典藏书目

In cases of pathogenic invasion, Yin pulses are frequently observed. This is because Yang manifestations often represent false excess (Xu Shi), whereas Yin pulses indicate true deficiency (Zhen Xu). The presence of Yang symptoms accompanied by Yin pulses constitutes a Yin syndrome (Yin Zheng). As Tao Jie'an stated: When examining Yin syndromes, regardless of the presence or absence of heat, medication must be prescribed based on the pulse condition, which is highly appropriate. Regardless of whether the pulse is floating (Fu), deep (Chen), large (Da), or small (Xiao), if it feels weak under the fingers and completely empty upon heavy pressure, this indicates concealed Yin cold (Fu Yin). Cool medicines must not be administered; doing so will inevitably lead to death. Consequently, while people recognize that sinking and small pulses are Yin pulses, they are unaware that floating and large pulses can also belong to Yin pulses. It is inadvisable to use cool medicines for such conditions, let alone other methods. Therefore, in treating this type of syndrome, I invariably discard the symptoms and follow the pulse, achieving a cure rate of nine out of ten. However, the methods I employ are often not standard formulas from my school but are applied flexibly according to the situation, causing observers to express surprise. Yet, what is there to be surprised about? It is merely that the medicine matches the syndrome. Let me elaborate further on the principles involved.

The myriad manifestations of Cold Damage (Shang Han) can be fully summarized by the two concepts of Deficiency (Xu) and Excess (Shi). In the dynamic between one and the other, Evil (Xie) and Healthy Qi (Zheng Qi) contend for dominance. If Healthy Qi prevails, recovery occurs; if Evil prevails, death ensues. The critical factor determining life and death lies within the balance of Deficiency and Excess. If Healthy Qi is robust, even severe pathogenic invasion results in mild illness; if Healthy Qi is deficient, even slight pathogenic invasion results in severe illness. For illnesses caused by Qi excess, removal of the pathogen leads to recovery. Boldly attacking the pathogen poses no difficulty. In such cases, treatment is as easy as blowing away dust or snapping dry wood, requiring no special mention. Even an incompetent physician could easily cure it. Indeed, without treatment, waiting for the meridian cycle to complete and Healthy Qi to recover would also result in healing. This is akin to two armies clashing; if the host is strong, the guest cannot prevail and will eventually disperse. Thus, individuals with robust Healthy Qi need not worry, whether treated or not.

The only cause for concern is Cold Damage complicated by deficiency (Jia Xu Shang Han). In any disease progression, death does not occur unless Yuan Qi (Original Qi) is exhausted. In conflicts of strength, defeat does not happen unless the root foundation is damaged; this is an inevitable logical progression. The difficulty of Cold Damage lies solely here. Regrettably, many mediocre practitioners fail to distinguish between deficiency and excess at the outset. Upon seeing fever, they immediately resort to purgative or attacking methods. Attacking when inappropriate inevitably leads to death. Why? Because attacking methods target pathogens but rely on Healthy Qi as their commander. If the primary Qi is insufficient yet one forcibly attacks the pathogen, the pathogen remains while Healthy Qi collapses due to the attack. Such actions constitute homicide; who bears the responsibility?

Most perplexing is the claim that "Cold Damage has no tonification method," which confuses and misleads people more than anything else. Have they not observed that Zhang Zhongjing established 397 treatment protocols, over 100 of which address pulse and symptom patterns of deficiency and cold? Among his 113 prescriptions, 30 contain Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), and over 50 contain Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig) or Fu Zi (Aconite Lateralis Radix Praeparata). Later physicians such as Li Dongyuan, Zhu Danxi, and Tao Jie'an utilized tonifying formulas like Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction), Hui Yang Fan Ben Tang (Restore Yang and Return to the Root Decoction), and Wen Jing Yi Yuan Tang (Warm the Meridians and Enrich the Origin Decoction), all employing tonification. Who claims that Cold Damage precludes tonification? While these legislative contributions are substantial, I consider them incomplete, and others view them as exceptional. Some go further to deny their existence entirely. Would enlightened scholars truly think so? Moreover, today, six or seven out of ten patients suffer from Cold Damage complicated by deficiency, yet eight or nine out of ten propagate the idea that "Cold Damage has no tonification." Patients with deficiency are neither tonified nor protected from attacking therapies. I have witnessed countless victims of this practice and feel profound sorrow. Hence, I argue vigorously here to correct contemporary abuses, not because I favor tonification per se. Readers should examine this carefully, for it is a great blessing to the populace.)