肝所生病为狐疝(详见下)足阳明之筋病 疝腹筋急。( 音颓○即子和所谓血疝)黄脉之
至也。大而虚(脾受肝邪)积气在腹中有厥气名曰厥疝。女子同法(巢氏曰厥逆心痛饮食不下名厥
疝)厥阴所谓 疝。妇人。少腹肿也。( 同 阴病也)脾传之肾。病名疝瘕。少腹冤热而痛
出白(即筋疝)厥阴之阴盛。脉道不通为 癃疝(李士材曰。内有脓血小便不通)任脉为病。男
子内结七疝。女子带下瘕聚。督脉生病。从少腹上冲心而痛。不得前后为冲疝。
寒疝囊冷结硬如石。阴茎不举控睾丸痛。此坐卧湿地。寒月涉水冒雨。或劳碌热极。坐
卧砖石而得。宜温经散寒 水疝肾囊肿痛阴汗时出。或肿如水晶。或痒而搔出黄水。或小腹按之
作水声。此醉酒行房或过劳汗出。寒湿乘虚袭入下部而得宜利水除湿。有漏针去水者。人
多不得其法。筋疝阴茎肿胀。或溃或痛。或里急筋缩。或茎中痛。痛极则痒或挺纵不收。或
白物随溲而下。此房劳及邪术所致。宜清火解毒 血疝。状如黄瓜在小腹两旁横骨之端。俗
云便痈。此醉饱劳碌。使内。气血流入脬囊。结成痈脓。宜和血消瘀。气疝上连肾区。下及
阴囊。或因怒哭。则气郁而胀。胀罢则气散。宜散气疏肝。小儿有此俗名偏气。惟灸筑实穴
可消。狐疝状如仰瓦卧则入小腹。行立则出小腹入囊而胀痛与狐之昼出穴而溺。夜入穴而不
溺相类此脾气下陷。宜升阳降阴 疝。阴囊肿硬。如升。如斗不痛不痒。此地气卑湿所生
。宜导湿利水。一云 疝最大而坚冲气犯心即能杀人。(凡治 疝。非断房事浓味不效)女子
阴户突出。亦皆疝类。但不名疝而名瘕。乃热则不禁固也。宜以苦坚之。
七疝为病。若非劳役过度。即是远行涉水。热血得寒而凝滞于小肠膀胱之分。或湿乘虚
而流入于足厥阴之经宜驱逐本经之湿热稍安即加培养更慎酒色浓味为佳。
The diseases generated by the Liver include Hu Shen (Fox Hernia) (see details below). The tendon disease of the Foot-Yangming Meridian manifests as hernia and acute tension of abdominal tendons. ("Tui" [颓] sounds like "tui", referring to what Zhang Zihe called Blood Hernia). When the pulse of the Yellow Vessel arrives, it is large and empty (indicating the Spleen is affected by Liver pathogenic factors); accumulated Qi in the abdomen with rebellious Qi is named Jue Shen (Rebellious Hernia). Women follow the same pattern (Chao Yuanfang stated: Rebellious reversal causing heart pain and inability to eat is named Jue Shen). The Yin-Jiao meridian describes hernia affecting women, manifesting as swelling in the lower abdomen. ("Yin" [㿉] is identical to "Yin" [阴], a disease of the Jueyin meridian). If the Spleen transmits disease to the Kidney, the condition is named Shan Jia (Hernia Mass), characterized by stifling heat and pain in the lower abdomen with discharge of white matter (this is Jin Shen/Tendon Hernia). Excess Yin in the Jueyin meridian causes obstruction of the vessel pathways, resulting in Long Shen (Stagnant Hernia) (Li Shicai stated: pus and blood inside the body with urinary retention). Disease of the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) involves internal formation of Seven Hernias in men, and leukorrhea and mass accumulation in women. Disease of the Du Mai (Governor Vessel) involves Qi rushing from the lower abdomen up to the heart causing pain, with inability to pass stool or urine, known as Chong Shen (Rushing Hernia).
Han Shen (Cold Hernia) presents with a cold, hard, stone-like scrotum, flaccid penis, and pain radiating to the testicles. This results from sitting or lying on damp ground, wading through water or exposing oneself to rain in cold months, or sitting/lying on bricks after extreme exertion and heat. Treatment should warm the meridians and dispel cold. Shui Shen (Water Hernia) presents with kidney sac swelling and pain, frequent sweating from the yin area, or swelling resembling crystal; itching with yellow fluid discharge upon scratching; or a splashing sound when pressing the lower abdomen. This arises from sexual intercourse after drunkenness or excessive labor-induced sweating, allowing cold-dampness to invade the lower body due to deficiency. Treatment should promote urination and drain dampness. Some use needle drainage to remove water, but many lack the correct method. Jin Shen (Tendon Hernia) presents with penile swelling, ulceration, or pain; tenesmus with tendon contraction; pain within the urethra; extreme pain leading to itching; persistent erection without flaccidity; or discharge of white matter with urine. This is caused by sexual exhaustion and evil arts. Treatment should clear fire and resolve toxicity. Xue Shen (Blood Hernia) resembles a cucumber, located at the ends of the transverse bones on both sides of the lower abdomen, commonly called Bian Yong (Urine Abscess). This results from drunkenness, fullness, labor, and sexual activity, causing Qi and Blood to flow into the bladder sac, forming an abscess with pus. Treatment should harmonize blood and resolve stasis. Qi Shen (Qi Hernia) extends upward to the kidney region and downward to the scrotum; it may become distended due to anger or crying (Qi stagnation), resolving when the Qi disperses. Treatment should dissipate Qi and soothe the Liver. Children with this condition are colloquially said to have Pian Qi (Lateral Hernia); only moxibustion at Zhushi (KI9) can eliminate it. Hu Shen (Fox Hernia) resembles an inverted tile; when lying down, the hernia retracts into the lower abdomen, but when walking or standing, it protrudes into the scrotum causing distension and pain. This is similar to a fox urinating when exiting its den during the day and not urinating when entering at night. This is due to sinking of Spleen Qi; treatment should raise Yang and descend Yin. Pi Shen (likely referring to a specific type, possibly related to dampness/heaviness) presents with a hard, scrotal swelling like a sheng or dou measure, painless and non-itchy, caused by low-lying damp earth qi. Treatment should guide out dampness and promote urination. Another view states Pi Shen is the largest and hardest; if Rushing Qi attacks the Heart, it can be fatal. (In treating any hernia, abstaining from sexual relations and rich flavors is essential for efficacy). Protrusion of the female vulva also belongs to hernia categories but is named Jia (Mass) rather than Shen, due to heat causing loss of containment. Treatment should use bitter substances to firm and secure.
The pathology of the Seven Hernias stems either from excessive labor or from traveling long distances and wading through water, where hot blood coagulates due to cold in the regions of the Small Intestine and Bladder, or dampness invades the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian due to deficiency. One should expel the damp-heat of this meridian; once slightly relieved, tonification should be added, and caution regarding alcohol, sexual activity, and rich foods is advisable.