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Shaoyang disease (disease caused by cold pathogen), although there are books such as *Huoren Shu* (Book of Those Who Survive), *Ming Lilun* (Theory of Clarification), *Zhizhang Tu* (Diagram of Palm), and *Shanghan Lun Quansheng Ji* (Complete Collection for Preserving Life in Cold Damage Treatise), among them, some have discussions but lack prescriptions, some have classifications that deviate from the original meaning, some have pulse descriptions without symptoms, and some have symptoms without treatment methods. Why is this? It is likely that due to the passage of many years, much has been lost; it is indeed not Zhang Zhongjing's complete original work. Later, Wang Shuhe supplemented prescriptions and wrote discussions based on fragmented manuscripts, and Cheng Wuji annotated the text line by line and compiled a complete book, so the lingering harm has not ceased to this day. Alas, Zhang Zhongjing's book is incomplete, leading to unjust deaths from Shaoyang disease.

Since Shaoyang disease originally has no fixed form, it may enter the Yang meridians or the Yin meridians. Entering the Yang meridians begins with Taiyang (Taiyang meridian syndrome); entering the Yin meridians begins with Shaoyin (Shaoyin meridian syndrome). Therefore, the transmission varies, and treatment methods differ. However, the essence never goes beyond Yin, Yang, Exterior, Interior, Deficiency, Excess, Cold, and Heat. Understanding the key to these eight characters allows one to distinguish them entirely through the strength or weakness of the Floating (Fu), Middle (Zhong), and Deep (Chen) pulses. A strong pulse indicates Yang, Excess, and Heat; a weak pulse indicates Yin, Deficiency, and Cold. If one can clarify these eight characters, then Zhang Zhongjing's 397 treatment methods and 113 prescriptions will be clear in one's mind.

Today, physicians treating Shaoyang disease, within one or two days, regardless of whether it is Deficiency or Excess, immediately use Mahuang Tang (Ephedra Decoction) or Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) to induce sweating. Within three or four days, regardless of whether the disease is in the Meridians or the Fu organs, they immediately use Chaihu Tang (Bupleurum Decoction) or Gegen Tang (Kudzu Decoction) to harmonize. Within five or six days, regardless of whether the disease is in the Exterior or the Interior, they immediately use Chengqi Tang (Gastrointestinal Purging Decoction) and other formulas to purge. This causes both Yin and Yang to become diseased, and complications arise like swarms of insects.

Mahuang Tang and Guizhi Tang were specifically established by Zhang Zhongjing for Zheng Shanghan (true cold damage occurring in winter). Now, people use them universally to treat sudden cold, warm diseases, and summerheat occurring out of season. Furthermore, they confuse Chuanjing Yinzheng (Yin syndromes transmitted via meridians) with Zhizhong Yinzheng (direct invasion into Yin meridians) in their discussions, which is surely erroneous. Scholars must clarify pulse and symptom patterns during their daily studies and carefully examine prescription theories. When facing a patient, they should act with ease and skill, making the distinction between Yang and Yin syndromes clear, and knowing the appropriateness of sweating, vomiting, and purging methods, leaving no doubt. They must also be flexible and lively, like a pearl rolling on a plate: seeing Taiyang syndrome, attack Taiyang directly; seeing Shaoyin syndrome, attack Shaoyin directly. Do not stick rigidly to the theory that "it starts at Taiyang and ends at Jueyin."

Zhang Zhongjing said: "Although many days have passed, if there are Exterior symptoms and the pulse is Floating, sweating is appropriate." "Although few days have passed, if there are Interior symptoms and the pulse is Deep, purging is appropriate." Zhang Zhongjing was very strict in prescribing and theorizing, stating: "Warmth may be used," "Purging may be used," "Give purging," "Urgently purge," as well as "First warm the Interior, then attack the Exterior," and "First resolve the Exterior, then attack the Interior." One must not rigidly adhere to the idea that the first one or two days require sweating, the next three or four days require harmonizing, and only after five or six days is purging allowed. One must further examine the pulse and verify symptoms, differentiate between Fu organs and determine the Meridians, ensuring every detail is clear and certain before initiating treatment. Truly knowing it is an Exterior pathogen and inducing sweat, truly knowing it is a direct invasion of Yin meridians and applying warmth, using Guizhi Tang or Chengqi Tang will surely result in recovery; using Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger), Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root), or Lizhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction) will be perfectly appropriate. This can be called mastering the general principles.