Library

(Li Dongyuan stated: When the slippery pulse (Hua Mai, Slippery Pulse) is seen above the Guan position, it indicates severe heat, as yang pathogens combine with yang, thus causing severe heat. When the slippery pulse is seen at the Chi position, it indicates severe cold and predisposes to hernia (Shan). The term "slippery pulse" refers to the Mingmen (Gate of Life) and Pericardium (Bao Luo). It corresponds to Bing Fire; if Bing-Ding fire-heat qi merges into the lower jiao, since Bing-Ding cannot overcome Ren-Gui Water, it transforms according to the nature of cold water, thereby generating hernia.)

The disease of Jiao Chang (Crossed Intestines) involves the reversal of positions for urination and defecation. This may be caused by drunkenness or overeating, or by severe anger, leading to chaotic organ qi that fails to follow normal pathways. The treatment principle should employ emesis to raise and lift the qi, clearing and benefiting the Lanmen (Trend Gate), allowing it to resume its function of separating clear from turbid, resulting in recovery. It is suitable to administer Wuling San (Five-Ingredient Poria Pill) and Tiaoqi San (Regulate Qi Powder), one qian each, mixed with one qian of prepared Ejiao (Donkey-hide Gelatin) powder, taken with decoction liquid. Alternatively, grind Huanglian Ejiao Wan (Coptis and Donkey-hide Gelatin Pill) into powder, add a small amount of Muxiang (Aucklandia Root), and swallow with decoction liquid. Zhu Danxi treated Ma Xisheng, who was over fifty years old and addicted to alcohol, often drinking heavily without getting drunk. Consequently, undigested food residue exited through the anterior orifice (urethra/genitals), while urine exited through the posterior orifice (anus). His six pulses were all deep and choppy. He was prescribed Siwu Tang (Four-Substance Decoction) added with Jinshasha (Gold Sand Flower), Muxiang, Binglang (Areca Seed), Mutong (Akebia Stem), and Taoren (Peach Kernel), which cured him. This individual consumed excessive alcohol, causing his qi to become unrestrained; the ascending nature of alcohol failed to descend, leading to extreme deficiency of Yang; accumulated dampness from alcohol generated heat over time, scorching the blood until it dried up, leading to extreme deficiency of Yin. Both Yin and Yang deficiencies can be supplemented and connected. Although this person survived temporarily after middle age despite dual deficiency of Yin and Yang, it was because his physique was robust and the grain qi from alcohol remained present. However, he would surely die within three months, which indeed came to pass.

The Neijing (Classic of Internal Medicine) describes five types of intestinal borborygmus (Chang Ming): First, Spleen Deficiency. The classic states: "Spleen deficiency leads to abdominal fullness, intestinal borborygmus, loose stools with undigested food, and failure to digest food." Treat by selecting blood points from the Taiyin, Yangming, and Shaoyin meridians. Second, Insufficiency of Middle Qi. The classic states: "Insufficiency of Middle Qi causes painful intestinal borborygmus." Tonify the point below the outer ankle, retain needle for five fen, which is Shenmai (BL62). Third, Pathogen in the Large Intestine. The classic states: "Borborygmus like thunder in the intestines, qi rushing upward to the chest, indicates pathogen in the Large Intestine." Needle the Yuan source of the Haogong (Sanjiao), specifically Juxu Shanglian (ST37), Juxu Xiaolian (ST39), and Zusanli (ST36). Fourth, Earth Stagnation. The classic states: "When Earth stagnation erupts, there is intestinal borborygmus followed by frequent diarrhea." Fifth, Excessive Heat. The classic states: "When Shaoyin governs the interior, excessive heat causes disease characterized by intestinal borborygmus in the abdomen and qi rushing upward to the chest; treat with salty-cold substances." Li Dongyuan stated: For diarrhea with intestinal borborygmus due to Stomach Cold, add Yizhiren (Alpinia Oxyphylla Fruit) 5 fen, Banxia (Pinellia Tuber) 5 fen, Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger), and Dazao (Jujube) to Shengyang Chushi Tang (Raise Yang and Drain Dampness Decoction) for decoction. Zhu Danxi stated: Water sounds in the abdomen are caused by Fire agitating the Water. Use Erchen Tang (Two-Aged Decoction) added with Huangqin (Scutellaria Root), Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome), and Zhizi (Gardenia Fruit). Abdominal borborygmus originates fundamentally from the Stomach. Lou Quanshan stated: Intestinal borborygmus mostly belongs to Spleen and Stomach Deficiency. A male patient suffered from intestinal borborygmus and poor appetite, with a mass moving under the umbilicus like plowing; it ceased when flatus passed but recurred. Physicians administered Qi-regulating herbs for half a year with no effect. I used Renshen (Ginseng Root) and Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome) as Sovereign herbs, Gancao (Licorice Root), Huanglian, Huangqin, Zhishi (Immature Bitter Orange), and Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) as Minister herbs. After one dose, borborygmus stopped and appetite improved. Each dose was accompanied by swallowing Nongpo Hongdou Wan (Magnolia Bark and Red Bean Pill), which also平息ed the plowing sensation. The classic states: "Spleen and Stomach deficiency leads to intestinal borborygmus and abdominal fullness." It also states: "Insufficiency of Middle Qi causes painful intestinal borborygmus," which refers to this condition. Lung transmitting cold to the Kidney is called Yongshui (Surging Water). In Yongshui, palpation of the abdomen reveals hardness is absent; water qi resides in the Large Intestine, producing a gurgling sound like water in a bag when walking quickly. Hejian Shi's Tingli Wan (Descurainia Seed Pill) is indicated for this.