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3. If a patient with dysentery cannot take food or fluids, and the diarrhea persists, accompanied by faint breath, fine pulse, and cold skin, this indicates the exhaustion of Yang Qi (Yang energy), a critical condition leading to death. If the stool consists of pure blood, accompanied by trismus (lockjaw), vomiting of visceral qi, fever, and a large pulse, this indicates the exhaustion of Yin Qi (Yin substance/fluids), also a fatal condition.
[Canglin Decoction (Granary Decoction), Dahuang Huanglian Tang (Rhubarb and Coptis Decoction)]

Note: Persistent dysentery, inability to ingest food or fluids, faint breath, fine pulse, and cold skin result from the exhaustion of Yang Qi. Dysentery with pure blood, trismus, vomiting of visceral qi, fever, and a large pulse result from the exhaustion of Yin Qi.

4. For early-stage dysentery presenting with exterior heat, Canglin Decoction is appropriate. For interior heat blazing upward to the heart causing vomiting and trismus, Dahuang Huanglian Tang is appropriate. For cold-type dysentery, Lizhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction) should be used with Hezi (Chebulae Fructus) and Roudoukou (Myristicae Semen) for astringency. For white-dominant dysentery, add Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata); for red-dominant dysentery, add Rougui (Cinnamomi Cortex). These principles need no further elaboration.

Note: Early dysentery with exterior symptoms and fever should not be purged; the method is to first release the exterior using Canglin Decoction to induce sweating. When interior heat is severe and rushes upward to the heart causing vomiting and trismus, the method is to first purge the interior using Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) and Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma), decocted in good wine to attack the pathogen. Cold dysentery is suitable for Lizhong Tang, added with Hezi, Roudoukou, and Suosharen (Amomi Fructus Rotundus). Add Fuzi for predominant white discharge; add Rougui for predominant red discharge.
Shaoyao Tang (Peony Decoction)

5. For early-stage dysentery without significant exterior or interior heat, use Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Huanglian, Zhishi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus), Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix), Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Binglang (Arecae Semen), and Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma). If urination is astringent and painful, double the dosage of Huashi (Talcum). If the frequency of dysentery is excessive and there is severe tenesmus and pain, add Dahuang.

Note: Early dysentery without exterior heat and with mild interior heat is suitable for Shaoyao Tang. This formula consists of Huangqin, Huanglian, Zhishi, Muxiang, Shaoyao, Danggui, Binglang, Gancao, and a small amount of Rougui. Add Huashi for astringent, red urine. Add Dahuang for uncontrolled frequency of dysentery and severe tenesmus/pain.
Xianglian Hewei Tang (Costus and Coptis Stomach-Harmonizing Decoction), Shenlian Kailing Tang (Ginseng and Coptis Opening-Throat Decoction), Umbilical Patching Method

6. After purgative treatment for dysentery, when the disease trend has significantly subsided, it is appropriate to regulate Qi and Blood using Xianglian Hewei Tang. This formula contains Huangqin, Shaoyao, Muxiang, Huanglian, Gancao, Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Suosharen, and Danggui. For red dysentery with excessive bleeding and deficiency, astringents such as Chonggenbaipi (Toosendanii Cortex) and Diyuyu (Sanguisorbae Radix), both stir-fried, should be added. For long-standing white dysentery with Qi deficiency, add Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), Fuling (Poria), and Chao Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Praeparatum) to tonify. For excess patterns with trismus that can tolerate purging, use Dahuang Huanglian Tang to purge. For those who cannot tolerate purging, internally administer a decoction of Renshen, Huanglian, and Shilianzi (Nelumbinis Nuculus) slowly; improvement occurs upon swallowing. Externally apply Wangguateng San (Trichosanthes Vine Powder) to the umbilicus: burn the frost-exposed vines, stems, and leaves of Wanggua Teng (Trichosanthis Caulis) to ash, mix with sesame oil, and apply to the umbilicus; this is effective.
Zhren Yangzang Tang (True Person Spleen-Nourishing Decoction)

7. For chronic dysentery with mixed cold and heat, Wumei Wan (Mume Pill) is used to harmonize. For cold-deficiency patterns with slippery incontinence, Yangzang Tang is used to warm and tonify. This formula consists of Renshen, Baizhu, Roudoukou, Danggui, Hezi, Rougui, Shaoyao, Yingsuqiao (Papaveris Pericarpium), Gancao, and Muxiang.
Xianglian Pingwei San (Costus and Coptis Stomach-Calming Powder), Weifeng Tang (Stomach Wind Decoction)

8. For water-and-grain dysentery caused by Spleen-Stomach deficiency and inadequate transformation, Tiaozhong Yiqi Tang (Regulate Middle and Boost Qi Decoction) is indicated. For dampness dysentery, Xianglian Pingwei Fang (Costus and Coptis Formula for Calming the Stomach) is used. For deficiency-dampness wind dysentery, Weifeng Tang is used, which consists of Rougui, Sumi (Panicum miliaceum), and Bazhen Tang (Eight Treasure Decoction) minus Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix).