Library

Sha disease (Sha Zheng, acute toxic heat syndrome) is an emergency condition. If the patient falls into a coma without regaining consciousness and cannot speak, experiencing mental restlessness and unbearable distress, how should it be differentiated? Treatment should first involve observing the lips and tongue. A black color indicates a poor prognosis; a yellow color indicates severe symptoms; a pale red color indicates relatively milder symptoms. Yellow indicates internal heat; black indicates extreme heat; although pale red also involves heat, medicinal treatment should not be overly cold. One must also observe whether there is a coating on the tongue, at which point the treatment principles for the syndrome become clear.

In critical Sha disease, if defecation is obstructed, immediate bloodletting (Fangsha) combined with purgative therapy is indicated; if urination is obstructed, bloodletting combined with diuretic therapy to separate fluids is indicated.

In critical Sha disease, if the pathogen invades the throat, resulting in profuse phlegm and wheezing sounding like a saw, one should first perform bloodletting, urgently using herbs such as Bohe (Menthae Haplocalycis Herba), Niubangzi (Arctii Fructus), Tongbian (Urine of a Healthy Child), and Shandougen (Sophorae Tonkinensis Radix) to clear heat, or alternatively apply Bingpeng San (Ice and Borax Powder) by insufflation into the affected area. Subsequently, remaining symptoms should be treated according to gradual methods.

The harm caused by Sha disease is such that even if cured, if any part remains uneliminated, the toxin will flare up again and spread throughout the body. If the Sha in the exterior has been scraped (Guasha), and the Sha in the interior has been bled, but the Sha within the organs is slightly unresolved, consuming rice, hot soup, or hot wine will cause the Sha toxin to recur, attacking from the interior to the exterior, thus spreading all over the body. If the Sha in the interior has been treated, and the Sha in the middle has been bled, but the Sha in the exterior has not been scraped, it will attack from the exterior to the interior. If both exterior and interior have been thoroughly treated, but the Sha in the middle has not been bled, it will still transmit throughout the exterior and interior. This is extremely terrifying, truly a matter of life and death, incomparable to ordinary miscellaneous diseases. Therefore, treating Sha disease requires eliminating its root.

Sha disease presenting initially with vomiting and diarrhea followed by colicky pain in the heart and abdomen is mostly caused by Sha due to foul qi (Huiqi). Sha disease presenting initially with colicky pain in the heart and abdomen followed by vomiting and diarrhea is mostly caused by Sha due to summerheat (Shuqi). Mental confusion and oppression, with sticky phlegm and saliva, is mostly caused by Sha due to summerheat injury and latent heat (Shangshu Fu Re). Generalized swelling, unbearable pain, inability to move the four limbs, stiff tongue, and inability to speak is mostly caused by Sha due to cold qi and ice-stagnation transforming into fire toxin after passing the appropriate time.

Distending pain in the lower back, back, vertex, and Fengfu (GV16) that is unbearable indicates Sha of the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian (Zu Taiyang Pangguang Jing). Red eyes like peaches, dry lips, dry nose, and colicky abdominal pain indicate Sha of the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian (Zu Yangming Weijing). Swelling of the hypochondrium and ribs, with pain radiating to both ears, indicates Sha of the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian (Zu Shaoyang Danjing). Abdominal distension with board-like pain, inability to flex or extend, weakness of the four limbs, and continuous diarrhea indicate Sha of the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian (Zu Taiyin Pijing). Hanging pain in the chest and heart, heavy body difficult to move, swelling and distension, indicate Sha of the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian (Zu Jueyin Ganjian). Pain radiating to the waist and kidneys, with hardness and distension in the lower abdomen, indicates Sha of the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian (Zu Shaoyin Shenjing). Cough, hoarseness, rebellious Qi, and choking sensations indicate Sha of the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian (Shou Taiyin Feijing). Unilateral body pain, numbness, and inability to flex or extend the left leg indicate Sha of the Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian (Shou Taiyang Xiaochangjing). Unilateral body distending pain, inability to bend or stretch, and inability to flex or extend the right leg indicate Sha of the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian (Shou Yangming Dachangjing). Heavy illness, coma, unconsciousness, or delirious speech and loss of consciousness indicate Sha of the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian (Shou Shaoyin Xinjing). Alternating between wakefulness and sleep, or speaking alone for a sentence or two, indicates Sha of the Hand-Jueyin Pericardium (Shou Jueyin Xinbaoluo). Heat and distension in the chest and abdomen, removing clothes and blankets, and extreme dryness indicate Sha of the Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao (Triple Burner) Meridian (Shou Shaoyang Sanjaojing).