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The flexible methods of treating diseases, while valuing the differentiation of the syndrome contracted by the patient, especially value inquiring into the cause of the disease. Wind pathogen causes wandering pain; cold pathogen causes limb spasm and convulsion; summerheat pathogen causes vexation and thirst; dampness pathogen causes heaviness and stagnation. These are the manifestations of the syndrome after contracting the pathogen. Some are depleted due to excessive sexual intercourse (Jiaoyin), some are triggered by fright and terror, some are injured by alcohol and food, and some contract summerheat due to staying indoors for a long time. If one does not meticulously inquire into the cause, but treats based on subjective speculation, is this not erroneous?

There was a case where a person felt numbness and itching in the throat. The physician asked what they usually liked to eat, and the reply was: "I often eat turtledove meat." It was then known that the turtledove had eaten the seedlings of Pinelliae Rhizoma (Banxia), and the patient was cured with Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens (Shengjiang). There was another case of a person in a coma who would not wake up. The physician asked what foods they preferred, and the reply was: "I have a strong preference for fried and roasted fowl." Consequently, Hongwan Wan (Red Pill) and Xiaoqixiang Wan (Little Seven Fragrance Pill) were powdered, mixed with Cinnabar Paste (Zhusha Gao) to form small pills, and administered via infusion of Menthae Haplocalycis (Bohe) decoction. Within a moment, the patient regained consciousness.

During the hot summer months, someone stayed hidden indoors and did not go out. Because a guest arrived at the window, they suddenly felt fatigued and weak. They self-administered a tonic soup, but their condition worsened. The physician inquired into the cause and prescribed Xiangru Yin (Elsholtzia Decoction) twice consecutively, which proved effective. Taking these as examples, other situations can be deduced. The ancients said: "The physician relies on intuitive understanding (Yi)." If one does not investigate the cause of the disease, how can one achieve such intuitive understanding?

Treating disease is like playing chess; one must first address the emergency. What is an emergency? It means addressing the severe symptoms while neglecting the mild ones. For instance, if a patient has been feverish for several days, takes purgative or draining agents, resulting in incessant diarrhea, severe vomiting, inability to take even gruel or medicine, yet the fever persists. The treatment method should temporarily set aside the fever, prioritizing the cessation of vomiting and the restoration of food intake. Use only Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen), Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens (Shengjiang), and a small amount of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata cum Melle (Zhi Gancao), decocted to adjust Suhexiang Wan (Suhexiang Pill). Swallow Yangzheng Dan (Nourish Righteousness Pill), adjusting the number of pills according to the situation. After administering the medication, vomiting naturally ceases, food intake gradually resumes, and diarrhea stops. At this point, the Yuanqi (Original Qi) has recovered its righteousness; even if there is slight heat, it is merely false heat. Regulate with Renshen, Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuanxiong), Bupleuri Radix (Chaihu), and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao).

Rowing a boat is in one's hands; during the turmoil of wind and waves, any shift in control can lead to capsizing. The physician's weighing of drugs and decisions rests with me. One must not bias towards or comply with the desires of the patient's family, nor must one act in panic, causing fear to the patient. Occasionally, family members may have superficial knowledge and repeatedly question and challenge; do not be confused by them. Furthermore, after recovery, if relapse occurs due to violating taboos, but the patient conceals it, one must interrogate to find out the cause, so as to prescribe medicine appropriately for the disease.