《治法心要》云∶常见一老医言∶小儿惊搐,多是热症,若先便用惊风药白附子、全蝎、
姜蚕、川乌之类,便有坏症,后有医幼科药,只作导赤散加地黄、防风,进三服导去心经邪
热,其搐便止,次服宁神膏,神效。《治幼心书·序》云∶五苓散,在诸家止用之解伤寒温湿、
暑毒、霍乱,而德显于惊风、痰搐、疮疹等疾,通四时而用之。前同知衡州府事胡省斋,因其
子惊风得疾,问之曰∶五苓散何必愈此疾乎?德显曰∶此剂内用茯苓,可以安此心之神;用
泽泻导小便,小肠利而心气通;木得桂而枯,足能抑肝之气而风自止,所以能疗惊风。施之
他症,亦皆有说。省斋深然之。此其善用五苓散也。
小儿惊风搐掣,医者视为一病,辄以金石、片脑、麝香、蜈蚣、僵蚕、蛇、蝎等剂,非徒
无益,反增他症。德显则谓∶有惊风而搐者,有风郁而搐者。惊属心,风属肝,而郁于气者亦
有搐,陈氏所谓蓄气而成搐者是也,但未着其方。余因惊风,则随症施治。若气郁而搐者则用宽气治之,以
枳壳、枳实为主。尝因患搐者仓卒求药,教服铺家散,而搐亦止,病家深感之,此又治搐之特见也。
惊者,痉也,痉有虚实之分,刚柔之别。急者宜清汗涤痰,世俗名曰急惊;缓者宜扶脾益
气,俗谓慢惊。切忌妄用针刺,并误投金石毒烈之品。粤省钱澍滋回春丹驰名中外,然仅能
治急症,若慢症误用,立见危殆。其仿单夸耀专治急、慢惊风者,是欲一药统治诸病,欲广
招徕,岂不知无心杀人,已干天谴。奉劝该号速将仿单更正,造福无穷,生意从此发展,是所浓望焉。
按∶小儿吸受外邪,先伤肺经,起自寒热、气粗,久延渐入心胞络,虽有微汗,而痰多、鼻
煽、烦躁、神昏,切忌妄投辛香金石重剂,以致阴液消亡,热势愈炽,正气愈虚,肝风陡动,则
肢掣目窜,痉厥生矣,慎勿误认惊风,致多倾败。若能于病未猖撅之先,用辛凉开肺,继以
甘寒化热、润燥、降痰,旬日自能平复。余历验多人,挽回谬误不计其数,特将温邪陷入,内
耗阴液,肝风妄动,实非惊恐致病。每见病家惶乱,医者庸昧,妄投惊药,轻者重,重者死。
忆自喻氏辟之前痉病之名,不啻大声疾呼,今尚不能挽狂澜于既倒,则草管人命,何忍缄默也矣。
*Zhi Fa Xin Yao* (Essentials of Treatment Methods) records: It is often heard from an old physician that pediatric convulsions due to fright (Jing Chu, spasms and convulsions caused by fright or excessive heat) are mostly heat syndromes. If Jingfeng medicines such as Bai Fu Zi (Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix), Quan Xie (Scorpio), Jiang Can (Bombyx Batryticatus), and Chuan Wu (Aconiti Radix) are used initially, it will lead to deteriorated conditions (Huai Zheng). Later, a physician specializing in pediatrics treated the condition solely with Dao Chi San (Coptis Decoction) added with Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix) and Fang Feng (Saposhnikoviae Radix). After three doses to guide out and clear the pathogenic heat from the Heart channel, the convulsions ceased; subsequently, Ning Shen Gao (Spirit-Calming Paste) was administered, yielding miraculous effects.
The Preface to *Zhi You Xin Shu* (Heart Book of Treating Children) records: Wu Ling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria) is used by various schools only to resolve Cold-Warm-Dampness, Summerheat-Toxicity, and Cholera. However, De Xian applied it to diseases such as Jingfeng, Tan Chu (Phlegm-Convulsion), and Chuang Zhen (Skin Rashes), using it throughout all four seasons. Hu Shengzhai, former Vice Prefect of Hengzhou Prefecture, asked why Wu Ling San could cure his son's Jingfeng illness. De Xian replied: "This formula uses Fu Ling (Poria) to calm the Spirit of the Heart; Ze Xie (Alisma) guides urination, so that when the Small Intestine is unblocked, the Qi of the Heart flows freely; Cinnamon Twig (Gui Zhi) suppresses the Qi of the Liver, causing wind to cease naturally, thus treating Jingfeng. There are also rationales for applying it to other syndromes." Shengzhai deeply agreed. This illustrates his adept use of Wu Ling San.
Pediatric Jingfeng convulsions are often viewed by physicians as a single disease, leading them to indiscriminately prescribe mineral substances (Jin Shi), Bing Pian (Borneol), She Xiang (Musk), Wu Gong (Centipede), Jiang Can (Bombyx Batryticatus), snakes, and scorpions. This not only brings no benefit but exacerbates other symptoms. De Xian argued that some Jingfeng cases involve convulsions due to fright, while others involve convulsions due to Wind stagnation. Fright belongs to the Heart, Wind belongs to the Liver, and Qi stagnation can also cause convulsions, as described by Chen Shi as 'accumulated Qi causing convulsions,' though he did not provide specific formulas. I treat Jingfeng according to the specific symptoms. For convulsions due to Qi stagnation, I use methods to broaden and regulate Qi, primarily using Zhi Ke (Aurantii Fructus) and Zhi Shi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus). Once, when a patient sought urgent medicine for sudden convulsions, I instructed them to take Pu Jia San (Shop Dispersion), and the convulsions stopped; the family was deeply grateful. This represents another unique insight into treating convulsions.
'Jing' refers to Spasm (Jing). Spasms are divided into deficiency and excess, and rigid and flaccid types. Acute cases should be treated with sweating to clear heat and eliminating phlegm, commonly known as Acute Jingfeng; chronic cases should be treated by supporting the Spleen and benefiting Qi, commonly known as Chronic Jingfeng. One must strictly avoid blind acupuncture and the erroneous administration of toxic and potent mineral substances. Qian Shuzi's Huichun Dan (Revival Pill) from Guangdong is famous domestically and internationally, yet it can only treat acute conditions. If misused for chronic conditions, danger will appear immediately. Its package insert boasts exclusive treatment for both acute and chronic Jingfeng, attempting to rule all diseases with one medicine to attract customers. Does he not know this is unintentional homicide, inviting heavenly retribution? I advise the pharmacy to correct its insert promptly to benefit countless people and develop its business, which is my earnest hope.
Note: When children inhale external pathogens, the Lung channel is injured first, presenting initially with cold/fever and coarse breathing. If prolonged, the pathogen gradually enters the Pericardium channel. Although there may be slight sweating, symptoms include abundant phlegm, nasal flaring, irritability, and clouded consciousness. One must strictly avoid blindly administering pungent-aromatic and heavy mineral sedatives, which consume Yin fluids, intensify heat, weaken healthy Qi, and trigger sudden Liver Wind movement. This leads to limb convulsions and upward staring of the eyes, resulting in spasm and syncope. Do not mistake this for ordinary Jingfeng, causing further failures. If treated before the disease becomes rampant, using acrid-cool herbs to open the Lungs, followed by sweet-cold herbs to clear heat, moisten dryness, and descend phlegm, recovery can occur within ten days. I have verified this on many patients, correcting numerous medical errors. Specifically, this is Warm Pathogen invading internally, consuming Yin fluids, and causing wild Liver Wind movement; it is actually not caused by fright. I often see families in panic and physicians ignorant, blindly prescribing Jingfeng medicines, turning mild cases severe and severe cases fatal. Recalling how Yu Jiayan criticized the name 'Spasm Disease,' it was like a loud cry for help. Yet today, we still cannot turn back the tide. To remain silent while lives are disregarded is unbearable.