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Modern people believe that ancient individuals had robust constitutions, therefore the dosages in ancient prescriptions were very heavy. This is an unfounded assertion. From the Three Dynasties (Xia, Shang, Zhou) to the Han and Jin dynasties, although units of volume (Sheng, Dou) and weight standards differed, compared to modern times, they amounted to only two-tenths of the current standard. (I have personally seen a bronze measuring vessel from the Han dynasty marked as "six Sheng," which holds the equivalent of one Sheng and two Ge in modern measurement.) For instance, Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction), a large-dose prescription for treating Cold Damage (Shanghan), contains Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig) and Shaoyao (Peony Root) each at three Liang, and Gancao (Licorice Root) at two Liang, totaling eight Liang per dose. Converted to modern units, this is only one Liang and six Qian, divided into three doses, meaning each dose amounts to merely five Qian and three Fen. Other prescriptions with more ingredients do not exceed double this amount. Moreover, in ancient times, physicians prepared their own medicines, using fresh herbs whenever possible; dosages were based on fresh weight, with dried herbs being converted accordingly. For example, Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) and Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix) are larger when fresh and shrink significantly when dried. As for Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata), wild specimens were very small, while cultivated ones became much larger later on, which is supported by solid evidence. Today, practitioners often use over ten herbs per prescription, with each herb weighing three to four Qian, resulting in a total dose weight of one Liang and three Qian. Even more strangely, some use up to four Liang of Shudi (Rehmanniae Radix) per dose. Ancient pills, such as Wumei Wan (Mume Pill), were taken as ten pills the size of tung tree seeds, weighing no more than two or three Qian today, whereas now doses range from three to seven or eight Qian. Ancient powders measured with a Fangcunbi (square-inch spoon) amounted to only six or seven Fen today, but now patients take three to four Qian. Ancient physicians never used heavy dosages. (The *Rites of Zhou* (*Zhou Li*) records under "Yiren": For the sustenance of the common people, each person consumes four Sheng daily; six Dou and four Sheng constitute a unit called "Si"; four "Si" equal two Shi and five Dou and six Sheng, which is one month's ration for one person. Thus, daily consumption exceeds eight Sheng. Essentially, one ancient Sheng equals only two modern Ge.) Over the past twenty years, contemporary physicians have erroneously interpreted ancient prescriptions by increasing dosages, a trend that has intensified daily. Even if the prescription matches the disease, if the patient's healthy Qi cannot withstand the medicinal force, harm will inevitably occur; how much more so if the medicine contradicts the disease, accelerating harm? Since they neither research antiquity nor receive proper transmission from masters, it is no wonder they frequently become objects of ridicule.

Ancient therapeutic methods ensured that every prescription corresponded precisely to the disease, and every herb matched the pathology. If the illness still did not resolve under such conditions, it was because the disease itself was incurable, not due to the physician's fault. Later generations lost this transmission; physicians could not even identify disease names, leading to a complete lack of internal guidance. Every disease has its specific name. For example, Zhongfeng (Wind Stroke) is a general term. Its subtypes include Pianku (Hemiplegia), Weibi (Flaccid Paralysis), Fengfei (Wind Flaccidity), and Lijie (Bi Syndrome affecting joints). Within these categories, there are further specific symptoms, each with defined names and primary formulas. Similarly, Shuizhong (Edema/Water Swelling) is a general term, encompassing Pishui (Skin Water), Zhengshui (True Water), Shishui (Stone Water), and Fengshui (Wind Water). Each subtype presents distinct symptoms, possesses specific names, and has corresponding main formulas. This applies to all diseases. A physician must be able to accurately identify the specific diagnosis, adhere to the primary formula prescribed by ancients, and adjust herbs according to established principles. However, nowadays, regardless of the disease, physicians generalize everything under vague concepts like Yin Deficiency or Yang Deficiency, and apply indiscriminate, imprecise medications. Yet, some cases do recover. This may be because the disease was mild and naturally resolving, or coincidentally, one or two herbs happened to match the pathology, yielding minor effects. These are all instances of mismanagement. Why do these physicians escape the label of "murderers"? Because truly lethal drugs are highly toxic, such as Pishuang (Arsenic Trioxide) or Zhenwu (Ibis poison), or extremely hot/cold and harsh substances. When administered against the disease nature, danger manifests immediately. Ordinary herbs, however, merely fail to cure the disease or may exacerbate other conditions, but do not cause immediate death. Given time, pathogenic factors recede, and Healthy Qi recovers, leading to recovery. Occasionally, prolonged illness leads to hidden damage and death. Or, frequent changes of incompetent doctors and trial-and-error with various drugs deepen the pathogen and deplete Yuan Qi (Original Qi), causing death. Some cases transform into different diseases due to initial misdiagnosis, leading to death through complications. Others show initial minor improvement, but long-term excessive use causes new ailments and death. Physicians visit daily; seeing minor improvement, they assume curability; seeing slight worsening, they deem it difficult to treat. There is no visible sign of mismanagement, yet the reality is clear. Patients' families attribute the prolonged non-recovery to the natural course of the disease, not blaming the doctor because death does not occur immediately. In truth, the patient is killed without awareness. If harsh, contradictory drugs are mistakenly administered, causing obvious harm, everyone recognizes this as murder. However, when patients die quickly after taking harsh tonics like Renshen (Ginseng Radix) and Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root), families accept it willingly and do not blame the physician. Consequently, even if physicians know their mistake, they do not take it as a warning nor change their methods.