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Bi (constipation) refers to the obstruction of Qi. Jie (impaction) refers to the concretion of feces. When Qi is obstructed, it attacks the intestines and stomach, causing stasis and blockage in the anus (Pomen). One desires to defecate but cannot; even with effort to extend the anus, if there is dryness and impaction accompanied by dripping blood, it is classified as "Bi" without "Jie". Although there is no smooth passage, it is not extremely difficult, which is "Jie" without "Bi". Although there is lack of moisture, it is not extremely laborious. Only when both Bi and Jie occur simultaneously is it the most difficult condition to treat. Young and strong people often suffer from Bi because their Qi is abundant but its transportation function is insufficient. Elderly people often suffer from Jie because their Blood is deficient, leading to dryness of the large intestine. There is also a condition called Feng Bi (Wind Constipation), characterized by a frequent desire to pass gas, yet the gas never exits, with the anus feeling blocked and congested. Effort to extend the anus produces a sound like tearing silk, yet feces do not come down. Its root cause lies in wind-cold coughing; as the cough is about to heal, this disease emerges because the Lung and Large Intestine are exterior-interior partners. Wind pathogen enters the Lung and transmits the disease to the Large Intestine. The *Mai Jing* (Classic of Pulse Diagnosis) states: "A floating pulse at the Chi position indicates wind entering the Lung." Dryness and slipperiness of the Large Intestine making constipation difficult to pass—does this not refer to this condition? The general principle of treatment: for Bi, regulate the Qi; for Jie, moisten the Blood. For Bi caused by wind, add wind-dispelling agents to the Qi-regulating and Blood-moistening formulas, and the result will be achieved.

The pulse for dryness-impaction can be either deep or floating, without doubt. The pulse for heat-impaction is deep and rapid; the pulse for deficiency-impaction is deep and slow. If it is wind-impaction, the Right Chi pulse appears floating and surging.

Tiaoqi Yin (Regulate Qi Decoction): Treats Qi obstruction and stagnation, unpassable stool, and urgent abdominal distension.
Guangmuxiang (Costus Root), Binglang (Areca Seed), Zhishi (Immature Bitter Orange), Sugeng (Perilla Stem), Qingpi (Green Tangerine Peel), Chenpi (Aged Tangerine Peel) (each 2 qian), Xuanmingfen (Mirabilite) (4 qian). Decoct in water, add one spoonful of honey before taking.

Runchang Tang (Moisten Intestines Decoction): Treats blood depletion and fecal impaction.
Danggui (Angelica Sinensis Root) (3 qian), Zhimu (Anemarrhena Rhizome), Maimendong (Ophiopogon Tuber), Taoren (Peach Kernel), Mahren (Hemp Seed), Suzi (Perilla Fruit), Shengdi (Rehmannia Root Prepared with Wine) (each 1.5 qian). Decoct in water, take before meals.

Changtong Yin (Unobstructed Flow Decoction): Treats all types of closure and impaction, extreme dryness.
Maren (Hemp Seed) (pounded into paste), Taoren (Peach Kernel) (skin and tip removed), Xingren (Apricot Kernel) (skin and tip removed), Danggui (Angelica Sinensis Root), Huashi (Talcum) (each 1.5 qian), Gualouren (Trichosanthes Seed) (shell removed), Yuliren (Bush Cherry Kernel) (shell removed), Xuanmingfen (Mirabilite), Chenpi (Aged Tangerine Peel), Zhike (Amarut Bitter Orange) (each 1 qian). Decoct in water, add one liang of honey before taking, drink hot.

Qure Tang (Dispel Heat Decoction): Treats fire-impaction.
Dahuang (Rhubarb Root and Rhizome) (3 qian), Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome), Nongpo (Magnolia Bark), Taoren (Peach Kernel), Puxiao (Terminalia Chebula Tip) (each 2 qian). Decoct in water, take at any time.

Niuhuang Wan (Calculus Bovis Pill): Treats all types of closure and impaction, and tenesmus after dysentery.
Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome) (wine-fried, 5 liang), Guangmuxiang (Costus Root), Binglang (Areca Seed) (each 3 liang), Dahuang (Rhubarb Root and Rhizome) (1 liang), Danggui (Angelica Sinensis Root), Heiqianniu (Black Morning Glory Seed) (1 jin, fried ripe, take the finest powder, each 4 liang). Grind all into fine powder, form pills with raw honey. Take 3 qian per dose, wash down with plain boiling water.

Ruyi Tang (As-You-Wish Decoction): Treats wind-closure impaction.
Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia Root), Zisu (Perilla Leaf), Danggui (Angelica Sinensis Root), Zhike (Amarut Bitter Orange), Taoren (Peach Kernel) (each 1.5 qian), Guangmuxiang (Costus Root), Jingjie (Schizonepeta Spike), Xuanmingfen (Mirabilite), Shanzha (Hawthorn Fruit) (each 1 qian), Congbai (Scallion White) (five stalks). Decoct and take.

Litong Yin (Immediate Unblocking Decoction): Treats internal accumulated heat causing closure and unpassable stool.
Huangqin (Scutellaria Root) (3 qian), Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum) (5 qian), Huangbai (Phellodendron Bark), Shanzhiren (Gardenia Seed), Maidong (Ophiopogon Tuber) (each 1 qian), Xuanmingfen (Mirabilite), Taoren (Peach Kernel) (each 2 qian). Decoct in water, take at any time.

Soufeng Shunqi Wan (Search Wind and Smooth Qi Pill): Treats elderly blood depletion, dryness of the large intestine, hard impaction difficult to resolve. Also treats stubborn numbness in limbs and joints, paralysis of hands and feet, disharmony of Qi and Blood, and unresolved accumulated heat.
Dahuang (Rhubarb Root and Rhizome) (10 liang, soaked in wine, steamed and dried nine times), Huomaren (Hemp Seed) (shelled), Shanyao (Chinese Yam) (fried), Cheqianzi (Plantago Seed), Niuxi (Achyranthes Root) (wine-washed), Binglang (Areca Seed), Yuliren (Bush Cherry Kernel) (skin and shell removed), Zhike (Amarut Bitter Orange) (bran-fried, each 4 liang), Duhuo (Angelica Pubescens Root), Tusizi (Cuscuta Seed) (wine-boiled and pounded, each 3 liang). Grind all into fine powder, form pills with honey. Take 3 qian per dose, wash down with clear tea.