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Gancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae), Dihuang (Radix Rehmanniae Preparata), Baizhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae), Fuzi (Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata, processed), Ejiao (Colla Corii Asini), Huangqin (Radix Scutellariae) each 3 liang; Zaoxin Tu (Caulis Cistanches or specific soil from the stove heart) half jin.
The above seven ingredients are decocted with 8 sheng of water to obtain 3 sheng, divided into two warm doses.

(This formula is seen in the "Huoxuan Disease" chapter.)
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The pulse at the Cun Kou (radial artery at the wrist) is Xian (wiry) and Da (large). Xian indicates reduction (deficiency of Yang), Da indicates Kong (cun-kou pulse feeling hollow like a scallion stalk). Reduction leads to Cold, Kong leads to Deficiency. The interaction of Cold and Deficiency is named Ge (leather-like) pulse.
In women, this presents as Ban Chan (miscarriage) and Lou Xia (dripping bleeding); in men, it presents as Wang Xue (blood loss) and Shi Jing (loss of essence).
[Note]
See detailed explanation in 'Shanghan Lun · Bian Mai Pian' (Treatise on Differentiating Pulses), no further explanation given here.
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For cases caused by Fire Evil, Guizhi Qu Shaoyao Jia Shujie Muli Longgu Jiuni Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction without Peony plus Chinese Ramie Root, Oyster Shell, and Dragon Bone for Rescue from Adversity) is the primary treatment.
[Commentary]
This formula treats Fire Adversity leading to惊狂 (startled mania). It does not match the Mai Dong Jing Bing (pulse agitation causing fright disease) mentioned in the first clause, indicating likely textual corruption (cuojian).

Guizhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi) 3 liang, Gancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae, honey-fried) 2 liang, Shengjiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens) 3 liang, Muli (Concha Ostreae, calcined) 5 liang, Longgu (Os Draconis) 4 liang, Dazao (Fructus Jujubae) 12 pieces.
Shujie (Herba Siegesbeckiae, washed to remove fishy odor) 3 liang.
Grind the above into powder. Use 13 sheng of water, first decoct Shujie until reduced by 1 sheng, then add other herbs. Decoct to obtain 3 sheng. Take 1 sheng warm.
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For Xin Xia Ji (palpitations in the epigastrium), Banxia Mahuang Wan (Pinellia and Ephedra Pill) is the primary treatment.
[Commentary]
This formula treats Xin Xia Ji caused by Cold Water retention. It does not match the Mai Ruo Ji Bing (weak pulse causing palpitations) mentioned in the first clause, indicating likely textual corruption.

Banxia (Rhizoma Pinelliae) and Mahuang (Herba Ephedrae) in equal parts.
Grind the above two ingredients into fine powder, mix with refined honey to form pills the size of adzuki beans. Take 3 pills with water, three times daily.

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When a patient drinks excessive water, sudden Chuan Man (asthma and distension) will inevitably occur. Generally, when food intake is low but water intake is high, Water Retention occurs in Xin Xia (epigastrium). Severe cases present with Ji (palpitations); mild cases present with Duan Qi (shortness of breath). If the pulse is Shuang Xian (wiry on both hands), it indicates Han (Cold), typically occurring after severe purgation due to interior Deficiency. If the pulse is Pian Xian (wiry on one side only), it indicates Yin (fluid retention).
[Commentary]
Below "mild cases present with shortness of breath" in this clause, ancient texts contain "If the pulse is wiry on both hands, it indicates Cold." The meaning does not connect smoothly; this should be separated as a new clause placed later.
[Note]
Generally, if a patient eats little and drinks much, with free urination, it is Xiao Ke Bing (Wasting-Thirst disease); with difficult urination, it is Liu Yin Bing (Retained Fluid disease). Liu Yin Bing is what is now called Ting Shui Yin Bing (Water-Fluid Retention disease). If water stops in the Upper Jiao chest, it obstructs Lung Qi preventing descent, causing sudden asthma and distension. If water stops in the Middle Jiao epigastrium, severe cases overwhelm the Heart, causing restless palpitations; mild cases hinder the Lung, causing shortness of breath. If water stops in the Lower Jiao lower abdomen, it fails to transport to the Bladder, causing Li Ji (internal urgency/discomfort). Zhang Zhongjing mentions only the Upper and Middle Jiao here, omitting the Lower Jiao, not out of omission, but because it was detailed in 'Shanghan Lun'.
[Collected Notes]
Cheng Lin said: Excessive drinking causes Water Qi to stagnate and flood the chest and diaphragm, inevitably causing sudden asthma and distension. When people eat little and drink much, Spleen Earth cannot circulate clear Essence. Severe cases stagnate in the epigastrium causing palpitations. Mild cases block the chest/diaphragm causing shortness of breath.
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First thirst followed by vomiting indicates Water Retention in Xin Xia. This belongs to Yin Jia (Fluid-Disease patients), treated primarily with Xiaobanxia Fuling Tang (Minor Pinellia and Poria Decoction).
[Note]
Water retention in Xin Xia belongs to the Middle Jiao region. The Middle Jiao belongs to the Stomach. Therefore, besides palpitations and shortness of breath, it also causes Ou (vomiting). Palpitations and shortness of breath arise when water stays outside the stomach, rising from below the diaphragm to harass the chest. Vomiting arises when water stays inside the stomach, rising from the stomach cavity to exit via the mouth. However, only when thirst leads to excessive drinking followed by vomiting does it belong to Yin Jia vomiting. Xiaobanxia Tang is used to stop vomiting; adding Fuling (Poria) addresses the vomiting caused by excessive drinking by promoting diuresis.
[Collected Notes]
Wei Litong said: Water retention in Xin Xia blocks Zheng Qi, preventing transformation into body fluids, which rise to the chest/throat causing thirst. Thirst leads to drinking; water combined with fluids increases surging rebellion, hence first thirst then vomiting. This belongs to Yin Jia; treat the fluid, do not treat it as Ke Jia (Thirst-Disease patient) treating thirst. Treating fluid requires Acrid-Warm methods; treating thirst requires Cold-Moistening methods. They are vastly different. One must not mistakenly treat without knowing the category.
You Yi said: First thirst then vomiting implies no original vomiting disease. Due to thirst and drinking, excessive water fails to descend and rebels upward. Hence, "this belongs to Yin Jia." Xiaobanxia stops vomiting and directs rebellion downward; adding Fuling removes retained water.