《素问·风论》黄帝问曰∶风之伤人也,或为寒热,或为热中,或为寒中,或为疠风
,或为
偏枯,(滑云∶枯当作风。)或(当作均)。为风也。其病各异,其名不同。或内至五脏六腑,
不知其
解,愿闻其说。岐伯曰∶风气藏于皮肤之间,内不得通,外不得泄。风者善行而数变,腠理
开则洒然寒,闭则热而闷,其寒也,则衰食饮。其热也,则消肌肉。故使人 而不能食,
名曰
寒热。( 音突,忽忘也。又音退。栗,寒战也。)风气与阳明入胃,循脉而上至目内 。
其人
肥则风气不得外泄,则为热中。而目黄人瘦则外泄而寒,则为寒中,而泣出。风气与太阳俱
入行诸脉俞,散于分肉之间,与卫气相干,其道不利,故使肉 (音忿真。)而有疡。卫
气
有所凝而不行,故其肉即不仁也。疠者有(疑当作因)。荣气热 ,(腐同)。其气不清,故
使鼻柱坏
而色败,皮肤疡溃,风寒客于脉而不去,名曰疠风。(滑云∶此当在上收假疠者上)。或曰名
寒热
。(五字疑衍。)以春甲乙伤于风者为肝风,以夏丙丁伤于风者为心风,以季夏戊己伤于风者
为
脾风,以秋庚辛中于邪者为肺风,以冬壬癸中于邪者为肾风。风中五脏六腑之俞,亦为脏腑
之风,各入其门户所中,则为偏风。风气循风府而上,则为脑风。风入系头,则为目风眼寒
。饮酒
中风,则为漏风。入房汗出中风,(书云∶中右为真气已绝,较中左更深,余尝治右偏类中
数人,皆用养血祛风,佐以化痰利湿而愈。已于《治验录》详言之,参观即知。)则为内风
。新沐
中风,则为首风。久风入中,则肠风飧泄。外在腠理,则为泄风。故风者,百病之长也。至
其变化,乃
为他病也。无常方,然致有(当作皆)风气也。帝曰∶五脏风之形状不同者何?愿闻其诊,及
其病态。岐伯曰∶肺风之状,多汗恶风,色 然白,时咳短气,书昼日则瘥,暮则甚。诊
在眉上
,其色白。(仲景云∶肺中风者,口燥而唾,身晕而重,冒而肿胀。)心风之状,多汗恶风,
焦绝
善怒哧,赤色,病甚则言不可快。诊在口,其色赤。(仲景云∶心中风者,翕翕发热,不能
起
,心中饥,食则呕。)肝风之状,多汗恶风,善悲,色微苍,嗌干善怒,憎女子。诊在目
下,
其色青。(仲景云∶肝中风者,头目 ,反胁痛,常呕,令人嗜甘。)脾风之状,多汗恶风,
身体
怠惰,四肢不欲动,色薄微黄,不嗜食。论在鼻上,其色黄。(仲景云∶脾中风者,翕翕发
热,形如醉人,肢中烦重,目皮 而短气。)肾风之状,多汗恶风,面庞然浮肿,脊痛不
能正立
,其色炱,隐曲不利,诊在肌上,其色黑。(《奇病论》云∶有庞然如水状,切其脉大紧,
身无
痛处,形不瘦,不能食,食少。名为何病?岐伯对曰∶病生在肾,名为肾风。不能食,善惊而心
气痿者死。)胃风之状,颈多汗恶风,饮食不下。膈塞不通,腹善满,失衣则 胀,食寒则泄。
论形瘦而腹大。首风之状,头面多汗,恶风。当先风一日,则病甚头痛,不可以出内,至风日则痛
少愈。漏风之状,或多汗,常不可单衣,食则汗出,甚则身汗,喘息恶风,衣常濡,口干
善渴
,不能劳事。泄风之状多汗,汗出泄衣上,口中干,上渍其风,不能劳事,身体尽痛则寒。
中风最宜辨闭脱二症,闭症宜开,脱症宜固,惟当辨其脉虚大以为别。至于闭症气塞,
亦有六脉俱绝者,不得以其无脉而误认为脱症也。
中风将发预防之方
黄 (蜜炙,五钱) 防风(一钱五分) 人参(一钱五分) 橘红(一钱) 归身(酒洗,二
钱五分) 木通(二钱五分) 山栀(一钱) 甘草(五分) 红花(三分)。
脾胃虚弱,语言无力,再加人参三钱,干山药一钱五分,薏仁二钱,白术一钱
。内热加
山栀至二钱,仍多啖悉尼妙。渴加麦冬二钱五分,五味子五分。眩晕加明天麻一
钱。痰多而晕,更加旋复花五分;脚膝麻痹无力,加杜仲姜汁炒去丝,牛膝,酒浸,石
斛,酒浸,
各一钱五分。夜卧不安,或多惊恐,心神不宁,加炒酸枣仁,茯神各一钱五分。上用水
二钟,煎至一钟,入竹沥一杯,梨汁一匙,温服无时。
方书每以六经形证为定法,用小续命汤加减。岂不知《内经》云∶风为百病之长,善行
而数变,必审十二经见证,庶无实实虚虚之诮矣。
中风将发之前,未有不内热者。热极生风,能令母实,故先辈谓以火为本,以风为标,
治法先
以降心火为主,心火既降,肝木自平矣。此实则泄其子之法也。若作风治而以辛热之药疏之
者,固贻害不小,而调气一法,亦百无一验,明者更精思之。
《太平广记》载∶唐·梁新见一朝士诊之曰∶风疾已深,请速归去。其朝士复见 州马
医赵鄂,乃
复诊之,言疾危与梁说同矣。曰∶只有一法,请官人试吃消梨,不限多少,咀 不及,绞汁
而饮。到家旬日,惟吃消梨首爽矣。此亦降火除热之验也。《本草》云∶有士人病危,
诸治不应,遂就诊杨吉老。令服悉尼担余而瘳,与此朝士相仿佛。
卒中之初,有决不可吐者,有决不可进辛剂,即姜汤亦禁用者,不可不知。
今人治五脏气绝,口开手撒,眼合遗尿,鼻声如鼾,昔人所不治者,以大剂参、 浓汤
灌之,多
有得生者。可见世无不可医之证,而昔人徒认此证为有余,不知其不足,见投之以顺气疏风
之药,往往长逝。(顺气疏风而妄损元真,岂可不明辨以悟人哉。)遂目为气绝不治之候也。
则其他之为虚症,而为医所误,或幸而获痊,或不幸而毙者,可胜计哉。
每见时师初用八味顺气散,多不得效。(八味顺气散为治痰多实证之方,涉虚者是抱薪
救火。
今人不辨虚实,以为治风主剂,则遗误非浅,今特正之。)已而用二陈,四物,加胆星、天麻之类,自谓
稳当之极,可以久而奏功,而亦竟无一效,何也?盖妄以南星、半夏为化痰之药,当归、川芎为
生血之剂,而泥于成方,变通无法故也。正不知通血脉,助真元,非大剂人参不可,而有痰
者,惟
宜竹沥,少加姜汁佐之。不宜轻用燥剂。至于归、地甘粘,能滞脾气,使脾精不运,何以能
愈瘫
缓。岂若人参出阳入阴,少则留而多则宜无所不达哉?其能通血脉,虽明载《本草》,人谁
信之。
里中一老医,右手足废,不起于床者二年矣。人传其不起,过数月,遇诸途。讯之,曰
∶吾之病几
危矣,始服顺气行痰之药,了地无应验。薄暮神志辄昏,度不可支,令家人煎进十全大补汤
,即觉清
明。遂日服之,浃数月,能扶策而起,无何,又能拾策而步矣。经云∶邪之所凑,其气必虚
。吾
治其虚,不理其邪,而邪自去,吾所以获全也。余曰∶有是哉,使进顺气疏风之药不辍者,
墓木
拱矣。然此犹拘于成方,不能因病而变通,随时而消息,故奏功稍迟。吾早为之,当不止是
也。姑书之以俟明者采焉。
此老始亦服顺气疏风,病延载余,继因病久年老气虚,试服补剂而有效。遂日进一帖,
沉若失,遂保其身。然亦不幸之幸,执方治病,病必殆是也。
《素问·风论》中黄帝问道:风邪伤害人体,有的表现为寒热,有的表现为热中,有的表现为寒中,有的表现为疠风,有的表现为偏枯(肢体一侧瘫痪),有的表现为周身疼痛。(滑寿注:枯字应作风字。或字应作均字。)都是风邪致病。它们的病症各不相同,名称也不同。有的深入五脏六腑,我不明白其中的道理,希望听听您的解释。岐伯回答说:风邪潜伏在皮肤之间,向内不能通达,向外不能宣泄。风邪善于游走且变化多端,腠理开泄时感到寒冷战栗,腠理闭塞时则发热胸闷。那种发冷的,会导致食欲减退;那种发热的,会消耗肌肉。因此使人消瘦而不能进食,名叫寒热。(“”音突,意为健忘;又音退。栗,意为寒战。)风邪随阳明经进入胃中,沿经脉上行至目内眦。如果这个人肥胖,风邪就不能向外宣泄,就会形成热中,出现眼睛发黄;如果这个人瘦弱,风邪就能向外宣泄而表现为寒,就会形成寒中,并流泪。风邪与太阳经一起进入,行于各脉的俞穴,散布在分肉之间,与卫气相互干扰,导致运行不畅,所以使肌肉红肿而有疮疡。卫气有所凝滞而不能运行,所以那些部位的肌肉就会麻木不仁。疠风患者,营气热盛(腐通腐),气血不清,所以导致鼻梁塌陷、面色败坏,皮肤溃疡溃烂。风寒客居在脉中而不离去,名叫疠风。(滑寿注:此句应在上文“疠者”之上收束。有人说名叫寒热。这五个字可能是衍文。)在春季甲乙日伤于风邪的,称为肝风;在夏季丙丁日伤于风邪的,称为心风;在长夏戊己日伤于风邪的,称为脾风;在秋季庚辛日中于邪气的,称为肺风;在冬季壬癸日中于邪气的,称为肾风。风邪侵入五脏六腑的俞穴,也会成为脏腑之风,各自从门户侵入,就称为偏风。风邪顺着风府穴上行,就称为脑风。风邪侵入头部系连之处,就称为目风眼寒。饮酒后中风,就称为漏风。房事后出汗又受风邪,(医书说:中右侧为真气已绝,比中左侧更深,我曾治疗过几位右侧偏瘫的中风病人,都用养血祛风,佐以化痰利湿的方法治愈。已在《治验录》中详细说明,参考即可知道。)就称为内风。刚洗完头受风,就称为首风。久风入里,就称为肠风飧泄(腹泻完谷不化)。风邪停留在体表腠理,就称为泄风。所以风邪是百病之长。到了它发生变化的时候,就成为其他疾病了。没有固定的规律,但都是由风邪引起的。黄帝说:五脏受风的症状表现不同,为什么呢?希望听听诊察方法及其病态。岐伯说:肺风的症状,是多汗怕风,面色苍白,时常咳嗽气短,白天病情减轻,傍晚加重。诊察部位在眉毛上方,颜色发白。(张仲景说:肺中风的人,口干燥且吐唾沫,身体昏沉沉重,头晕目眩且肿胀。)心风的症状,是多汗怕风,嘴唇焦裂,容易发怒哭泣,面色红赤,病情严重时说话不清楚。诊察部位在口唇,颜色发赤。(张仲景说:心中风的人,微微发热,不能起身,心中饥饿,进食则呕吐。)肝风的症状,是多汗怕风,容易悲伤,面色微青,咽喉干燥,容易发怒,厌恶女性。诊察部位在眼下,颜色发青。(张仲景说:肝中风的人,头目眩晕,反折胁痛,经常呕吐,使人喜欢吃甜食。)脾风的症状,是多汗怕风,身体倦怠懒惰,四肢不想活动,面色淡黄,食欲不振。诊察部位在鼻上,颜色发黄。(张仲景说:脾中风的人,微微发热,形体像喝醉的人,肢体烦重,眼皮跳动且气短。)肾风的症状,是多汗怕风,面部浮肿如水肿状,脊背疼痛不能直立,面色黑灰,小便不利。诊察部位在肌肉,颜色发黑。(《奇病论》说:有人面部浮肿如水状,切其脉搏大而紧,身体无疼痛处,形体不瘦,不能进食,吃得很少。这是什么病?岐伯回答说:病位在肾,名叫肾风。不能进食,容易惊恐且心气衰竭的会死亡。)胃风的症状,颈部多汗怕风,饮食不下,胸膈堵塞不通,腹部容易胀满,受凉则腹胀,吃冷食则泄泻。形体消瘦而腹部胀大。首风的症状,头面多汗,怕风。在起风的前一天,病情加重,头痛,不能出门或待在室内,到了刮风的日子疼痛才稍减。漏风的症状,或多汗,常不能穿单衣,吃饭就出汗,严重则全身出汗,喘息怕风,衣服常常湿透,口干善渴,不能从事劳累的工作。泄风的症状,多汗,汗水渗出浸湿衣服,口中干燥,风邪从上渍入,不能从事劳累工作,全身疼痛且恶寒。
中风最应当辨别闭证和脱证两种症状,闭证宜用开窍法,脱证宜用固脱法,只应当通过辨别脉象虚大来区分它们。至于闭证气机闭塞,也有六脉俱绝的情况,不能因为没有脉搏就误认为是脱证。
预防中风将要发作的方剂:
黄芪(蜜炙,五钱)、防风(一钱五分)、人参(一钱五分)、橘红(一钱)、当归身(酒洗,二钱五分)、木通(二钱五分)、山栀(一钱)、甘草(五分)、红花(三分)。
脾胃虚弱,语言无力,再加人参三钱,干山药一钱五分,薏苡仁二钱,白术一钱。内有热加山栀至二钱,仍多吃雪梨。口渴加麦冬二钱五分,五味子五分。眩晕加明天麻一钱。痰多而晕,再加旋覆花五分;脚膝麻痹无力,加杜仲(姜汁炒去丝)、牛膝(酒浸)、石斛(酒浸),各一钱五分。夜间睡眠不安,或多惊恐,心神不宁,加炒酸枣仁、茯神各一钱五分。以上药物用水二钟,煎至一钟,加入竹沥一杯,梨汁一匙,随时温服。
医书往往以六经形证作为定法,使用小续命汤加减。哪里知道《内经》说:风是百病之长,善于游走且变化多端,必须审察十二经的见证,才不会犯实实虚虚的错误。
中风将要发作之前,没有不是内有热邪的。热极生风,能使母脏实证,所以先辈认为以火为本,以风为标,治疗方法先以降心火为主,心火既降,肝木自然平静。这是实则泻其子的方法。如果当作风邪治疗而以辛热药物疏解它,固然危害不小,而调气这一方法,也百无一验,明智的人更应深思。
《太平广记》记载:唐代梁新诊断一位朝士说:风疾已经深入,请赶快回去。那位朝士又去见扬州马医赵鄂,再次诊察,说病情危急与梁新的说法相同。说:只有一法,请大人尝试吃消梨,不限数量,嚼不动就榨汁饮用。到家十天后,只吃消梨,头脑清爽了。这也是降火除热的验证。《本草》说:有一位士人病危,各种治疗无效,于是就诊杨吉老。让他服用雪梨担余(一种梨)而痊愈,与此位朝士的情况相似。
卒中初期,有绝对不可催吐的,有绝对不可进辛味药剂的,即姜汤也要禁用,这些不可不知道。
现在的人治疗五脏气绝,口开手撒,眼合遗尿,鼻声如鼾,过去医生认为不治的病症,用大剂量人参、附子浓汤灌服,多有得救的。可见世上没有不可医治的病症,而过去的人只认定此证为有余(实证),不知道它是不足(虚证),见到投以顺气疏风的药,往往导致死亡。(顺气疏风而妄损元气,难道不应该明辨以启发世人吗?)于是将其视为气绝不治之候。那么其他的虚症,被医生误治,或者侥幸痊愈,或者不幸死亡的,能计算得过来吗?
常见当时的医生起初使用八味顺气散,大多不得效。(八味顺气散是治疗痰多实证方的,涉及虚证的是抱薪救火。现在人不辨别虚实,以为它是治风的主方,则遗留错误非浅,现在特别纠正它。)随后使用二陈汤、四物汤,加胆星、天麻之类,自认为稳当之极,可以久而奏功,但也竟然无一有效,为什么呢?大概是妄把南星、半夏当作化痰的药,当归、川芎当作生血的剂,而拘泥于成方,变通无法的缘故。正不知道通血脉,助真元,非大剂量人参不可,而有痰的,只宜用竹沥,少加姜汁佐之。不宜轻用燥剂。至于当归、地黄甘腻,能阻滞脾气,使脾精不运,怎么能治愈瘫缓呢?哪像人参出阳入阴,少量留存体内,大量则无所不达?它能通血脉,虽然明确记载在《本草》,谁相信它呢?
乡里有一位老医生,右手足废用,卧床不起两年了。人们传说他快要死了,过了几个月,在路上遇到他。询问他,他说:我的病几乎危及生命,开始服用顺气行痰的药,落地都没有应验。傍晚神志就昏迷,估计支撑不住了,让家人煎服十全大补汤,就觉得清醒。于是每天服用,过了几个月,能扶着拐杖起来,不久,又能拄着拐杖走路了。经云:邪之所凑,其气必虚。我治其虚,不理其邪,而邪自去,所以我得以保全。我说:是啊,如果继续进服顺气疏风的药不停止,墓旁的树都长拱了。然而这也还是拘泥于成方,不能因病而变通,随时而斟酌,所以见效稍迟。我早点为他治疗,应当不止这样。姑且记录下来等待明智的人采纳。
这位老人开始也服用顺气疏风药,病情拖延一年多,后来因病久年老气虚,试服补剂而有效。于是每天进一帖,重病若失,从而保全了身体。然而也是不幸中的万幸,执方治病,病必定危险啊。
In the *Suwen: Feng Lun* (Treatise on Wind in the Basic Questions), the Yellow Emperor asked: When wind pathogen injures the human body, it may manifest as cold-heat alternation, heat in the middle jiao, cold in the middle jiao, leprosy (Lifeng), hemiplegia (Piangu), or generalized pain. All are caused by wind. Their symptoms vary, and their names differ. Some penetrate deeply into the five zang and six fu organs. I do not understand the mechanism; I wish to hear your explanation. Qibo replied: The wind pathogen lodges between the skin and muscles. It cannot circulate inward nor be excreted outward. Wind is agile and changes rapidly. When the couli (pores) open, one feels chilly; when they close, one feels feverish and stifled. The chilliness leads to decreased appetite; the heatiness consumes muscle tissue. Thus, the person becomes emaciated and unable to eat, a condition named Cold-Heat (*Hanre*). If wind follows the Yangming meridian into the stomach and ascends along the vessels to the inner canthus of the eye: if the person is obese, the wind cannot be excreted outward, resulting in Heat in the Middle Jiao (*Rezhong*) with yellowing of the eyes; if the person is thin, the wind is excreted outward, manifesting as cold, resulting in Cold in the Middle Jiao (*Hanzhong*) with tearing. If wind enters together with the Taiyang meridian, traveling through the shu points of various vessels and scattering between the muscle layers, interfering with Wei Qi (Defensive Qi), causing obstruction in its pathway, the flesh swells and develops sores. If Wei Qi stagnates and fails to circulate, that area of flesh becomes insensible (*Buren*). In cases of Leprosy (*Lifeng*), Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi) is hot and turbid, causing nasal collapse, facial discoloration, and skin ulcers. This is due to wind-cold lodging in the vessels and not departing. In spring on Jia-Yi days, injury by wind is called Liver Wind; in summer on Bing-Ding days, Heart Wind; in late summer on Wu-Ji days, Spleen Wind; in autumn on Geng-Xin days, Lung Wind; in winter on Ren-Gui days, Kidney Wind. Wind entering the shu points of the zang-fu organs causes Wind of the respective organs. Entering through specific portals, it causes Biased Wind (*Pianfeng*). Ascending via the Fengfu point, it causes Brain Wind (*Naofeng*). Entering the head connections, it causes Eye Wind (*Mufeng*). Wind after drinking alcohol causes Leakage Wind (*Loufeng*). Wind after sexual intercourse with sweating causes Internal Wind (*Neifeng*). Wind after washing hair causes Head Wind (*Shoufeng*). Long-standing wind entering the interior causes Intestinal Wind (*Changfeng*) with undigested stool diarrhea. Wind lingering at the couli causes Leakage Wind (*Xiefeng*). Therefore, wind is the chief of all diseases. Its transformations lead to other illnesses without fixed patterns, yet always originating from wind. The Emperor asked: What are the different manifestations of wind affecting the five zang? I wish to know the diagnostic signs and pathological states. Qibo said: Lung Wind presents with profuse sweating, aversion to wind, pale complexion, frequent cough, shortness of breath, improving during the day and worsening at night. Diagnosis is at the supraorbital region, showing white color. Heart Wind presents with profuse sweating, aversion to wind, dry lips, irritability, red complexion, and slurred speech when severe. Diagnosis is at the mouth, showing red color. Liver Wind presents with profuse sweating, aversion to wind, sadness, bluish complexion, dry throat, irritability, and aversion to women. Diagnosis is below the eyes, showing green color. Spleen Wind presents with profuse sweating, aversion to wind, lethargy, desire to remain inactive, sallow complexion, and poor appetite. Diagnosis is on the nose, showing yellow color. Kidney Wind presents with profuse sweating, aversion to wind, puffy face resembling edema, back pain preventing upright standing, dark complexion, and difficulty urinating. Diagnosis is on the muscles, showing black color. Stomach Wind presents with sweating on the neck, aversion to wind, dysphagia, chest fullness, abdominal distension worsened by cold clothing or cold food, and diarrhea. The body is emaciated while the abdomen is distended. Head Wind presents with sweating on the head and face, aversion to wind, headache worsening before windy days and improving on windy days. Leakage Wind presents with profuse sweating, inability to wear single clothes, sweating upon eating, severe whole-body sweating, panting, aversion to wind, wet clothes, dry mouth, thirst, and inability to perform labor. Leakage Wind (*Xiefeng*) presents with profuse sweating soaking clothes, dry mouth, wind invading from above, inability to perform labor, and generalized body pain with chills.
In stroke, it is crucial to distinguish between Closed Syndrome (*Bizheng*) and Collapsed Syndrome (*Tuozheng*). Closed syndrome requires opening methods; collapsed syndrome requires securing methods. Differentiation relies on identifying a deficient and large pulse. Even in closed syndrome with qi blockage, the six pulses may be imperceptible; one must not mistake this for collapsed syndrome due to the absence of pulse.
**Prescription for Preventing Impending Stroke:**
Astragali Radix Huangqi (honey-fried, 5 qian), Saposhnikoviae Radix Fangfeng (1.5 qian), Ginseng Radix Renshen (1.5 qian), Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Juhong (1 qian), Angelicae Sinensis Radix Danggui Shen (wine-washed, 2.5 qian), Akebiae Caulis Mutong (2.5 qian), Gardeniae Fructus Zhizi (1 qian), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Gancao (0.5 qian), Carthami Flos Honghua (0.3 qian).
For Spleen-Stomach deficiency with weak voice, add Ginseng Radix Renshen (3 qian), Dioscoreae Rhizoma Shanyao (1.5 qian), Coicis Semen Yiren (2 qian), Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma Baizhu (1 qian). For internal heat, increase Zhizi to 2 qian and consume more snow pears. For thirst, add Ophiopogonis Radix Maidong (2.5 qian), Schisandrae Fructus Wuzhiwei (0.5 qian). For vertigo, add Gastrodiae Rhizoma Tianma (1 qian). For phlegm-dizziness, add Inulae Flos Xuanfuhua (0.5 qian). For numbness and weakness in legs and knees, add Eucommiae Cortex Duzhong (processed with ginger juice), Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix Niuxi (wine-soaked), Dendrobii Caulis Shihu (wine-soaked), each 1.5 qian. For restless sleep, fright, and unsettled mind, add Ziziphi Spinosomi Semen Suanzaoren (stir-fried) and Poria Fu Shen, each 1.5 qian. Decoct these ingredients in two units of water until one unit remains. Add one cup of Bamboo Juice Zhuli and one spoonful of Pear Juice Lizhi. Take warm at any time.
Medical texts often fixate on Six Meridian syndromes, using modifications of Xiao Xuming Tang. They fail to realize that *Neijing* states wind is the chief of all diseases, agile and changeable. One must examine the manifestations of the twelve meridians to avoid errors of reinforcing excess or draining deficiency.
Before stroke onset, internal heat is invariably present. Extreme heat generates wind, causing the mother organ to become excessive. Hence, ancestors viewed fire as the root and wind as the branch. Treatment prioritizes descending Heart Fire; once Heart Fire descends, Liver Wood calms naturally. This is the method of draining the son when there is excess. Treating it as wind with acrid-hot dispersants causes harm. Qi-regulating methods also rarely succeed. Wise practitioners should ponder this deeply.
*Tai Ping Guang Ji* records: Liang Xin diagnosed a court official, saying the wind disease was deep and advised immediate departure. The official consulted Zhao E, a horse doctor in Yangzhou, who confirmed the critical nature. He prescribed consuming unlimited fresh pears, juiced if necessary. After ten days of only eating pears, the official felt refreshed. This verifies the efficacy of descending fire and clearing heat. *Bencao* records a scholar cured by pears under physician Yang Jilao, similar to the official.
In early stroke, vomiting is absolutely contraindicated. Acrid agents, including Ginger Decoction Jiangtang, are strictly forbidden.
Modern physicians treat "Qi Collapse" of the five zang—characterized by open mouth, relaxed hands, closed eyes, urinary incontinence, and snoring—with large doses of Renshen and Fuzi decoctions, often saving patients. This proves no case is incurable. Past physicians mistakenly viewed this as excess rather than deficiency. Using Qi-moving and wind-dispersing drugs often led to death. Thus, it was labeled incurable Qi Collapse. Countless other deficiency cases were misdiagnosed, leading to recovery or death.
Physicians often start with Ba Wei Shunqi San, which usually fails. Ba Wei Shunqi San treats phlegm-excess; using it for deficiency is like adding fuel to fire. Misidentifying it as a primary wind treatment causes grave errors. Subsequently, Er Chen Tang and Si Wu Tang plus Danxing and Tianma are used, claiming stability, yet failing. This is due to blindly using Banxia and Nanxing for phlegm and Danggui and Chuanxiong for blood generation, lacking flexibility. One must recognize that Da Bu Ren Shen is essential to unblock vessels and support True Yuan. For phlegm, Zhuli with少许 Jiangzhi is suitable. Dry agents should be avoided. Danggui and Dihuang are cloying, obstructing Spleen Qi and preventing transformation, thus failing to cure flaccidity. Renshen, entering Yin and Yang, unblocks vessels effectively, though this is often ignored despite being recorded in *Bencao*.
An old physician in my village suffered right-sided paralysis for two years. Rumors of his death proved false. He explained he nearly died after ineffective Qi-moving and phlegm-resolving drugs. Evening confusion prompted him to drink Shiquan Dabu Tang, restoring clarity. Daily use over months allowed him to walk with a cane. As the Classic says: "Where pathogen gathers, Qi is deficient." By treating deficiency and ignoring pathogen directly, the pathogen left. Had he continued wind-dispersing drugs, he would have died. However, sticking to fixed formulas delayed recovery. Early intervention would have been faster. I record this for wise practitioners.
This elder initially took wind-dispersing drugs, prolonging illness for over a year. Later, due to age and Qi deficiency, tonics worked. Daily intake resolved the crisis. Yet, rigid adherence to formulas is dangerous.