三焦分上中下,目疾是上焦病,无有论及中下者。然细按之,则三焦各有见症,不可混
治。头
痛鼻塞,耳 面疮,目红肿痛,唇疮口糜,此皆上焦病也,治宜清火发散,疏肝养目。肚腹
膨胀,胸膈不舒,两目干涩或沿烂,此乃中焦病也,治宜消积行气。香港脚壅肿,步履艰难,
水道不通,湿热上浮,以致目患,此乃下焦病也,治宜利湿清热舒筋。腑病以通为补,故但
叙实症,其有虚症,另见各门,学人细心参之可也。
小肠为火府,与心经配合表里。凡心经之火上延于目者,兼责诸小肠,故古人治心火,
必
用导赤,以心为君火,无直折之理,但当通理小肠,则心火自降。此治脏先治腑之法也。
胆属少阳,经曰∶十二经皆取决于胆。为半表半里,两边头痛,法用小柴胡及逍遥散,
乃和
解之剂。目中神光,惟赖胆中清纯之气所养,倘胆精不足,胆汁不充,两目必昏,古方俱以
诸胆为治。所以清其邪热,乃同气相求之理也。然味太苦寒,防其碍胃,总宜以条达为主。
余详肝经。
胃为水谷之海,转输旋运,生化不穷,故治病先讲胃气。胃气一弱,饮食不纳,何以能
胜药
力乎?然胃病有虚有实,有热有寒,实宜硝黄之属,虚宜术草之属,寒宜香砂之类,热宜芩
斛之类配合。脾经为后天生养之基,故东垣专主脾胃立论,非虚说也,其见症详载脾经,但
须知阳土不耐温燥,方不误治。
The Sanjiao (Triple Burner) is divided into the Upper, Middle, and Lower sections. Ocular diseases are typically classified as disorders of the Upper Jiao, with little discussion regarding the Middle and Lower Jiao. However, upon detailed analysis, each section of the Sanjiao presents specific symptoms and should not be treated indiscriminately. Headache, nasal congestion, ear disorders, facial sores, redness, swelling, and pain in the eyes, lip sores, and oral ulceration are all disorders of the Upper Jiao; treatment should focus on clearing fire and dispersing pathogenic factors, soothing the Liver, and nourishing the eyes. Abdominal distension, discomfort in the chest and diaphragm, dryness in both eyes, or crusting/ulceration of the eyelids constitute disorders of the Middle Jiao; treatment should focus on resolving accumulation and promoting Qi circulation. Swelling of the lower legs, difficulty walking, obstruction of urinary flow, and damp-heat floating upward causing ocular disease constitute disorders of the Lower Jiao; treatment should focus on promoting diuresis, clearing heat, and relaxing the sinews. For Fu organs (hollow organs), unblocking is considered tonification; therefore, only excess syndromes are discussed here. Deficiency syndromes are detailed in other chapters for careful study by practitioners.
The Small Intestine is referred to as the "Fire Mansion" and forms an interior-exterior relationship with the Heart Meridian. Whenever Fire from the Heart Meridian extends upward to affect the eyes, the Small Intestine must also be addressed. Therefore, ancient physicians always used Dao Chi San (Cognac Powder / Decoction for Guiding Out Redness) when treating Heart Fire. Since the Heart is the Monarch Fire, it cannot be directly suppressed; rather, by regulating the Small Intestine, the Heart Fire will naturally descend. This is the method of treating the Zang organs (solid organs) by first treating their corresponding Fu organs.
The Gallbladder belongs to the Shaoyang (Lesser Yang) meridian. The classics state: "All twelve meridians depend on the Gallbladder." Located at the half-exterior, half-interior level, bilateral headache is treated using Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) and Xiao Yao San (Free Wanderer Powder), which are harmonizing formulas. The spiritual light of the eyes relies solely on the pure Qi within the Gallbladder for nourishment. If Gallbladder Essence is insufficient and bile is not abundant, vision will inevitably become dim. Ancient formulas often utilize various animal gallbladders for treatment. This aligns with the principle of "seeking similar energies" to clear pathogenic heat. However, since the taste is too bitter and cold, caution is needed to prevent damage to the Stomach; overall, the approach should prioritize free and smooth flow. For details, refer to the Liver Meridian chapter.
The Stomach is the Sea of Water and Grain, responsible for transportation and transformation, with endless biochemical functions. Therefore, treating disease requires prioritizing Stomach Qi. If Stomach Qi becomes weak and food intake is impaired, how can the body withstand the power of medicinal herbs? Stomach diseases can be deficient or excess, hot or cold. Excess conditions are suitable for drugs such as Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas) and Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma - *Note: Text says 硝黄, usually refers to Mangxiao and Dahuang*), deficiency conditions are suitable for Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) and Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix), cold conditions are suitable for Xiangsha (Amomi Fructus and Aucklandiae Radix), and heat conditions are suitable for Qinhu (Scutellariae Radix and Dendrobii Caulis). The Spleen Meridian is the foundation of postnatal nourishment. Therefore, Li Dongyuan specifically established his theories based on the Spleen and Stomach, which is not empty talk. Specific symptoms are detailed in the Spleen Meridian chapter. One must understand that the Yang Earth (Stomach) cannot tolerate warm and drying agents, to avoid misdiagnosis and mistreatment.