脉 脉紧细而微。或涩而数。为火燥。短涩。为血虚而燥。浮数而弦。为风燥。尺寸紧数。
为火盛水枯。燥极之候也。
症 按内经云∶诸涩枯涸。干劲皴揭。皆属于燥。易曰燥万物者莫 乎火。盖干为天而为燥
金。坤为地而为湿土。天地相反。燥湿异用。故燥金主于紧敛。而湿土主于纵缓也。譬犹长
夏地湿。则纵缓滑泽。秋干则紧缩燥涩。皴揭之理。显可见焉。
治 内经云∶肾恶燥。急食辛以润之。古方以血药治燥者。
甘辛以润之也。热者清之。黄芩、山栀、麦门冬、槐实之类。燥者。当归、生地黄、桃仁
、麻仁、之类。风者平之。天麻、防风、荆芥、之类。凡治燥药。必以清金为主。养血疏风
佐之。
方 清金润燥汤治诸燥。
麦门冬（一钱五分） 黄芩（一钱） 当归（一钱五分） 生地黄（一钱） 黄柏（一钱） 五味（五
分） 人参（八分） 黄 （八分蜜灸） 防风（五分） 枸杞子（一钱）
上作一服。水煎。食远服。
皮肤燥痒。加白芷、牛蒡子（各二钱），去参、 五味、枸杞、辰舌生疮燥裂。加黄连（八
分）、白芍药（一钱），去参、 、五味。
大便闭结。亦由肺经燥热。移于大肠所致。亦有血虚秘结。亦有热生风而结血秘者。加桃仁
、麻仁、大黄、倍当归、甚者。桃仁承气汤下之。风热秘者。加皂仁、麻仁、槐实、大黄、
倍防风、并减参 、枸杞、五味、下并用蜜导法。
皮肉燥湿。毛发焦枯。加天麻、荆芥穗、地骨皮、槐实（各一钱）。
(Dryness Syndrome, Wei Syndrome [Flaccidity Syndrome], Xiao Ke Disease [Wasting and Thirsting], Ge Ye [Dysphagia])
Pulse: A pulse that is tight, fine, and faint, or choppy and rapid, indicates Fire Dryness. A short and choppy pulse indicates Dryness due to Blood Deficiency. A floating, rapid, and wiry pulse indicates Wind Dryness. A tight and rapid pulse at both the Cun (inch) and Chi (cubit) positions indicates Excessive Fire with Depleted Water, which is a sign of extreme Dryness.
Symptoms: According to the *Nei Jing* (Inner Canon): "All cases of stagnation, dryness, depletion, and rough, cracked skin belong to Dryness." The *I Ching* (Book of Changes) states: "Nothing dries up the myriad things more than Fire." Generally, Heaven is Dry and corresponds to Metal of Dryness; Earth is Wet and corresponds to Soil of Dampness. Heaven and Earth are opposite in nature, and Dryness and Dampness have different functions. Therefore, Metal of Dryness governs contraction and tightening, while Soil of Dampness governs relaxation and looseness. This is like the ground being damp during the late summer, appearing relaxed and smooth; whereas in autumn, when it is dry, it becomes contracted, stiff, and astringent. The principle of skin cracking is thus clearly visible.
Treatment: The *Nei Jing* states: "The Kidney dislikes Dryness; urgently consume pungent foods to moisten it." Ancient formulas treat Dryness using blood-nourishing herbs, employing sweet and pungent substances to moisten. For Heat, clear it using Scutellariae Radix (Huangqin), Gardeniae Fructus (Shanzhi), Ophiopogonis Radix (Maimendong), and Sophorae Fructus (Huai Shi). For Dryness (fluid deficiency), use Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui), Rehmanniae Radix Recens (Shengdihuang), Persicae Semen (Taoren), and Cannabis Fructus (Maren). For Wind, calm it using Gastrodiae Rhizoma (Tianma), Saposhnikoviae Radix (Fangfeng), and Schizonepetae Herba (Jingjie). In treating Dryness, the primary method must be to Clear Lung Metal (Qing Jin), assisted by nourishing Blood and dispersing Wind.
Formula: Qingjin Runzao Tang (Clear Metal and Moisten Dryness Decoction) treats various forms of Dryness.
Ophiopogonis Radix (Maimendong, 1.5 qian), Scutellariae Radix (Huangqin, 1 qian), Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui, 1.5 qian), Rehmanniae Radix Recens (Shengdihuang, 1 qian), Phellodendri Cortex (Huangbai, 1 qian), Schisandrae Fructus (Wuweizi, 0.5 qian), Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen, 0.8 qian), Astragali Radix (Huangqi, 0.8 qian, honey-fried), Saposhnikoviae Radix (Fangfeng, 0.5 qian), Lycii Fructus (Gouqizi, 1 qian).
Take as one dose, decoct in water, and take after meals.
If there is dry, itchy skin, add Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (Baizhi) and Arctii Fructus (Niubangzi) (2 qian each), and remove Renshen, Wuweizi, and Gouqizi.
If there are sores on the tongue with dryness and cracking, add Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian, 0.8 qian) and Paeoniae Radix Alba (Baishao, 1 qian), and remove Renshen, Huangqi, and Wuweizi.
Constipation is also caused by Dryness-Heat in the Lung Meridian transferring to the Large Intestine. There are also cases of constipation due to Blood Deficiency, and cases where Heat generates Wind leading to blood stasis and constipation. Add Persicae Semen (Taoren), Cannabis Fructus (Maren), and Rheum Palmatum (Dahuang); double the dosage of Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui). In severe cases, administer Tao Ren Cheng Qi Tang (Persicae Seed and Magnolia Bark Decoction) to purge. If it is constipation due to Wind-Heat, add Gleditsiae Spina (Zaoren), Cannabis Fructus (Maren), Sophorae Fructus (Huai Shi), and Rheum Palmatum (Dahuang); double the dosage of Saposhnikoviae Radix (Fangfeng), and reduce the dosages of Renshen, Huangqi, Gouqizi, and Wuweizi. Additionally, use Honey Suppository Method (Mi Dao Fa).
If the skin and flesh are dry with dampness, and hair is scorched and withered, add Gastrodiae Rhizoma (Tianma), Schizonepetae Spike (Jingsui), Phellodendri Cortex (Digupi), and Sophorae Fructus (Huai Shi) (1 qian each).