感重而体实者,汗之宜重,麻黄汤;感轻而体虚者,汗之宜轻,香苏散。予尝治伤寒初起,专用香苏散加荆、
防、川芎、秦艽、蔓荆等药,一剂愈;甚则两服,无有不安。其有阴虚、阳虚、挟寒、挟热、兼食而为病者,
即按前法治之。但师古人用药之意,而未尝尽泥其方,随时随症,酌量处治,往往有验。此皆己试之成法,而
与斯世共白之,所以拯灾救患者,莫切乎此,此汗之之道也。又人知发汗退热之法,而不知敛汗退热之法,汗
不出则散之,汗出多则敛也者,非五味、酸枣之谓,其谓致病有因,出汗有由,治得其宜,汗自敛耳。譬如风
伤卫,自汗出者,以桂枝汤和荣卫,祛风邪而汗自止;若热邪传里,令人汗出者,乃热气薰蒸,如釜中吹煮,
水气旁流,非虚也;急用白虎汤清之。若邪已结聚,不大便者,则用承气汤下之,热气退而自收矣。此与伤暑
自汗略同,但暑伤气,为虚邪,只有清补并行之一法,寒伤形为实邪,则清热之外,更有攻下止汗之法也。复
有发散太过,遂至汗多亡阳,身 动欲擗地者,宜用真武汤,此救逆之良药;与中寒冷汗自出者,同类并称,
又与热症汗出者,大相径庭矣。其他少阳症头微汗,或盗汗者,小柴胡汤。水气症头汗出者,小半夏加茯苓
汤。至于虚人自汗盗汗等症,则归脾、补中、八珍、十全、按法而用,委曲寻绎,各尽其妙,而后即安;所谓
汗之必中其经,必得其药,知发而知敛者,此也。”
For those with heavy pathogenic invasion and strong constitution, sweating therapy should be heavy, such as Mahuang Tang (Ephedra Decoction); for those with light pathogenic invasion and weak constitution, sweating therapy should be light, such as Xiangsu San (Fragrant Perilla Powder). I once treated early-stage Shanghan (Cold Damage) exclusively using Xiangsu San added with Jingjie (Schizonepetae Herba), Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), Chuanxiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Qinjiao (Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix), and Manjingzi (Vittariae Spora), resulting in cure after one dose; even in severe cases, two doses ensured recovery without exception. For conditions involving Yin deficiency, Yang deficiency, cold retention, heat retention, or food stagnation, one should follow the aforementioned methods. The key is to learn from the intent of ancient physicians' prescriptions without rigidly adhering to their formulas, adjusting treatment according to time and symptoms, which often yields effective results. These are proven methods tested by myself, shared with the world to alleviate disasters and save lives, representing the essence of sweating therapy. Furthermore, while people know the method of sweating to reduce fever, they do not know the method of astringing sweat to reduce fever. "If sweat does not come out, disperse it; if sweat comes out excessively, astringe it." This does not refer merely to Wuweizi (Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus) or Suanzaoren (Ziziphi Spinosae Semen), but implies that since disease has causes and sweating has origins, proper treatment will naturally lead to the cessation of sweating. For instance, when Wind pathogen damages the Wei (Defensive) level causing spontaneous sweating, Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) harmonizes Ying (Nutritive) and Wei levels, dispels Wind pathogen, and sweat stops naturally. If Heat pathogen transmits to the interior causing sweating, it is due to heat steaming, like water vapor escaping from a pot being heated, which is not a deficiency syndrome; one should urgently use Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction) to clear the heat. If pathogens have aggregated causing constipation, then Chengqi Tang (Purgative Decoction) should be used to purge; once heat recedes, sweating ceases naturally. This is slightly similar to spontaneous sweating caused by Summerheat injury, but Summerheat damages Qi and is a deficiency pathogen, allowing only for simultaneous clearing and tonifying methods. Cold damages the Form and is an excess pathogen, offering not only clearing methods but also purgative methods to stop sweating. In cases where excessive dispersion leads to excessive sweating and loss of Yang, manifesting as tremors and a desire to lie prostrate on the ground, Zhenwu Tang (True Warrior Decoction) is appropriate, serving as a potent medicine for rescuing deviations; this is classified similarly to spontaneous sweating from cold invasion, yet vastly different from sweating in heat syndromes. For other Shaoyang (Lesser Yang) syndromes with slight head sweating or night sweats, Xiaochaihu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) is used. For Shuiqi (Water-Qi) syndromes with head sweating, Xiao Banxia Jia Fuling Tang (Minor Pinellia Formula with Poria) is used. Regarding spontaneous and night sweats in deficient individuals, Guipi Tang (Restore the Spleen Decoction), Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction), Bazhen Tang (Eight Treasure Decoction), and Shiquan Dabu Tang (Ten Great Tonics Decoction) are applied according to principles; through careful analysis, each achieves its efficacy, leading to peace. This is what is meant by: "Sweating must penetrate the meridians, must achieve the medicinal effect, knowing both how to induce sweating and how to astringe it.""