典藏书目

The constitution of infants and children is the most tender; when prescribing, the dosage should be much smaller than that for adults. For instance, where an adult might take one qian (approx. 3.73g) of a herb, an infant should only take two or three fen (approx. 0.6-1.1g), with adjustments made gradually. If the dosage is too heavy, it is like a small boat trying to carry a heavy load; it will instead damage the True Qi (Zhen Qi). As for the elderly and those with weak constitutions, even if the medication is appropriate to the syndrome, the dosage should still be reduced. This is because their inherent vitality is declining and they lack the capacity to withstand the medicinal force, allowing the medicine to circulate through the Zang-Fu organs and meridians without causing Qi stagnation in the chest, abdominal fullness, nausea, vomiting, and spiritual depletion. Before the intended therapeutic effect on the primary disease is achieved, adverse changes may arise. If even appropriate medications require such caution, who would believe that inappropriate large-dose prescriptions do not harm patients? Therefore, dosage must be handled with extreme care. Moreover, one tael (liang) in ancient times was equivalent to seven fen six li (approx. 28.4g) in modern times, a fact long recorded in texts. Ancients had strong constitutions; each herb used was merely a few fen, and each prescription was taken in divided doses over several servings. However, as the era declines, human bodies are significantly more frail than in ancient times. Regrettably, physicians often blindly administer large doses without distinguishing between deficiency and excess syndromes, nor considering the weight of the dosage. Acting arbitrarily and without remorse, while patients' families remain ignorant, many suffer premature death or severe illness. Is this not akin to killing people in the dark with a blade? It is lamentable that this point has not been sufficiently elucidated. Nevertheless, for Yin-Cold syndromes, only large warming formulas can restore Yang; for intense Heat syndromes, only large cooling herbs can save Yin; for sudden collapse syndromes, high doses of Ginseng (Renshen) are required to reconnect Yuan Yang. Conversely, robust individuals may not respond to light dosages. These exceptions cannot be generalized.

The "Turtle Back" deformity originates in childhood due to fragile bones and tendons, congenital insufficiency, improper post-illness care, or trauma from falls and impacts. In adults, Kidney Deficiency lower back pain can also lead to this condition. Counting from the first vertebra down to below the fourteenth, the Shenshu (BL-23) acupoints are located one cun five fen lateral to the spine, extending into the loins. This area is the source of the Kidney Meridian, the nexus of congenital life, and the origin of Yin-Yang transformations. Currently, the fourteen thoracic vertebrae become swollen and convex like plums, with pain radiating to Shenshu, causing the waist to bend and preventing straightening. Over time, swelling increases, leading to kyphosis that becomes incurable. During the early stages, apply a cloth plaster approximately one chi (approx. 33cm) long and five cun wide. Sprinkle the powder of Guanyin Jiuku Gao (Guanyin's Saving and Suffering Relieving Plaster, formula see *Qingnang Ji*) onto the plaster, and apply externally to the swollen area and both lumbar regions. Replace every half month. Internal herbal formulas should be selected based on constitutional deficiency or excess. Mild cases may take six months, severe cases one year, with frequent efficacy observed. This method can also treat pigeon chest phlegm.