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The teachings passed down from ancient sages, when examined in light of human nature and reason, possess profound truth; when verified against diseases, they yield miraculous efficacy. Yet the people of the world are often filled with suspicion regarding them. Conversely, they accept as canonical precepts and adhere to without daring to deviate those baseless discussions, which are logically difficult to justify and whose harmful effects are immediately apparent. Why is this? This phenomenon has existed for a long time.

Contemporary mediocre physicians claim: "Ancient prescriptions cannot treat modern diseases." Alas! The Wind, Cold, Summer-heat, Dampness, Dryness, and Fire (Feng Han Shu Shi Zao Huo) of Heaven and Earth remain the same; the Seven Emotions and Six Desires (Qi Qing Liu Yu) of living beings remain the same. Why do the ancients achieve life using these formulas, while modern practitioners cause death? It is because they fail to realize that when the ancients used a specific formula for a specific disease, they first carefully confirmed the diagnosis before applying the treatment. If what modern practitioners call a certain disease is not what the ancients called by that name, errors arise. For instance, mixed wind-fire pathogenic factors may present symptoms resembling Taiyang Cold Damage Disease (Taiyang Shanghan), but it is actually not Taiyang Cold Damage Disease. Yet, practitioners administer large doses of Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) to induce sweating. Severe cases result in hematemesis and mania; mild cases result in fever and mental confusion. Consequently, blame is shifted to Zhang Zhongjing, claiming Guizhi Tang should not be used. Failing to blame their own inaccurate differentiation of disease, they instead blame ancient formulas for misleading people. Is this not absurd?

Such baseless heretical theories include claims like "Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction) should not be used in late autumn." Baihu Tang is indicated for Yangming Channel excess heat in Cold Damage Disease. Since Cold Damage Disease often occurs after the Winter Solstice, it can still be used then; why should it be forbidden in late autumn? Another claim is that there is no method to stop bleeding in dysentery. For dysentery with blood, if it is due to excess pathogens and stasis, it indeed should not be abruptly astringed. However, in cases of slipping and leakage or emptiness and exhaustion, astringency is necessary for efficacy, provided one does not block fire pathogens. Another claim is "Cold Damage Disease will not kill from starvation, and dysentery will not kill from eating." In the *Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases* (*Shanghan Lun*), the ability or inability to eat is used to differentiate between Zhong Han (Cold Strike) and Zhong Feng (Wind Strike). Methods of differentiating syndromes based on dietary intake are numerous. Moreover, when pathogens have just receded, if the Stomach Qi (Wei Qi) is not supported, complications will surely increase. If old food desires digestion, new grain must enter the stomach for intestinal Qi to descend properly. One should simply avoid overeating. Clinging to the saying "starvation won't kill," some forbid food in Cold Damage Disease, leading to many deaths by starvation! When it is said "dysentery won't kill from eating," it refers to patients who are not suffering from Jin Kou Li (Dysentery with Inability to Eat) and can still eat, indicating strong Stomach Qi and a non-fatal prognosis. It does not mean dysentery patients can eat anything. Clinging to the saying "overeating won't kill," many die from overeating during dysentery. These are all baseless remarks, too numerous to list.

There are also seemingly reasonable statements that are misinterpreted, causing sufficient harm. Therefore, whenever reading or discussing, one must scrutinize the underlying reasons, engage in deep reflection, and verify through practice, so as not to be misled by heretical theories. Thus, the Sages deeply detest those who spread hearsay.