Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms: Human Body, Volume 6

Page 72 | Signature: Scholar

Regarding Cold Ganoriginal: "Lenggan" (冷疳). In traditional Chinese medicine, "Gan" often refers to chronic wasting diseases or childhood malnutrition, but in a dermatological context, it refers to persistent, non-healing sores or ulcers. The "Cold" designation implies a chronic state lacking the redness and heat of acute infection., this occurs when the internal organsoriginal: "Zangfu" (臟腑), the collective term for the solid and hollow organs that govern the body's vital functions. are in a state of deficiency and cold. The pores and skin texturesoriginal: "Couli" (腠理), the spaces between the skin and muscles where energy and fluids circulate. are afflicted by a malicious toxicity, which damages the Nutritive and Defensive energy systemsoriginal: "Yingwei" (榮衛). "Ying" energy travels within the vessels to nourish the body, while "Wei" energy circulates on the surface to protect against external disease..

On the exterior, when the pores break open, pus and fluid blisters appear, resembling hemorrhoids. Over a long period, the condition will penetrate deep into the bone marrow, causing such damage that the person will surely die. The treatment method requires taking Wind-Dispersing Powderoriginal: "Xiaofeng San" (消風散), a classic herbal formula used to treat itchy, weeping skin lesions by purging "wind" and "dampness" from the body. and other detoxifying medicines. These four conditions The author refers to a group of four related ailments discussed in this chapter that may look alike to an untrained eye. appear similar, but their treatment methods are each distinct.