典藏书目

When a person is free from disease, failure to properly regulate one's lifestyle can lead to various illnesses. How much more so after illness has set in; if no care and regulation are applied, how can the disease possibly heal?

The methods of regulation and treatment follow specific principles. At the initial stage of the disease, one must first assess whether the patient's Yuan Qi (Original Vital Energy) is deficient or excess, then determine whether the sore/ulcer is Yin or Yang in nature, and whether the condition is perilous. Only then should medication be administered for regulation and treatment. When attack (purging/draining) is indicated, it should be employed; when tonification is appropriate, it should be used. One must not delay due to indecision, thereby causing unpredictable complications.

Furthermore, the patient must calm their mind and spirit, let go of distracting thoughts, and avoid panic, thereby preserving Shen Qi (Spirit and Vital Energy) and preventing internal disorder.

One must also adapt to seasonal changes. For instance, during the hot summer, one should avoid sitting or lying directly in front of drafts, and it is taboo to place cold water near the bed or under the bed. In the cold winter, warmth must be maintained constantly; without firewood heating, it is difficult to open and inspect the sore. If exposed to cold pathogens, multiple complications may arise.

Additionally, before the sore ulcerates, if toxic heat accumulates internally causing dry mouth and thirst, small amounts of cooling foods should be provided to nourish and clear the latent heat.

After the pus has drained and the sore has ulcerated, all cold, hard, and raw foods must be strictly prohibited. Otherwise, the Spleen and Stomach will be damaged, making it difficult for pus to form. This leads to a soft, sunken sore that is difficult to close and heal. Diet should consist of aromatic, dry, sweet, and warm foods. Porridge and rice should be chosen according to the patient's preferences. One should not overeat; meals should be small in quantity, hot in temperature, and thick in consistency, ensuring no stagnation occurs and facilitating easy digestion.

For large sores after ulceration, where both Qi and Blood are deficient and the Spleen and Stomach are weak, "Baxian Gao" (Eight Immortals Cake) must be prepared. The patient should eat several pieces morning and evening to replenish True Yuan (True Original Qi), strengthen the root, and subsequently take Shenzhu Gao (Ginseng and Atractylodes Paste). If the patient suffers from dual deficiency of the Spleen and Stomach, reduced appetite, chest and diaphragm fullness/stuffiness, and loss of taste, take 3 spoons of Baizhu Gao (Atractylodes Macrocephala Paste) and 2 spoons of Renshen Gao (Ginseng Paste), dissolved in clear rice soup on an empty stomach. Those who prefer alcohol may dissolve them in wine instead. If there is mental fatigue, drowsiness, spontaneous sweating, lassitude, and reluctance to move, take 3 spoons of Renshen Gao and 2 spoons of Baizhu Gao, also dissolved in wine. If the skin is rough and dry, the complexion is dull and lusterless, or if there is blood in the stool with constipation due to deficiency, or if the skin is dry and hair is brittle, mix equal parts (2 spoons each) of Dihuang Gao (Rehmannia Paste) and take together, or drink Yangchun Wine for better effect. These two preparations strengthen the spirit, rapidly generate Qi and Blood, promote appetite and aid the Spleen, moisten the skin, and nourish the bones. Their efficacy is significant; they are indispensable for large sores and far surpass ordinary herbal remedies. Patients should trust and adhere to these treatments to prevent further complications. Practitioners, however, often lack consistency, leading to variations in prognosis between easily curable and difficult cases. Ultimately, this depends on whether the correct regulatory principles are followed or neglected.