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The manifestation of the disease of coughing and wheezing (Késou) is as follows: It is said that all cases of coughing belong to the Lung Meridian. However, there are coughs originating from the meridian itself (Lung), and those transferred from various other Zang-Fu organs. Coughs belonging to the Lung's own qi arise when the skin and hair are affected by pathogens, causing the Xuanfu (pores/sweat apertures) to close; this constitutes an external contraction. Once the Xuanfu is closed, Lung Qi cannot diffuse smoothly. The twenty-four orifices within, which distribute Qi to various organs, cannot circulate properly in the Lung, leading to Lung fullness and rebellion, resulting in a harsh coughing sound; this is a Lung Excess pattern.

A Lung Deficiency pattern arises because Spleen Earth fails to transform and produce, preventing body fluids from ascending and distributing, thereby depriving the Lung of nourishment and leading to Yin deficiency. Yin deficiency generates Lung Heat, which flares upward. Fire stirs the orifices, causing them to open intermittently, also frequently inducing coughing; this is a Lung Deficiency pattern. Only when Heart Fire insults Metal (Lung) or Fire from Water (Kidney Mingmen fire) rushes directly to the West (Lung), consuming and simmering the Lung Yin, does the Lung enter a critical state. This is because the Lung serves as the Canopy (Huagai), covering all other organs. Its twenty-four hollow orifices are empty like honeycombs, hanging downward without penetrating passages; they fill upon inhalation and empty upon exhalation. The Lung prefers coolness and dislikes heat. Now, if the pathogenic heat of the Heart, Liver, Spleen, and Kidney flares upward, it enters the orifices along with inhaled air. If the Lung cannot tolerate this heat, it coughs harshly. In severe cases, the lung lobes become dry and shriveled, resembling lotus leaves after frost, limp and fallen, unable to recover. Body fluids (Jingshui) fail to distribute to the four directions, and the five meridians cannot function in parallel, resulting in a syndrome of Lung failure. The root cause is that the Lung's hollow orifices can only accommodate the inherent Yuan Qi of the Zang-Fu organs to govern the whole body, but cannot tolerate even a trace of pathogenic Qi. (Although coughing involves transmission from various organs, it essentially remains under the governance of Lung Metal. The general principle does not exceed the two methods of "clearing excess" and "tonifying deficiency." However, within these methods, there are variations. Therefore, the methods of the Changzhou physicians are cited below for reference.)

For early-stage coughing, use Jinfei Cao San (Golden Fern Herb Powder) to disperse the pathogen. For those who are young and vigorous, it can be used even if the condition has persisted for some time. If attacks occur once or twice a month, it indicates the gradual onset of a weak constitution. Use Liu Junzi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction) to tonify Earth to generate Metal; use Liuwei Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia) to nourish Water to nurture Wood. These represent the methods of attacking excess and tonifying deficiency. (Physicians from Changzhou state: Coughing with nasal congestion and heavy voice indicates Wind-Evil injuring the Lung; use Renshen Su Yin (Ginseng and Perilla Drink). Red face and coughing indicate Fire insulting the Lung; use Renshen Pingfei San (Ginseng Lung-Pacifying Powder). Alternating chills and fever indicate Disharmony of Liver Qi; use Sijunzi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) plus Zhimu (Anemarrhena Rhizome), Chaihu (Bupleurum Root), and Jiegeng (Platycodon Root). Coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath indicate Lung Deficiency; use Renshen Bufei Tang (Ginseng Lung-Tonifying Decoction). Fatigue and poor appetite indicate Spleen Deficiency; use Shenbai Toubi Tang (Ginseng and Atractylodes Spleen-Tonifying Decoction). Dry mouth and throat indicate Flaring of Deficient Fire; use Liuwei Yin (Six-Ingredient Decoction). For any case of fever, wheezing, coughing, or expectoration of pus and blood, with inability to eat, urgently tonify the Spleen and Lung and nourish Kidney Water; many patients survive. Furthermore: Morning cough belongs to excessive Stomach Fire; use Zhuye Shigao Tang (Bamboo Leaf and Gypsum Decoction). Stomach Qi Deficiency: use Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) plus fried Gardenia. Afternoon cough belongs to Yin-Blood Deficiency; use Siwu Tang (Four Substance Decoction) plus wine-processed, charred Huangbai (Phellodendron Bark) and Zhimu. Kidney Water Deficiency: use Liuwei Wan. Dusk cough: use Siwu Tang plus Maidong (Ophiopogon Tuber), Wuweizi (Schisandra Berry), and Liuwei Wan. 5 AM cough: use Liu Junzi Tang. Insomnia and pain under both hypochondria: use Liuwei Yin combined with Buzhong Yiqi Tang.)

For salty asthma or vinegar-induced asthma, Shengjin Wan (Victory Over Gold Pill) is the primary treatment. (Gan Dan Wan is also excellent for vinegar asthma.) For the elderly suffering from bone and joint pain, wheezing with phlegm, and lower back pain, use Shudi (Prepared Rehmannia Root), Shanyao (Chinese Yam), Danggui (Angelica Sinensis), Baishao (White Peony Root), Duzhong (Eucommia Bark), Gouqi (Goji Berry), Zaoren (Ziziphus Seed), Maidong, Wuweizi, and Gancao (Licorice Root). If wheezing is severe, remove Huangqin (Scutellaria Root). (There is a type of shortness of breath resembling wheezing, with urgent respiration, where Qi cannot ascend nor descend, and the airway feels blocked, presenting a critical and life-threatening situation. People often mistake this for simple Qi urgency located in the upper jiao, not realizing that the Yuanhai (Sea of Origin) lacks roots due to Kidney and Liver deficiency. This is a syndrome of Zi-Wu non-intersection and Qi collapse. Women with chronic Blood Sea deficiency are most prone to this. Urgently use Shudi (2 liang), Danggui (1 liang), and Gancao (5 qian) to rescue and缓 (soothe) the condition; this can be called a miraculous formula. If accompanied by vomiting and nausea, add Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger); for Qi Deficiency, add Renshen (Ginseng); for Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency, add Rougui (Cinnamon Bark). Upon diagnosing this syndrome, the pulse must be faint, thin, and spiritless. If faint and tight, it is particularly alarming. If incompetent physicians do not recognize this and wrongly diagnose it as Phlegm-Rebellion and Qi-Stagnation, using agents like Niuhuang Suhexiang Wan (Calculus Bovis and Liquidambar Pill) or Qi-breaking herbs like Qingpi (Tangerine Peel) and Zhike (Aurantii Fructus), they will hasten the patient's demise.)

For the elderly with phlegm-wheezing and Qi failing to return to its source, use Shengmai San (Generate the Pulse Powder) plus Shudi, Shanyao, Danggui, Gouqi, Nixi (Achyranthes Root), Tusizi (Cuscuta Seed), etc. (When coughing is caused by phlegm, phlegm is the primary issue, and treatment focuses on the Spleen. When coughing moves phlegm, coughing is primary, and treatment focuses on the Lung. For all coughs caused by rising Food Accumulation or Phlegm Accumulation, simply treat the phlegm and digest the food; the cough will stop naturally. There is no need to use cooling or Lung-specific medicines. Jiegu stated: Treating coughing prioritizes resolving phlegm, and resolving phlegm prioritizes guiding Qi. Siming stated: Guiding Qi is inferior to first treating Fire. For Excess patterns, use Xiebai San (Drain White Powder) plus Huangqin and Jiegeng; for Deficiency patterns, use Liuwei Wan combined with Shengmai San; for Stomach Deficiency, use Sijunzi Tang plus Danggui and Baishao combined with Shengmai San; all yield prompt results.)

Jinfei Cao San (Golden Fern Herb Powder)
Jinfei Cao (Spreading Goldenfern Herb), Qianhu (Peucedani Radix), Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba), Jingjie Sui (Schizonepeta Spike), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), with Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger) and Dazao (Jujubae Fructus) as guides.

Shengjin Wan (Victory Over Gold Pill)
Sanleng (Sparganii Rhizoma), Ezhu (Curcumae Rhizoma), Liangjiang (Alpiniae Officinarum Rhizoma), Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma).
Grind the above into powder and mix with Shenqu (Medicated Leaven) to make pills the size of wutong seeds. Take 70 pills per dose, fasting, with plain warm water.