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Currently, among patients suffering from wind-stroke (Zhongfeng), hemiplegia, and bi-syndrome (Pianbi), not one in a hundred recovers, while nine out of ten die. This is not because these conditions are incurable, but entirely due to medical mismanagement. Whenever the ancient sages established disease names, they invariably pointed to the substance of the pathology. Since it is called "wind-stroke," it is evident that the disease belongs to wind-pathogen etiology. Given that it is a wind-disease, the primary formula must be based on treating wind. Therefore, Zhang Zhongjing's Hou Shi Hei San (Black Powder of Hou Shi), Feng Yin Tang (Wind-Guiding Decoction), Fang Ji Di Huang Tang (Stephania and Rehmannia Decoction), as well as the Tang dynasty's Xiao Xu Ming Tang (Minor Continuation of Life Decoction) and Da Xu Ming Tang (Major Continuation of Life Decoction), all make extensive use of wind-dispelling herbs, with modifications according to symptoms. This is because when wind enters the meridians, internal wind and external wind fan each other, causing phlegm-fire to suddenly obstruct the channels. It is appropriate to first expel the wind, then clear the phlegm-fire, and subsequently regulate Qi and blood, so that the meridians can gradually unblock.

Today, upon seeing symptoms of wind-stroke, physicians immediately administer pure tonifying and warming substances such as Renshen (Ginseng Radix), Shudi (Prepared Rehmanniae Radix), Fuzi (Prepared Aconiti Lateralis Radix), and Rougui (Cinnamon Bark). These agents completely entrap the wind, fire, phlegm, and Qi. Mild cases become severe, and severe cases result in death. In cases where Yuanqi (Original Qi) is not yet damaged and the pathogenic invasion is shallow, the condition inevitably drags on, resulting in permanent hemiplegia and disability. Is this not medical error? Some argue: "Where pathogenic factors gather, Zhengqi (Upright Qi) must be deficient. Therefore, tonifying Zhengqi is equivalent to expelling pathogens." This is a grave fallacy. Precisely because Zhengqi is deficient and pathogens have gathered, one must urgently expel the pathogens to protect Zhengqi. If one instead tonifies the pathogens, Zhengqi will be even less able to withstand them. Even if Zhengqi is entirely deficient and unable to push pathogens outward, one should add a small amount of Zhengqi-supporting herbs within wind-expelling formulas to assist in expelling pathogens. There has never been a case of using purely warming and tonifying methods alone. Consider this analogy: when thieves enter a house, one must first drive out the thieves before reinforcing the walls; no one reinforces the walls before the thieves have left.

Others claim: "Using tonics to lift pathogens is like adding household members to defend against thieves." This is also incorrect. Purely tonifying herbs certainly do not selectively tonify Zhengqi without also tonifying pathogens, unlike household members who specifically defend against thieves. Such an approach not only fails to expel thieves but actually assists them. Furthermore, regarding treatment principles, chronic diseases belong to deficiency (Xu), while acute/sudden diseases belong to excess (Shi). "Deficiency" refers to Zhengqi deficiency; "Excess" refers to Pathogenic Excess. Wind-stroke is a sudden and violent condition; its nature as a pathogenic excess is beyond doubt. There is no instance in the world where a person acting normally suddenly collapses into unconsciousness due to extreme deficiency. How can it not be treated as a pathogenic excess? Within this category, there may be distinctions between Yin deficiency, Yang deficiency, heat sensation, or cold sensation. In such cases, modifications should be made to wind-treating formulas based on the manifested symptoms. The methods of the Han and Tang dynasties remain available for reference. Thus, for all types of wind-stroke, provided there are no terminal syndromes involving the Zang organs (Zhong Zang), none are untreatable. Among my friends who suffered from this condition, many who followed my treatment methods have remained healthy after twenty years of illness. However, those who took hot tonics have all perished.