-3 years and died. Thus, extraordinary secret recipes are rarely effective. I dare not claim knowledge or prescribe blindly. Ancient theories are detailed; if applied correctly, they prolong life and prevent premature death. Among all sources, Xue Lizhai's *Liyang Jiyao* is most complete. I select its essentials and rational theories as guidelines.

*Qipo Ebing Lun* states: Jifeng has 400+ types, summarized as Five Winds: Huang Feng (Yellow), Qing Feng (Green), Bai Feng (White), Chi Feng (Red), Hei Feng (Black). Corresponding to Five Zang. Each Wind generates a Worm: Yellow Worm, Green Worm, White Worm, Red Worm, Black Worm, eating the Five Zang. Eating Spleen alters speech/voice; eating Liver drops brows/lashes; eating Heart causes body sores; eating Lungs collapses nasal pillar/polyps; eating Kidneys causes tinnitus (rumbling); eating Skin causes顽痹 (stubborn numbness); eating Tendons causes joint detachment. Five Winds + Five Zang + Many Worms entering Marrow destroy the body, named Jifeng. Jifeng is the root of Li Feng. Early stages: piercing pain (Ci Feng); crawling sensation (You Feng); twitching (Che Feng); insensitivity (Wan Feng); nodules starting head/face (Shun Feng); nodules starting feet (Ni Feng); coin-shaped/red-white-green-black patches (KT Feng). Sores, fish-scale skin, elm seeds, itching/pain, yellow discharge, joint rot, pus/blood, variable colors. Causes: Cold/Heat imbalance, flowing to Zang, penetrating Marrow, overexertion, dirty diet, immoderate sex, extreme exhaustion, profuse sweating. Accumulated Heat in Zang generates many worms eating Zang/Marrow/Skin/Tendons/Joints, named Li Feng. Black Worms are hardest to treat. Patients should abandon possessions/family, retreat to mountains for quiet recuperation; treatment will surely succeed.

Xu Donggao stated: Classics say: "Sweating cures sores." Since Lai Feng is the worst of Winds/Sores, it is called Li Feng. Prolonged Heat generates Wind; Li Feng is formed by肃杀 (killing/drying) Qi. Without diaphoresis, how to remove Wind Toxin? Thus, sweating is the most crucial method; other formulas follow sequentially.

He further stated: Severe body itching is due to Wind Pathogen stagnation and Blood failing to nourish skin. Use Siwu Tang with Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix) and Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix), mixed with Fuping (Moss powder), to induce sweating and heal.

Zhang Zihe stated: One sweat equals a thousand needles. Bloodletting is less comprehensive than sweating. However, sweating is bleeding, and bleeding is sweating; they are equivalent.

Shen Ziliang stated: Human life derives from Heaven-Earth Yin-Yang, Father's Essence, Mother's Blood. External pores, internal organs, bones, meridians correspond to Heaven. Heaven is one great Heaven; Man is one small Heaven. Heaven has weather (Clear/Dark, Wind/Cold/Summer-Heat/Damp/Dry/Fire). Humans have Qi-Blood fluctuations and emotions. Thus, gentlemen regulate diet, guard sexual activity, moderate emotions, and nurture health. Avoid Seven Emotions internal injury, Wind-Cold, Summer-Heat-Damp, Dryness-Fire external invasion. Then disease does not arise, preventing premature death. *Shanggu Tianzhen Lun* says: "Superior doctors treat disease before it arises." My view: It is self-healing/self-prevention. Lack of moderation, indulgence in desire/food/emotions leads to Qi-Blood disharmony, Six Evils invasion, and hundred diseases. Like Li Feng, there are 36 types varying in severity. It is cruel and vicious, causing deformity, hair loss, limb paralysis, muscle ulceration, finger loss, pus/discharge, foul odor. People shun it. How can one be careless? Ancients listed five causes: 1. Wind-Water Yin-Yang damage; 2. Source/Contagion; 3. Turbid Qi/Toxin injection; 4. Improper care; 5. Cold/Contraction/Stagnation. This is general. Onset varies: adulthood, teens (14-15), childhood (4-5). Etiology differs. Adult onset: failure to moderate desire damages Kidney Yuan, dries fluids, loosens pores, invites Cold-Damp. Long-term accumulation, Water deficiency fails to nourish Wood, Liver Xu stirs Wind. Wind moves/changeable, combines with Damp to create Heat. Failure to驱散 (disperse) or tonify makes roots firm, worsening daily. Wind guides Damp-Heat Toxin to attack skin/muscle, blocking meridians. Qi-Blood stops. Initially, slight numbness in head/face/hands/feet. If family recognizes evil omen, seeks doctor immediately, assesses depth/shallowness of Wind-Damp...