天下有奇证,即在常病之中,令人不可捉摸者。族弟成室太早,先吐血,继咳嗽,二年
,始
得诊之;脉数而涩,以温补脾肾,兼理肺气治之,即愈。半年回家,又接考试,病复发,又
半年,始得诊之;身热,时时汗出,咳嗽气急,自言少腹有气上涌,当其涌时,鼻出不及,
从口冲出,其势汹涌,不可吸止,日夜数发,逼迫难堪,诊脉浮弦而数,此有风湿在表也,
先以芳香宣理脾肺,佐以固肾,一剂,得冷汗续续半日,诸证顿瘳;继以温固肝肾之剂调理
之,气病仍复时发,发时或兼咳,或不兼咳,脉象必数疾,而不洪大,及愈,即平调如常人
。但身体日渐疲软,中间疑其风邪从脐入,疑其寒从足心入,用药温补下元,更佐以外治,
莫不暂效,而旋发,再用即无功。所更奇者,教令静坐,吸气稍长,用意深纳,旋即身大寒
热如疟状,初尚以为药力能振动阳气而化疟也;及次日,不寒热矣,身体轻爽倍常,方大喜
。间不半月,又冲发如故,再教纳气,又发寒热如前,殊莫解吸气深纳之何以遂致寒热也?
小便赤涩,大便艰秘,口味初强渐弱,自秋及冬,经余手治,皆用温润镇固之法。间或别延
他医,指为阴虚,稍用凉润,即水泻而气陷不续;又疑有虫,药中佐入百部、雷丸;又思寒
邪深伏下焦,宜用温下,以大黄、牵牛入温补剂中,得下,亦于病无增损也。其后渐觉喉痛
如破,又如肿塞,不能下食。视之,略无红肿之事,但小舌坠下,脉象亦渐细涩少神,知其
肾气不能上朝,督脉萧索,无能为矣。腊月回家,迁延三月,身痿不能起于床矣,终莫得救
挽之术也。冲气虽损病常证,亦未有似此汹涌莫遏者。详述之,以俟高明者之指示焉。
There are peculiar syndromes in the world that exist within common diseases, making them elusive and difficult to grasp. A younger male cousin of my clan married too early, first experiencing hemoptysis (coughing up blood), followed by coughing; it took two years before he could be diagnosed. His pulse was rapid and choppy. Treatment with warming and tonifying Spleen and Kidney, combined with regulating Lung Qi, resulted in immediate recovery. Half a year later, upon returning home and taking imperial examinations, the illness relapsed. It took another half year before he could be diagnosed again. At this time, he had a fever, intermittent sweating, coughing, and shortness of breath. He reported that Qi surged upward from his lower abdomen; when this surge occurred, it was insufficient to exit through the nose, so it rushed out through the mouth. The momentum was surging and unstoppable, occurring several times a day, causing unbearable distress. His pulse was floating, wiry, and rapid, indicating Wind-Dampness pathogenic factors at the Exterior. Initially, aromatic herbs were used to diffuse and regulate the Spleen and Lung, assisted by kidney-astringent herbs. After one dose, continuous cold sweat lasted for half a day, and all symptoms suddenly alleviated. Subsequently, decoctions warming and consolidating the Liver and Kidney were used for regulation. However, the Qi-reversal condition still recurred intermittently. During attacks, coughing was sometimes present, sometimes absent, but the pulse was invariably rapid and hurried, though not forceful and large. Upon recovery, the pulse returned to normal like that of a healthy person. Yet, his body became increasingly flaccid and weak. At one point, I suspected the Wind pathogen entered via the umbilicus, or Cold entered via the sole of the foot. Medications warming and tonifying the Lower Yuan, combined with external therapies, provided only temporary relief before recurrence; repeated use proved ineffective. More remarkably, instructing him to sit quietly, breathe deeply, and concentrate on drawing Qi downward immediately triggered severe chills and fever resembling Malaria (Chuanre). Initially, I thought the medicinal power stimulated Yang Qi, transforming into Malaria. By the next day, the chills and fever subsided, and his body felt exceptionally light and refreshed, which brought great joy. However, within half a month, the Qi surge recurred as before. Instructing him to draw Qi again triggered chills and fever as before. It was incomprehensible why deep inhalation would lead to such chills and fever. Urine was red and scanty/difficult to pass; stool was dry and constipated. Taste initially strong then gradually weakened. From autumn to winter, under my treatment, warm, moistening, sedating, and consolidating methods were consistently used. Occasionally, other physicians were consulted, diagnosing Yin Deficiency (Yinxu) and prescribing slightly cooling and moistening herbs, which immediately caused watery diarrhea and sinking Qi unable to continue. Parasites were suspected, so Stemona Root (Baibu, 百部) and Polyporus Umbellatus (Leiwang, 雷丸) were added. It was also considered that Cold pathogen lay deeply hidden in the Lower Jiao, requiring a warming purgative approach; Rhubarb (Dahuang, 大黄) and Morning Glory Seed (Qianniu, 牵牛) were added to warming tonics. Although bowel movements occurred, there was no improvement or worsening of the disease. Later, he gradually felt throat pain as if ruptured or swollen and blocked, unable to swallow food. Examination revealed no significant redness or swelling, but the uvula hung low. The pulse became increasingly fine, choppy, and lacking spirit. This indicated that Kidney Qi could no longer ascend to the upper burner, and the Du Mai (Governing Vessel) was depleted, rendering treatment futile. Returning home in the twelfth lunar month, after three months of delay, his body became emaciated and he could no longer rise from bed. Ultimately, no method of rescue was found. Although Qi reversal is a common syndrome in consumptive diseases, none have been as surging and uncontrollable as this case. Detailed description is provided here, awaiting guidance from experts.