泻痢乃脾胃之疾,六气中除燥气外,皆能为泻。然伤于寒湿者为多,其邪从经络而入,
犯及
中土,所以治泻以补脾为君,除邪为辅。若中气下陷,泄泻无常者,宜补中归脾主之,乃正
治也。五更肾泻,古人皆用四神丸,未必皆验,盖因湿伤水脏故也,当用金匮泽泻汤,加姜
桂五味萆 之类,往往获效。又有肝肾大虚,命门火衰,不能蒸化糟粕而时见泄泻者,宜附
子理中汤,或右归丸加紫石英粟壳之类,以固敛之。痢疾多患于夏秋之间,当初起正值暑湿
全盛时,用通利之剂即愈。盖积滞亦是肠中津液,气不统运,变为败垢,调其气则失统之败
垢自下,未伤之津液亦安。近世执痛随利减之说,概用通利,久痢虚痢则危矣。郭友三治一
人,阴虚发热,下痢不食,用猪苓汤、阿胶黄连汤而痊,可谓善悟。泻症若兼目疾,却不可
过用祛风利湿,惟宜健脾,如异功散之类,随症加减。痢症若兼目疾,宜行血调气,如香苏
平胃四物,或佐香连丸、清宁丸皆可。若泻痢久而目生翳障者,乃阴分受伤也,法宜滋阴,
甘草阿胶,可随症加入。总之津液下泄,不能上承于目,延久必有翳膜之患,当去其宿积,
固其肠胃,标本兼施,泻痢得止,则目患自除矣。
疮疡者,六阳火燥有余,水不能制,以致妄乱无拘,燔灼于经络之间,蒸逼于肌肤之内
,气
血为之壅滞,日积月累,而毒成矣。阳毒必高凸红赤 肿,治之易愈。阴毒必低凹青黑平塌
,治最难痊。或发于头面,或发于手足,或发于身体,其名不一,其状各殊。治之之法,诸
家皆有条论,选粹诸书可考也。其妙在用药升降得宜,及药贴之道地,内服汤剂,不过排脓
消肿而已。外科诸症,大约热者多,寒者少,火性上炎,目窍至高,最易冲犯。目为肝窍,
肝属于木,又为火之从生,同类相应,自然之理。而肝与胆,又为表里,胆腑清净,疮毒为
浊邪挟其火势,扰害少阳,苟其平素肝肾有亏,阴虚血少,胆汁不充,安能滋其目络。故热
邪乘虚而入,发出目患。若发于病毒之时,须用三黄四物,专治其毒,毒愈而目亦愈。若发
于病毒之后,治用解毒凉血之类,热退而目亦得愈。至于椒疮粟疮眼瘅眼癣之症,为本科自
有之病,不可与疮疡同语也。
Xie Li (Dysentery and Diarrhea) is a disease of the Spleen and Stomach. Among the Six Qi (Wind, Cold, Summerheat, Dampness, Dryness, Fire), all except Dryness can cause diarrhea. However, cases injured by Cold-Dampness are more common; the pathogen enters through the meridians and invades the Middle Jiao (Middle Burner). Therefore, in treating diarrhea, tonifying the Spleen is the primary principle, while eliminating pathogens is secondary. If there is sinking of Middle Qi with irregular diarrhea, Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) combined with Gui Pi Tang (Restore the Spleen Decoction) should be used as the standard treatment. For Wugeng Kidney Diarrhea (Kidney-type diarrhea occurring at dawn), ancient practitioners often used Si Shen Wan (Four Spirit Pill), but it was not always effective because dampness had injured the Water Organ (Kidney). In such cases, Jin Kui Ze Xie Tang (Ze Xie Decoction from the Golden Cabinet) added with Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger), Rou Gui (Cinnamon Bark), Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra Fruit), and Bi Xie (Dioscorea Hypoglauca Rhizome) often yields good results. There are also cases of severe deficiency of the Liver and Kidney, with decline of Ming Men Fire (Gate of Life Fire), where the body cannot steam and transform food residues, leading to frequent diarrhea. Fu Zi Li Zhong Tang (Aconite Decoction to Regulate the Middle) or You Gui Wan (Right Restoring Pill) added with Zi Shi Ying (Fluorite) and Ying Su Ke (Poppy Shell) should be used to consolidate and astringe.
Dysentery (Li Ji) mostly occurs between summer and autumn. At its onset, when Summerheat-Dampness is at its peak, using purgative or draining agents leads to recovery. This is because stagnation consists of intestinal fluids; when Qi fails to control and transport them, they turn into foul residue. Regulating Qi allows the foul residue that has lost control to pass naturally, while undamaged fluids remain peaceful. Modern practitioners, adhering strictly to the saying "pain decreases with purgation," indiscriminately use draining agents, which is dangerous for chronic or deficient dysentery. Guo Yousan treated a patient with Yin deficiency fever, dysentery, and anorexia, curing him with Zhu Ling Tang (Polyporus Decoction) and E Huang Lian Tang (Coptis and Donkey-Hide Gelatin Decoction), demonstrating profound insight.
If diarrhea is accompanied by eye diseases, one must avoid overusing wind-dispelling and damp-draining herbs; instead, tonifying the Spleen is appropriate, such as with Yi Gong San (Yi Gong Powder), modified according to symptoms. If dysentery is accompanied by eye diseases, regulating Blood and Qi is suitable, such as with Xiang Su Ping Wei Si Wu Tang (Perilla, Bupleurum, Atractylodes Macrocephala, and Four Substances Decoction), or assisting with Xiang Lian Wan (Coptis and Aucklandia Pill) or Qing Ning Wan (Clearing Tranquility Pill). If diarrhea or dysentery persists for a long time and nebulae (opacities) form on the eyes, this indicates injury to the Yin aspect. The method should favor nourishing Yin, adding Gan Cao (Licorice Root) and E Huang (Donkey-Hide Gelatin) as needed. In summary, when fluids leak downward and cannot ascend to nourish the eyes, prolonged duration inevitably leads to membrane formation. One must eliminate old stagnation, consolidate the intestines and stomach, and treat both root and branch. Once diarrhea and dysentery cease, the eye affliction will naturally disappear.
Chuang Yang (Ulcers and Sores) arises from excessive fire and dryness in the Six Yang Meridians, where Water fails to control Fire, causing chaotic and unrestrained heat to scorch the meridians and steam within the skin and muscles. Qi and Blood become congested, and over time, toxicity forms. Yang toxicity presents as high, convex, red, and swollen lesions, which are easy to cure. Yin toxicity presents as low, concave, blue-black, and flat lesions, which are difficult to cure. Lesions may appear on the head and face, hands and feet, or body, varying in name and appearance. Treatment methods are detailed in various texts and can be verified in selected classics. The subtlety lies in the proper ascending and descending actions of the herbs and the authenticity of topical applications. Internal decoctions mainly aim to expel pus and reduce swelling.
In surgical conditions, heat patterns are more common than cold patterns. Since Fire nature flares upward, and the Eye Orifices are located at the highest point of the body, they are most susceptible to invasion. The Eyes are the orifice of the Liver. The Liver belongs to Wood and is the source generating Fire; like responds to like, which is natural law. The Liver and Gallbladder are interior-exteriorly related. The Gallbladder is pure and clear. When ulcer toxicity, as turbid pathogen, carries Fire energy to disturb the Shaoyang (Lesser Yang) Gallbladder, if the patient has pre-existing Liver-Kidney deficiency, Yin deficiency, and Blood insufficiency, resulting in insufficient bile, how can it nourish the ocular collaterals? Thus, Heat pathogens enter via deficiency, triggering eye diseases. If these occur during the active phase of toxicity, San Huang Si Wu Tang (Three Yellows and Four Substances Decoction) should be used to specifically treat the toxin; once the toxin resolves, the eyes heal. If treated after the toxic phase, detoxifying and cooling-blood herbs are used; once heat subsides, the eyes recover. Conditions such as Jiao Chuang (Pepper Ulcer), Su Chuang (Millet Ulcer), Yan Dan (Eye Jaundice/Inflammation), and Yan Xuan (Eye Tinea) are specific diseases of ophthalmology and should not be conflated with general Chuang Yang.