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The patency or impaction of bowel movements relates to the deficiency or excess in the interior (Li). Impaction indicates an Excess pattern; if there are no heat signs internally or externally, it is Yin-Jie constipation (constipation due to Yin-cold accumulation). Frequent loose stools indicate a Deficiency pattern; if there are no cold signs internally or externally, it is Yang-Shi hot diarrhea (diarrhea due to internal heat and excess). The redness or whiteness of urine primarily reflects cold or heat in the interior. Red urine indicates Heat; if the urine is normally pale red and light yellow, it indicates Yin Deficiency. White urine indicates Cold; if the urine is turbid like rice washings, it is transformed by Damp-Heat.

First, inquire about Chills and Fever; second, about Sweating.
Inquire about the degree and frequency of chills and fever to examine Yin and Yang, and to distinguish between true and false patterns. Inquire about the presence or absence of sweating to differentiate between Wind-Cold and other pathogens, and to distinguish between Deficiency and Excess.
Third, inquire about Head and Body sensations; fourth, about Bowel and Urine movements.
Inquire about headache: it indicates severe pathogenic factors; absence of pain indicates righteous Qi deficiency. Sudden dizziness is caused by Wind-Fire and Phlegm; gradual dizziness is caused by Earth (Spleen) deficiency and Qi sinking. Inquire about the specific locations of body pain to examine the Meridians. Similarly, heavy and painful body indicates severe pathogens; weakness indicates righteous Qi deficiency. Inquire about the color (red/white) and volume of urine, and whether stool is constipated or loose, undigested food, or clear water, to differentiate Cold, Heat, Deficiency, and Excess.
Fifth, inquire about Diet; sixth, about the Chest.
Inquire about diet to observe the strength of Stomach Qi. Inquiry about the chest includes the epigastric region. When turbid Qi rises to interfere, fullness and pain in the chest indicate a Knotting (Jie) pattern; distension without pain extending to the heart area below indicates Pi-Qi (Stagnation) pattern.
Seventh, Deafness; Eighth, Thirst, both must be differentiated.
Inquiry about deafness: in Shanghan (Cold Damage), it distinguishes between Shaoyang and Jueyin meridians; in miscellaneous diseases, deafness is considered severe, while absence is mild. Inquiry about thirst: since thirst can occur in Cold, Heat, Deficiency, and Excess patterns generally, the rule is: normal mouth sensation with desire for water but refusal to drink indicates Cold; hot sensation in the mouth with incessant drinking indicates Heat; extreme thirst with delirium and constipation indicates Excess; occasional desire to drink, small amounts consumed, with free urination and defecation indicates Deficiency.
Ninth, Past Illnesses; Tenth, Etiology.
Inquire about past illnesses to know if there is a pre-existing condition; inquire about the cause of disease to serve as a guide for medication.
Furthermore, consider changes based on response to medication.
Within the principles of Exterior/Interior, Cold/Heat, Tonification/Drainage, there are miraculous variations of divine mechanism.
For women, menstruation must especially be inquired about; delays, accelerations, amenorrhea, and flooding all reveal the condition.
Women's health centers on menstruation; inquiring about its presence and timing helps probe the condition and check for pregnancy.
Add a few words for pediatrics: Smallpox and Measles diagnosis relies entirely on these inquiries.
When children are about to develop variola (smallpox) or rubeola (measles), similar to exterior syndromes, one should use the color of the tendons in the middle finger, lower legs, and behind the ears as evidence.