经云∶肤胀者,寒气客于皮肤之间,腹大身尽肿,皮浓,按之 而不起,腹色不变,此其候也。又曰∶诸湿
肿满皆属于脾。又曰∶水病上为喘呼,不得卧者,标本俱病。
陈飞霞曰∶肿满之证,悉由脾胃之虚也。脾土喜燥而恶湿,若中气素弱,脾虚无火,故水湿得以乘之。脾虚不
运,则乳食凝而不化,停积于中,而肿满作焉。治肿者,当以脾胃为本,而以浮肿为标。若以消伐为能事,未有
不致危殆者也。又当分别上下。经曰∶面肿者风,足肿者湿。凡肿自上而起者,多因于风,其治在肺,宜发散之,
参苏饮合五皮饮。自下而起者,因于肾虚水泛,或因脾气受湿,宜渗利之。仲景云∶治湿不利小便,非其治也,宜
五苓散加防己槟榔。身尽肿者,或因禀赋不足,卒冒风寒,或因疟痢脾虚,皆能作肿。轻者胃苓丸;重者加味胃
苓丸。凡风寒之肿,若身无热,宜五苓散加肉桂,膀胱气化,小便利而肿消矣。
阳水肿,身热大便秘,小便赤涩,烦躁口渴,以五皮饮送沆瀣丹微下之。
阴水肿者,身不热,口不渴,身冷发寒,二便自调,平胃散加茯苓、草果、木香、藿香。凡肿先起于腹,而散
于四肢者可治;先起四肢,而后归于腹者不可治。若小儿元气本虚,复遇大病之后,而浑身浮肿,四肢冷,不渴,
小便清长,大便滑泄,不思饮食,此阴寒之极,脾胃将绝。治肿之方,俱不可用,唯以六君子汤加肉桂、炮姜、
砂仁、白蔻,以救其脾胃,斯可矣。昧者但见其肿,不知元气之竭绝,而犹消导利水,复以舟车、禹功,暨大戟、
芫花、甘遂劫夺之者,此杀人之事,慎之戒之。
加味胃苓散(见前泄泻方内)
即胃苓丸原方。如头面肿初起,略加麻黄;作喘加桑白皮、杏仁;小便黄赤加木通;身肿加五加皮;腹胀加砂
仁白蔻丁香枳壳,脚冷不温加附子、肉桂、防己。
五苓散(见前咳嗽方内)
五皮饮沆瀣丹(俱见前伤湿方内)
加味四君子汤
人参(一钱) 白术(一钱) 茯苓(一钱) 肉桂(五分) 炮姜(五分) 砂仁(六分) 白蔻(六分)
公丁香(七分) 炙甘草(一钱) 大枣(一枚)
平胃散
苍术(一钱) 陈皮(一钱) 浓朴(六分) 甘草(一钱)
《脉经》曰∶水肿之脉,浮大易愈,沉细难痊。周梦觉曰∶余谓医不细揣脉与症,斯已难矣。果脉清症确,
浮大固可十全,沉细未必难痊。余少时,曾患水肿,而回生者。欲知水肿幽明路,说法何妨我现身。人生饮入于
胃,气化之妙,全凭脾肺肾三经。脾专运用之职,肺擅通调之官,肾司熏蒸之用,而后云兴雨施,渗入膀胱。三
经失权,其气不化,蓄诸中洲,横流四肢,泛滥皮肤。一身之中,无非水为之灌注矣。以其脉之沉细者言之,脉而
沉细,病愈深而侵入脏矣。即脉之沉细,分症之阴阳。其为阴水肿也,形寒伤肺,湿寒侵脾,虚寒损肾,大便溏
泻,小便清利,脉则沉细而迟。补土以温金,实脾汤,实开斯世之福。壮水兼补火,肾气汤,能挽造化之穷。其为
阳水肿也,火盛克金,热郁侮土,燥过枯水,大便坚硬,小便黄赤,脉则沉细而数。石膏友麦冬,本草中足称治
水之橇;黄连伴黄柏,医方内大是分水之犀。余尝阅是症,阴阳俱厥,有令人不可测度。阳水之厥,更有十倍于
阴水者。阴水误以阳治,先或声哑而死;阳水误以阴治,定是吐血而亡。至于脉之浮大,邪犹在表,病之最浅者
也。水蓄膀胱,五皮饮,可洁清净之府;水行肌表,越婢汤,足开鬼门之闭。其朝宽暮急,暮宽朝急者,水随气
之升降也,何必曰阴虚阳亏。上气喘促,夜卧难安者,水淫肺之叶孔也,何必子胎母宫。曰风水、曰石水、曰皮
水,多其水名。曰湿肿,曰血肿,曰风肿,总是水肿。揣摩脉症,辨别脏腑,沉细浮大,有何难易之分。酌理准
情,无非从前所有之语;披肝沥胆,尽是劫后余生之
言。其于是症,煞吃苦幸矣。愁成白发三千丈,历尽洪涛十八滩。
梦觉实脾汤
焦术(一钱) 茯苓(一钱) 炙甘草(一钱) 浓朴(六分) 肉桂(五分) 草蔻(七分) 木瓜(一钱)
木香(五分) 附片(三分) 干姜(五分) 大枣(一枚)
全匮肾气丸 (即桂附地黄汤)
熟地(三钱) 山药(一钱) 茯苓(一钱) 萸肉(一钱) 泽泻(一钱) 丹皮(一钱) 肉桂(五分)
附片(三分)
梦觉麦冬汤
石膏(一钱) 麦冬(一钱) 粳米(一钱) 炙甘草(一钱) 生姜(一钱) 大枣(一枚)
梦觉连柏汤
黄连(一钱) 苡米(一钱) 黄柏(一钱) 车前(一钱) 肉桂(五分) 知母(一钱) 炙草(一钱)
仲景越婢汤
石膏(一钱) 麻黄(一钱) 炙甘草(一钱) 生姜(一钱) 大枣(一枚)
涂蔚生曰∶水肿之症,犹古时洪水之患,弥漫遍野,浑无际涯。斯时补脾以利水、暖肾以化水、此皆筑堤之见,
不及之治。不若大禹之治水,疏通河道,引水注海,夺而去之之为愈也。予以为除风肿虚肿而外,水之阳者,宜采
用阿胶大黄甘遂汤,从阳以救阴。水之阴者,宜采用十枣汤与五皮散,从阴以救阳。虽剂嫌猛烈,而滔天之水,诚
非此猛烈之剂,旁无能克者也。下后再以六君子汤,四君子汤,六味地黄等汤,调停善后,庶不至养痈贻患,尾大
不掉。虽食盐一层为水肿之大忌,而如此治法,亦在所不禁。不过病之剧者,以食盐置罐敷紧,烧熟为宜耳。(又
水肿极易与风肿、气肿有混,不可不辨。风肿、气肿,按之随手而起,水肿按之随手没指,此其分别处也。)
金匮阿胶大黄甘遂丸
阿胶(二钱) 大黄(一钱) 甘遂(七分)
上三味,以阿胶溶化为丸,如绿豆大,大人初次可与服六七丸;不下,渐次增至十数丸、二十丸不等。小儿
初次,只可服三二丸;不下,渐次增加至七八九丸不等。总之,务必须量人之大小,以为药之轻重耳。
十枣汤(见前咳嗽方内)
《黄帝内经》说:肤胀这种病,是寒气停留在皮肤之间,导致腹部胀大、全身浮肿,皮肤厚实,按压后凹陷不起,腹部颜色没有变化,这就是它的征候。又说:各种湿邪引起的肿胀和满闷,都归属于脾脏病变。还说:水气病如果向上影响到肺而出现喘息呼叫、不能平卧的,说明表里(本标)都受到了侵害。
陈飞霞说:肿胀满闷的病证,全部是由于脾胃虚弱造成的。脾土喜欢干燥而厌恶潮湿,如果中气本来就虚弱,脾虚而没有阳气(火),那么水湿就能趁机侵犯。脾虚导致运化功能失常,乳食就会凝结而不消化,停滞在体内,从而产生肿胀满闷。治疗肿胀,应当以调理脾胃为根本,而以消除浮肿为次要(治标)。如果把攻伐消导作为主要手段,没有不导致病情危重的。还应当区分肿胀发生的部位。经书说:面部浮肿多因风邪,足部浮肿多因湿邪。凡是肿胀从上部开始的,多由风邪引起,治疗重点在肺,适宜用发散法,可用参苏饮合五皮饮。从下部开始的,是因为肾虚水液泛滥,或者因为脾气被湿邪所困,适宜用渗湿利小便的方法。张仲景说:治疗湿邪如果不通利小便,就不是正确的治疗方法,适宜用五苓散加防己、槟榔。全身浮肿的,可能是因为先天禀赋不足,突然遭受风寒侵袭,或者因为疟疾、痢疾导致脾虚,都能引起浮肿。轻症用胃苓丸;重症用加味胃苓丸。凡是风寒引起的浮肿,如果身体没有发热,适宜用五苓散加肉桂,使膀胱气化功能恢复,小便通畅,浮肿自然消退。
阳水型水肿,表现为身体发热、大便秘结、小便短赤涩痛、烦躁口渴,可以用五皮饮送服沆瀣丹,使其轻微泻下。
阴水型水肿,表现为身体不发烫、口不渴、身体发冷怕寒、大小便正常,可用平胃散加茯苓、草果、木香、藿香。凡是肿胀先从腹部开始,然后扩散到四肢的,可以治愈;先从四肢开始,然后回流到腹部的,难以治愈。如果小儿元气本来虚弱,又在大病之后出现浑身浮肿、四肢冰冷、口不渴、小便清长、大便滑泄、不想吃东西,这是阴寒到了极点,脾胃之气即将断绝。此时所有的治肿方剂都不宜使用,只能用六君子汤加肉桂、炮姜、砂仁、白蔻,来挽救脾胃之气,这样才可以。庸医只看到浮肿,不知道元气已经竭绝,还继续使用消导利水的药物,甚至用舟车丸、禹功散以及大戟、芫花、甘遂等猛烈劫夺的药物,这是杀人的行为,务必谨慎戒除。
加味胃苓散(见前泄泻方内)
即胃苓丸的原方。如果是头面浮肿初起,略加麻黄;如果伴有气喘,加桑白皮、杏仁;如果小便黄赤,加木通;如果全身浮肿,加五加皮;如果腹胀,加砂仁、白蔻、丁香、枳壳;如果脚冷不温,加附子、肉桂、防己。
加味四君子汤
人参(一钱) 白术(一钱) 茯苓(一钱) 肉桂(五分) 炮姜(五分) 砂仁(六分) 白蔻(六分)
公丁香(七分) 炙甘草(一钱) 大枣(一枚)
平胃散
苍术(一钱) 陈皮(一钱) 浓朴(六分) 甘草(一钱)
《脉经》说:水肿病的脉象,浮大的容易治愈,沉细的难痊愈。周梦觉说:我认为医生如果不仔细揣测脉象与症状,就已经很难了。如果脉象清晰、症状确切,浮大固然可以十全十美,但沉细未必就难痊愈。我年轻时,曾患水肿病,却得以康复。想要知道水肿病生死的关键,不妨让我现身说法。人喝进去的水进入胃中,气化的奥妙,全凭脾、肺、肾三经的作用。脾专门负责运化,肺擅长通调水道,肾主管蒸腾气化,然后云兴雨施,渗入膀胱。如果这三经失去职权,气机不能气化,水液蓄积在中焦,横流于四肢,泛滥于皮肤。全身上下,无非是水在灌注。从脉象沉细来看,脉象沉细,说明病位越深,已经侵入内脏了。即使脉象都是沉细,也要根据症状分辨阴阳。如果是阴水型水肿,形体怕冷损伤肺,湿寒侵犯脾,虚寒损害肾,大便溏泻,小便清利,脉象沉细而迟。补益脾土以温养肺金,用实脾汤,这真是开启世间福祉的好方法。壮补肾水兼补命门之火,用肾气汤,能挽回造化的穷困。如果是阳水型水肿,火盛克制肺金,热郁侮犯脾土,燥热过度耗伤肾水,大便坚硬,小便黄赤,脉象沉细而数。石膏配麦冬,本草中足以称为治疗水病的利器;黄连伴黄柏,医方内大大是分消水湿的犀角。我曾经诊治这类病症,发现阴阳俱厥的情况,有令人不可测度的地方。阳水导致的厥逆,比阴水更严重十倍。阴水误用阳水的治疗方法,起初可能声音嘶哑而死;阳水误用阴水的治疗方法,必定吐血而亡。至于脉象浮大,说明邪气还在体表,是病最浅的阶段。水蓄积在膀胱,用五皮饮,可以洁净清净之府;水行于肌表,用越婢汤,足以打开鬼门(汗孔)的闭塞。对于早晨宽松晚上紧急,或晚上宽松早晨紧急的,这是因为水随气的升降而变化,何必说是阴虚阳亏。对于上气喘促,夜间躺卧不安的,这是水气淫溢于肺叶孔窍,何必说是子盗母气。所谓风水、石水、皮水,只是水的名称不同。所谓湿肿、血肿、风肿,总归都是水肿。揣摩脉症,辨别脏腑,无论是沉细还是浮大,有什么难易之分呢?斟酌情理,无非是前人已有的话语;披肝沥胆,尽是劫后余生的经验之谈。对于这种病症,确实辛苦庆幸啊。愁绪成白发三千丈,历经洪涛十八滩。
梦觉实脾汤
焦术(一钱) 茯苓(一钱) 炙甘草(一钱) 浓朴(六分) 肉桂(五分) 草蔻(七分) 木瓜(一钱)
木香(五分) 附片(三分) 干姜(五分) 大枣(一枚)
全匮肾气丸 (即桂附地黄汤)
熟地(三钱) 山药(一钱) 茯苓(一钱) 萸肉(一钱) 泽泻(一钱) 丹皮(一钱) 肉桂(五分)
附片(三分)
梦觉麦冬汤
石膏(一钱) 麦冬(一钱) 粳米(一钱) 炙甘草(一钱) 生姜(一钱) 大枣(一枚)
梦觉连柏汤
黄连(一钱) 苡米(一钱) 黄柏(一钱) 车前(一钱) 肉桂(五分) 知母(一钱) 炙草(一钱)
仲景越婢汤
石膏(一钱) 麻黄(一钱) 炙甘草(一钱) 生姜(一钱) 大枣(一枚)
涂蔚生说:水肿这个病症,就像古时候洪水泛滥,弥漫遍野,无边无际。这时候补脾以利水、暖肾以化水,这都是筑堤堵截的看法,是不高明的治法。不如大禹治水那样,疏通河道,引水入海,将其夺去去除,这样更好。我认为除了风肿、虚肿之外,属于阳性的水病,适宜采用阿胶大黄甘遂汤,从阳救阴。属于阴性的水病,适宜采用十枣汤与五皮散,从阴救阳。虽然药方嫌猛烈,但对于滔天大水,确实非此猛烈之剂,旁边没有其他能克制的了。泻下后再用六君子汤、四君子汤、六味地黄汤等,调理善后,才不至于留下隐患,尾大不掉。虽然食盐一层是水肿的大忌,但如此治法,也在所不禁。不过病情严重的,把食盐放在罐子里敷紧,烧熟为宜。(另外水肿极易与风肿、气肿混淆,不可不辨别。风肿、气肿,按压后随手而起;水肿按压后随手没指,这是它们的区别之处。)
以上三味药,将阿胶溶化后制成丸药,如绿豆大小,成人初次可服用六七丸;如果未见效,逐渐增加到十几丸、二十丸不等。小儿初次,只能服用二三丸;如果未见效,逐渐增加到七八九丸不等。总之,必须根据病人的体型大小,来决定药物的轻重剂量。
The *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) states: In the condition of *Fuzhang* (Skin Distension), cold pathogenic qi lodges between the skin layers, resulting in abdominal distension and generalized edema. The skin is thick; upon pressure, the indentation does not rise immediately, and the abdominal color remains unchanged. This constitutes its clinical presentation. It further states: All swellings and fullnesses caused by dampness belong to the Spleen. It also states: In water diseases (*Shuibing*), if upward invasion causes panting and inability to lie flat, it indicates that both the root (internal organs) and branch (exterior) are diseased.
Chen Feixia stated: The syndromes of swelling and fullness all stem from deficiency of the Spleen and Stomach. Earth of the Spleen prefers dryness and abhors dampness. If the Middle Qi is inherently weak, and Spleen deficiency lacks Yang fire, then water-dampness can take advantage to invade. Spleen deficiency fails to transport and transform, causing food and fluids to congeal and fail to digest, stagnating within the middle jiao, thereby generating swelling and fullness. When treating swelling, one must treat the Spleen and Stomach as the root, and regard superficial edema as the branch. If one relies solely on purgative and dispersing methods, it will inevitably lead to critical danger. One must also distinguish the location of onset. The Classics state: Facial swelling is due to Wind; foot swelling is due to Dampness. Swelling originating from above is mostly due to Wind; treatment focuses on the Lung, employing dispersing methods, such as combining *Shensu Yin* with *Wupi Yin*. Swelling originating from below is due to Kidney deficiency with flooding of water, or Spleen Qi constrained by dampness; treatment employs draining and promoting urination. Zhang Zhongjing said: Treating dampness without promoting urination is incorrect treatment; one should use *Wuling San* added with *Fangji* and *Binglang*. Generalized swelling may result from congenital insufficiency followed by sudden exposure to wind-cold, or from Spleen deficiency due to malaria or dysentery. For mild cases, use *Weiling Wan*; for severe cases, use *Jiawei Weiling Wan*. For wind-cold induced swelling without fever, use *Wuling San* added with *Rougui* to restore Bladder Qi transformation, allowing free urination and subsiding edema.
For Yang-type edema, characterized by fever, constipation, scanty dark urine, irritability, and thirst, administer *Hengxie Dan* delivered by *Wupi Yin* to induce mild purgation.
For Yin-type edema, characterized by absence of fever, no thirst, cold body, aversion to cold, and normal bowel/bladder function, use *Pingwei San* added with *Fuling*, *Caoguo*, *Muxiang*, and *Huoxiang*. Edema starting in the abdomen and spreading to the limbs is treatable; edema starting in the limbs and returning to the abdomen is difficult to treat. If a child has inherent Yuan Qi deficiency and develops generalized edema, cold limbs, no thirst, clear long urination, loose stools, and anorexia after a severe illness, this represents extreme Yin-cold and impending collapse of Spleen-Stomach Qi. None of the standard edema formulas should be used; instead, use *Liujunzi Tang* added with *Rougui*, *Paojiang*, *Sharen*, and *Baiko* to rescue the Spleen-Stomach Qi. Ignorant physicians seeing only swelling, unaware of the exhaustion of Yuan Qi, continue to use digestive and diuretic drugs, or employ drastic purgatives like *Zhouche Wan*, *Yugong San*, *Daji*, *Yuanhua*, and *Gansui*. This is akin to murder; caution is urged.
*Jiawei Weiling San* (See Diarrhea section):
Based on the original formula of *Weiling Wan*. Add slight amounts of *Mahuang* for early facial/head swelling; add *Sangbaipi* and *Xingren* for wheezing; add *Mutong* for yellow-red urine; add *Wujia Pi* for generalized swelling; add *Sharen*, *Baiko*, *Dingxiang*, and *Zhike* for abdominal distension; add *Fuzi*, *Rougui*, and *Fangji* for cold feet.
*Wuling San* (See Cough section).
*Wupi Yin* and *Hengxie Dan* (See Dampness Injury section).
*Jiawei Sijunzi Tang*:
*Renshen* (1 qian), *Baizhu* (1 qian), *Fuling* (1 qian), *Rougui* (0.5 qian), *Paojiang* (0.5 qian), *Sharen* (0.6 qian), *Baiko* (0.6 qian), *Gongdingxiang* (0.7 qian), *Zhi Gancao* (1 qian), *Dazao* (1 piece).
*Pingwei San*:
*Cangzhu* (1 qian), *Chenpi* (1 qian), *Nanxing/Pohu* (0.6 qian - Note: Text says Nongpu, likely Nanxing or Houpo variant, usually Houpo/Nan Xiang in context but text says Nongpu), *Gancao* (1 qian). *Correction based on standard Pingwei San*: Cangzhu, Chenpi, Houpo, Gancao. Text specifies "Nongpu" which is likely a typo for Houpo or refers to processed Houpo. I will translate as listed but note standard term. Let's stick to text: *Nongpu* (processed Magnolia bark).
*Maijing* (Classic of Pulse) states: For edema pulse, floating and large pulses indicate easier recovery; deep and fine pulses indicate difficult recovery. Zhou Mengjue said: I believe that if a physician does not carefully examine the pulse and symptoms, treatment is already difficult. If the pulse is clear and symptoms accurate, a floating-large pulse guarantees success, but a deep-fine pulse does not necessarily mean incurable. In my youth, I suffered from edema and recovered. To understand the life-and-death distinctions of edema, let me share my experience. Water ingested enters the Stomach; its transformation relies entirely on the Spleen, Lung, and Kidney meridians. The Spleen governs transportation; the Lung regulates water passages; the Kidney governs steaming and evaporation. Thus, clouds rise and rain falls, seeping into the Bladder. If these three organs lose their authority, Qi fails to transform, water accumulates in the central region, flows horizontally to the limbs, and floods the skin. The entire body is infused with water. Regarding deep-fine pulses: a deep-fine pulse indicates deeper disease invading the Zang organs. Even with deep-fine pulses, differentiate Yin and Yang by symptoms. For Yin edema: cold damage to Lung, cold-damp invading Spleen, deficiency-cold damaging Kidney, loose stools, clear urination, deep-fine-slow pulse. Tonify Earth to warm Metal; use *Shipi Tang*, truly a blessing for the world. Strengthen Water and supplement Fire; use *Shenqi Tang*, capable of reversing destiny. For Yang edema: Fire excess suppressing Metal, heat depression insulting Earth, dryness depleting Water, hard stools, yellow-red urine, deep-fine-rapid pulse. *Shigao* paired with *Maidong* is sufficient in Materia Medica as a lever for treating water; *Huanglian* accompanied by *Huangbai* acts as a rhinoceros horn for dividing water in medical formulas. I have treated cases where both Yin and Yang were reversed, which are unfathomable. Yang-water reversal is ten times worse than Yin-water. Misusing Yang-treatment for Yin-water leads to hoarseness and death; misusing Yin-treatment for Yang-water leads to hematemesis and death. Regarding floating-large pulses, the pathogen is still at the exterior, the shallowest stage. Water accumulated in the Bladder can be cleared with *Wupi Yin*; water moving in the muscle layer can be opened via the "Ghost Gate" (sweat pores) using *Yebip Tang*. Cases where morning relief occurs with evening urgency, or vice versa, reflect water following Qi ascent and descent; why attribute this to Yin deficiency or Yang depletion? Panting and difficulty lying down at night indicate water overflowing into Lung lobules; why attribute this to Mother-Child relationship issues? Whether called Fengshui, Shishui, or Pishui, these are names of water. Whether called Shizhong, Xuezhong, or Fengzhong, they are all edema. Analyzing pulse and symptoms, differentiating Zang-Fu, whether deep-fine or floating-large, there is no difference in difficulty. Judging reason and circumstance, these are merely previous words; speaking from the heart, these are words of survival after disaster. Treating this syndrome is indeed arduous yet fortunate. Worry turns hair white by three thousand zhang; having crossed eighteen rapids of great waves.
*Mengjue Shipi Tang*:
*Jiaozhu* (1 qian), *Fuling* (1 qian), *Zhi Gancao* (1 qian), *Nongpu* (0.6 qian), *Rougui* (0.5 qian), *Guokou* (0.7 qian), *Mugua* (1 qian), *Muxiang* (0.5 qian), *Fupian* (0.3 qian), *Ganjiang* (0.5 qian), *Dazao* (1 piece).
*Quankui Shenqi Wan* (i.e., *Guifu Dihuang Tang*):
*Shudi* (3 qian), *Shanyao* (1 qian), *Fuling* (1 qian), *Yurou* (1 qian), *Zexie* (1 qian), *Danpi* (1 qian), *Rougui* (0.5 qian), *Fupian* (0.3 qian).
*Mengjue Maidong Tang*:
*Shigao* (1 qian), *Maidong* (1 qian), *Jingmi* (1 qian), *Zhi Gancao* (1 qian), *Shengjiang* (1 qian), *Dazao* (1 piece).
*Mengjue Lianbai Tang*:
*Huanglian* (1 qian), *Yimi* (1 qian), *Huangbai* (1 qian), *Qiancao/Cheqian* (1 qian - Text says Cheqian), *Rougui* (0.5 qian), *Zhimu* (1 qian), *Zhi Cao* (1 qian).
*Zhongjing Yebip Tang*:
*Shigao* (1 qian), *Mahuang* (1 qian), *Zhi Gancao* (1 qian), *Shengjiang* (1 qian), *Dazao* (1 piece).
Tu Weisheng stated: Edema is like ancient floods, spreading across fields without boundary. At such times, tonifying Spleen to drain water or warming Kidney to transform water are merely dam-building approaches, inferior treatments. It is better to follow Yu the Great’s method of dredging channels and guiding water to the sea. Excluding Wind-swelling and Deficiency-swelling, Yang-type water should use *Ejiao Dahuang Gansui Tang* to save Yin from Yang. Yin-type water should use *Shizao Tang* and *Wupi San* to save Yang from Yin. Although these formulas are harsh, against towering waters, no other agents can subdue them except these fierce prescriptions. After purgation, use *Liujunzi Tang*, *Sijunzi Tang*, or *Liuwei Dihuang Tang* for convalescence to avoid lingering complications. Although salt intake is a major taboo in edema, this treatment method permits it. However, for severe cases, placing salt in a jar, sealing tightly, and roasting it is advisable. (Note: Edema is easily confused with Wind-swelling and Qi-swelling. Wind/Qi swelling rebounds immediately upon pressure; edema sinks deeply upon pressure. This is the distinction.)
*Qukui Ejiao Dahuang Gansui Wan*:
*Ejiao* (2 qian), *Dahuang* (1 qian), *Gansui* (0.7 qian).
These three ingredients: dissolve Ejiao and form pills the size of mung beans. Adults take 6-7 pills initially; if ineffective, gradually increase to 10-20 pills. Children take 2-3 pills initially; if ineffective, gradually increase to 7-9 pills. Dosage must be adjusted according to the patient's constitution.
*Shizao Tang* (See Cough section).