Didang Decoction

傷寒論

In Taiyang disease for six or seven days, exterior pattern still present, pulse faint and deep, but there is no chest bind; the person becomes manic. Because heat is in the lower jiao, the lower abdomen should be hard and full; if urination is free, then passing blood will bring recovery. The reason is that the Taiyang [pathogen] follows the meridian, and static heat is in the interior. Didang Tang governs it. (Shang Han Lun (Treatise on Cold Damage)) -- In Taiyang disease with yellow body, deep and knotted pulse, hard lower abdomen, and difficult urination, this is without blood. If urination is free and the person is as if manic, this is definitely a blood pattern; Didang Tang governs it. (Shang Han Lun (Treatise on Cold Damage)) -- In Yangming pattern, if the person has frequent forgetfulness, there must be accumulated blood. The reason is that there was long-standing blood stasis, hence causing forgetfulness. Although the stool is hard, defecation is instead easy, and its color must be black; Didang Tang should be used to purge it. (Shang Han Lun (Treatise on Cold Damage)) -- The patient has no exterior or interior pattern, fever for seven or eight days; even if the pulse is floating and rapid, it can be purged. If after purging the rapid pulse is not resolved, and combined heat causes rapid digestion and easy hunger, and by the sixth or seventh day there is no bowel movement, there is blood stasis; Didang Tang is appropriate. (Shang Han Lun (Treatise on Cold Damage)) -- In women, when menstruation is not free, Didang Tang governs it. (Jin Gui Yao Lue (Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet))

Leech 30 pieces (prepared), horsefly 30 pieces (prepared, wings and legs removed), peach kernel 20 pieces (peel and tip removed), rhubarb 3 liang (soaked in wine).

The above four ingredients: make into powder; with 5 sheng of water, boil down to 3 sheng; remove the dregs; take 1 sheng warm. Divide into three warm doses; if it does not pass, take again.

湯劑

Purge blood stasis. Attack and expel accumulated blood.

Manic behavior or as-if-manic caused by accumulated blood in the lower jiao; hard and full lower abdomen; free urination; frequent forgetfulness; black stool that is easy to pass; deep and knotted pulse; and in women, amenorrhea with a hard, full lower abdomen that is tender to pressure.

Psychosis, nervous system diseases, brain diseases, jaundice, amenorrhea: combine with Da Chai Hu Tang (Major Bupleurum Decoction).

In cases that are not a confirmed blood-stasis binding pattern, this formula should not be used rashly. It is contraindicated in pregnant women.