古方汤液分两，大者每剂二十余两，小有十余两，用水六七升或一斗，煮取二三升或五
六升
，并分三服，一日服尽，为剂似乎太重，后世学人，未敢遵式。按陈无择《三因方》云∶汉
铜钱质如周钱，文曰半两，则汉方当用半两钱二枚为一两。且以术附汤方校，若用汉两计，
一百八十铢，得开元钱二十二个半重，若分三服，则是今之七钱半重一服。此说最有根据。
《千金》以古三两为今一两，古三升为今一升。仍病其多，不如陈说为是。
仓公治病，恒用火齐汤，而其方不传。刘宗浓云即古方黄连解毒汤是。未知何据？按仓
公用
治齐郎中令之涌疝中热，不得前溲；齐王太后之风瘅热客脬，难于大小便，溺赤。则亦清寒
彻热之剂也夫！
蛲瘕为病，腹大，上黄，肤粗，循之戚戚然。上黄，面黄也。盖即今人虫蛊之病，腹大
、面黄而肌肤粗涩者也。
《肘后》云∶伤寒有数种，庸人卒不能分别，今取一药兼疗者，用葱白一虎口，豉一升
，水
煮顿服，汗出即愈。按《本草》淡豉，治伤寒时，疾热病发汗。元素云∶葱茎白，通上下阳
气。合而用之，故能通治数种伤寒。然其方亦有数变∶一加葛根三两；一加升麻三两；若不
汗，更加麻黄三两，助之散也。一加米三合，益气以出汗也。一加童便三升，汗出于阳而生
于阴，火多者宜之也。深师又加乌梅十四枚，葛根半斤，兼治烦满也。《圣济总录》加人参
、萎蕤、羚羊角，治劳风项强急痛，四肢烦热。《千金》加栀子、黄连、黄柏、大黄各半两
；一加生地、石膏各八两，生葛四两，为表里证治之别。以意斟酌，投之辄验，诚良方也。
In ancient prescriptions, the weight of decoctions varied: larger doses exceeded twenty taels per prescription, while smaller ones were around ten taels. They were boiled with six or seven sheng (or one dou) of water until reduced to two or three sheng (or five or six sheng), and divided into three doses to be consumed within one day. The dosage seemed excessively heavy, leading later practitioners to hesitate in following this format.
According to Chen Wuyue's *San Yin Fang* (Three Causes Formulas): Han dynasty copper coins resembled Zhou dynasty coins, inscribed with "Ban Liang" (Half Tael). Thus, a Han tael should be calculated as equivalent to two "Ban Liang" coins. Verifying this with the *Shu Fu Tang* (Atractylodes and Aconite Decoction) formula: if calculated by Han weights, 180 zhu equals the weight of approximately 22.5 Kaiyuan Tongbao coins. Divided into three doses, each dose would weigh about 7.5 qian (modern Song dynasty unit). This explanation is well-founded. Sun Simiao's *Qian Jin Fang* (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold) posited that an ancient 3 taels equaled one modern tael, and 3 sheng equaled one modern sheng. However, he still considered these amounts too large, agreeing that Chen's interpretation was more accurate.
The physician Cang Gong frequently used *Huo Qi Tang* (Fire Equilibrium Decoction) in treating diseases, but his specific prescription was not transmitted. Liu Zongnong claimed it was identical to the ancient *Huang Lian Jie Du Tang* (Coptis Decoction for Detoxification). The basis for this remains unknown. Examination shows Cang Gong used it to treat the Grand Master of Letters of Qi with Yong Shen disease, characterized by internal heat and difficulty urinating; and the Queen Dowager of Qi with Feng Dan disease, where heat pathogen invaded the bladder, causing difficulty in both urination and defecation, and dark red urine. Thus, it was indeed a formula for clearing intense heat.
The disease known as *Nao Jia* (Ascaris Mass) presents with abdominal distension, yellowish complexion, and rough skin, feeling gritty under palpation. "Upper yellow" refers to facial jaundice. This likely corresponds to the modern condition of worm-induced ascites, characterized by abdominal swelling, sallow complexion, and coarse, dry skin.
*Zhou Hou Bei Ji Fang* (Handbook of Prescriptions for Emergencies) states: There are several types of Shang Han (Cold Damage), which laypeople cannot easily distinguish. Therefore, a single herb combination is selected to treat multiple types: use a handful of Scallion White (Cong Bai) and one sheng of Fermented Soybean (Chi Shi), boil in water, and take in one dose. Recovery occurs upon sweating. According to *Ben Cao* (Materia Medica), Dan Chi (Light Fermented Soybean) treats febrile diseases induced by Shang Han by promoting sweating. Li Gao (Zi Duan) stated that the white part of the scallion stem unblocks Yang qi throughout the upper and lower body. Combined, they can treat various types of Shang Han.
However, this formula has several variations:
1. Add Ge Gen (Kudzu Root) 3 taels.
2. Add Sheng Ma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma) 3 taels.
3. If sweating does not occur, add additional Ma Huang (Ephedrae Herba) 3 taels to assist dispersion.
4. Add Mi (Rice) 3 he, to tonify Qi and promote sweating.
5. Add Tong Bian (Child's Urine) 3 sheng; since sweat originates from Yin and emerges through Yang, this is suitable for cases with excessive fire.
*Shen Shi Fang* adds Wu Mei (Mume Fructus) 14 pieces and Ge Gen (Kudzu Root) half a jin, additionally treating irritability and fullness. *Sheng Ji Zong Lu* adds Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix), Wei Yu (Polygonati Rhizoma), and Ling Yang Jiao (Saiga Antelope Horn), treating stiff neck and acute pain due to Lao Feng (Wind-Heat from exhaustion) accompanied by vexatious heat in the four limbs. *Qian Jin Fang* adds Zhi Zi (Gardeniae Fructus), Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Huang Bo (Phellodendri Cortex), and Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) 0.5 tael each; another variation adds Sheng Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix) and Shi Gao (Gypsum Fibrosum) 8 taels each, and Sheng Ge Gen (Raw Kudzu Root) 4 taels, distinguishing treatments for exterior versus interior syndromes. With careful consideration based on clinical presentation, administration yields reliable results, making it truly an excellent prescription.