疯者,天地间厉气所感,发而为疯。盖恶毒之气,缠血肉,散于肌表,留于经络,以成疯症,最恶侯也。若痧者,
亦时行恶毒之气,变为大疯,尚何疑乎?余昔在秦溪,尝见一人犯大麻疯症,眉发俱脱,面目颓败,手足蜷挛。遇一老
者,为之放痧三次,曰∶“此痧疯也”。传汝一方,金银花六钱、黄芩一钱五分、皂角刺一钱、赤芍二钱、红花二钱、牛
膝三钱、苦参四钱、生地二钱,水煎日服,日渐而痊。若余于此症,固未尝治及,不敢虚载治验。适余经见老者所治有
然,故附录之,以见痧症之亦有是变焉。
痧症始发,势虽凶暴,未必身重,若饮热汤热酒,痧毒即阻塞于经络血肉之间,遍身重痛,不能转侧,放痧之后,
治
宜消瘀解毒为先。初起易治,久则难治,放瘀服药不效者死。
治验∶
一邵光先十二月,腹中微痛,呕哕酸水,以为胸中受寒,
服姜汤一碗,遍身大痛,腹胀身重,不能转侧。迎余,右脉俱伏。放痧,用当归枳壳汤稍冷冻饮料之,又用桃仁红花汤微温
服,次日痧毒之气渐减,又放痧,服如前药而愈。
一莫乘云次子,头痛发热,胸中胀闷,饮热汤一碗,遍身疼痛,不能转侧,卧床不起,服他药,益昏沉。延余,右
寸气口脉虚,左寸微细,关洪紧有力,知其痧也。刺指头,出毒血九针,少愈。用消痧活血解毒药,三剂而痊。
The condition termed "Feng" (Leprosy/Madness) refers to a disease manifested after contracting the severe epidemic qi of heaven and earth. It is primarily caused by noxious and toxic qi entangling the flesh and blood, dispersing into the muscle surface, and remaining in the meridians and collaterals, thereby forming the Feng syndrome, which is the most malignant prognosis. As for "Sha" (Sand/Toxin), it is also a seasonal noxious and toxic qi that transforms into severe Feng; what doubt could there be?
In the past, while at Qinxi, I once witnessed an individual suffering from severe Leprosy (Da Ma Feng), whose eyebrows and hair had completely fallen out, with a haggard and ruined facial appearance, and curled and contracted hands and feet. An old man encountered him and performed Sha-bleeding three times, stating, "This is Sha-Feng." He then transmitted a prescription to me: Jin Yin Hua (Lonicerae Japonicae Flos) 6 qian, Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix) 1.5 qian, Zao Jiao Ci (Gleditsiae Sinensis Spina) 1 qian, Chi Shao (Paeveae Radix Rubra) 2 qian, Hong Hua (Carthami Flos) 2 qian, Niu Xi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix) 3 qian, Ku Shen (Sophorae Flavescentis Radix) 4 qian, and Sheng Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix) 2 qian. Decocted in water and taken daily, the condition gradually improved until recovery. Regarding this specific case, I had never treated it myself and dare not falsely record my own therapeutic experience. However, having witnessed the old man's successful treatment, I append it here to demonstrate that Sha syndromes can also present such variations.
When Sha syndrome first erupts, although its momentum may be fierce and violent, the body weight sensation may not necessarily be present. If one drinks hot soup or hot wine, the Sha toxin will immediately obstruct between the meridians, collaterals, flesh, and blood, causing heaviness and pain throughout the body, making it impossible to turn or shift position. After Sha-bleeding, treatment should prioritize resolving stasis and detoxification. Early-stage cases are easy to treat; if prolonged, they become difficult. If both bloodletting and herbal medication fail to produce effects, death ensues.
Therapeutic Cases:
1. Shao Guangxian: In December, he experienced slight abdominal pain and vomited acidic fluid. Believing his chest had been affected by cold, he drank a bowl of ginger soup. Consequently, he suffered severe pain throughout his body, abdominal distension, bodily heaviness, and inability to turn or shift. Upon my arrival, all pulses on the right side were concealed (Fu pulse). I performed Sha-bleeding. He was administered Dang Gui Zhi Ke Tang (Angelicae Sinensis and Aurantii Fructus Decoction) slightly cooled, followed by Tao Ren Hong Hua Tang (Pruni Semen and Carthami Flos Decoction) taken slightly warm. The next day, the Qi of Sha toxin gradually diminished. Another session of Sha-bleeding was performed, and upon taking the previous medications, he recovered.
2. The second son of Mo Chengyun: He suffered from headache and fever, with chest distension and stuffiness. After drinking a bowl of hot soup, he experienced pain throughout his body, inability to turn or shift, and remained bedridden. After taking other medications, his consciousness became increasingly clouded. Upon my examination, the Cun (Cun position) pulse on the right hand was deficient (Xu), the Cun pulse on the left hand was faint and fine (Wei Xi), while the Guan (Guan position) pulse was surging, tight, and forceful. I determined it to be a Sha syndrome. I pricked the fingertips, releasing nine needles' worth of toxic blood, resulting in slight improvement. He was prescribed herbs to resolve Sha, invigorate blood, and detoxify. After three doses, he recovered.