Library

[Symptoms of Shortness of Breath due to Qi Deficiency] The breath is timid and the spirit is scattered; speech is faint, and the breath cannot be sustained. This differs from shortness of breath due to excess syndromes, which presents with shoulder shrugging during respiration, inability to lie supine, cough, chest fullness, wheezing, and rebellious qi. These are the symptoms of shortness of breath due to Qi deficiency.

[Etiology of Shortness of Breath due to Qi Deficiency] It may occur after a severe illness, in individuals engaged in physical labor, or in those with congenital weakness. Labor damages the Middle Jiao Qi, resulting in shortness of breath due to Qi deficiency.

[Pulse Signs of Shortness of Breath due to Qi Deficiency] If the pulse is fine and rapid (Xi Shu), it indicates Yin Blood deficiency; if the pulse is weak and minute (Wei Ruo), it indicates Yang Qi deficiency; if the pulse is floating and large (Fu Da), it indicates the outward dispersion of True Yang.

[Treatment of Shortness of Breath due to Qi Deficiency] For cases of sudden collapse and violent diarrhea, use Dushen Tang (Single Ginseng Decoction). For insufficiency of Middle Jiao Qi, use Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction); if phlegm is present, use Liujunzi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction) or Dushen Tang to treat impending collapse of True Yuan and weak Qi with scattered spirit.
Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix)
Buzhong Yiqi Tang treats shortness of breath where Qi fails to connect continuously.
Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix), Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma), Huang Qi (Astragali Radix), Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Zhi Gan Cao (Prepared Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Sheng Ma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix).
Liujunzi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction) see previous section on Damp-Phlegm.
Shanju Jian (Ginseng and Tangerina Peel Infusion)
Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix), Ju Hong (Exocarpium Citri Reticulatae Rubrum).

Wheezing (Xiao), shortness of breath (Duanqi), and hiccup (Eni) each have distinct characteristics. Wheezing recurs annually; although difficult to cure, it is not fatal. Asthma (Chuan), shortness of breath, and hiccup due to excess syndromes are easy to treat, yet can still be fatal. To treat these four conditions, one must refer to four principles mutually, for although the diseases differ, their meridian pathologies reside in the Lung and Stomach meridians.
Regarding shortness of breath, it is divided into deficiency and excess categories. Shortness of breath due to excess pathogens is easy to treat as pathogens can be expelled; shortness of breath in deficient individuals is difficult to treat because the Qi is nearly exhausted and the body cannot tolerate tonification.
Now, the family secret method elucidates the articles of *Jinkui Yaolue* (*Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet*), detailing treatment methods. Regarding shortness of breath due to Qi deficiency, although Jiajian Daizhe Tang (Modified Oyster Shell Decoction) was established, many cases remain uncured.

Qin Zi stated: Hiccup (Eni) occurs when Stomach Qi is disharmonious and rebels upward, producing sound; named after the sound, hence "E". In the *Ling Shu* chapter, it is called "Yue" (Hiccup). Pricking the nose with grass to induce sneezing stops the breath momentarily; quickly guiding the Qi downward immediately cures it; being greatly startled also stops it. Note: This is the method for treating "Yue", which corresponds to the modern external treatment for hiccup. Thus, "Yue" in the *Nei Jing* is equivalent to modern "E". Various schools claim that dry retching (Gan Ou) is Ke Ni (Rebellious Qi/Cough), or that vomiting damaging Stomach Qi causes hiccup, or cough pulling Stomach Qi causes hiccup; this is acceptable. However, equating dry retching directly with hiccup, or Ke Ni directly with hiccup, is a major error. Hiccup has both external contraction and internal injury etiologies.