典藏书目

This disease is caused by excessive sexual activity, the six desires (the six sensory and mental faculties: sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch, and mind), and the seven emotions (joy, anger, worry, thought, grief, fear, and fright). When the True Qi (Zhen Qi) is deficient, it is invaded by Wind Pathogens, which lodge in the Back-Shu points of the Five Zang Organs, resulting in conditions such as stroke with hemiplegia. If the Wind strikes the Back-Shu points of the Spleen and Stomach, the right hand and foot become unusable; if it strikes the Back-Shu points of the Heart and Liver, the left hand and foot become unusable. Generally speaking, cases where movement is possible but accompanied by weakness and numbness are mild; cases where lifting is possible but manipulation is impaired are slightly more severe; cases where movement is completely impossible are the most severe. If the pathogenic factor enters the Zang organs, the nine orifices will be disabled, and severe cases may result in sudden collapse and death. If it enters the Fu organs, the four limbs will be damaged, though there may be a chance of recovery.

Treatment method: First, moxa-apply the Guanyuan CV4 point for 500 moxa cones (zhuang); the patient will feel at ease within five days. Next, take Baoyuan Dan (Preserve the Original Qi Pill) one to two jin (approx. 500-1000g) to strengthen the Original Qi; then take Baxian Dan (Eight Immortals Pill) and Bafeng Tang (Eight Winds Decoction) to prevent recurrence for life. If one does not moxa-apply below the navel or take alchemical pills, even if recovered, relapse will occur within three to five years, and subsequent relapse will be fatal. However, this condition strictly forbids diaphoresis (sweating), emesis (vomiting), and purgation (downward draining), as these methods damage the Original Qi and lead to death. In general, regarding the pulse of wind-stroke: a floating and slow/relaxed pulse indicates survival; a rapid and urgent pulse indicates severity; a pulse rate of eight to nine beats per breath cycle indicates death. (Regarding stroke syndromes, although ancient texts distinguish between involvement of the Zang, Fu, and meridians, the essence boils down to Closed Syndrome and Collapsed Syndrome. Although Closed Syndrome is typically excess, deficiency is also common; perhaps agents that open the orifices, resolve phlegm, and regulate Qi can be used. Once the orifices are opened and phlegm/Qi flow improves, one must immediately examine the physical constitution and Zang-Fu status, assess Qi and Blood, and treat accordingly. Observing for concurrent syndromes and determining whether excess or deficiency prevails allows for tonification or sedation; combined with Mr. Dou's methods, efficacy can be achieved rapidly without the risk of permanent paralysis. As for Collapsed Syndrome, it is purely deficiency; heavy doses of Ginseng and Aconite might preserve life, but they are inferior to Mr. Dou's pills and moxibustion for absolute safety. I have observed contemporary physicians who, when patients exhibit signs of collapse, still claim the presence of Wind and Phlegm. Even when using Ginseng and Aconite, they inevitably add herbs like Qinjiao (Gentiana Macrophylla Root), Tianma (Gastrodia Rhizome), Danning Xing (Arisaema cum Bile), and Zhuli (Bamboo Sap) for dispersal. This demonstrates a lack of understanding of urgency and priority, making them unworthy of discussing the Way of Medicine.)

Clinical Cases
One patient suffered from hemiplegia. He first received 500 moxa cones applied to Guanyuan CV4, took Baxian Dan twice daily, and took Huangu Dan (Bone-Replacing Pill) once every five days. That night, he felt sweating in the affected area. The next day, his condition improved by four parts out of five. He recovered completely within one month. Subsequently, he took Yan Shou Dan (Life-Extending Pill) half a jin and Baoyuan Dan one jin, and did not suffer from the disease again for fifty years. Qianjin Fang and other standard prescriptions, which do not involve moxa-application to Guanyuan or the use of alchemical pills, rely only on ordinary medicines; even if effective, the cure is rarely durable.

Another patient suffered from left-sided hemiplegia. His six pulses were deep, thin, and weak. I said: "This is certainly due to the consumption of True Qi by harsh, draining medications, hence the deep and thin pulse." The patient said: "Last month, I took Zhuohu Dan (Tiger-Catching Pill), vomited two sheng (approx. 2 liters) of saliva, after which my symptoms lessened somewhat, but I was not fully cured." I sighed and said: "Stroke originates from the deficiency and damage of Original Qi. Taking emetics now further damages the Original Qi. Although symptoms may lessen temporarily, relapse will occur within a few days, and it will be incurable." Indeed, within ten days, the condition severely relapsed. He sought treatment from me, but despite taking alchemical pills, he could not be saved.