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Yangming disease is divided into meridian syndromes and fu-organ syndromes. In Yangming meridian syndrome, symptoms include fever (Fever), headache (Headache), eye pain (Eye pain), nasal dryness (Nasal dryness), chapped lips (Chapped lips), and the desire to rinse the mouth without swallowing (Rinsing mouth without swallowing). The appropriate treatment is to release the muscle layer (Release the muscle layer) using Gegen Tang (Kudzu Root Decoction). If Yangming meridian syndrome transmits to the fu-organ, presenting with steaming fever (Steaming fever), spontaneous sweating (Spontaneous sweating), and thirst with a preference for cold drinks (Thirst preferring cold drinks), this represents diffuse heat (Diffuse heat) which can be cleared but not purged; Baihu Jia Renshen Tang (White Tiger Decoction plus Ginseng) is indicated. In Yangming fu-organ syndrome, the pathogenic heat has fully entered the interior, manifesting as tidal fever (Tidal fever), delirium (Delirium), abdominal fullness (Abdominal fullness), and constipation (Constipation). Purging is indicated using Tiaowei Chengqi Tang (Regulating the Stomach and Directing Downward Decoction), as this is consolidated heat (Consolidated heat) which cannot be resolved by clearing alone.

If Chengqi-type formulas are indicated but only Baihu Tang is used, the consolidated heat will not be eliminated. Conversely, if Baihu Tang is indicated but Chengqi formulas are hastily used, the diffuse pathogen may re-aggregate into a consolidated heat syndrome. Although Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum) and Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) are both cooling agents, improper use can determine success or failure, let alone the use of herbs with opposing cold and hot properties. Thus, it is indeed difficult for physicians to save lives.

A question arises: The classics state, "There is Taiyang-Yangming, Shaoyang-Yangming, and Zhengyang-Yangming." What does this mean? The answer is: Taiyang-Yangming results from the transmission of the Taiyang meridian to the Yangming fu-organ; Shaoyang-Yangming results from the transmission of the Shaoyang meridian to the Yangming fu-organ; Zhengyang-Yangming results from the direct transmission of the Yangming meridian to its own fu-organ. The general principle is that for Taiyang-Yangming, if the Taiyang syndrome is unresolved, the primary approach must be to release the exterior from the Taiyang level. If the exterior syndrome remains unresolved and the physician mistakenly uses purgation, causing the condition to shift to Yangming, purging is then indicated using Xiao Chengqi Tang (Minor Order the Qi Decoction). If mistreatment with purgation leads to a chest binding syndrome (Chest binding syndrome), Xiaoxianxiong Tang (Minor Sinking-in-the-Chest Decoction) should be administered first; if there is no improvement, Da Xianxiong Tang (Major Sinking-in-the-Chest Decoction) follows. For residual pathogens, Zhishi Lizhong Wan (Immature Bitter Orange and Middle-Warming Pill) is given, resulting in immediate recovery.

For Shaoyang-Yangming, a purely wiry pulse (Wiry pulse) is termed "Fu" (Negative/Defeat), indicating a struggle between righteous qi and pathogen, making it difficult to treat. If Shaoyang symptoms predominate, harmonization from the Shaoyang level is prioritized using Xiaochaihu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction). If abdominal fullness, hardness, pain, constipation, and delirium occur, purging is required using Da Chaihu Tang (Major Bupleurum Decoction).

For Zhengyang-Yangming, if the pathogen is at the exterior, Gegen Tang (Kudzu Root Decoction) is used. If exterior pathogens have entered the interior but have not yet consolidated, Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction) is used. If pathogens have entered the fu-organ and formed consolidation/excess, purging is indicated using Tiaowei Chengqi Tang (Regulating the Stomach and Directing Downward Decoction). When using purgatives, the main indications are abdominal fullness, hardness, pain, and constipation. Alternatively, if accompanied by diarrhea with intestinal mucus, or diarrhea of clear yellow water, or stool that is purely green, along with hardness below the heart (epigastric region), it indicates the presence of dry feces (Dry feces) in the interior, warranting purging. Otherwise, even if there is no bowel movement, purging is contraindicated; one should merely clear heat and moisten dryness.