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Regarding thirst, one must inquire whether the patient desires cold or hot drinks, and whether they wish to drink large or small amounts. Drinking much and preferring cold indicates Yang-type thirst; drinking little and preferring warm indicates Yin-type thirst. In Yangming disease (Disease of the Yangming channel), thirst is not severe; in Taiyin disease (Disease of the Taiyin channel), there is severe thirst, which can be treated with Tianhuafen (Radix Angelicae Dahuricae) and Zhimu (Cortex Mahoniae); diuresis can be achieved using Fuling (Poria) and Zhuling (Polyporus). For Taiyang disease (Disease of the Taiyang channel) with no sweat and thirst, Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction) is contraindicated; for Yangming disease with profuse sweating and thirst, Wuling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria) is contraindicated. Generally, thirst associated with exterior conditions is mild, while that associated with interior conditions is severe. Thirst occurring in the Three-Yang channels is less severe than that in the Three-Yin channels. When a patient with thirst desires water, it should be given in small amounts. If not given, the dryness cannot be resolved; if given in excess, it may lead to palpitations, fluid accumulation in the chest (Shui Jie Xiong), coughing, vomiting, hiccups, distension, edema, or diarrhea. One must be cautious.

After sweating in Taiyang disease, if vexation and thirst occur, give water in small amounts. If the pulse is floating, urination is difficult, and there is slight fever, use Wuling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria). If after six or seven days the condition remains unresolved accompanied by vexation, indicating both exterior and interior involvement:

In Yangming channel patterns, the pulse is long and slightly surging, with no sweat and thirst; use Gegen Jiemo Tang (Kudzu Muscle-Releasing Decoction). In Yangming disease, with aversion to heat, spontaneous sweating, red face, delirium and thirst, and a surging-rapid pulse, use Renshen Baihu Tang (Ginseng White Tiger Decoction) plus Tianhuafen and Huanglian. In Yangming fu-organ excess syndrome, with delirium, yellowing, mania, thirst, and a deep-rapid pulse, use Dachengqi Tang (Major Order the Qi Decoction). In Yangdu (Yang Toxin) syndrome, with red eyes, scorched lips, nose resembling soot, and white stool, use Sini Tang (Frigid Extremities Decoction). In Shaoyin disease, with thirst, spontaneous diarrhea, and purgation of pure green watery stool, use Dachengqi Tang. In Jueyin disease, with Xiao Ke (Wasting-Thirst), high fever, and in severe cases, delirium and closure, curled tongue, and retracted testicles, use Dachengqi Tang. With poor appetite and thirst, and a weak Stomach pulse, use Baizhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae) and Fuling; avoid cold-natured herbs to prevent damaging Middle Qi.

Dryness generally belongs to Heat syndromes. It may arise after sweating or purgation, or independently. Treatment may involve harmonization, mild sweating, urgent purgation, or mild purgation, depending on accompanying symptoms. The classic states that dry throat prohibits sweating because it often indicates interior syndromes.

In Yangming disease, with hard stool, dry tongue, and dry mouth, use Tiaowei Chengqi Tang (Regulate the Stomach Order the Qi Decoction). In Shaoyang disease, with bitter taste and dry tongue, use Xiaochaihu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) plus Tianhuafen and Gegen. In Yangming disease, with body heat, aversion to cold on the back, dry mouth, and dry tongue, use Baihu Jia Renshen Tang (White Tiger Decoction Plus Ginseng). In Shaoyin disease, with dry mouth and throat, diarrhea of clear watery stool colored pure green, fearing the depletion of Kidney fluids by heat, use Dachengqi Tang for urgent purgation. With dryness, deep pulse, and cold feet, death is likely.