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Hong (32 years old), due to laborious toil and mental worry, leading to the flaccid expansion of Yang Qi. If external winter-warmth pathogens cause coughing at this time, it is also a case of Qi leakage and pathogen invasion. Using acrid flavors to disperse pathogens and bitter flavors to direct rebellious Qi downward, hoping to stop the cough. However, the Lung desires acridity; excessive use of acrid substances causes the loss of healthy Qi, resulting in hoarseness with inability to project voice, emaciation, salivation, and throat obstruction. This constitutes Fei Wei (Lung Atrophy/Withering), which is difficult to treat. Following the principle in *Neijing* regarding "excessive acrid flavor," the main treatment employs sweet and緩 (soothing/relaxing) methods. (Note: Bitter-acrid dispersing agents damage the fluids of the Lung and Stomach).
Glehniae Radix (Beishashen), Stir-fried Ophiopogonis Tuber (Chao Maidong), Malt Sugar (Yitang), Jujubae Fructus (Nanzao).

Zha (24 years old), pulse is fine with heart-heat, breathing has abnormal sounds, waking at night with insomnia. Overuse of diaphoretic drugs caused Qi leakage and Yang injury, leading to Fei Wei (Lung Atrophy/Withering). The method of Zhang Zhongjing is to tonify the mother (Stomach/Spleen) to save the child (Lung) using stomach-tonifying medicines, thereby generating vital Qi. Formula: *Maidong Tang* (Ophiopogon Decoction) from *Jinkui Yaolue*.

Xu (41 years old), suffering from Fei Wei (Lung Atrophy/Withering), frequently spitting saliva and foam, unable to eat, not thirsty for drink. Could this be excess heat? No, it is the exhaustion of body fluids, with daily reduction in urination and defecation. Following Zhang Zhongjing’s principle of sweet medicine to regulate the Stomach, applying the theory that deficiency requires tonifying the mother. Additionally, using herbs to unblock the obstruction in the epigastrium.
Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen), Ophiopogonis Tuber (Maidong), Pinelliae Rhizoma Preparatum (Shu Banxia), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Sheng Gancao), Oryza Sativa (Baijingmi), Jujubae Fructus (Nanzao Rou).

Shen, chronic accumulation of labor and worry constitutes internal injury. Winter-warmth pathogens invading further cause coughing, indicating prior deficiency of Qi in the Qi aspect, allowing external pathogens to gather. Acrid dispersal further depletes Qi; nourishing Yin cannot settle the upper jiao. Sore throat and hoarseness indicate latent pathogens within deficiency. Coinciding with warm spring weather, Qi mechanism flows freely inside and outside the pulses, hence slight improvement over ten days indicates gradual revitalization of Sheng Yang (Vital Yang). However, sudden cold after Grain Rain weakened Wei Yang (Defensive Yang) for a long time, failing to protect the exterior, causing relapse after slight recovery. Pulse is rapid and deficient, larger on the right Cun position. Spitting saliva and foam, unable to drink much liquid, complexion lacks luster, five-center heat, but dorsal foot edema. Ancients said: empty metal rings, solid metal is silent, broken metal is also silent. This clearly indicates Lung disease. However, internal injury with deficiency is predominant; deficiency requires tonifying the mother, which is Stomach Earth. For Fei Wei (Lung Atrophy/Withering), we propose following Zhang Zhongjing’s *Maidong Tang*.

Wang (30 years old), ulcer draining pus for years, fine pulse, sallow complexion, hoarse voice, reduced appetite, cough, throat obstruction and pain. All result from leakage damaging fatty fluids, Yin failing to hold internally, Yang failing to guard externally. Fei Wei (Lung Atrophy/Withering) is unlikely to fully heal. (Fluid injury and Wei deficiency).
Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen), Astragali Radix (Huangqi), Coicis Semen (Yiren), Honey-fried Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Zhicao), Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Guishen), Bletillae Rhizoma (Baiji).

Gu (36 years old), chronic cough with spirit fatigue, shortness of breath, and sweating. This belongs to Fei Wei (Lung Atrophy/Withering).
Astragali Radix (Honey-fried 8 liang), Coicis Semen (Raw 2 liang), Lilii Bulbus (4 liang), Blackened Honey-fried Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (2 liang), Bletillae Rhizoma (4 liang), Jujubae Fructus (4 liang).
Decocted into paste, taken with Rice Decoction.

Tang, Lung Qi fails to descend, causing cough with phlegm and vomiting/reversal. (Lung Qi failing to descend).
Phragmitis Rhizoma (Fresh), Persicam Semen, Trichosanthis Fructus Seed, Coicis Semen.

Fei Wei (Lung Atrophy/Withering) generally belongs to fluid exhaustion and dryness, mostly caused by sweat or purgation injuring healthy Qi. Wei means withering, like plants that wither and lose vigor, due to loss of fluids and exhaustion of Qi. However, causes of withering are not limited to one source. *Jinkui* states: either from sweating, or from vomiting, or from Xiao Ke (Wasting-Thirst) with frequent urination, or from constipation treated with harsh purgatives, heavily losing fluids, thus causing Lung Heat and Dry Withering. Lung Heat and Dry Withering prevent the clear and descending function from operating, disrupting the distribution of water essence. Although Spleen Qi scatters fluids upward to the Lung, the Lung cannot moisten itself nor distribute essence inward to the Six Fu organs or outward to skin and hair. Fluids retained in the chest, boiled by heat, transform into saliva and foam, invading the Lung causing cough. Continuous spitting leads to greater dryness, forming the disease of Withering. Treatment methods in *Jinkui* emphasize understanding the essence: generating Stomach fluids, moistening Lung dryness, tonifying true Qi to open Lung micro-vessels, clearing heat/fire to restore Lung clarity. Thus, *Waitai* uses *Zhigancao Tang* (Honey-Fried Licorice Decoction) to benefit Lung Qi deficiency and moisten Lung Metal dryness. *Qianjin* uses *Gancao Tang* and *Shengjiang Gancao Tang*, using Ginseng and Licorice to generate fluids and resolve heat, Ginger and Jujube to disseminate Upper Jiao Qi, preventing stagnation of Yang in the chest so Yin fire extinguishes itself. Observing Mr. Ye’s treatment of Fei Wei, he often uses sweet-soothing methods to manage deficiency, or follows Zhang Zhongjing’s sweet medicine to regulate the Stomach, embodying the principle of tonifying the mother when deficient. This can be said to have grasped Zhang Zhongjing’s core methodology. (Commentary by Zou Shicheng)