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After three days of Taiyang disease, if sweating therapy has already been applied, or if emesis, purgation, or warm needle therapy has been used, but the condition remains unresolved, iatrogenic errors may lead to complex complications (Bad Conditions). At this stage, one must observe the pulse and symptoms to determine which meridian is affected; however, distinguishing between Yin and Yang patterns becomes difficult.

The manifestations of the Six Meridians are complex, with patients in a state of extreme exhaustion and critical danger, making conventional diagnostic methods unreliable. In such cases, only Dushen Decoction (Decoction of Single Ginseng) should be administered cold. If slight perspiration appears on the tip of the nose, it indicates that life can still be saved.

[Annotation] After three days of Taiyang disease, if sweating therapy has been applied but the illness persists, and subsequently emesis, purgation, or warm needles are employed: if these treatments are appropriate, they will lead to recovery. If inappropriate, not only will the illness remain unresolved, but iatrogenic errors may cause adverse reactions, leading to Bad Conditions. One must then observe the pulse and symptoms to identify which meridian has suffered from the error. For instance, after sweating, symptoms of Yang collapse (Wang Yang), thirst, irritability, and delirium may occur; after purgation, middle Jiao deficiency-cold, chest binding (Jie Xiong), or epigastric fullness and hardness may arise; after emesis, internal vexation and abdominal distension may appear; after warm needle therapy, jaundice, nasal bleeding, fright, or mania may ensue. Treatment should be tailored to these specific symptoms. In severe cases where the pulse is faint and nearly imperceptible, consciousness is lost, speech is impossible, the patient unconsciously grasps at clothing or bedrails, or crosses hands over the heart, presenting a critical state of exhaustion where Yin and Yang cannot be distinguished and Six Meridian differentiation fails, only Ginseng decoction administered slowly and coldly should be used to await a turning point. If slight perspiration appears on the nose, it signifies a sign of potential survival.

Exterior syndromes are suitable for sweating therapy, typically involving the Taiyang Meridian. Symptoms include absence of sweat, fever, aversion to wind and cold, stiffness and pain in the head and nape, and body ache. If spontaneous sweating occurs, it clearly indicates an Exterior Deficiency pattern.

[Annotation] An Exterior Syndrome refers to pathogenic cold located at the exterior, manifesting as absence of sweat, fever, aversion to cold and wind, stiffness and pain in the head and nape, and body ache. The Taiyang Meridian governs the exterior, hence the term "Exterior Syndrome." Cases presenting these symptoms without sweat belong to Exterior Excess. However, even with these symptoms, if spontaneous sweating is present, it belongs to Exterior Deficiency, and gentle sweating should not be attempted lightly. Even if Wind pathogens are present, only Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) should be used to release the muscle layer. For Exterior Excess with no sweat, severe cases are treated with Mahuang Tang (Ephedra Decoction), while mild cases are treated with Mahgui Gehan Tang (Mahuang and Guizhi Half-Decoction). Cases with intermittent sweating are treated with Guizhi Er Mahuang Yi Tang (Guizhi Twice-Mahuang Once Decoction). For Exterior Excess with severe restlessness and heat, Sanhuang Shigao Tang (Three-Yellow Gypsum Decoction) is used. For mild restlessness with heat, Da Qinglong Tang (Major Blue Dragon Decoction) is indicated. For heat without restlessness, Guizhi Er Yuebi Yi Tang (Guizhi Twice-Yuebi Once Decoction) is prescribed. For the above Exterior Syndromes, it is not necessary for all symptoms to be present, nor does the number of days matter. As long as one or two symptoms such as headache and aversion to cold are observed, the Exterior syndrome is considered unresoved. Even if Interior symptoms exist, the Exterior must be resolved first. Only after the Exterior is resolved can Interior pathogens be attacked. Clinicians must distinguish these details carefully. See the Taiyang Chapter for details.