壬午冬萃翁患外证甚重,因往候之。翁卧于床,谓予曰∶背偶生毒,已经旬矣。知子不
专疡
科,故请潘日章兄看视。溃脓无多,并不痛楚,惟形疲食少,烦为诊之。切脉沉细而 ,观
其毒形平塌,乃告之曰∶此疽也。其病在阴,治须温补内托,由阴转阳, 肿作痛,毒化成
脓,庶几无虑。嘱邀潘日章兄同议。方订十全大补汤加白芷、穿山甲,薄暮使来促云∶刻病
甚剧,祈速往。入室见翁靠坐于地,众皆仓皇。予惊问故,乃弟子桥先生言∶家兄因起身更
衣,站立不住,忽然跌仆。遂作昏晕,故此不能动移。按脉迟细欲伏,面青肢冷,呕恶频频
。予曰∶此中寒也,病上加病,切防脱。变计惟参附汤以济其急,呕多胃逆,更以干姜佐之
。古有霹雳散之名,形其迅速也。适日兄亦至,意见相符,于是用高丽参五钱,附子干姜各
二钱五分,令先扶掖上床,药熟倾服。予与日兄同坐室中,俟其消息。时届三鼓,渐见呕定
肢温,神苏脉出。予喜曰∶可无忧矣。令煎二渣与服。次日复召,谓日兄曰∶昨夕中寒急暴
,幸赖参附汤挽回,今视其疽,形仍平塌,尚不知痛,昨同议之方,犹恐不济。商以大剂养
荣汤,加附子。再诊更增枸杞、菟丝、巴戟天及河车、鹿茸血肉之属,日渐知痛,肿起脓稠
,腐化新生,治疗月余,疮口始敛。
In the winter of the Renwu year, Ceng Weng suffered from a severe external manifestation disease (a serious skin or soft tissue infection), and I went to visit him. He was lying in bed and said to me, "A toxic sore suddenly appeared on my back, and it has been ten days. Knowing that you do not specialize in surgery (surgical department), I asked Brother Pan Rizhang to examine it." There was little pus discharge, and no pain, only physical fatigue and poor appetite. Please trouble yourself to diagnose him. Upon palpating the pulse, it was deep, fine, and weak. Observing that the lesion was flat and sunken, I told him, "This is an Yin Ju (Yin abscess, a chronic, non-suppurative or slowly suppurative ulcer with cold-deficiency characteristics). The pathology is in the Yin aspect; treatment requires warming and tonifying while pushing toxins outward (internal support), transforming the condition from Yin to Yang, resulting in swelling and pain, so that the toxin transforms into pus. Only then can we be free from worry." I advised inviting Mr. Pan Rizhang to discuss together. The prescription was formulated as Shiquan Dabu Tang (Ten Significant Tonifying Decoction) with added Bai Zhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix) and Chuan Shan Jia (Pangolin Scales). In the late afternoon, someone came urging, saying, "The condition is now extremely critical; please come quickly." Entering the room, I saw Ceng Weng leaning against the floor, and everyone was in a panic. I asked in surprise what had happened. It turned out that his disciple, Mr. Qiao, said, "My elder brother tried to get up to change clothes, could not stand, and suddenly fell down." Consequently, he became unconscious and dizzy, hence unable to move. Palpating the pulse, it was slow, fine, and nearly imperceptible. His face was cyanotic, limbs were cold, and he vomited frequently with nausea. I said, "This is Zhong Han (Cold Strike/Attack by Cold Pathogen), a complication upon the existing disease. We must guard against Yang collapse (collapse of vital energy)." Changing the strategy, I used Shen Fu Tang (Ginseng and Aconite Decoction) for emergency rescue. Due to frequent vomiting indicating rebellious Stomach Qi, I added Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger) to assist. The ancients named a similar rapid-acting formula "Pi Li San" (Thunderbolt Powder), describing its speed. Just then, Mr. Pan also arrived, and our opinions coincided. Thus, we used five qian of Gao Li Shen (Korean Ginseng), two qian and five fen of Fu Zi (Prepared Aconite Root) and Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger). They helped him lie on the bed first, and after the medicine was decocted, he drank it. Mr. Pan and I sat in the room, waiting for changes. By the third watch of the night, gradually the vomiting stopped, limbs warmed, consciousness returned, and the pulse reappeared. I rejoiced, saying, "There is no need to worry anymore." We ordered the dregs to be decocted again for him to take. The next day, he summoned us again. I said to Mr. Pan, "Last night, the acute attack of Cold Strike was fortunately reversed thanks to Shen Fu Tang. Now, looking at his Yin Ju, the shape remains flat and sunken, and he still feels no pain. The prescription we discussed yesterday may still be insufficient." We consulted using a large dose of Yang Rong Tang (Nourish Ying Decoction) with added Fu Zi (Prepared Aconite Root). On the subsequent examination, we further added Gou Qi Zi (Lycium Fruit), Tu Si Zi (Cuscuta Seed), Ba Ji Tian (Morinda Root), as well as Rou Xue Zhi Wu (flesh-and-blood substances such as Zi He Che (Placenta Hominis) and Lu Rong (Deer Antler Velvet)). Gradually, he began to feel pain, the swelling rose, the pus became thick, necrotic tissue transformed and new flesh grew. After more than a month of treatment, the wound finally closed.