Library

[Formula of Zuogui Wan]
Shu Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata, 8 liang), Shan Yao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma, 4 liang), Shan Yu Rou (Corni Fructus, 4 liang), Gui Jiao (Testudinis et Chelonis Carapax et Plastrum, chopped and stir-fried until bead-like, 4 liang), Gou Qi Zi (Lycii Fructus, 3 liang), Tu Si Zi (Cuscutae Semen, 3 liang), Lu Jiao Jiao (Cervi Cornu Colla, 3 liang, broken and stir-fried until bead-like), Chuan Niu Xi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix, wine-stir-fried and steamed until cooked, 4 liang). First, pound the Shu Di Huang into a paste, add the remaining herbs and knead together, then use refined honey to make pills the size of Sophora japonica seeds. Take one hundred pills before each meal with plain boiled water.

[Discussion on Methods for Resolving Corneal Opacities]
Cloudy opacities (Yi) are formed when blood, qi, and body fluids coagulate and fail to circulate, gathering to form cloud-like membranes. However, one must clearly understand the meridians to achieve effective treatment; modifications should be made based on the meridian-guiding actions of Qiang Huo Sheng Feng Tang.
The root of cloudy opacities lies in the Liver and Lung meridians. Why is it necessary to first use dispersing agents for the head and eyes? Generally, cloudy opacities in the eyes ascend from the Liver and Lung to the eyes. Quack doctors often overuse cold and cooling drugs to clear fire, causing the meridians to coagulate and preventing the ascent and descent of qi and blood. Without dispersing agents, the cloudy opacities cannot dissipate. Therefore, one must first use dispersing drugs to unblock the meridians, making the cloudy membrane loose and floating, which facilitates subsequent topical treatments. If one rashly uses the "blowing method" (blowing medicated powder into the eye) to weaken the membrane, the cloudy opacity may actually fail to recede.

Why is Da Jue Ming San used next? Red filaments on the white sclera originate from the Lung; opacities on the black cornea originate from the Liver. One must use Jue Ming San to moisten and soften the obstructive membranes caused by fire accumulation in the Liver and Lung, separating them from the Liver and Lung, thereby facilitating the application of methods to lift obstructions and blow medicated powders.

Why take Jie Zhang Dan after Jue Ming San? Obstructive membranes in the Liver and Lung block the clear orifices, preventing the light qi from ascending to the eyes, leading to gradual dimness and eventual blindness due to obstruction. This occurs because the Liver and Lung meridians are pathways for the Kidney meridian; if these pathways are blocked, where can the spiritual clarity emerge? One must take Jie Zhang Dan to peel off the obstructive membranes blocking the clear orifices in the Liver and Lung, ensuring they do not adhere loosely and sticky to the surface, thus preparing for the blowing method.

Why combine internal administration of Jie Zhang Dan with external application of Shi Da Jiang Jun Chong Yi San? Although the obstructive membranes in the Liver and Lung have been peeled off, if they are not blown out, once the medicinal power fades, exposure to fried foods and emotional disturbances will cause the membranes to reattach to the Liver and Lung as one entity. Evil fire increases daily, and the cloudy membranes grow thicker. The condition improves while taking medicine but relapses when stopping, indicating the root cause remains. One must promptly use Chong Yi San to expel the internal cataracts/opacities through the mouth. This removes the traction on the red filaments in the eye caused by obstructions in the Liver and Lung, allowing the cloudy opacities to naturally recede completely. Thus, it is seen that when the clear qi of the five zang and six fu organs ascends, vision becomes bright; when turbid qi ascends, vision becomes dim. Many renowned physicians domestically use eye drops to resolve opacities, but most can only dispel turbid qi without raising clear qi, because the source in the Liver and Lung is not pure!

Since cloudy opacities arise from the Liver and Lung and manifest in the eyes, they cannot be treated by hook-and-cut surgery. Can one cut the opacity in the eye, but also cut the opacity in the Liver and Lung? Since one cannot remove the opacity in the Liver and Lung, how can one ensure that the eye opacity does not recur after cutting? From this, the flaws of the hook-and-cut method can be understood.

Topical application to resolve opacities restores brightness to both eyes. If slight opacities remain and cannot be completely removed, both eyes will become dim. Why use Bu Nao Huan Jing Wan at the end? The essence and qi of the five zang and six fu organs, twelve regular meridians, and three hundred and sixty collateral vessels ascend to the brain and connect downwards to the organs, circulating up and down to unblock blood vessels and nourish the eyes. The brain is the source where essences gather. After the blowing and flushing treatments, the brain becomes hollow and empty; therefore, Bu Nao Huan Jing Wan should be used.

Generally, the generation of internal and external cataracts/opacities results from Heart Fire overcoming Lung Metal, and Lung Metal overcoming Liver Wood. With Liver Wood suppressed by Lung Metal, Liver Qi rushes upward, and brain fluid descends, entering via the optic nerve system. Penetrating outward, depending on the severity of pathogenic invasion, it transforms into forty-nine types of external obstructions; penetrating inward, entering the Golden Well (pupil), depending on the severity, it transforms into twenty-three types of internal obstructions. By applying the effort of a true practitioner to cleanse the five zang organs, promote the flow of qi and blood, and follow the natural law of generation, utilizing this natural generative function without obstruction, how can disease arise? This is the method of removing firewood from under the cauldron (addressing the root). From opening the merit to closing the merit, there are many levels and a long duration of practice. One must strictly avoid sexual indulgence, speak little, regulate diet, cease overwork, be cautious in daily life, avoid wind and cold, rest with closed eyes, and avoid social affairs to restore clear vision. If one is anxious, negligent, discontinuous in practice, or lacks perseverance, recovery will not be achieved. Be extremely cautious! It is especially emphasized to avoid tobacco, alcohol, fishy/meaty foods, scallions, garlic, fried foods, and other heat-inducing substances.

For pulse diagnosis secrets, one should refer to the pulse readings in *Shen Shi Yao Han* (Mirrors of Ophthalmology); *Yao Han* and *Mi Jue* (Secrets) complement each other as exterior and interior. Eye conditions rooted in the Liver and Lung meridians require *Mi Jue* for severe cases; for mild cases, formulas in *Yao Han* are excellent. Not every case requires the blowing method. To master *Mi Jue*, one must first study *Yao Han*, following the principle of progressing from shallow to deep. It details the Five Wheels and Eight Palaces, twelve meridians, mutual generation and restriction theories, patterns of deficiency and excess, and categories of external and internal obstructions, serving as a ladder for students. Examples include diseases where qi is scattered and fails to gather due to anger, diseases where yin weakness fails to match yang, diseases where yang decline fails to resist yin, diseases where qi and blood mix and congeal, diseases where blood coagulates and fails to move due to evil abundance, post-typhoid fever conditions, injuries from foreign objects, residual toxins from maculopapular rashes, damage from severe malnutrition (gan syndrome), and symptoms like internal tension with external flaccidity—all of which are contraindications for the blowing and flushing methods. Conditions such as dilated pupil, shriveled small pupil, sunken pupil, inverted pupil, blind pupil, and blood-filled pupil are even more strictly contraindicated for the blowing method. *Yao Han* must absolutely be read. If one rigidly adheres to *Mi Jue* and treats all cases uniformly, there is no room for remediation, and it may even lead to harm. Practitioners must carefully contemplate. If misdiagnosis leads to incorrect prescription, damaging patients' eyes, one incurs karmic retribution and brings disaster upon descendants. How can one not be cautious!

When qi and blood are robust, vision is bright; when qi and blood are weak, vision is dim. After age forty, yin qi gradually declines, so one should nourish yin and blood to assist brightness. Brightness originates from Kidney Water; Kidney Water is the essence of qi and blood, ascending to the eyes to create vision. There is no Kidney Water separate from qi and blood. The primary focus should be on nourishing essence and blood, which must rely on Stomach Qi for production. The Stomach is the source of the five zang and six fu organs and the foundation for developing spiritual light; therefore, regulating Stomach Qi should be prioritized.