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Rhubarb (4 liang, peeled and washed with clear wine) Licorice (2 liang, honey-fried) Mirabilite (0.5 sheng) The above three ingredients are decocted in 3 sheng of water. First, decoct Rhubarb and Licorice to obtain 1 sheng of liquid. Remove the dregs, add Mirabilite, and boil gently over fire until boiling. Take warm in small amounts frequently. Note: Mirabilite is good at resolving constrained heat pathogens. Da Cheng Qi Tang uses it to resolve already constrained heat pathogens. This formula uses it to resolve heat pathogens that are about to become constrained. Its ability to harmonize the Stomach qi relies entirely on Licorice.

In Shang Han disease, if the pulse is floating, there is spontaneous sweating, frequent urination, mental restlessness, slight aversion to cold, and cramping of the feet, administering Gui Zhi Tang to attack the exterior is a mistake. If this occurs, leading to cold limbs, dry throat, irritability, vomiting, and reflux, administer Gan Cao Gan Jiang Tang to restore Yang qi. If the cold limbs resolve and the feet become warm, administer Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang, and the feet will extend. If there is disharmony of Stomach qi with delirium, administer a small amount of Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang. For syndromes of mixed Yin and Yang, multiple methods are used to rescue the patient; since residual pathogens remain in the Stomach, a small amount is given to harmonize. Refer to the section on miscellaneous formulas for details.

After sweating, if there is aversion to cold, it is due to deficiency; if there is no aversion to cold but only heat, it is due to excess. One should harmonize Stomach qi by administering Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang. This applies when, after sweating, there are no other symptoms, only slight aversion to cold and slight heat, so one judges based on deficiency or excess. Otherwise, how can one know if there are still residual pathogens that might transform into other syndromes?

In Tai Yang disease unresolved, the pulse at Cun, Guan, and Chi positions appears "stopped" (hidden/stagnant). The pulse methodology does not use the character "stop"; it resembles deep stagnation without rising, implying the meaning of "slight". Cun represents Yang, Chi represents Yin. If there is first chills followed by sweating, the disease resolves. Yin and Yang contend and then harmonize. If only the Yang pulse is slight, sweating occurs first and the disease resolves; one should disperse Yang. If only the Yin pulse is slight, purgation resolves the disease; one should harmonize Yin. If purgation is desired, Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang is suitable. Note: Here, "slight" means the same as "stopped" above, different from "weak". If weak, neither sweating nor purgation should be repeated.

In Shang Han disease, if after thirteen days (two weeks) the disease remains unresolved and delirium occurs upon transmission of the meridian, it indicates heat, requiring purgation with a decoction, such as Da Cheng Qi Tang or Xiao Cheng Qi Tang. If urination is free, stool should be hard, but instead diarrhea occurs with a harmonious pulse, this describes post-purgation symptoms. It indicates the physician used pill-based purgatives, which was incorrect treatment. The act of purgation was not wrong, but the method was. If self-induced diarrhea occurred, the pulse should be weak and cold; now that it is harmonious, it indicates internal excess, treated with Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang. Since the correct purgative method was not used initially, residual pathogens remain, and further purgation is appropriate.

In Tai Yang disease, after more than ten days, if there is nausea, chest pain, loose stools, slight abdominal fullness, and mild depression/irritability, these resemble Shaoyang syndromes. If the patient previously underwent severe emesis or purgation, pathogens have sunk into deficiency. Administer Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang to cleanse Stomach pathogens. If not, do not administer. Without prior emesis/purgation, pathogens are in the half-exterior/half-interior stage, and purgation is contraindicated. Mere vomiting, chest pain, and loose stools do not constitute Chai Hu syndrome; vomiting indicates prior severe emesis/purgation. This passage likely contains textual errors. Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang.

In Yangming disease, if there is mental restlessness without prior emesis or purgation, it indicates excess in the Middle Jiao. Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang may be administered.

In Tai Yang disease, after three days, if sweating fails to resolve the condition and there is steaming fever, it belongs to the Stomach; external pathogens are resolved, but internal heat remains unclarified. Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang is indicated.

After Shang Han induces vomiting, if abdominal distension and fullness occur, the Stomach remains full despite vomiting, indicating upward expulsion is insufficient, and downward purgation is required. Administer Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang.