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Oyster Shell (Calcined), Alisma Rhizome, Trichosanthes Root, Lysimachia Herba (Washed to remove fishy odor), Lepidium Seed (Calcined), Phytolacca Radix (Calcined), Sargassum Thallus (Washed to remove saltiness; all ingredients in equal parts).

The above seven herbs. Process separately by pounding, pass through a sieve to make a powder. Further grind in a mortar. Mix with rice water and administer one "Fangcun Bi" (a measure equivalent to a teaspoonful) per dose. If urination becomes smooth, discontinue administration. Take three times daily.

Cheng Wuji commented: The salty flavor has the effect of inducing vomiting and purging. The salinity of Oyster Shell, Alisma Rhizome, and Sargassum Thallus is used to drain dampness and water retention. The *Neijing* states: "When dampness overflows internally, level it with bitter flavors, assist with sour and pungent flavors, using bitter to drain it." The sour, pungent, and bitter flavors of Lysimachia Herba, Lepidium Seed, Trichanthes Root, and Phytolacca Radix are used to guide out swelling and dampness.

Hu's commentary: Cheng Wuji's annotation above remains mixed and unclear. The salinity of Oyster Shell, Alisma Rhizome, and Sargassum Thallus can indeed enter the Kidney channel to guide water downward. As for the bitter and pungent flavors of Lysimachia Herba, Lepidium Seed, and Phytolacca Radix, the bitter flavor drains water, while the pungent flavor disperses pathogenic factors. Additionally, Phytolacca Radix possesses a sour flavor; both sour and bitter flavors can induce drainage. Regarding Trichosanthes Root, it is not a herb that drains water. *Tiaobian* states: "Bitter flavors can penetrate heat," which refers to the function of Lysimachia Herba. Generally, the above formula is most suitable for treating lower jiao water-heat syndromes. One might ask: After a major illness subsides, since Cheng Wuji attributes this to deficiency of Spleen-Stomach Qi, why not simply use formulas that tonify the Spleen to strengthen Spleen-Stomach Qi, thereby ensuring that Kidney Water does not have room to constrain residual pathogens? The answer is: Yes, *Shanglun Pian* also states: "Spleen Earth is exhausted and cannot control water." Those who doubt believe this disregards the patient's deficiency and instead uses the harsh attacking formula Muli Zexie San. They fail to realize that because the water accumulation has not yet invaded the upper half of the body, it is urgent to drive out the water to preserve the greater good. If mild agents were used, Yin Water would inevitably invade the Yang realm, and it might be too late to drive it out later. I believe that although this reasoning holds, if Spleen Earth is truly deficient, Zhang Zhongjing's Wuling San could also be borrowed. However, Cinnamon Twig should be removed from the formula, and Oyster Shell and Sargassum Thallus added; this approach is very stable. This clause pertains to a lower jiao water-heat syndrome, so adding Cinnamon Twig is inappropriate.

After a major illness subsides, if there is a preference for spitting saliva that persists for a long time without resolution, this indicates Cold in the Stomach. It should be treated with pills to warm the interior, preferably Lizhong Wan. (Why is there Cold in the Stomach after a major illness subsides? This is likely caused by the excessive use of cooling medicines during the febrile stage of the disease. *Tiaobian* states: Saliva is the fluid in the mouth. 'Cold' here refers to cold fluids; there is cold-fluid retention in the chest, hence the tendency to spit. 'Bu liao liao' means the illness has resolved but not completely, with no end in sight. Administering Lizhong Wan warms the Qi of the Spleen and Stomach. The reason for using pills rather than decoctions is that after a major illness, sudden tonification should be avoided.)