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Moreover, after childbirth, both Qi and Blood are deficient. The exterior lacks the protection of Wei Qi (Defensive Qi), and the interior lacks a governing force, making it most suitable for nourishment and regulation. If affected by Wind-Cold, rescue is difficult; therefore, the treatment principles differ from those before pregnancy.

If ten or more days postpartum the disease remains unresolved, presenting with headache, aversion to cold, intermittent fever, hardness in the epigastrium (Xin Xia), dry retching, and sweating, Yangdan Tang should be used.

Postpartum loss of body fluids often leads to constipation. If delirium and irritability occur, Shengong Wan is appropriate.

For postpartum patients with headache, fever, and concurrent abdominal stiffness and pain, Guixin Muli Tang should be used.

For postpartum patients suffering from Wind invasion, presenting with fever, red face, panting, and headache, Zhuye Fangfeng Tang should be used.

The methods of Sweating (Han), Purging (Xia), and Warming (Wen) for Shanghan (Cold Damage) must not be lightly applied based solely on pulse verification; one must inquire about symptoms and correlate them with the pulse.

Taiyang (Greater Yang) is the exterior aspect of Yang syndromes. Yangming (Yang Brightness) is the interior aspect of Yang syndromes. Shaoyang (Lesser Yang) lies between the two Yang meridians and the three Yin meridians. Taiyin (Greater Yin), Shaoyin (Lesser Yin), and Jueyin (Terminal Yin) reside within the interior and are collectively referred to as Yin syndromes.

When disease manifests externally, Taiyang is the primary site. When disease manifests internally, Shaoyin is the precursor. Both Taiyang and Shaoyin present with aversion to cold; however, Taiyang pulses are typically floating, whereas Shaoyin pulses are deep and fine, distinguishing them from other symptom patterns.

Fever, aversion to cold, body pain, spontaneous sweating, or absence of sweating constitute Exterior Syndromes, which can be treated with Sweating methods. Absence of aversion to cold but presence of aversion to heat, dry mouth and throat, high fever, abdominal fullness, normal urination, and constitute Interior Syndromes, which can be treated with Purging methods. Cold extremities, retraction of the testicles, spontaneous diarrhea, irritability, without fever or headache, constitute Yin Syndromes, which can be treated with Warming methods.

Floating, Surging, Tight, and Rapid pulses indicate Exterior diseases. Deep, Excess, Slippery, and Rapid pulses indicate Interior diseases. Micro, Fine, Slow, and Weak pulses indicate Yin diseases.

When the pathogen is in the exterior, it transmits between Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi) and Wei Qi. When in the interior, it enters the Stomach Fu organ. Below the Stomach Fu resides Shaoyang. If transmitted to the Yin meridians, the pathogenic factor has entered the Zang organs.

Ying Qi and Wei Qi both belong to the exterior and are both amenable to Sweating methods. However, sweating indicates Wind injury. Wind damages Wei Qi; thus, Guizhi Tang is used to assist Yang and induce light sweating. No sweating indicates Cold injury. Cold damages Ying Qi; thus, Mahuang Tang is used to assist Yang and induce heavy sweating.

Although Ying and Wei belong to the exterior, the Stomach Fu can also be considered part of the exterior. However, when distinguishing exterior/interior by Zang-Fu, Fu organs represent the exterior and Zang organs represent the interior. As the Stomach is among the Fu organs, it can be termed exterior. If combining Ying-Wei and Zang-Fu distinctions: the exterior is where Ying and Wei circulate; the interior is governed by the Stomach Fu; and the Zang organs are deeper than the interior.

Carefully examine the pulse and inquire about symptoms to differentiate names and determine the meridian. If truly knowing it is an Exterior pathogen, apply Sweating. If truly knowing it is an Interior pathogen, apply Purging. If truly knowing it is a Yin syndrome, apply Warming.

Exterior pathogens lead to Yang deficiency. Pathogens affecting Yin meridians lead to Zang organ disease, requiring hot-natured warming medicines. Thus, applying Sweating, Purging, or Warming appropriately ensures that Guizhi Tang and Chengqi Tang are used correctly, while Jiangfu (Ginger and Aconite) and Lizhong Tang act precisely.

Generally, treating Shanghan follows specific laws; even slight deviations in prescription can result in immediate death or life. Ancient physicians established prescriptions and theories stating "can sweat," "can purge," "can warm," "harmonize," "give sparingly," "purge urgently," or "warm the interior first, then release the exterior"; "release the exterior first, then attack the interior." Those who understand these principles are like having a net with its cord, orderly and systematic.

From this discussion, we see that ancient theoretical foundations were rigorous, and the methods of Sweating, Purging, and Warming must not be taken lightly. Indeed, the Classics state: In Shanghan lasting six or seven days, if vision is blurred ("mu zhong liao liao bu liao") and there are no exterior signs, even if the pulse is floating, purging may be indicated. In Shaoyin disease lasting two or three days, if there are no interior signs, sweating may be indicated.

For Yin syndrome Si Ni (Four Coldness), warming is the standard method. Yet Sini San has a cold nature; how can it be used? It is said: A physician among the nine schools of thought must be a practitioner of flexible wisdom to discuss such matters.

Pulse floating yet purging is applicable because there are no exterior signs, referring to constipation for six or seven days. Had stool passage been unimpeded, would one dare to purge lightly?

Shaoyin disease also involves sweating indications. Shaoyin inherently lacks heat; if fever occurs and the exterior remains unresolved, warm medicines are used to induce slight sweating. Had the body not been feverish, would one dare to sweat lightly?

Sini Tang uses Ginger and Aconite; Sini San uses Zhi Shi and Chai Hu. One is cold, one is hot. Although both treat Si Ni, they are fundamentally different. However, transmitted pathogenic factors differ from initial Yin meridian invasion causing immediate cold limbs. Sini San uses cold herbs to treat Yang stagnation preceding Yin deficiency. Sini Tang uses hot herbs to treat Yang insufficiency with Yin excess.

Regarding Zhang's theory on disease duration: he states that although many days have passed, if exterior signs persist and the pulse is floating, sweating is still possible. Although few days have passed, if interior signs exist and the pulse is deep and excess, purging is necessary. This illustrates that day counts should not be rigidly adhered to.

Consider cases where extreme Yang leads to cold limbs, extreme Yin leads to restlessness, Yin syndrome mimicking Yang, or Yang syndrome mimicking Yin. A difference of a hair's breadth leads to errors of a thousand miles. Must one not think deeply and deliberate carefully!