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The treatment principle focuses on warming and dispersing. Some cases involve sudden exposure to the cold qi of heaven and earth, while others result from ingesting cold substances. These conditions mostly belong to internal injury constitutions, accounting for eight or nine out of ten cases; therefore, dispersing herbs should be added to Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Tonifying the Middle and Augmenting the Qi Decoction). The rationale is that where pathogenic factors gather, the healthy qi must be deficient. Thus, one should only modify the aforementioned decoction according to the observed symptoms by adding or subtracting ingredients. It is essential to first use Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) and Huang Qi (Astragali Radix) to support the righteous qi. In cases of severe qi deficiency, a small amount of Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) may be added to facilitate the action of Ren Shen and Huang Qi, but this method is applicable only when qi deficiency is confirmed. If the Stomach qi is severely deficient, warming and dispersing methods are mandatory, and Li Zhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction) is appropriate; in severe cases, Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) can be added. If one suddenly suffers from intense cold qi, the disease manifests immediately, which differs from Shang Han (Cold Damage) where pathogens gradually penetrate deeper along the meridians. The above treatments are suitable for the South but not for the North.

Dai Yuanli stated: Here, "Shang Han" refers to the body being affected by killing cold qi or the mouth being injured by raw and cold foods. Due to severe deficiency of Stomach qi and open skin pores, the patient's pulse will necessarily be deep and fine, with cold hands and feet, weak respiration, and physical fatigue. Even if there is fever, there is no thirst; the patient speaks little and lacks energy in movement. This is the condition, which requires urgent warming; delay renders it incurable. This syndrome resembles heat syndromes but is fundamentally different. Any case with a rapid pulse, desire to drink water, restlessness, agitation, or trembling belongs to heat diseases. Cold and heat syndromes are like water and fire and cannot be treated identically; misdiagnosis leads to death.

[Appendix] There are many diseases whose symptoms resemble Shang Han (Cold Damage), most of which are miscellaneous disorders. Details are found in *Nei Jing: Re Lun* (Treatise on Heat Diseases of the Inner Canon). Since Zhang Zhongjing (of Changsha), various schools have elaborated extensively on this. Among them, Li Dongyuan is the one who grasped the essence after a thousand years. He proposed: "Internal injuries are very common, while external injuries occur occasionally." This revealed insights previously unexpressed by predecessors. Later vulgar practitioners failed to understand clearly and indiscriminately labeled these as external injuries, which is extremely erroneous. Cases that appeared effective were likely due to physicians refraining from reckless prescribing and instead using harmonizing and mild drugs to disperse the pathogen. However, careless practitioners would certainly cause death. Initially, mild symptoms such as common colds should not be mistaken for Shang Han (Cold Damage) and treated recklessly. The Northwest regions are places of extreme cold and killing qi, hence many external infections; the Southeast regions are mild, with very few external injuries. Miscellaneous diseases may also present with signs seen in the Six Meridians, causing confusion among laypeople.

For direct treatment, warming and dispersing are suitable, using formulas such as Gui Zhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) or Si Ni Tang (Four Reversal Decoction); for severe cases, San Jian Tang (Three Establishments Decoction) or Pi Li San (Thunderbolt Powder) may be used. For counter-treatment, hot medicines are combined with cold agents as guides, or hot medicines are taken with frozen drinks, which is optimal. The Classic states: "Following the trend while opposing it," referring to this method. For aggressive counter-attack, decoctions containing Wu Tou (Aconiti Radix) are used.

Wind Injury often involves the Lung system and should be dispersed with acrid-warm or acrid-cool preparations.

Dai Yuanli stated: New-onset cough, nasal congestion, and heavy voice characterize this condition.

Attached Formulas:
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Tonifying the Middle and Augmenting the Qi Decoction) See Internal Injury category.
Li Zhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction)
Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix), Gan Cao (Licorice Root), Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger), Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) (equal parts)
Crush the herbs. Take five qian per dose, decoct in water, and take warm.
Gui Zhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction)
Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus), Chi Shao (Paeoniae Radix Rubra) (each 1.5 liang), Gan Cao (Licorice Root) (1 liang), Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger), Da Zao (Jujubae Fructus) (1.5 liang each)
Crush the herbs. Take five qian per dose, decoct in water, and take warm.
Si Ni Tang (Four Reversal Decoction)
Gan Cao (Licorice Root, honey-fried) (2 liang), Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger) (1.5 liang), Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) (0.5 liang)
Crush the herbs. Take five qian per dose, decoct in water, and take warm.
San Jian Tang (Three Establishments Decoction)
Da Chuan Wu (Sichuan Aconite Root), Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata), Tian Xiong (Aconiti Radix) (all processed, equal parts)
Crush the herbs. Take four qian per dose, add two zhan of water and fifteen slices of ginger, decoct, and take.
Pi Li San (Thunderbolt Powder)
Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) (one piece, weighing approx. half liang, processed thoroughly, removed, and dried in cold ash)
Grind finely, mix with one da qian of Zhen La Cha (True Cambodian Tea). Divide into two doses. For each dose, add one zhan of water, decoct until six parts remain. Just before completion, add half a spoonful of honey, let cool to warm temperature, and take.
Jiang Fu Tang (Ginger and Aconite Decoction) Treats Zhong Han (Cold Strike) causing body rigidity, inability to speak due to locked jaw, and cold extremities.
Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger) (1 liang), Fu Zi (Aconiti Radix, raw, peeled and navel removed) (1 jin)
Crush the herbs. Take three qian per dose, decoct in water, and take. If accompanied by qi stagnation causing stabbing pain, add Mu Xiang (Aucklandiae Radix) 0.5 qian; if accompanied by qi stagnation causing numbness/loss of sensation, add Fang Feng (Saposhnikoviae Radix) 1 qian; if accompanied by dampness, add Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma); if tendons and vessels are tense/spasmodic, add Mu Gua (Chaenomelis Fructus); if limb joints hurt, add Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) 2 qian.
Xiao Feng Bai Jie San (Dispel Wind Hundred-Release Powder)
Jing Jie (Schizonepetae Spica), Bai Zhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix), Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Ma Huang (Ephedrae Herba), Cang Zhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma), Gan Cao (Licorice Root) (equal parts)
Crush the herbs. Use three slices of ginger and three stalks of Cong Bai (Scallion White), decoct in water, and take.
Shen Zhu San (Divine Skill Powder) Treats Wind Injury causing headache, nasal congestion, and heavy voice. Formula see Dysentery category.