《素问》刺志论曰∶脉虚身热,得之伤暑。又曰∶暑为阳邪,而东垣治暑,则有阴阳动
静之
分,或广厦招凉,以伤其外。或恣食生冷,以伤其内。此静而得之为阴暑,农人耕耨于田中
,征夫奔走于道路,此动而得之为阳暑。阴暑宜温,阳暑宜清。赵养葵谓暑病与热病相似,
但热病脉盛,暑病脉虚耳。盖伤暑者,脉必濡弱,或弦细芤迟,身体发热,与四时感冒无异
。惟舌红口渴,小便短赤为辨。其分见于五脏者,心为火,故暑先入心,暑伤气,肺主气,
故火旺金刑。又长夏湿土司令,脾恶湿,得暑则脾土之施化不行,肝肾同位下焦,俱有相火
。肝得暑而龙火以起,肾得暑而雷火以升,五火并炽,势等燎原,上延于目,则赤障肿痛,
眵泪如脓。治法或辛凉表散以发其汗,或清热养阴以通利小便,务使暑邪外达,不致陷伏伤
阴。若盛暑之时,猝然暴中,则当以凉解为主。惟怯弱之人,内无所御,外受暑邪,则凉解
之中,必兼辅正,如清暑益气汤之类是也。又或暑邪内伏,待深秋收藏之际,猝然骤发,倾
刻之间,遂至不救,甚或刑克肾阴,瞳神伤损。凡见此症,即宜凉补真阴。倘伏藏虽久,其
发甚缓,秋冬之间,目赤肿痛,亦宜仍用清暑之剂。临症细辨,不患治丝之棼也。
The *Suwen* (Plain Questions), Chapter "Ci Zhi Lun" (Discourse on Needling and Pulse), states: "When the pulse is deficient and the body is hot, it results from injury by summerheat." It further states: "Summerheat is a Yang pathogenic factor." However, Li Dongyuan differentiated the treatment of summerheat into Yin-Yang and static-dynamic categories. Some individuals suffer from external invasion while seeking coolness in spacious, shaded buildings; others suffer from internal injury due to excessive consumption of raw and cold foods. The former, acquired during static rest, is termed Yin Summerheat; the latter, acquired during dynamic activity such as farmers plowing in fields or soldiers marching on roads, is termed Yang Summerheat. Yin Summerheat should be treated with warming methods, while Yang Summerheat should be treated with clearing methods. Zhao Yangkui stated that summerheat disease resembles heat disease, but the pulse in heat disease is full and forceful, whereas in summerheat disease, it is deficient. Generally, those injured by summerheat present with a soggy and weak pulse, or a string-tight, thin, hollow, or slow pulse. Their bodies are feverish, indistinguishable from common colds in any season. The distinguishing features are a red tongue, thirst, and scanty dark urine.
Regarding the manifestation of summerheat in the Five Zang Organs: The Heart belongs to Fire, so summerheat enters the Heart first. Summerheat damages Qi, and since the Lung governs Qi, excessive Fire insults Metal (the Lung). Furthermore, during late summer, damp earth is dominant. The Spleen dislikes dampness; when affected by summerheat, the Spleen's transformative and transporting functions fail. The Liver and Kidney share the lower Jiao and both contain Ministerial Fire. When the Liver is affected by summerheat, Dragon Fire arises; when the Kidney is affected, Thunder Fire ascends. With all five fires blazing fiercely, the situation is like a prairie fire spreading upward to the eyes, causing redness, nebulae, swelling, pain, and purulent discharge of eyes and tears. Treatment methods include using acrid-cool herbs to release the exterior and induce sweating, or clearing heat and nourishing Yin to promote urination, ensuring the summerheat pathogen is expelled outward without sinking inward and damaging Yin. If one is suddenly stricken by severe summerheat, cooling and resolving methods should be prioritized. For frail individuals lacking internal resistance who contract summerheat externally, cooling and resolving methods must be combined with supporting the healthy Qi, such as using Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang (Clear Summerheat and Boost Qi Decoction). Alternatively, if summerheat lies latent within and suddenly erupts during the storage phase of deep autumn, death may occur instantaneously, or it may damage Kidney Yin and harm the pupil. In such cases, cooling and tonifying True Yin is indicated immediately. Even if the latent summerheat has been stored for a long time but manifests slowly with red, swollen, and painful eyes during autumn and winter, summerheat-clearing formulas should still be used. Careful differentiation during clinical practice ensures that complex conditions can be managed effectively.