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Wheezing (Chuan) is characterized by shortness of breath and rapid respiration, where inhalation fails to reach its root, and the respiratory qi does not coordinate with the opening and closing of the skin and hair. There are three types: Excess Wheezing (Shi Chuan), Deficiency Wheezing (Xu Chuan), and Half-Excess Half-Deficiency Wheezing (Ban Xu Ban Shi Chuan).

Excess wheezing occurs when pathogenic Wind-Cold invades the skin and hair (Mao) and interstices (Cou), causing disharmony in the muscle surface. "Mao" refers to the skin and hair, governing the exterior; "Cou" refers to the interstices, governing the muscles. The Classics state: "The Sanjiao and Bladder correspond to the interstices and fine hairs." This indicates that the Sanjiao governs the muscles through the interstices associated with Liver Blood, while the Bladder governs the exterior through the skin and hair associated with Lung Qi. If Cold pathogen condenses and constricts the skin and hair, preventing the qi of the skin and hair from communicating with the interstices, wheezing occurs; if Wind pathogen damages the interstices, preventing the qi of the interstices from communicating with the skin and hair, wheezing also occurs. However, this type of wheezing must appear at the initial stage of the disease, presenting with slight tachypnea, or anhidrosis with aversion to cold, or diaphoresis with aversion to wind. At this time, harmonizing the muscle surface and dispersing Wind-Cold will naturally resolve the wheezing.

Half-excess half-deficiency wheezing results from the failure of the Qi of the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian and Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian to intersect. The Hand-Taiyin Lung belongs to Metal, symbolizing Heaven; the Foot-Taiyin Spleen belongs to Earth, symbolizing Earth. When Earth Qi ascends, Heaven Qi descends, facilitating their intersection. If Cold rebels against the Lung causing Lung Metal to become cold, or Dampness stagnates in the Spleen causing Spleen Earth to become damp, then Spleen Qi fails to ascend and Lung Qi fails to descend. Phlegm-saliva obstructs the middle jiao, and the lack of upper-lower intersection leads to wheezing. However, this type of wheezing must be accompanied by coughing. The non-intersection of Spleen and Lung constitutes Deficiency; the internal condensation of Cold and Dampness constitutes Excess. If Excess and Deficiency are equal, tonification and purgation should be applied simultaneously; if Deficiency exceeds Excess, tonification should outweigh purgation; if Excess exceeds Deficiency, purgation should outweigh tonification. Cold-natured medicines are contraindicated here. In *Shanghan Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage Disorders), Mahuang Xingzi Shigao Tang (Ephedra, Apricot Seed, and Gypsum Decoction) and Gegen Huanglian Huangqin Tang (Pueraria, Coptis, and Scutellaria Decoction) are used to treat wheezing. These address cases where the Mark Yang of Taiyang is excessive, leading to blocked skin and interstices, overwhelming Yang-Heat, where the pathology lies in Qi transformation rather than the meridians. Additionally, there is Cold-Wind Asthma, caused by accumulated Cold-Phlegm in the Stomach. The Fire-Qi of the Sanjiao fails to vaporize it effectively due to weak Fire and weak Earth, which subsequently weakens Metal. This leads to phlegm in the middle jiao rising up to cause coughing and wheezing. This is a chronic, stubborn disease. If unresolved for a long time, it injures both the Spleen and Kidney. When the Stomach loses the spiritual nourishment of grain, death ensues.

As for Deficiency Wheezing, it involves the failure of Heaven (Lung/Metal) and Water (Kidney/Water) Qi to intersect. The Lung symbolizes Heaven; the Kidney symbolizes Water. The form of Heaven connects not directly to Earth but to Water. The Classics state: "Its root is in the Kidney, its branch is in the Lung," clarifying the unity of Water and Heaven. If Heaven and Water deviate from their normal course, resulting in non-intersection of Lung and Kidney, wheezing occurs. If treatment is inappropriate, Qi collapse may follow. One should use Renshen (Ginseng Radix), Fuling (Poria), [text missing, likely Baizhu or similar], and Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) to tonify Lung Qi, and Xixin (Asari Radix), Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus), Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus), and Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) to tonify Kidney Yang. When Lung and Kidney intersect, wheezing subsides, and the patient can lie down. If upper and lower do not intersect, and the patient cannot lie down day or night, with ceaseless wheezing, the Biao-Ben Qi of Taiyang is nearly extinguished. Taiyang takes Cold as its Ben (Root) and Heat as its Biao (Mark). The Cold Root is the Water of the Bladder, with Qi rooted in the Kidney; the Heat Mark is the Yang of the skin and hair, with Qi combining with the Lung. This non-intersection of Lung and Kidney leaves the Biao-Ben Qi of Taiyang isolated and precarious, hence the necessity of the aforementioned medicines. If heterodox medicines are used to deplete and attack initially, later treatments will be ineffective. I once treated a case of half-month deficiency wheezing with the aforementioned formula. After one dose, the patient was stabilized. The family rejoiced and asked if they could continue taking the prescription. I said, "Wait until tomorrow." They asked why. I replied, "The ability to lie peacefully indicates that Lung Qi has descended. At Zi hour (11 PM - 1 AM), Yang begins to generate, and Kidney Qi ascends, achieving true intersection. I fear extreme exhaustion prevents Kidney Qi from ascending." At Yin hour (3 AM - 5 AM), the patient indeed died. The Classics state: "When ascent and descent cease, the Qi establishment becomes isolated and precarious; when exit and entry are abolished, the Spirit mechanism perishes." This likely describes the wheezing disease of Lung-Kidney non-intersection and Taiyang Qi exhaustion!