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Lao Zhai (Consumptive Disease) is a major affliction for humans. Those who contract this disease undergo various transformations; it spreads over years through infection, even wiping out entire families—how lamentable!

Generally speaking, when combined, it is called Chuan Shi (Transmitting Corpse); when distinguished individually, it includes Gu Zheng (Bone-Steaming), Fu Lian (Repeating Link), Shi Zhu (Corpse Infection), Lao Zhu (Consumptive Infection), Gu Zhu (Gourd Infection), Du Zhu (Toxic Infection), Re Zhu (Heat Infection), Leng Zhu (Cold Infection), Shi Zhu (Food Infection), and Gui Zhu (Ghost Infection). The term "Zhu" implies "Zhu" (to pour/transfer), meaning the pathogen transfers from above to below with identical origins, hence termed Zhu. Its variations number twenty-two, thirty-six, or even ninety-nine types. Additionally, there are the so-called "Five Corpses": Fei Shi (Flying Corpse), Dun Shi (Escaping Corpse), Han Shi (Cold Corpse), Sang Shi (Mourning Corpse), and Shi Zhu (Corpse Transmission). Although names differ, transmission patterns vary greatly; fewer than one or two in ten infected recover. Generally, transmission among the Five Viscera causes aversion to cold and fever, yet symptoms differ. If transmitted to the Liver, the face becomes pale, eyes dry, mouth bitter, spontaneous sweating occurs, and mental restlessness with fright arises. If transmitted to the Heart, the face turns black, nose dries, oral ulcers appear, memory fails, and stool alternates between constipation and diarrhea. If transmitted to the Spleen, the face turns greenish-yellow, lips yellow, tongue stiffens, throat feels blocked, saliva is expelled, body emaciates, and food loses flavor. If transmitted to the Lungs, the face reddens, nose appears white, phlegm is coughed up with blood, wheezing and coughing occur, and hair becomes brittle. If transmitted to the Kidneys, the face yellows, ears dry, chest distends with pain, and urine becomes turbid and dribbling.

Furthermore, there are twenty-four types of "Lao Zheng" (Consumptive Steaming), which can also be verified by symptoms. Steaming in the Heart manifests as shortness of breath and oppression, with a scorched-black tongue coating. Steaming in the Small Intestine manifests as borborygmus within the abdomen, with large intestine alternating between constipation and diarrhea. Steaming in the Liver manifests as blurred vision and vertigo, with intermittent irritability and anger. Steaming in the Gallbladder manifests as deafness and bitter taste, with hardness and pain under the ribs. Steaming in the Kidney manifests with scorched earlobes and soreness/pain in the waist and legs. Steaming in the Right Kidney manifests as emotional instability and seminal emission of white flocculent matter. Steaming in the Lungs manifests as wheezing, coughing, hemoptysis, and hoarse, distant voice. Steaming in the Large Intestine manifests as dryness and pain in the right nostril, with dull pain in the large intestine. Steaming in the Spleen manifests as dryness of lips and mouth, abdominal and hypochondriac fullness, aversion to cold, and anorexia. Steaming in the Stomach manifests as dryness of nose and mouth, abdominal distension with spontaneous sweating, and restless sleep. Steaming in the Bladder manifests as yellow-red urine, turbid like paste. Steaming in the San Jiao (Triple Burner) manifests as alternating chills and fever, with frequent oppression in the Zhongwan (CV12) and Danzhong (CV17) regions. Steaming in the Diaphragm manifests as chest and heart blockage with discomfort and pain. Steaming in the Zong Jin (Major Sinews/Penis) manifests as flaccid sinews, dull lower abdominal pain, and spontaneous erection of the penis. Steaming in the Hui Chang (Looping Intestine) manifests as anal constipation and tenesmus during defecation. Steaming in the Yu Fang (Genital Organ) manifests as nocturnal emission in men and leukorrhea in women. Steaming in the Brain manifests as excessive eye discharge, vertigo, and expulsion of turbid saliva. Steaming in the Skin manifests as scaly skin, broken hairs, and blackened hair. Steaming in the Bone manifests as blackening and drying of incisors, and soreness at Dazhu (BL11). Steaming in the Marrow manifests as shoulder and back pain/fatigue, and bone soreness. Steaming in the Tendons manifests as blurred vision, hypochondriac pain, and brittle nails. Steaming in the Vessels manifests as mental restlessness, body heat, and stabbing pain like needles. Steaming in the Flesh manifests as subjective feeling of heat that is hard to bear, and tremors of the four limbs. Steaming in the Blood manifests as brittle hair, occasional epistaxis, or recurrent hematuria. Evaluating these syndromes, they are roughly as described. Investigating the root cause, only when the Heart and Lungs are eroded by parasites is the disaster most severe. Treatment should first aim to eliminate the root, followed by nursing care and regulation. Some have recovered by early moxibustion on Gaohuangshu (BL43) and Cuishi points. If treatment is delayed until the root is deeply established, it will be too late.