Wang Kentaang's Complete Medical Works

Author: Chief Editor: Lu Zheng
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1999-08-01
Features:
> The Complete Medical Works of Wang Kentang is a collection compiled from the extant medical works of the famous Ming Dynasty physician Wang Kentang (most of which are rare copies). The works were gathered, collated, annotated, and punctuated. Wang Kentang, styled Yutai, also known as Sunzhong or Sunyan, styled Nianxi Jushi, and again as Yugang Zhuangzhu, was a native of Jintan (now Jintan County, Jiangsu Province) during the Ming Dynasty. He was born in the 28th year of the Jiajing era (1549) and died in the 41st year of the Wanli era (1613). The Complete Medical Works of Wang Kentang includes nine medical works of Wang Kentang, totaling 70 volumes, including Zhengzhi Zhuneng (44 volumes), Yijing (4 volumes), Yibian (3 volumes), Yilun (3 volumes), Linglan Yaolian (2 volumes), Yanchan Quanshu (4 volumes), Taichan Zhengzhi (1 volume), Yugang Zhai Medical Notes (2 volumes), and Yixue Qiongyuanji (6 volumes). The content is rich and covers various clinical disciplines, as well as medical theories, discussions, and case studies. Among them, Zhengzhi Zhuneng is detailed in theory and is a comprehensive work from before the Ming Dynasty. It discusses the syndromes and treatments of various diseases, drawing on the strengths of others and analyzing them clearly and fairly. The remaining eight works are based on Wang Kentang's clinical experiences, with unique insights into treatment methods and medications. At the end of the book, there is an essay titled "A Study on the Academic Thought of Wang Kentang's Medicine" and a bibliography of modern research papers. This book is suitable for clinical practice, teaching, research, and reference for.
Excerpt:
The so-called "dark nose" (nether nose) occurs when Yang is excessive and has already declined, hence the muteness. When internally depleted and leading to (fainting), it is called "muteness with spasms," indicating kidney deficiency. When the Shaoyin (Lesser Yin) meridian is not present, it is (fainting). The kidneys store essence and govern the lower Jiao (region) and the pathways of reproduction, thus connected to the Chong and Ren meridians. These two meridians, along with the large collateral of the Shaoyin (Lesser Yin) meridian, all originate from below the kidneys and rise from the uterus. The Chong meridian is called the "uterine network" and is known as the "sea of the twelve meridians." The ascending Chong meridian permeates the Yang and nourishes the essence. The descending Chong meridian permeates the three Yin meridians, nourishes the collaterals, warms the muscles, and branches into the fibula. Due to kidney deficiency, the kidney collaterals and uterine network are internally depleted, leading to obstruction above, resulting in muteness. The kidney meridian does not ascend to the throat and tongue root, so speech is impaired. The two collaterals are obstructed below, leading to spasms and (fainting). In such cases, Dihuang Yinzi (Rehmannia Decoction) should be used. Take three cups each of bamboo juice, schizonepeta juice, and large pear juice; two cups each of fresh ginseng juice and human milk; and half a cup of aged soy sauce juice, mix well, warm in hot water, and take orally. For phlegm, use Dietan Tang (Phlegm-Purging Decoction). For internal heat, use Liangge San (Cooling Spleen and Separating Channels Decoction) with stone iris and polygala root, ground into honey pills the size of (marble), coated with cinnabar. Take one pill each time, dissolved in mint tea. This is called Zhuan Sheao (Tongue Turning Paste). Baojian (Treasure Mirror) also includes Huozi Tang (, Terminalia Chebula Decoction), Zheng She San (, Correcting Tongue Powder), and Heshen San (, Polygonatum Rhizome Powder).
[Limb Paralysis] It can be either excess or deficiency. For excess, it is due to excessive spleen earth, and by purging dampness, the earth returns to balance, and the condition improves. For deficiency, it is due to insufficient spleen earth, and Shiquan San (Decoction of Ten Completeness) should be modified to remove pathogens while preserving the healthy. See details in the chapter on Wasting.
[Body Pain] Use Tie Tan Wan (Iron Bullet Pill), Shiwei Cuo San (Decoction of Ten Medicines), which contains heat-clearing herbs, suitable for those without heat. Use Jianbi Tang (Dampness-Dispelling Decoction).
[Confusion] Use Huoming Jindan (Life-Saving Golden Pill), Zhibao Dan (Treasure Protecting Pill), Zisheng Baoming Jindan (Divine Protecting Life Golden Pill), and Niuhuang Qingxin Wan (Bovine Yellow Clear Heart Pill).
For stroke, it is essential to distinguish between Yin and Yang:
- Yin stroke: Face is pale, with phlegm (fainting), suffocation, confusion, dizziness, and hemiplegia. Or limbs are cold and numb, with excessive sweating.
- Yang stroke: Face is red as if drunk or angry, jaw tight, upward gaze, rigidity, and dizziness.
Suwen (Basic Questions) states: "All wind conditions involving tremor, dizziness, limb pain, rigidity, and muscle shortening are due to the influence of the (Lesser Yin) wind, which dominates from Great Cold to Lesser Fullness (the period of the wind element and the fire element). Wind is active, quick-moving, and ever-changing. When wood is strong, it generates fire. Wind and fire belong to Yang and are often combined. The Yangming (Greater Yang) element of dry metal governs tightness, contraction, and rigidity. When wind disease occurs, it paradoxically exhibits the characteristics of dry metal. When something reaches its extreme, it appears to overcome itself, hence wood resembling metal. Moreover, wind can overcome dampness, turning into dryness. When wind disease is severe, it causes muscle shortening, indicating extreme dryness. When heat is excessive and generates wind, leading to sudden collapse and hemiplegia, using mahuang, guizhi, wuzi, and fuzi is dangerous. Instead, the Hejian (River School) method should be applied. Zongzhu Jing (Blue Pearl Classic) states: "Fire is the root, and wind is the branch. When heart fire is excessive, kidney water must be depleted. When lung metal is damaged, liver wood becomes dominant. The treatment should first focus on lowering heart fire, using Qingxin Tang (Clear Heart Decoction) or Xiexin Tang (Purging Heart Decoction) in large doses. Once heart fire is lowered, liver wood will naturally calm. Next, use Fangfeng Tongsheng San (Dispelling Wind and Clearing Heat Decoction) to induce sweating. If constipation occurs, use Sanhua Tang (Triple Transformation Decoction) for purgation. Once internal pathogens are cleared and external wind is dispelled, use Qianghuo Yufeng Tang (Saposhnikovia Wind-Dispelling Decoction) for long-term use to regulate qi and blood and unblock meridians, and the disease will resolve. For speechlessness due to tongue stiffness, use Zhuan Sheao (Tongue Turning Paste) or Huoming Jindan (Life-Saving Golden Pill), which are the sages' methods. If stroke causes tight jaw and inability to swallow, use Sanyi Chengqi Tang (Three-One Modified Decoction) for nasal administration until the mouth opens, then follow the standard treatment. For those with weak original qi, or due to overexertion or indulgence, who suddenly collapse like stroke, hands will be scattered, and mouths will be open. Without large doses of ginseng and astragalus (over a pound), how can qi be restored from nothing? Some may not collapse but have stiff tongue, difficulty speaking, phlegm congestion, facial paralysis, and limb weakness. Treating as stroke is dangerous; instead, use Liu Junzi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction) with various juices. Baojian states: "If one first feels numbness or lack of use in the thumb and index finger, a stroke may occur within three years. First, take one Yufeng Tang (Wind-Dispelling Decoction) and one Tianma Wan (Gastrodia Rhizome Pill), each in a large amount, as prevention. This is the method of treating before illness occurs. Xue Ji stated: "The principle of prevention is to nourish qi and blood, regulate diet, avoid emotions, and keep away from curtains. If taking the above prescriptions for prevention, it may instead attract wind and cause illness."
For Cold
The symptoms of cold include body rigidity, jaw lock, speechlessness, or limb tremors, or feeling cold, or sudden dizziness without sweat. This differs from cold damage (Shanghan). Why? Because Shanghan causes fever, while cold damage does not. Zhang Zhongjing detailed Shanghan, but did not mention cold damage, which does not cause fever. Why? Because Yang moves and Yin is still. Movement brings change, while stillness does not. Cold, though Yin, becomes hot when stagnant, thus following Yang's movement, leading to unpredictable transformations and no fixed formula. Therefore, it is essential to thoroughly understand its manifestations. For those without fever, the pathogen affects the Yin form, remaining fixed and unchanging. Unchanging means no transformation, and no transformation means the disease stays localized. Hence, it is briefly mentioned without detailed explanation. Treatment first uses Suhe Xiang Wan (Suhe Aroma Pill) mixed with wine. For mild cases, add Wuji San (Five Accumulations Decoction) with one qian of xiangfu (angelica sinensis) and a small amount of moxa. For severe cases, use Jiang Fu Tang (Ginger-Fu Decoction). If the person gradually recovers, body warmth returns, and speech improves, further symptoms should be assessed. Cold pulse is slow and tight, with gas and (large), causing pain upon needling. Use Fuzi Lizhong Tang (Fuzi Li Zhong Decoction) with half a qian of muxiang (angelica sinensis). If accompanied by wind, add one qian of fangfeng (schizonepeta). If accompanied by dampness, add one qian of baihu (atractylodes). If limbs are tense, add one qian of mugua (kuzu root). If limbs and joints ache, add one qian of gui (cinnamon). Moxibustion at the Dantian point is beneficial. Generally, cold affecting the skin causes floating symptoms, while affecting the flesh causes severe, localized pain with fluid accumulation and splitting. Pain may occur in limbs, chest, flank, lower back, or lower abdomen with testicular pain. If the pathogen spreads to the membrane between organs, causing heart or abdominal pain. If it spreads to internal organs, causing severe pain and unconsciousness. Cold affecting muscles and bones causes spasms and bone pain with difficulty in movement. Cold affecting the six Fu and five Zang organs is described in Jin Gui Yao Lue (Essentials from the Golden Cabinet). Thus, cold in the lungs causes phlegm. Cold in the liver causes inability to lift arms, dry tongue, frequent sighing, chest pain with inability to turn, leading to vomiting and sweating. Cold in the heart causes a feeling of garlic in the chest, severe pain radiating to the back, as if being bitten, with floating pulse. Vomiting may relieve it. Cold in the spleen and kidneys is not mentioned due to missing text. However, "cold affecting internal organs" refers to cold affecting the boundary of the five Zang organs, blocking meridians and preventing organ qi from moving, causing disease. True cold affecting internal organs is fatal. Yonglei Ling Fang (Mirror of Eternal Life Formulas) states: Cold in the liver: Pulse at Ren and left Guan is tight and wiry, symptoms include aversion to cold, fever, red face, slight sweating, chest distress, and lateral tension, with inability to straighten legs. Cold in the heart: Pulse at Ren and left cun is tight and (large), symptoms include feeling like chewing leeks, severe pain radiating to the back, aversion to cold, limbs cold, vomiting, and confusion. Cold in the spleen: Pulse at Ren and right Guan is tight and deep, symptoms include abdominal and limb spasms, difficulty in belching, impaired organ function, or constipation or diarrhea. Cold in the lungs: Pulse at Ren and right cun is tight and rough, symptoms include frequent vomiting of phlegm, shortness of breath, feeling cold, and coughing. Cold in the kidneys: Pulse at Ren and left shaoyi is tight and slippery, symptoms include dark complexion, weak qi, shortness of breath, deafness, lower back pain, knee joint pain, and confusion. Treatment should assess severity. Severe cases use Jiang Fu Tang (Ginger-Fu Decoction). Mild cases use Bu Jin Zhengqi San (Unchanging Golden Corrective Decoction) with fuzi (astragalus) and wuzi (licorice root), or Wuji San (Five Accumulations Decoction). For lower abdominal pain and cold limbs, use Fuzi Lizhong Tang (Fuzi Li Zhong Decoction) or Jiang Fu Tang (Ginger-Fu Decoction). Add mugua (kuzu root) for liver involvement, sangbaipi (morus alba bark) for lung involvement, baihu (atractylodes) for spleen involvement, and huangqi (poria) for heart involvement.