白粥、粳米、绿豆、小豆、盐豉之类,皆淡渗利小便,且小便数不可更利,况大泻阳气
,反行阴道。切禁湿面,如食之觉快,勿禁。
药中不可服泽泻、猪苓、茯苓、灯心、琥珀、通草、木通、滑石之类,皆行阴道,而泻
阳道也;如渴,如小便不利,或闭塞不通则服,得利勿再服。
忌大咸,助火邪而泻肾水真阴;及大辛味,蒜、韭、五辣、醋、大料物、官桂、干姜之类,皆伤元气。
若服升沉之药,先一日将理,次日腹空服,服毕更宜将理十日;先三日尤甚,不然则反害也。
夫诸病四时用药之法,不问所病,或温或凉,或热或寒,如春时有疾,于所用药内加清
凉风药;夏月有疾,加大寒之药;秋月有疾,加温气药;冬月有疾,加大热之药,是不绝生
化之源也。钱仲阳医小儿,深得此理。《内经》∶必先哕气,毋伐天和,是为至治。又曰∶
无违时,无伐化。又曰∶无伐生生之气。皆此常道也。用药之法,若反其常道,而变生异证
,则当从权施治。假令病患饮酒,或过食寒,或过食热,皆可以增病。如此,则以权衡应
变治之。权变之药,岂可常用乎。
忌浴当风,汗当风。须以手摩汗孔合,方许见风,必无中风中寒之疾。
遇卒风暴寒,衣服不能御者,则宜争努周身之气以当之,气弱不能御者病。
如衣薄而气短,则添衣,于无风处居止;气尚短,则以沸汤一碗熏其口鼻,即不短也。
如久居高屋,或天寒阴湿所遏,令气短者,亦如前法熏之。
如居周密小室,或大热而处寒凉气短,则出就风日。凡气短,皆宜食滋味汤饮,令胃调和。
或大热能食而渴,喜寒饮,当从权以饮之,然不可耽嗜。如冬寒喜热物,亦根据时暂食。
睡不安,则宜少食;饱而睡不安,则少行坐。
遇天气更改,风寒阴晦,宜预避之。大抵宜温暖,避风寒,省语,少劳役为上。
White rice porridge, japonica rice (Oryza sativa var. japonica), mung bean (Vigna radiata), red adzuki bean (Vigna angularis), salted fermented soybeans (Yanchi), and similar foods all possess a bland flavor that promotes diuresis and facilitates the flow of urine. Since frequent urination is already present, further diuretic measures should be avoided; moreover, excessive diuresis damages Yang Qi, causing Qi to descend into the Yin channels. The consumption of damp wheat flour products (Shimian) must be strictly prohibited; however, if one feels comfortable after consuming them, they may be exempted from this restriction.
In herbal prescriptions, it is inadvisable to use Alisma Rhizome (Zexie), Polyporus Sclerotium (Zhuling), Poria (Fuling), Juncus Effusus Stem (Dengxincao), Amber (Hupo), Trogopterus Dung (Tongcao), Akebia Caulis (Mutong), or Talcum (Huashi). These herbs traverse the Yin pathways and thereby drain the Yang pathways. They should only be administered in cases of thirst, dysuria, or urinary retention/obstruction. Once adequate urination is achieved, administration should cease.
Excessively salty flavors are contraindicated as they exacerbate Fire pathogens and drain the True Yin of the Kidney. Similarly, strongly pungent flavors such as garlic (Sanguine Allii Sativi Bulbus), leek (Allii Tuberosi Rhizoma et Folium), the "Five Spices" (Wula), vinegar, strong spices (such as star anise), official cinnamon (Guigui/Rougui), and dried ginger (Ganjiang) are contraindicated, as they damage Yuan Qi (Original Qi).
When administering herbs with ascending or descending properties, one should regulate diet and lifestyle for one day prior to taking the medicine. The medicine should be taken on an empty stomach the following day, followed by ten days of continued regulation. Neglecting precautions three days before administration will worsen the condition; otherwise, treatment may cause harm.
Regarding the principles of prescribing medication for various diseases across the four seasons: regardless of the specific disease, whether using warm, cool, hot, or cold herbs, adjustments should be made according to the season. In spring, add cooling and wind-dispersing herbs; in summer, add major cold-natured herbs; in autumn, add warming Qi herbs; and in winter, add major hot-natured herbs. This approach ensures the continuous source of biological generation. Qian Zhongyang (Qian Yi) understood this principle deeply in his pediatric practice. The *Neijing* states: "First harmonize the respiration, do not violate the harmony of Heaven and Humanity (Tianhe); this is the highest form of treatment." It also states: "Do not go against the seasons, do not destroy natural transformation." And again: "Do not damage the vital energy of life." These are the constant principles. If medication violates these constant principles and generates abnormal symptoms, then one must employ expedient measures (Quanbian) to treat the condition. For instance, if a patient consumes alcohol, or overeats cold or hot foods, their illness may be exacerbated. In such cases, treatment must be adjusted through weighing and adapting to changes. Can such expedient treatments be used routinely?
One should avoid bathing in the wind and avoid exposing oneself to wind while sweating. One must massage the skin pores until they close before allowing exposure to wind; this prevents contracting Wind-Stroke or Cold pathologies.
In the event of sudden, fierce cold winds that clothing cannot withstand, one should strive to mobilize the body's Qi to resist the cold. If Qi is weak and unable to resist, illness will ensue.
If clothing is thin and one experiences shortness of breath, add more layers and reside in a windless place. If shortness of breath persists, steam the mouth and nose with a bowl of boiling water, which will alleviate the symptom.
If long-term residence in high buildings or exposure to cold, yin-damp conditions causes shortness of breath, apply the aforementioned steaming method.
If residing in a tightly enclosed small room, or experiencing shortness of breath due to extreme heat followed by exposure to cold environments, one should go out into the wind and sunlight. Generally, for any shortness of breath, consuming flavorful soups and drinks is advisable to harmonize Stomach Qi.
If, during extreme heat, one can eat and feels thirsty, preferring cold drinks, one may permit this expediently, but without indulgence. Similarly, in winter cold, preferring hot items is acceptable temporarily according to the season.
If sleep is restless, reduce food intake. If restlessness occurs after fullness, reduce walking and sitting activities.
When weather changes bring wind, cold, and gloomy conditions, take preventive measures to avoid them. Generally, keeping warm, avoiding wind and cold, speaking less, and minimizing labor are considered the best practices.