Library

Leprosy (Mafen), known in ancient times as Li Feng (Plague Wind) or Da Feng (Great Wind), is a disease caused by the malignant, turbid, and pestilential Qi of heaven and earth. It is an extremely critical, vicious, and difficult-to-treat condition. Patients suffer from rotting flesh and ruined skin, disintegration of limbs and separation of joints, and a repulsive appearance. They face life-threatening dangers themselves, while their wives and children face the tragedy of extinction of their lineage. This disease is most prevalent in Fujian and Guangdong provinces. In its initial stage, numbness and soreness may appear in one or several areas, gradually progressing to edema of the face, eyes, and four limbs, with itching of the skin and flesh, resembling the sensation of insects crawling. After prolonged progression, damage to the skin leads to hair loss; damage to the sinews results in curled hands and feet; damage to the bones causes body atrophy and inability to stand; necrosis of the skin leads to insensibility and numbness; necrosis of the muscle results in painlessness even when cut; necrosis of the blood leads to ulceration and pus formation; necrosis of the sinews causes detachment of limb joints; and necrosis of the bones leads to the collapse of the nasal bridge.

If the pathogenic factor invades the Zang-Fu organs: reaching the Heart causes aphonia and dryness with redness of the tongue and throat; reaching the Liver causes purple blisters on the face and nail loss; reaching the Spleen causes generalized pruritus resembling tinea and eversion of the lips; reaching the Lungs causes dry constipation, nasal congestion, collapse of the nasal root, and foul odor; reaching the Kidneys causes tooth loss, perforation starting from the soles of the feet, blurred vision, and deafness.

If the disease manifests first from the upper body, it resides in the Qi level; if it manifests first from the lower body, it resides in the Blood level. Cases developing gradually from above or below are lighter, whereas those appearing simultaneously from above and below are heavier.

In treating this disease, practitioners generally use toxic substances such as Qishe (Agkistrodon halys), Wushe (Dinodon rufozonatum), and Huashe (Deinagkistrodon acutus) to attack toxicity with toxicity; or they employ harsh purgative and diaphoretic formulas containing Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba), Xiaokuihua (Natrii Sulfas), and Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) to deplete the patient's Yuan Qi. While these methods may occasionally succeed in robust individuals, leading them to marvel at the "miraculous" effect, for those with deficient Qi and Blood, the condition worsens with continued administration, often resulting in death. I have recently obtained a prescription that is extremely mild and bland, primarily focusing on eliminating parasites and dispelling wind. Even in cases of extreme severity and chronic duration, it has repeatedly shown miraculous effects. I dare not keep it secret, but rather publish it for the public benefit. Those who obtain this formula should not regard it as ordinary; sincere administration will yield remarkable results. The herbs are neither biased nor harsh, allowing for prolonged use, and the cost is low, making it accessible even to the poor.

Da Fengzi (Aleuritidis Fructus) 12 liang (shelled, meat only, boiled together with 2 jin 4 liang of tofu for about one hour, remove tofu, dry, grind into powder, wrap in paper and press to remove excess oil until done; if oil is not fully removed, pills may cause vomiting. For mild cases, use only 8 liang; for very mild cases, use only 6 liang, reducing tofu accordingly), Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix) 1 liang, Jingjie Sui (Schizonepetae Spica) 1.5 liang, Jili (Tribuli Fructus) (thorns removed) 3 qian, Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) washed and raw 1 liang, Chuanxiong (Chuanxiong Rhizoma) 1 liang, Chuan Niuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix) 1 liang, Danggui Shen (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) 1 liang, Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) 5 qian, Huma (Sesami Fructus) 3 liang. Grind all ingredients into fine powder, mix with honey to form pills the size of tung tree seeds. Take orally twice daily, morning and evening, without interruption.

If the disease originates from the upper body, add Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix) and Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix) 1 liang each; if from the lower body, add Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) and Mugua (Chaenomelis Fructus) 1 liang each; if symptoms are severe in both hands, add Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) 5 qian; if severe in both feet, add Niuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix) and Wujia Pi (Acanthopanacis Cortex) 1 liang each. Avoid all "fa wu" (stimulating/triggering foods). Strictly abstain from sexual activity. From the start of medication, live separately. Do not share bathing utensils, bowls, smoking pipes, clothes, or toilets with others, lest the expelled toxins and parasites infect others. If vomiting occurs upon initial intake, this is due to the movement of the medicinal force; do not stop. Reduce the dose and take slowly; vomiting will cease within ten days to half a month. Subsequently, resume the original dose of 1 qian per intake, or 2 qian for severe cases.

Thereafter, strictly prohibit consumption of chicken, fish, shrimp, crab, beef, mutton, wild game meats, ginger, pepper, and other stimulating foods, as well as cold and raw fruits. As recovery approaches, abstinence from sex becomes even more critical. Should relapse occur, it will be incurable; remember this deeply.