The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Medicine by Maoshing Ni

Author:Maoshing Ni
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Shambhala Publications

CHAPTER 40

CONDITIONS OF THE ABDOMEN

HUANG DI said, “There is a type of abdominal fullness in which the patient consumes food in the morning but by evening is unable to eat. Can you please explain this illness and its treatment?”

Qi Bo replied, “This condition is called gu zhang, or abdominal tympanites due to parasitic infection. One should employ a potent herb wine, which will produce relief in one administration, and complete recovery in a second administration.”

Huang Di said, “This condition is known to recur. Why is this?”

Qi Bo answered, “This is because the patient is not careful with his or her diet. Also, even after a treatment that seems complete, the root often remains. As soon as one strays from the right diet, therefore, the pathogen returns to congeal in the abdomen.”

Huang Di said, “There is a type of chest and hypochondriac distension which causes interference to yin. When the condition is acute, one will vomit blood and clear fluids after smelling anything fleshy or fishy. Gradually the extremities become cold; vertigo and dizziness occur, and blood is found in the bowels and urine. What is the cause of this condition?”

Qi Bo answered, “This condition is called xue ku, or withering of the blood. Often it is rooted when one is young and having encountered massive loss of blood. It is also caused by indulgent and excessive sex following drunkenness, which exhausts the jing/essence and damages the liver. In women, amenorrhea is often the result.”

Huang Di asked, “How do you treat this and achieve a full recovery?”

Qi Bo answered, “One would use four-tenths of a qian1 of hai piao xiao (Os Sepiellaeseu sepiae) and one-tenth of a qian of qian cao (Rx Rubia cordifolia). Blend the two together and roll them into pills with sparrow eggs. The pills should be the size of an adzuki bean. Take five pills before meals with fish soup. This will rejuvenate the damaged liver and keep the intestines open.”

Huang Di inquired, “There is a condition that involves fullness and hardness in the lower abdomen, where one can actually feel the extent of the mass. What is this condition, and is it treatable?”

Qi Bo answered, “This is called fu liang, or hidden mass. It is caused by pus and blood accumulating in the low abdomen, outside of both the intestines and the stomach. This condition is incurable. In diagnosis, be very careful not to palpate too hard, because rupture can cause instant death.”

Huang Di asked, “Why is this?”

Qi Bo replied, “The strong pressure causes the pus and blood to exude through the urethra or anus, or it can force the contents upward between the epigastrium and diaphragm, forming a boil. If this condition is above the umbilicus it is terminal; if below the umbilicus the prognosis is slightly better. But in neither case can you palpate harshly. I have discussed this in our talks on acupuncture.”

Huang Di asked, “What condition is it when someone suffers from swelling in the major joints and also has pain around the navel?”

Qi Bo said, “This is also fu liang.

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