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Xu Zhicai's "Ten Categories of Medicines" include: Xu (Dispersing), Tong (Unblocking), Bu (Tonifying), Xie (Draining), Qing (Lightening), Zhong (Heaviness), Hua (Slippery), Se (Astringent), Zao (Drying), Shi (Moistening). Wang Haogu added two more categories: Cold-natured medicines can remove heat, such as Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix) and Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas); Heat-natured medicines can remove cold, such as Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) and Guigui (Cinnamomi Ramulus). The uses of medicines are now comprehensive. *Xinyin Gan Zhu Jing* lists eighteen categories: Qing (Lightening), Jie (Resolving), Qing (Clearing), Huan (Relaxing), Han (Cold), Tiao (Regulating), Gan (Sweet), Huo (Fire), Shu (Summerheat), Dan (Bland), Shi (Dampness), Duo (Seizing), Bu (Tonifying), Ping (Leveling), Rong (Nourishing), Se (Astringent), Wen (Warming), Run (Moistening). Zheng Xuan, in his commentary on *Zhou Li - Tian Guan - Ji Yi*, mentions the five grains: Ma (Hemp), Shu (Millet), Ji (Setaria), Mai (Wheat), Dou (Beans). *Su Wen* assigns Wheat, Millet, Setaria, Rice, and Beans to the Heart, Liver, Spleen, Lung, and Kidney respectively; treating diseases should follow this principle. In *Cheng Xingxian Yi An Ji Lu*, a case is recorded where the patient suffered from distension and pain in the chest and epigastrium, with nausea. Eating wheat-based foods was comfortable, but drinking rice soup caused discomfort in the epigastrium. It was reasoned that the grain corresponding to the Liver is Wheat, and since the Stomach Qi is weak, it cannot tolerate Rice, while the Liver Qi is strong, so it can accept Wheat. The treatment should employ methods to calm the Stomach and restrain the Liver. This approach aligns with the principles of *Nei Jing*.

Famous physicians often achieve efficacy by adding just one herb to formulas commonly used by others. For instance, Emperor Huizong of Song suffered from a Spleen disorder due to excessive consumption of ice. Yang Jilao prescribed Dali Zhong Wan (Great Middle Pill), but the Emperor said he had taken it many times without success. Yang replied, "The disease originated from eating ice; please allow me to decoct this medicine using ice." This addressed the root cause, and the Emperor recovered. Du Qingbi suffered from a carbuncle on the brain. He self-administered Fangfeng Tongsheng San (Saposhnikovia Decoction for Unblocking the Intestines and Clearing Heat) several times without effect. Zhu Danxi examined him and asked, "Why not process the herbs with wine?" Qingbi realized the error, took the modified prescription, and recovered before finishing the course. Zhang Yangzheng treated an instructor named Wen who suffered from emaciation. Physicians in Wu used Sanbai Tang (Three Whites Decoction) without success. Zhang administered 2-3 slices of Shu Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root), and the patient improved after decoction and ingestion. Miu Zhongchun treated Wang Guanshou for spermatorrhea, where hearing women's voices triggered emission. The patient was severely emaciated and near death. Physicians felt helpless. Miu's disciple used Yuanzhi (Polygalae Radix) as the sovereign herb, Lianxu Shilianzi (Stone Lotus Seed with Filament) as the minister herb, and Longchi (Dragon Bone), Fushen (Poria with Hostwood), Shayuan Jili (Astragali Complanati Semen), and Muli (Oyster Shell) as assistant and guide herbs. The pills stopped symptoms temporarily but did not cure them completely. Miu added Biao Jiao (Fish Maw Gelatin), and the patient recovered before finishing the course. Ye Tianshi treated difficult labor. Other doctors' parturition-inducing medicines failed. On that day, coinciding with the Start of Autumn, Ye added one Wutongye (Firmiana Leaf). The baby was delivered immediately after swallowing the medicine. He Bianbo from Jiading suffered from vomiting. Doctors used Ermiao Wan (Two Marvels Pill) without effect. Xu Lingtai added Chazi (Tea Seeds) four liang, decocted in water, and the patient recovered. Since the disease was caused by tea accumulation, Chazi served as a guiding herb. These few examples illustrate that a physician must understand medical principles profoundly and apply them flexibly to achieve rapid results.

Zou Run'an treated a person suffering from irritability and fullness during summer. Nasal insufflation with medicine failed to induce sneezing, causing extreme distress. The patient then swallowed 4-5 qian of the powder directly. The irritability worsened, leading to coma, unconsciousness, and aphasia. This was due to the presence of raw Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) and raw Nanting (Arisaematis Rhizoma) in the medicine. Zou stated that the toxicity of Nanting and Banxia is resolved by Jiangzhi (Ginger Juice). However, in the heat of summer with irritability, administering Ginger Juice is inappropriate. Instead, Gancao (Licorice Root) should be used to detoxify. Since Gancao is very sweet, small doses are ineffective against the toxin, but large doses are hard to swallow. Therefore, one jin of Gancao was steamed and dew-collected for drinking. After finishing the drink, the illness subsided. Patients who fear the pungency of medicines or dislike heavy tastes can imitate this method. Chen Zai'an treated a person with severe heat and sore throat using Gancao, Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix), Lianqiao (Forsythiae Fructus), Bobo (Polyporus), Niubangzi (Arctii Fructus), Shegan (Belamcandae Rhizoma), and Yuanshen (Scrophulariae Radix). The patient usually vomited upon taking medicine and refused to take it, worsening the condition. To ensure administration, the medicine was decocted and exposed to night dew. Drinking over twenty bowls led to complete recovery. Xu Yongzong treated Empress Dowager Wang for wind-stroke resulting in aphasia. Fengfang (Saposhnikoviae Radix) and Huangqi (Astragali Radix) were decocted in large quantities and placed under the bed for fumigation, allowing inhalation through mouth and nose. She could speak that evening. Lu Yan treated a woman from the Xu family who died suddenly from postpartum blood stagnation, with slight heat in the chest and diaphragm. Dozens of jin of Honghua (Carthami Flos) were boiled in a large pot, poured into a wooden barrel, and the patient lay on top for fumigation. As the vapor weakened, more was added until she revived. This demonstrates skillful application of ancient methods. Li Yu treated flaccidity syndrome, believing the pathology was superficial yet deep-seated, requiring more than small doses. Two pots of medicine were boiled, cooled slightly in a vat, and the patient sat in it while being poured with the liquid. Profuse sweating occurred, and the patient recovered instantly. This is a variation of existing methods. Such medical practice aligns closely with the Dao.

People in Wu feared taking heavy medicines. Ma Yuanyi pre-treated soybeans with Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba) to sprout them. Whenever Mahuang was indicated, the prescription book listed "Large Soybean Sprouts," alleviating the family's fear. (Medicines were typically obtained from the physician at that time.) Xu Lingtai treated a patient named Zhang who needed Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma). Fearing refusal, he falsely claimed the pill was made with Xue Hamo (Snow Toad). The patient took it and recovered. One can imagine the painstaking effort of skilled physicians, which rigid prescribers cannot match.

Some diseases result from dietary preferences. Without detailed inquiry, how can efficacy be achieved? I record a few past cases for study. Zhu treated his uncle's diarrhea. The pulse was choppy and wiry. Inquiry revealed a preference for carp. Using Yuzhu (Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma), Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens), and砂糖 (Sugar) to induce vomiting of sticky phlegm stopped the diarrhea. Academic Lin suddenly turned blue, became emaciated, and suffered night palpitations. Du inquired about a preference for salty sea clams, which depleted Heart Blood. Prescribing fluids-generating medicines cured him. A wealthy merchant suffered abdominal distension. Hundreds of medicines failed, worsening gastric vomiting and appetite loss. A folk doctor learned he ate too much ice-soaked fruit in summer, chilling the Spleen Qi. Previous doctors used cold medicines, further injuring Stomach Qi. Dingxiang (Caryophylli Flos), Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix), and Guigui (Cinnamomi Ramulus) were used to strengthen the Spleen and harmonize the Stomach. Lung Qi descended, and the disease was cured. Zhao Yin developed worms from eating raw rice, becoming sallow and anorexic. Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma) soaked in rice wash overnight, dried, powdered, and formed into pills with steamed bread dough, taken with rice water, cured him. Wu Fuxian treated a person with sudden cold limbs, coma, and aphasia in late summer. Inquiry revealed consumption of pig lung. Kuandonghua (Kirengeshomae Flos) decoction was灌fed, curing him, as the lung was diseased. Shen Yi treated Prince Su's illness from craving dairy. Drinking strong tea cleared the diaphragm, curing him. Xue Lizhai treated an elderly man with dysentery-like symptoms and chest tightness. Phlegm-dysentery medicines failed. Inquiry revealed mixing wine and milk. Acid causes coagulation, bitterness promotes dispersion. Tea leaves were formed into pills, taken with clear tea. Several doses cured him. Wu Tingshao treated Feng Yanji's chest pain. Inquiry revealed frequent consumption of pheasant and partridge. Licorice Soup cured him. Yang Jilao treated Yang Lizhi's ulcerated sore throat preventing eating. Inquiry revealed frequent partridge meat consumption. Eating one slice of ginger tasted exceptionally good. Gradually increasing to half a jin eliminated the throat pain and restored appetite. Liang Xin treated a wealthy merchant who died suddenly from food poisoning. Inquiry revealed a preference for bamboo partridge. Crushed ginger juice was forced down the teeth, reviving him. A certain doctor treated a woman with black spots on her face spreading to the whole face. Inquiry revealed daily consumption of turtledoves. One jin of ginger was chopped, juiced, dregs dried, and re-boiled to form pills. Eating these for a month restored normal complexion. Pheasants, partridges, bamboo partridges, and turtledoves eat Pinellia, so ginger resolves their toxicity. Shen Zongchang treated a person from Luling with distension, wheezing, and inability to swallow food for three days. Pulse was normal otherwise. Inquiry revealed recent consumption of sheep fat. "Fat congeals when cold; it requires warming." Warming induced bowel movement, curing him.

Stubborn diseases cannot be cured quickly. Zhu Danxi treated severe deficiency and emaciation with right hypochondriac pain and weak limbs. Erchen Tang (Two-Aged Decoction) plus Baijiezi (Sinapis Semen), Zhishi (Aurantii Fructus), Jiangchao Huanglian (Scutellariae Radix stir-fried with ginger), and Zhuli (Bambusae Caulis in Taenia) for eighty doses brought stability. Zhu Zhongning treated bi-syndrome in legs and knees. Qingzao Tang (Clear Dryness Decoction) for hundred doses cured him. There are many such cases. Initially, few doses show no effect. Only deep trust allows endurance. Alas! People seeking medical help often demand quick results, change doctors frequently, mix prescriptions, and worsen their conditions. This is common.

Yuan Suiyuan wrote in *Biography of Mr. Xu Lingtai*: Zhang Yucun's son was born without skin. Mr. Xu instructed using glutinous rice flour dusted on the body, wrapped in silk, buried in soil with only the head exposed, fed milk. Skin grew within two days. This has precedent. Yuan Dynasty, Wei Yilin's *Defxiao Fang*: For infants born without skin, quickly dust with dry white early rice flour. Stop when skin grows. Ming Dynasty, Ge Kejiu treated a boatman's child born without complete skin. Dig a pit on shore, place the infant inside, cover with fine soil and quilt, forbid movement. Skin grows later. This is because the mother carried the fetus on the boat, lacking exposure to Earth Qi. Xu Lingtai combined both methods successfully, proving the value of broad learning in medicine.

Treating Liver disorders in women often involves dispersing and attacking herbs, unknowingly damaging Yin. Treating pediatric convulsions often uses aromatic penetrating and heavy sedative agents, unknowingly causing hidden harm. Treating Liver disorders best follows Gao Gufeng's Water-Nourishing Method. Treating Wind disorders best follows Wu Jutong's *Jie Er Nan* (Resolving Pediatric Difficulties). These can rectify accumulated abuses and save people. Some follow the theory of "Guiding Fire Back to Source" using Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) and Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) without understanding the errors, often harming patients. Qin Huangshi's discussion on the criteria for using Cinnamon Twig and Prepared Aconite Root is recorded here. Zhao Yangkui used acrid-hot Fuzi and Cinnamon Twig to warm and tonify Minister Fire. He ignored that ancients compared Liver-Kidney fire to "Dragon and Thunder Fire" because these organs govern Wood and Water, containing Minister Fire, hence "Yi and Gui share the same source." When True Water of these two organs is insufficient, Yang becomes hyperactive and Yin deficient, triggering Minister Fire. Treatment should nourish Liver-Kidney True Yin to control it. Using acrid-hot herbs to suppress this would be erroneous. "Guiding Fire Back to Source" with Fuzi and Cinnamon Twig actually treats True Yang deficiency. Rootless Fire, forced upward by Yin pathogens, losing its station, manifests as Daiyang (Floating Yang) or Yin restlessness. This is not Dragon-Thunder Fire. (He Xichi noted: Fuzi and Cinnamon Twig guide fire back to source for patterns of lower cold and upper heat. In patterns of water exhaustion and fire blazing, where both upper and lower are hot, where does one guide the fire? This comment corroborates Qin's argument.) Dragon-Thunder Fire arises from Liver-Kidney True Yin deficiency, causing Minister Fire to flare up. Water deficiency leads to Fire hyperactivity, rushing upward from below. This differs from Six Evils invading from outside. It should not be treated with bitter-cold direct suppression, nor with the "Fire郁 (Stagnation) Release" method using ascending and dispersing Fire techniques. Treatment should nourish Yin and control Fire using Liuwei Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia), Zishen Wan (Kidney-Nourishing Pill), and Family Secret Liver-Kidney Pill (Shudihuang, Tiandong, Danggui Shen, Baishao, Huangbai, Zhimu, powdered, bound with Xuanwu Jiao).

Diseases with significant upper-lower disparity are hard to treat. *Lu Yangyu Yi An* offers a model case. Lu Qianchuan suffered from intestinal wind and dry stool. He liked eating copper-basin persimmons in winter, causing epigastric pain. Doctors treated the heart/epigastric pain with warming and Qi-moving herbs, but pain persisted, and intestinal bleeding increased. They then treated the blood with cold-moistening herbs, but stool remained blocked, and pain became stabbing. Lu diagnosed the pulse: upper part deep, weak, and slow; lower part surging, slippery, and rapid. He diagnosed "Accumulated Cold in Stomach, Heat in Intestines." He prescribed Runzi Wan (Moistening Pill) coated with Chenxiang (Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum), taken with strong Ginger Soup. Half a dose initially, then another half dose after half a day. Previously, cold medicines caused cutting pain in the epigastrium. With these pills, no chest/diaphragm pain occurred. By midnight, hard stool passed with little pain, bleeding reduced by 60-70%. Later, another soft stool passed with slight pain and less blood. Early morning, loose stool passed with trace blood and no pain. Only epigastric pain remained. He then prescribed Zanglian Wan (Organ-Connecting Pill) also coated with Agarwood, taken with Ginger Soup to clear Lower Jiao Heat and moisten dryness. He also prepared Fuzi Lizhong San (Aconite Regulate the Middle Powder) to warm the Middle Jiao, mixed with Yitang (Maltose) to retain it in the chest/diaphragm and prevent rapid downward passage. Before finishing the course, both conflicting symptoms resolved. This is the "Warm Upper, Clear Lower" method. (Lu Shaohan noted: Pills act slowly, reaching the lower part before dissolving, avoiding Middle Jiao cold. Powders disperse, dissolving upon swallowing, avoiding Anus heat. The brilliance lies in using Agarwood and Maltose.)

Chen Shucang's wife suffered from coughing with bloody sputum, night fever, dizziness, chest discomfort, and weak legs/knees. Doctors used Yin-nourishing and Fire-descending medicines for half a year. Appetite decreased, spirit weakened. Pulse: Cun and Guan positions deep, rapid, and forceful; Chi positions choppy, weak, and slightly floating. Diagnosis: Upper Excess, Lower Deficiency. Upper Excess: Retained Heat and Blood Stasis in Heart/Lung. Lower Deficiency: Insufficient Qi in Liver/Kidney. Ren Shen Gu Ben Wan (Ginseng Solidify the Root Pill) was taken on an empty stomach. During the day, Beimu (Fritillariae Bulbus), Suzi (Perillae Fructus), Shanzha (Crataegi Fructus), Danpi (Moutan Cortex), Taoren (Persicae Semen), Honghua (Carthami Flos), Xiaoji (Cirsii Herba) were decocted in Mugen (Imperatae Rhizoma) water. Ten doses cleared phlegm and stopped bleeding. Then, Qingqi Yang Ying Tang (Clear Qi Nourish Ying Decoction: Fu Ling, Baishao, Danggui Shen, Chuanxiong, Muxiang, Baixiudoukou, Chenpi, Huanglian) was alternated with Gu Ben Wan. Three months later, the disease remitted, and pregnancy occurred. This is the "Clear Upper, Tonify Lower" method.

Substances have mutual antagonisms that can be used to treat disease. Iron fears Poxiao (Mirabilite). Zhang Jingyue treated a child who swallowed an iron nail. Living Magnetite and Poxiao (2 qian) were powdered, mixed with boiled lard and honey, and ingested. The nail was protected and passed in stool. Tofu fears Radish. *Yanshou Shu* records someone poisoned by tofu. Doctors couldn't cure it. A tofu maker said Radish prevents tofu formation in soup. Radish soup was given, curing the poisoning. Water caltrop fears Tung oil. *Jupang Zalan* records a doctor treating excessive water caltrop consumption causing fever, chest fullness, abdominal distension, and anorexia, nearing death. Knowing water caltrop flowers wither upon contact with Tung oil vapor, he collected oil residue from a new boat, formed pills with digestion-promoting and Qi-moving herbs, and administered them. Black dry stool passed, and the patient recovered. Many such cases exist. Practitioners must indeed be well-read.