景岳参附理阴煎,实系良方,用之得当,每见大效,误用则伤人,予既已详辨之矣。更
有金
匮肾气汤,为仲景先师之良方,用六味地黄加车前、牛膝、肉桂、附子,治水蛊最效,治肾
气上冲,亦甚有效。
乃有某医者,素习叶氏《临症指南》。叶氏初学幼科,后学方脉,与薛一瓢同时,而其
道不
及,惟其人灵机活泼,治病颇有聪明,但究非儒医,所传医案平常,虚字亦多不顺,迥非喻
嘉言《寓意草》可比。乃某医奉为家传,治病往往仿之,偶闻王九峰先生治李姓气冲于上,
用金匮肾气汤一药而愈,以为得有秘法,每遇气逆上冲治之不愈,即投以肾气汤,往往一药
而死。后李姓有妇人吐血,气逆不下,伊芳连用肾气汤七剂,致狂吐不止,血尽而亡。又有刘
颂芬之夫人气逆不下,伊芳久治无效,亦用肾气汤一服而亡。此何以故?盖方名肾气汤,并非
肝气汤。肾为至阴之脏,阴不潜阳,虚阳上冲,故用归、附引火归原,用六味纳气归肾,自
有奇效。至某医所治者,皆肝气也。肝为阴中之阳脏,气至上中不下,其火必甚,非滋水养
肝以平之不可,而反投以桂、附,火上添油,有不伤人性命者哉?嗟乎!以圣医之方,亦为害
人之方,皆由于古方立名之义未之能辨耳!予非敢揭人之短,唯一方之误,关人性命,不得
不明辨之,以示我后人凡用先师之方,不可罔顾名思义也。
Zhang Jingyue’s Shenfu Liyin Decoction (Cinnamon Twig and Aconite Decoction to Regulate the Yin) is indeed an excellent prescription. When used appropriately, it often yields remarkable results; however, if misused, it can harm the body. I have already analyzed this in detail. Additionally, there is Jinkui Shenqi Tang (Golden Cabinet Kidney Qi Pill), a fine prescription from our master Zhang Zhongjing. It consists of Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) supplemented with Cheqianzi (Plantago Seed), Niuxi (Achyranthes Root), Rougui (Cinnamon Bark), and Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root). It is most effective for treating Shuigu (Ascites/Water Distension) and is also highly effective for treating Shangchong de Shenqi (Kidney Qi Rushing Upward).
However, there was a certain physician who habitually studied Ye Tianshi’s *Linzheng Zhinan* (Guide to Clinical Practice). Ye initially specialized in pediatrics and later in internal medicine pulse diagnosis. He lived at the same time as Xue Yipiao, yet his medical skills were inferior to Xue’s. Ye was merely agile-minded and demonstrated considerable cleverness in treating diseases, but he was ultimately not a Ru Yi (Confucian Physician). The medical cases he transmitted were mediocre, and his use of connective particles was often ungrammatical, making them incomparable to Yu Jiayan’s *Yuyicao* (Meanings Grass). Nevertheless, this physician regarded Ye’s work as a family secret tradition and frequently imitated his style in treatment. Once, upon hearing that Mr. Wang Jiufeng cured a patient surnamed Li of Qi Rushing Upward using a single dose of Jinkui Shenqi Tang, he believed he had obtained a secret method. Consequently, whenever he encountered cases of Qi Reversal and Upward Rushing that failed to respond to other treatments, he would administer Shenqi Tang, often resulting in the patient’s death after just one dose. Later, a woman surnamed Li suffered from hematemesis (vomiting blood) with rebellious Qi failing to descend. This physician administered seven doses of Shenqi Tang consecutively, causing the patient to vomit blood uncontrollably until she died from blood loss. Similarly, the wife of Liu Songfen suffered from rebellious Qi failing to descend. After prolonged ineffective treatment by this physician, he administered one dose of Shenqi Tang, which also resulted in her death.
Why is this? Because the prescription is named Shenqi Tang (Kidney Qi Pill), not Ganqi Tang (Liver Qi Pill). The Kidney is the Zhiyin (Supreme Yin) organ. If Yin fails to anchor Yang, leading to the upward rush of Deficient Yang, then using Danggui (Angelica Sinensis Root) and Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root) to guide Fire back to its source, combined with Liuwei Dihuang Wan to draw Qi back into the Kidney, will naturally yield miraculous effects. However, the cases treated by this physician all involved Ganqi (Liver Qi) rebellion. The Liver is a Yang organ within Yin. When Qi rebels to the Upper and Middle Jiao and fails to descend, the Fire must be severe. Such conditions require nourishing Water and nurturing the Liver to pacify the rebellion. Instead, administering Rougui (Cinnamon Bark) and Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root)—hot and acrid substances—is akin to adding oil to a fire. How could such actions fail to endanger human life? Alas! Even prescriptions from sage physicians can become harmful tools when misused. This stems entirely from the failure to discern the true meaning behind the nomenclature of ancient prescriptions. I do not dare to expose others’ faults; rather, because a single prescription error concerns human life, I must clarify this distinction to warn future generations: when using prescriptions from our masters, one must not blindly interpret them based solely on their literal names.