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Yangming syndrome. If the patient suffers from forgetfulness (amnesia), there must be blood stasis accumulation. The reason for this is that the patient originally had long-standing blood stasis, which causes forgetfulness. Although the stool is hard, defecation is surprisingly easy, and its color must be black. It is appropriate to use Didang Tang (Vital Force Decoction) to purge the blood stasis.

Forgetfulness refers to a tendency to forget things easily. Blood stasis accumulation means that heat pathogen and blood accumulate in the Blood Chamber (referring to the lower jiao blood level). This occurs because the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) and Ren Mai (Conception Vessel), along with the Yangming Meridian, pass through this area. Since the patient originally had blood stasis that remained for a long time without resolving, it coincidentally combines with the pathogenic factor, leading to accumulation that cannot be dispersed. A characteristic of blood stasis syndrome is that the stool must be hard; however, although hard, it is expelled easily because the heat constraint is in the blood level, not in the feces. The color must be black because the blood has been stagnant for a long time, causing its color to darken. In such cases, it is appropriate to use agents that enter the blood level to break up clots and purge the blood stasis. Once the blood stasis is removed, the heat will also cease to remain.

The patient presents neither exterior nor interior syndromes typical of excess, but has had fever for seven or eight days. Even if the pulse is floating and rapid, purgation may be employed. Suppose purgation has already been administered, yet the rapid pulse remains unresolved. If the heat combines with the Stomach Qi, it leads to excessive hunger and rapid digestion (polyphagia with quick satiety). If after six or seven days there is no bowel movement, it indicates the presence of blood stasis, and Didang Tang (Vital Force Decoction) is appropriate. However, if the rapid pulse remains unresolved accompanied by incessant diarrhea, it indicates dysentery with pus and blood due to heat-collateral involvement.

"No exterior or interior syndrome" is consistent with Article 25 mentioned earlier. Fever persisting for seven or eight days without Taiyang exterior symptoms indicates that heat is abundant internally and steaming externally. Although the pulse is floating and rapid, purgation can still be used to eliminate the heat. Recovery occurs when body heat subsides and the rapid pulse resolves. Suppose purgation has been performed, the floating aspect of the pulse disappears, but the rapidity persists; this indicates that the heat is not in the Qi level but in the Blood level. Heat in the Blood level inevitably affects the blood, presenting two variations: "Combining" implies merging. It refers to heat Qi merging into the Stomach, causing excessive hunger and rapid digestion. If after six or seven days there is no bowel movement, the blood must be accumulating in the middle. If it does not merge with the Stomach but instead causes incessant diarrhea, the blood must be flowing downward. Accumulation in the middle constitutes blood stasis, treated with Didang Tang (Vital Force Decoction); clumps are scattered, and stagnations are attacked. Flowing downward constitutes dysentery with pus and blood due to heat; here, only agents entering the blood level to clear heat are suitable.

Shaoyang resides between the exterior and interior, at the location of the Huangmo (membranous tissue between organs). Externally, it does not reach the skin; internally, it does not reach the zang-fu organs. Sweating cannot resolve it from the exterior, and purgation cannot resolve it from the interior. Therefore, there are prohibitions against sweating, vomiting, and purging methods. Only Xiaochaihu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) harmonizes the exterior and interior, representing the orthodox treatment method for Shaoyang disease. There are sixteen articles concerning this principle. Secondly, there are methods of harmonization combined with sweating or purging. If the syndrome involves Taiyang exterior symptoms, sweating should be combined; if it involves Yangming interior excess, purging should be combined. Examples include Chaihu Jia Guizhi Tang (Bupleurum plus Cinnamon Twig Decoction), Chaihu Jia Mangxiao Tang (Bupleurum plus Mirabilite Decoction), Daxiehu Tang (Major Bupleurum Decoction), and Chaihu Guizhi Tang (Bupleurum and Cinnamon Twig Decoction). Although sweating and purging are prohibited, their occasional use represents a modified approach for Shaoyang disease. There are four articles concerning this modification. Thirdly, there are acupuncture methods. For conditions involving flank fullness combined with other diseases, acupoints such as Qimen (LR14), Dazhui (GV14), Feishu (BL13), and Ganshu (BL18) should be needled. There are four articles concerning these methods.