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The Yellow Emperor asked: How does Yin deficiency generate internal heat? Qibo replied: Due to overexertion, the physical form and vital Qi decline and diminish, the Qi from grain and water fails to flourish. The Upper Jiao (Upper Burner) cannot circulate freely, and the lower Stomach opening is obstructed. The Stomach Qi becomes hot, and the hot Qi steams upward into the chest. Therefore, internal heat arises. This describes the syndrome of Qi deficiency. Li Dongyuan followed this theory and developed the discourse on tonifying the Middle and augmenting Qi, establishing a work that stands out for millennia. Zhu Danxi expanded upon it, asserting that Yang is often in excess while Yin is often insufficient. Those who labor their minds excessively or indulge in sexual desires, thereby internally damaging the Kidney Yuan (Original Essence), mostly suffer from a deficiency of True Yin. They should use Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) added with Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma) and Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex) to tonify Yin, whereupon the deficient fire will naturally subside. This discusses the condition from the perspective of Blood deficiency. Later scholars who discussed tonifying Qi revered Li Dongyuan, while those discussing tonifying Blood revered Zhu Danxi. Furthermore, they stated that Water is the origin of Tianyi (Heavenly One/Constitutional Foundation), and Earth is the mother of all things; this theory is highly reasonable. However, Yang deficiency is easy to treat, whereas Yin deficiency is difficult to cure. When treating consumptive diseases, one must tonify early before the Yin and Blood are exhausted. Patients suffering from consumptive diseases must focus on nourishing heavily before their True Yin withers. Only then can recovery be expected. Symptoms of general Lao (Consumption) often include hemoptysis, abundant phlegm, fever, nocturnal emission, amenorrhea, as well as lung atrophy (Fei Wei), lung abscess (Fei Yong), sore throat, hoarseness, lateral recumbency, infectious consumption (Chuan Shi), and ghost injection (Gui Zhu). Now, following the example of Ge Xianweng's *Shiyao Shenshu* (Divine Book of Ten Medicines), I have adjusted and listed the methods below for easier reference.

The primary goal is to stop coughing. I observe that the formation of consumptive diseases mostly stems from hemoptysis. The cause of hemoptysis mostly lies in coughing, and the root of coughing mostly arises from Wind-Cold. Zhang Zhongjing stated: For coughing accompanied by wheezing with sound, progressing to severe hemoptysis, use Mahuang Tang (Ephedra Decoction). Li Dongyuan adopted his principle but modified it to use Renshen Mahuang Shaoyao Tang (Ginseng, Ephedra, and Peony Decoction). Thus, it can be seen that coughing with blood streaks is mostly due to external pathogens, a fact that must not be overlooked. In my treatment of cough caused by external pathogens, I use Zhisou San (Stop Cough Powder) added with Jingjie (Schizonepetae Herba), Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), and Sugen (Perillae Caulis) to disperse the pathogen. After dispersion, if Lung Qi is deficient, I immediately use Wuwei Yigong San (Five-Ingredient Extraordinary Merit Powder) to tonify Spleen Earth to generate Lung Metal. If deficiency is complicated by lingering pathogenic factors, I use Tuanyu Wan (Softshell Turtle Pill) to resolve them. As consumptive disease gradually forms and cough persists, I use Ziwan San (Aster Powder) and Yuehua Wan (Moonlight Pill) to clear heat and tonify simultaneously. These are the essential principles for treating deficiency-type cough. Detailed explanations are found in this section.
Zhisou San (See Cough Section later).
Wuwei Yigong San (This is Sijunzi Tang [Four Gentlemen Decoction] plus Chenpi [Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium], formula see later).