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The illness belongs to the root of labor injury (劳伤). When Yang moves recklessly, collaterals loosen and blood overflows. Its treatment method differs from that of general deficiency damage (虚损). Nourishing Yin and tonifying Qi must strictly avoid astringent and cloying agents. For instance, Danggui Jianzhong Tang (Cinnamon Twig and Angelica Decoction for Building the Middle), Xuanfu Hua Tang (Inula Flower Decoction), Hujian Wan (Tiger-Kneading Pill), and Jingang Sijin Wan (Diamond Four-Jin Pill) are selected for their ability to enter collaterals along the meridians. Generally speaking, this outlines the major causes not internal or external. However, the organs governing blood are the Heart, Liver, and Spleen; the source of blood generation is none other than the Stomach of the Yangming channel. Thus, the Stomach is the crucial pathway for treating blood disorders. If the Stomach is disharmonious, it should be treated first. Renzhai stated in *Zhizhi Fang*: "All blood disorders that persist for a long time are often resolved by treating the Stomach." Consider Dahuang Huanglian Xiexin Tang (Rhubarb and Coptis Decoction for Draining the Heart), Xijiao Dihuang Tang (Rhino Horn and Rehmannia Decoction), Lizhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction), and Yigong San (Extraordinary Power Powder). Although they differ in tonification, purgation, cold, and warmth, they indeed adhere to this principle. Therefore, Mr. Ye Tianshi elaborated extensively on methods to treat the Stomach. There are those who nourish Stomach Yin with light flavors, such as Jinkui Maidong Tang (Maidong Decoction from the Golden Cabinet), and herbs like Shashen (Glehniae Radix), Bian Dou (Dolichos Lablab Semen), Fushen (Poria Cum Rhizoma), and Shihu (Dendrobii Caulis). There are those who establish Middle Yang with sweet-warm agents, such as Renshen Jianzhong Tang (Ginseng Decoction for Building the Middle) and modifications of Sijunzi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction). There are those who nourish Yin without hindering the Stomach, maintaining sweetness and returning fluids, such as modifications of Fumai Tang (Restore Pulse Decoction). Others include Tonifying Earth to Generate Metal, Calming Liver and Benefiting Stomach, Tonifying Spleen and Dispersing Stomach, Calming Spirit and Regulating Stomach, and Kidney-Stomach Correlation methods. Regardless of the sequence of symptoms, whenever there is loss of appetite or inability to transport food due to lack of hunger, one usually finds success by adhering to this principle, ensuring continuous generation and transformation. Why worry about the difficulty of curing the disease? (Commentary by Shao Xinpu)

Xu Lingtai's Commentary: This old doctor's discussions on treating blood disorders generally do not blindly follow ancient texts, yet his medication choices show a complete lack of understanding. Such medical cases mislead future generations to an extreme degree. It is imperative to refute them. His greatest error lies in using Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix), Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus), Yuzhu (Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma), and Shashen (Glehniae Radix). Maidong is a heavy agent for tonifying the Lung. It is used only when Lung Qi is extremely deficient and cannot continue, to tonify Lung Qi. However, Zhang Zhongjing often combined it with Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), as seen in Maimendong Tang (Ophiopogon Decoction) and Zhuyegaoji Tang (Bamboo Leaf and Gypsum Decoction), presumably to prevent stagnation and cloyingness. If hemoptysis and coughing are caused by phlegm-fire occupying the Lung, how can heavy tonification be appropriate? There will be no day of recovery from this. As for the sour taste of Wuweizi, which has astringent properties, Zhang Zhongjing used it to treat upper Qi rebellious cough and mismatched Lung pulse, but always combined it with Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma) to disperse cold pathogens with pungency, never using it alone. Now, in hemoptysis with cough, fire pathogen enters the Lung, phlegm coagulates and blood surges. One fears dispersion and descent insufficiently, yet instead wishes to retain phlegm-fire in the Lung, blocking all exit routes. What kind of method is this? The lung-tonifying effects of Shashen and Yuzhu are roughly similar. Alas! With this approach, there will never be survivors from hemoptysis in later generations. The whole world follows this trend, and it is even more severe now. How tragic. In ancient times, Xu Lao (Chronic Deficiency Consumption) and hemoptysis were indeed two different diseases. Xu Lao is a deficiency-cold syndrome, primarily treated with warming and tonification. Hemoptysis varies, but mostly belongs to Yin deficiency with fire hyperactivity. This old doctor spoke convincingly on this point. However, sometimes he still used Jianzhong Tang for treatment, mistakenly mixing Zhang Zhongjing's methods for treating Xu Lao into the category of hemoptysis, showing ultimately a lack of firm principles. Fifty years ago, hemoptysis was rare; all senior physicians warned against taking lung-tonifying medicines, so deaths were few. Today, five out of ten suffer from hemoptysis. Those who take no medicine survive; those who take Maidong and Wuweizi die. Although this may be due to seasonal factors, medicinal errors are also numerous. Should one not fear this? The medical cases contain much repetition that could be deleted; nine out of ten are identical, causing reader fatigue. Compiling books without insight is laughable.