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Chao Yuanfang was a sage of the past, and originally should not have been criticized. However, his theories contain errors; since human life is at stake, these must be distinguished and clarified. Physicians today take his work as their standard in every household. Alas! Why do people of today trust Chao Yuanfang but not the *Suwen* (Basic Questions)? On this matter, I feel compelled to offer an explanation. Chao Yuanfang discusses Huoluan (cholera-like syndrome with vomiting and diarrhea) and vomiting/diarrhea, attributing them all to imbalance of warmth and cold, and the mutual interference of yin and yang, clear and turbid qi, causing changes in the intestines and stomach that result in Huoluan. When cold qi lodges in the Spleen, it causes diarrhea; when cold qi lodges in the Stomach, it causes vomiting. It can also arise from excessive consumption of alcohol, meat, raw fish, and cold foods; or from living, sitting, or lying on damp ground, seeking coolness by facing the wind. The pathogenic wind qi returns to the Sanjiao (Triple Burner), transmits to the Spleen and Stomach, where the Spleen and Stomach become cold, failing to digest water and grain, all resulting in Huoluan. There are three names for it: first, Weifan (Stomach Reversal), where Stomach qi is deficient and rebellious, causing food and drink to be vomited up; second, Huoluan, describing how the disease causes chaos suddenly and swiftly; third, Bushi Bianni (Reversal after evening meal). In cases of Huoluan, the pulse must be Dai (intermittent). He also stated: Eating honey in the seventh month causes sudden severe diarrhea and Huoluan. These are all Chao Yuanfang’s theories on Huoluan.

I believe this is incorrect. Treating diseases is like a scholar composing an essay based on a topic. For example, “Autumn injury by dampness leads to winter cough” focuses solely on dampness; this is like a single-legged topic (a single-theme prompt). However, Huoluan caused by the combination of Wind, Dampness, and Fire, presenting with vomiting, diarrhea, and muscle cramps, is like a tripod topic (a three-part parallel theme). Wind belongs to Wood, internally corresponding to Foot Jueyin Liver Wood; Dampness belongs to Rain transformation, internally corresponding to Foot Taiyin Spleen Earth; Fire belongs to Heat/Fire, internally corresponding to Hand Shaoyin Heart Fire. This is the origin of Wind, Dampness, and Fire. The *Neijing* states: “When Earth qi is below, Wood qi overcomes it.” This means Liver Wood overcomes Spleen Earth. It also states: “Jueyin arrival manifests as hypochondriac pain, vomiting, and diarrhea; Shaoyang arrival manifests as vomiting and gurgling.” The commentary notes: “Inability to eat.” “Taiyin arrival manifests as abdominal fullness; Huoluan with vomiting and downward discharge, Taiyin arrival manifests as moist transformation.” The commentary notes: “Damp transformation.” It further states: “Taiyin arrival generates dampness, ultimately manifesting as pouring rain.” Therefore, muscle cramps are governed by Wind and the Liver; the Liver governs tendons, and extreme Wind causes cramping. Vomiting is governed by Fire and the Heart; the Heart governs upward flaming, causing vomiting. Diarrhea is governed by Earth and Dampness; Dampness governs the Spleen, and downward-flowing Dampness causes diarrhea. Are these three not Wind, Dampness, and Fire? Like a scholar’s tripod topic? Spleen Damp-Earth is overcome by Wind-Wood, so Earth transformation fails. In drought without rain, Fire becomes excessively strong, causing Earth to rage. Extreme rage manifests as thunder, sudden rain, and fierce winds. Because Earth qi is above and Wood qi overcomes it. Thus, floods flowing horizontally, mountains collapsing, banks falling, stones bursting, and sand flying—are these not images of Taiyin Damp-Earth raging? Therefore, when humans suffer from heart and abdominal distension, borborygmus, and frequent stools, progressing to heart pain and hypochondriac pain, vomiting, Huoluan, and when Jue occurs, there is profuse diarrhea, edema, and heaviness of the body. Qixuanzi (Wang Bing) said: “The above symptoms are all generated by Spleen Heat.” Thus, we know Chao Yuanfang’s discussion contradicts the *Suwen* and Qixuanzi.

Therefore, the treatment method in the *Neijing* is: if the disease is acute, treat its branch (symptoms); if chronic, treat its root (cause). Initially, use bland agents to circulate Dampness, acrid-cool agents to dissipate Wind, salty-bitter agents to resolve Fire, and ice-cold water to rescue internal dryness. One must strictly avoid eating millet porridge; those who drink it will die immediately. How great are Wang Bing’s words! The phrase “Spleen Heat” can serve as a prescription basis. Laypeople only know to wash headscarves and give the wash water to patients, or use black beans, iron alum, and head dandruff—cold and cooling substances. Although similar, they are ultimately insufficient to control severe conditions. Some use cold water to pour on hands and feet, which is very wrong. If limbs are already Jue (cold extremities), pouring cold water makes them colder! It would be better to pour cold water on the Heart region.

During the Taihe era, I personally witnessed the abbot of Xiaguangji Zen Temple in Chen Prefecture suffering from Huoluan. A physician used one liang of Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root) and two liang of Ganjiang (Dried Ginger, processed), boiled in one bowl of water, allowed to cool, and administered orally. After taking it, the patient vomited blood and died. Shortly after, Li Yanfu of Heliu Town suffered sudden vomiting and diarrhea in the middle of the night. He took Lizhong Wan (Regulate the Middle Pill) himself. When the doctor arrived, he diagnosed food stagnation and used Radix Crotonis Fructus (Badou) to purge him. Three to five pills had no effect, and he died by morning. Is this not tragic! Li Zhongan of Suiping, accompanied by a servant and a tenant farmer, traveled to Yancheng. They stayed overnight in Shao Fu’s study. That night, the servant fled. Li Zhongan woke up, mounted a horse, and chased the servant with the tenant farmer toward Linying urgently. It was July, extremely hot, with scorching winds like arrows and dust filling the sky. They returned by Chen hour, taking less than three shichen (six hours), covering 120 li round trip. Having failed to catch the servant, they stayed again at Shao’s study. Suddenly, in the night, groaning and cries for help were heard, saying “Save me,” but the source was unknown. Holding a torch to search, they found Li Zhongan’s tenant farmer. He was vomiting and having diarrhea, eyes fixed upward, unable to look down, severe chest and hypochondriac pain preventing movement, mouth open with dislocated jaw, and cold extremities. This was precisely a syndrome where Wind, Dampness, and Fire combined. His son-in-law, having heard my words, took Liu Yi San (Six-to-One Powder), mixed it with fresh well water and chopped fresh ginger, and administered half sheng at once. The patient vomited again. So another half sheng was prepared and given slowly. After a long time, the symptoms ceased. By morning, after several more doses, he could recover. He recovered completely in three days and left. Alas! For these three individuals, did their lives and deaths not change as quickly as flipping a hand? Worldly physicians often claim that Liu Yi San treated the disease correctly; such unlearned people are truly hateful!