典藏书目

To treat infants and young children suffering from post-typhoid syndrome where pathogenic qi is not harmonious, leading to rapid panting, cough, chest and diaphragm oppression, day-and-night restlessness and stifling sensation, mental fatigue, physical weakness, loss of appetite. It also treats vexation and fullness caused by deficient phlegm, dizziness and vertigo of the head and eyes. For any cough resulting from wind-cold invasion, this formula is suitable.

Zhi Shi (Immature Bitter Orange, 4 pieces, soaked in rice wash water, pith removed, sliced, stir-fried with bran), Sang Bai Pi (Morus Alba Root Bark), Ban Xia (Pinellia Rhizome, washed with boiling water seven or eight times, sliced, still soaked in Ginseng decoction), Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-fried Licorice Root), Fu Ling (Poria), Kuan Dong Hua (Coltsfoot Flower), Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra Berry), E Jiao (Donkey-hide Gelatin, stir-fried with bran), Xi Xin (Asarum, each half tael, rhizome removed), Ren Shen (Ginseng Root, one fen), Ma Huang (Ephedra Stem, nodes removed).

The above herbs are coarsely crushed. Each dose consists of a small pinch, boiled with one small cup of water, three slices of fresh ginger, half a jujube, and a few sour plums. Decoct until the liquid reduces by half, strain, and drink the decoction warm. The dregs should be decocted again and consumed.

Zeng Shirong commented: When children suffer from typhoid fever presenting with heat and headache, some have already had their fever reduced through sweating, some have had their phlegm resolved and panting calmed, some have had their spirit settled and will stabilized, and some have regained their appetite after recovery. Parents forget their worries and rejoice greatly. However, there remains one symptom: coughing day and night that does not heal despite various treatments. This is primarily because the original pathogenic qi has entered the lung lobes and cannot be expelled through vomiting or purgation, making it difficult for the body to find relief. For any child whose cough persists after typhoid fever or wind-cold invasion, this formula is appropriate. After the decoction is prepared, place it in a bowl, cover it, and let the child inhale the steam slowly while taking the medicine. Recovery can be expected within three to five doses. This formula drains Lung Qi, tonifies Original Qi, expands the diaphragm, resolves phlegm, nourishes the Five Zang organs, and harmonizes the San Jiao. It not only regulates cough and mediates the Middle Jiao but offers superior efficacy.

Zeng Shirong commented: This is named "Four Syndromes" (referring to Wind, Phlegm, Heat, and Fright), which were discussed in previous chapters along with the Eight Signs. Here we continue to discuss Fright-Heat, or cases complicated by Wind-Phlegm before the onset of Yin-Yang Epilepsy. If physicians initially administer herbs to resolve phlegm, repel wind, reduce heat, or calm fright, they may over-analyze the condition, leading to complexity and lack of effective treatment methods, thus making therapy difficult. Facing such symptoms, what basis is there for judgment? These syndromes follow each other; one cannot attack just one aspect. If one only calms fright, wind may recede but heat remains; if one only reduces heat, phlegm becomes obstructed. Long seeking this principle without finding the perfect solution, suddenly one realizes that Qian Yi's formula Xuan Feng San (Disperse Wind Powder) is precisely for such children. Where there is phlegm, there is obstruction; where there is heat, there is closure; where there is wind, there is narrowing; where there is fright, there is stifling. The child is drowsy and confused; light herbs cannot disperse, and heavy doses may cause harm. One should only administer Shu Feng San (Disperse Wind Powder, which lacks one ingredient compared to Xuan Feng San). Within one dose, wind, phlegm, fright, and heat are all eliminated, spirits become joyful, and the four limbs are peaceful. Observing this medicine, it seems fierce like wild wolves and tigers, yet quickly becomes harmonious. It merely resolves phlegm, calms fright, disperses wind, and clears heat. With just one dose, taken at the right time, its efficacy is visible. I have seen physicians treating such syndromes hesitate due to doubt and fear. If the timing is missed and days are delayed, the pathology transforms: fright eyes, fright wind arise spontaneously, phlegm accumulates, heat gathers, either rapidly or slowly. The Eight Signs follow each other, repeating and transforming. During the time of mutual emergence and variation, this medicine cannot be administered. However, Shu Feng San treats the four syndromes as enemies, charging fiercely to scatter them completely, preventing harm. Only when they gather and dissipate on their own do they flow into the meridians, collaterals, or vessels, thereby causing spasms and pulling sensations.