Library

The Spleen governs the muscles. The Lung governs the skin and hair. The Stomach Meridian and Large Intestine Meridian are the Fu organs of the Spleen and Lung. Internally, they are affected by Damp-Heat (Dampness and Heat pathogenic factors), leading to turbid Qi (vital energy) and deficient Blood. Externally, they are attacked by fierce and violent atmospheric pathogens. In the initial stage, white scales appear like cloud patterns on the skin, along with purple-black nodules; the area is numb and insensible. If prolonged, it leads to curling and contracture of the four limbs, and corruption and necrosis of the muscles. Due to excessive Heat-Toxin, an oily sheen appears on the face, and wind-heat generates "worms" (parasitic/pathogenic entities). The disease spreads through the Zang-Fu organs: if the worms erode the Liver, eyebrows fall out; if they erode the Spleen, the nose collapses; if they erode the Lung, hoarseness occurs; if they erode the Heart, perforation of the soles of the feet occurs. (Another theory states that if pain or perforation starts in the soles, the toxin is in the Kidney); if they erode the Kidney, there is buzzing tinnitus, or sores grow on the ears, or the whole body feels like being pricked by needles, and the skin itches as if insects are crawling. Observe the nodules and sores: if they first appear or are more numerous on the upper body, the Qi is diseased; if they first appear or are more numerous on the lower body, the Blood is diseased; if both upper and lower bodies are affected, both Qi and Blood are diseased. Ancient texts refer to this as Da Feng Ji (Leprosy/Malignant Wind Disease), noting "Three Causes and Five Deaths." The "Three Causes" are: 1. Wind-Toxin, 2. Damp-Toxin, 3. Contagion. The "Five Deaths" are: 1. Skin Death, characterized by numbness and insensibility; 2. Vessel Death, where blood vessels ulcerate and form pus; 3. Flesh Death, where cutting the flesh causes no pain; 4. Tendon Death, where hands and feet become flaccid and weak; 5. Bone Death, where the nasal bridge collapses, accompanied by loss of eyebrows, dim vision, everted lips, and hoarseness, which is extremely frightening. This happens because Evil and Righteous Qi contend, causing Qi and Blood to boil, while Damp-Phlegm and dead Blood fill the meridians, thus generating worms and sores, resulting in pain, itching, and numbness. Treatment should focus on clearing Damp-Heat and dispelling Wind-Evil. Kushen Tang (Sophora Root Decoction) and Dihuang Jiu (Rehmannia Wine) are both indicated.

Kushen Tang (Sophora Root Decoction)
Kushen (Radix Sophorae Flavescentis, 1.5 qian), Shengdi (Radix Rehmanniae Preparata, 2 qian), Huangbai (Cortex Phellodendri, 0.5 qian), Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis), Qinjiao (Radix Gentianae Macrophyllae), Chishao (Radix Paeoniae Rubra), Danshen (Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae), Niubangzi (Fructus Arctii), Baijili (Semen Tribuli), Danpi (Cortex Moutan), Yinhua (Flos Lonicerae), Chuanbeimu (Bulbus Fritillariae Cirrhosae) (each 1 qian), Ganjuhua (Flos Chrysanthemi Indici, 3 qian). Decoct in water and take orally.

Dihuang Jiu (Rehmannia Wine)
Shengdi (Radix Rehmanniae Preparata, 2 liang), Huangbai (Cortex Phellodendri), Kushen (Radix Sophorae Flavescentis), Danshen (Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae), Bixie (Rhizoma Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae), Juhua (Flos Chrysanthemi Indici), Jinyinhua (Flos Lonicerae Japonicae), Danpi (Cortex Moutan), Chishao (Radix Paeoniae Rubra), Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis), Gouqi (Fructus Lycii), Manjingzi (Fructus Viticis Trifoliae), Chi Fuling (Poria Cocos cum Ligno Rubro, each 1 liang), Qinjiao (Radix Gentianae Macrophyllae), Duhuo (Radix Angelicae Pubescentis), Lingxian (Herba Siegesbeckiae Orientalis) (each 5 qian), Sangzhi (Ramulus Mori, 1.5 liang), Wushaoshe (Zaocys, one piece, head and tail removed). Boil these ingredients in wine, remove the fire/heat property, and use for seven days.

In treating Leprosy, the primary method is to clear and nourish Ying (Nutritive) and Wei (Defensive) levels. Frequent sweating and frequent bloodletting are swift methods to clear Ying and Wei. Wushaoshe (Zaocys) can search out toxins from the bone marrow; it should not be taken early, as doing so may draw the toxin into the marrow, leading to untreatable conditions.

Xianzhuan Zhilifeng Dan (Immortal Transmission Pill for Treating Leprosy)
Humaoren (Semen Sesami Nigrum), Niubangzi (Fructus Arctii), Manjingzi (Fructus Viticis Trifoliae), Gouqi (Fructus Lycii), Kushen (Radix Sophorae Flavescentis) (each 5 qian), Gualougen (Radix Trichosanthis), Baijili (Semen Tribuli), Zaojiaoci (Spina Gleditsiae Sinensis) (each 3 qian). All ingredients are stir-fried and ground into powder. For every 1.5 liang of herb powder, mix with Qingfen (Calomel, 2 qian) and Huangjing Rhizoma Polygonati Odorati powder (1 liang). Take 1 qian at noon and before sleep, washed down with a decoction of Fangfeng (Radix Saposhnikoviae, 5 qian). After five to six days, foul saliva will exude from the teeth gaps, and the body will ache as if drunk, until foul feces are discharged. Do not overdose.

Zi Bai Feng Pian (Purple and White Wind Spots)
Caused by Blood deficiency failing to moisten the meridians and Toxin-Evil damaging the Qi level. Sangzhi (Ramulus Mori, 10 jin), Chongweicao Sui (Achyranthes Bidentata Inflorescence, 3 jin). Decoct into a paste, take with warm wine.
Externally, grind Xionghuang (Realgar), Liuhuang (Sulfur), Huangdan (Minium), Nanxing (Rhizoma Arisaematis), Kufan (Alumen Exsiccatum), Mituoseng (Lead Monoxide) in equal parts into powder. Dip ginger juice into the powder and rub onto the skin. After rubbing, it will gradually turn black; continue rubbing until healed. Alternatively, cut open a white eggplant and rub it on the affected area.

Jie Xiegou Du Fang (Formula to Resolve Poison from Mad Dogs)
Mad dogs have tails hanging backwards and tongues protruding with a black color. If they touch a person, even without biting and breaking the skin, there is poison. Urgently use Banmao (Mylabris, seven pieces, remove head, wings, and legs, wash with wine, take a pinch of glutinous rice, rinse with water while damp, stir-fry together with Banmao in a copper spoon until the rice turns yellow, remove rice, grind fine, take with wine). (Another formula): Chen Sha (Cinnabar) ground fine, add Yuan Shexiang (Moschus, 1 fen), take with wine. Or decoct Huashi (Talcum, 3 qian), and take with a decoction of Gancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae), Mutong (Caulis Akebiae), and Dengxincao (Medulla Junci). For the old, young, and weak, divide the dose. Avoid greasy, fatty foods, chicken, duck, and eggs. Abstain from sexual intercourse for 100 days; failure to do so will harm both men and women. Thereafter, lifelong avoidance of red beans, eggplants, and dog meat is required.