经曰∶水火者,阴阳之征兆也。肾为坎卦,一阳居二阴之间,故须阴得其平,然后阳藏
于密
,童年知识已开,阴精早泄,此致病之大端。及壮,血气方刚,尚不觉其所苦,人四十而阴
气自半,起居日衰,精神不充,蝉联疾作。诊脉尺虚细涩,寸关大于平时,按尺为肾部,脉
见细涩,肾虚奚疑。寸关大于平时,阴弱阳浮之象耳。夫医之治病,不以用补为难,而以分
别水火气血为难。冯氏书云∶小病治气血,大病治水火。盖气血者,后天有形之阴阳也。水
火者,先天无形之阴阳也。太极之理,无形而生有形,是治大病,可不以水火为首重耶。请
以不寐言之,人知其为心病,而不知其为肾病也。心虽为神舍,而坎离尤贵交通。越人以阳
不入阴,令人不寐,岂非水火未济,坎离失交之故乎,内经又有头痛巅疾,下虚上实,过在
足少阴巨阳之语。形容厥晕,病机最切。方书
称风、称火、称痰,漫无定见。景岳师其意,以为无虚不作眩,治当上病疗下,滋苗灌根。
精矣精矣。暂服煎剂,再订丸方。王道无近功,内观颐养为要。旧患眩晕,怔忡不寐,遗泄
,本属心肾两亏,水火失济,曾订煎丸,服经十载。兹诊脉候平和,精神矍铄,此亦颐养之
功,非全关草木之力也。惟食多尚难运化,腰膂时痛,遗泄间或有之。药物所需,仍不可缺
。考古人用药,有攻病保躬两途,攻病则或凉或热,当取其偏,保躬则适其寒温,宜用其平
。盖温多恐助相火,精关不藏,润多虑伤脾阳,坤元失健,如云食蜜,便即溏泻。脾虚不胜
润滑之征。青娥丸固能治肾虚腰痛,但故纸胡桃味辛性温,久而增气,恐其助火,且常服丸
药,亦须分别气候。夏令炎热,远刚近柔,以防金水之伤。冬令严寒,远柔近刚,以遂就温
之意。将交夏至,一阴初变,元精不足之时,商以益阴保金,兼调脾胃,秋季再为斟酌。
The *Classic of Internal Medicine* states: Water and fire are the manifestations of Yin and Yang. The Kidney corresponds to the Kan trigram, with one Yang line situated between two Yin lines; therefore, Yin must be balanced so that Yang can be stored securely. If intellectual activity opens up too early in childhood, leading to premature leakage of Yin essence, this is a major cause of disease. In adulthood, although Qi and Blood are vigorous, one may not yet feel the suffering. However, by age forty, Yin Qi naturally halves, daily living capacity declines, spirit becomes insufficient, and diseases occur in succession. Pulse diagnosis reveals the Chi (Cun-Kuan-Chi) position as deficient, fine, and choppy, while the Cun and Guan positions are larger than usual. Palpating the Chi position corresponds to the Kidney region; a fine and choppy pulse leaves no doubt about Kidney deficiency. The Cun and Guan positions being larger than usual is a sign of weak Yin and floating Yang.
In treating diseases, the difficulty for physicians lies not in the use of tonification, but in distinguishing between Water/Fire and Qi/Blood. Feng's book states: "Treat Qi and Blood for minor illnesses; treat Water and Fire for major illnesses." This is because Qi and Blood are the postnatal, tangible Yin and Yang, whereas Water and Fire are the prenatal, intangible Yin and Yang. The principle of Taiji dictates that the tangible arises from the intangible; thus, when treating major illnesses, should we not prioritize Water and Fire? Let us take insomnia as an example. People know it as a Heart disease, but do not realize it is also a Kidney disease. Although the Heart is the residence of the Spirit, communication between Kan (Kidney) and Li (Heart) is particularly precious. Bian Que stated that if Yang does not enter Yin, it causes insomnia; is this not due to the failure of Water and Fire to achieve Ji Ji (Completion/Interaction), and the loss of exchange between Kan and Li? The *Internal Classic* also mentions: "Headache and disorders of the vertex are caused by deficiency below and excess above, affecting the Foot Shaoyin (Kidney) and Foot Taiyang (Bladder) meridians." This description fits the pathogenesis of Jue (reversal) and dizziness most accurately. Medical texts often attribute these to Wind, Fire, or Phlegm, lacking fixed views. Zhang Jingyue inherited this idea, believing that "no dizziness occurs without deficiency," and treatment should address the lower body for upper symptoms, nourishing the root. Excellent, excellent. Temporarily take decoctions, and later formulate pills. The Way of Kings yields no immediate results; introspection and nurturing are essential.
Previous conditions of dizziness, palpitations, insomnia, and seminal emission originally belonged to dual deficiency of the Heart and Kidney, with Water and Fire failing to interact. Decoctions and pills were prescribed previously and taken for ten years. Now, the pulse is peaceful, and the spirit is vigorous; this is also the merit of nurturing, not solely dependent on herbal power. However, excessive food intake remains difficult to transform, the waist and back occasionally hurt, and seminal emissions still occur intermittently. Medicinal requirements remain indispensable. Examining ancient medication practices, there are two paths: attacking disease and preserving the body. Attacking disease involves using cold or hot properties, taking advantage of their bias; preserving the body requires adapting to cold and heat, using balanced properties. Excessive warmth may assist Ministerial Fire, causing the Essence gate to lose control; excessive moisture may damage Spleen Yang, impairing Kun Yuan (Spleen/Stomach) transformation, such as honey causing loose stools immediately, indicating Spleen deficiency unable to tolerate lubrication. Qing'e Wan can indeed treat Kidney deficiency lumbar pain, but Gu Zhi (Psoraleae Fructus) and Hu Tao Ren (Juglandis Semen) are acrid and warm; long-term use increases their Qi, potentially aiding Fire. Furthermore, long-term pill consumption must consider seasonal climates. In summer heat, avoid rigid/dry and approach soft/moist to prevent injury to Metal (Lung) and Water (Kidney). In winter cold, avoid soft/moist and approach rigid/dry to follow the intent of seeking warmth. As Summer Solstice approaches, one Yin begins to change, a time of insufficient Original Essence. It is proposed to benefit Yin and protect Metal, while regulating the Spleen and Stomach, to be reconsidered in autumn.