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Obtain efficacy. If recovery is frequent but relapses are also frequent, this indicates that the root cause lies in the middle jiao and is deep-seated; how can it be treated merely by symptomatic remedies? It is advisable to take Liuwei Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia) in the morning to nourish Kidney Yin, and Liujunzi Tang (Six-Gentlemen Decoction) at noon to tonify Spleen Qi. In this way, both the root and branch are addressed, and cough will resolve spontaneously without direct treatment for it.

If cough is accompanied by pain in the chest and breasts, observe the color and consistency of the sputum. If the sputum is thick and turbid, it indicates pus; if yellow or red, treat according to Fei Wei (Lung Atrophy) or Fei Yong (Lung Abscess). A rapid and deficient pulse indicates Fei Wei (Lung Atrophy); a rapid and excess pulse indicates Fei Yong (Lung Abscess).

For chronic cough, fumigation therapy must be used. Mix Donghua (Flos Cum Bud of Kolkwitzia amabilis / Flos Sonchus arvensis - *Note: Kuandonghua usually refers to Flos Sonchus arvensis or Adenophora*, here translated as Flos Sonchus/Adenophora Flower) with egg white and honey to moisten it, place it in a pot with a spout, burn it, and inhale the smoke through the spout, swallowing it. If there is blockage in the throat, raise the head, pinch the smoke stream with fingers, wait a moment, then inhale again. Perform this once every five days; on the sixth day, eat mutton wontons to satiety for excellent results. The Lung and Large Intestine are exterior-interior paired organs. If fire stagnates in the fu organs, Lung Qi cannot descend, leading to increased cough, constipation, and a deep, excess, slippery, and rapid pulse. Use Da Chaihu Tang (Major Bupleurum Decoction) to purge, or use Zhuli Jiang Tang (Bamboo Sap and Ginger Decoction) to purge, or Wang Yinjun's Guntan Wan (Rolling Phlegm Pill).

For wheezing cough unrelenting due to vinegar irritating the throat, where various medicines fail, Gandan Wan (Licorice and Pig Gallbladder Pill) is effective. Take two liang of Licorice Root (Gancao, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), peeled and cut into three sections. Soak five pig gallbladders for three days, remove them, dry them over fire, grind into powder, make pills with honey. Take 40-50 pills each time, swallowed with tea water before bed.

The Lung governs the skin and hair. In healthy individuals, Ying and Wei Qi circulate throughout the body, and internal Qi naturally disseminates outward from the skin and interstices to protect the whole body. Once bound by external Wind-Cold, internal Qi flow becomes obstructed, and pathology arises internally. Thus, Qi rises and Phlegm ascends, causing cough. It must be treated with acrid dispersants so that internal stagnation is relieved, pathogens retreat, Zheng Qi (Upright Qi) is secured, and cough stops. Moreover, the Lung is the "Canopy" (Hua Gai) and its nature is most pure and descending. If irregular eating or excessive labor occurs, or if Seven Emotions cause internal injury, turbid Yin Qi rises. Or, if one consumes alcohol, meat, rich foods, roasted/fried items, or strong flavors, Damp-Heat steams upward. The Lung loses tranquility, all leading to cough. The Lung governs Qi and circulates Blood, moistening the whole body. Now, if the Lung is constrained by pathogens, Qi transforms via Fire, fluids transform into Phlegm, there is ascending but no descending, Qi and Blood decline daily, forming Lao Zhai (Consumption/Tuberculosis). The practitioner must seek the source, prescribe accurately, and only then can success be hoped for without failure. If one treats according to the ancient classification of Coughs of the Five Zang and Six Fu organs, seeking treatment by category, it leads to the lament of "losing the sheep due to diverging paths"!

Regarding the pulse of cough: Floating indicates Wind, Tight indicates Cold, Rapid indicates Heat, Fine indicates Dampness, Slippery/Difficult indicates sexual exhaustion. A soggy pulse at the Right Guan position indicates dietary injury to the Spleen; a wiry and short pulse at the Left Guan position indicates extreme fatigue injuring the Liver; Floating and Short pulses injure the Lung, indicating cough is likely; Full and Slippery pulses indicate much Phlegm; Wiry and Choppy pulses indicate little Blood; Pulse emerging to the Yuji area (radial artery extending beyond the styloid process) with rebellious Qi and急促 panting; Floating, straight, and soggy pulses are easy to treat. Rebellious Qi with panting and edema, body lifting and chest heaving, with a Floating and Large pulse, indicates death. Chronic cough with a Weak pulse is treatable; an Excess, Large, and Rapid pulse indicates death. Cough with emaciation, body heat, and Small, firm, rapid pulse is a counter-indication (Ni), death within ten days. Cough with emaciation and a Firm, Large pulse shape indicates death. Cough with a Deep and Tight pulse indicates death. A Floating and Soft pulse indicates survival. A Deep, Small, and Hidden pulse indicates death. Cough with vomiting, abdominal fullness, diarrhea, and a Wiry, Rapid pulse nearing extinction indicates death. The Classic states: Ying Qi always travels with Wei Qi. Chronic cough damages Qi, thus Blood is also insufficient, fluids transform into Phlegm, True Yin declines daily, so chronic cough inevitably becomes Consumption (Lao Bing).