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Rhubarb (Da Huang) four liang (washed with wine), Niter (Mang Xiao) three he, Immature Bitter Orange (Zhi Shi) five pieces, Magnolia Bark (Hou Po) half jin.

First decoct the Magnolia Bark and Immature Bitter Orange; when nearly ready, add Rhubarb, boil for two or three boils, pour into a bowl, and mix with Niter before taking.

The method of purgation is employed because all signs of excess syndrome are present, and the condition is critical, hanging in the balance. If this opportunity to purge is missed, it cannot be saved again. Therefore, a method akin to "cutting through the gate and seizing the door" is used to stabilize the crisis within an instant. This is why Zhang Zhongjing issued the instruction of "urgent purgation to preserve Yin." However, later generations did not understand this principle. Some claimed that combining methods of generating fluids and moistening guiding within purgative formulas would strengthen the power to preserve Yin. Little do they know that once fluid-generating and moistening herbs are used, they will mutually constrain each other, thereby weakening the power to scour and cleanse! This is like bandits currently at hand, freely burning and looting, leaving ruins wherever they pass. Once gathered and annihilated, then people can live in peace, and the Yuan Qi (Primary Qi) can gradually recover. Removing excess can protect Yin; this is the principle of mutual dependence, which truly interprets the character "preserve" (Cun). It does not mean that attacking excess is equivalent to tonifying Yin, nor does it imply that nourishing Yin methods should be embedded within purgation. Zhang Zhongjing formulated Da Cheng Qi Tang (Major Order the Qi Decoction), using Immature Bitter Orange to open the Upper Jiao, Magnolia Bark to unblock the Middle Jiao, and Niter to regulate the Lower Jiao, while commanding them with Rhubarb, which is good at moving freely, to scour and cleanse the solid excess of the Three Jiaos. This is precisely the great method of annihilating all bandits. Furthermore, fearing that the medicinal force might be too fierce to be administered lightly, there is also the instruction: if one wishes to use Da Cheng Qi Tang, first administer Xiao Cheng Qi Tang (Minor Order the Qi Decoction). Given Zhang Zhongjing's divine efficacy, did he really need to test first? It was actually out of fear that later generations might not diagnose accurately, using established formulas as an excuse to recklessly and lightly administer drugs. Thus, earnest warnings were necessary; this is indeed the compassionate heart of caring for people's lives. As for the Three Yin channels, many conditions are suitable for purgation; among the Three Yang channels, only proper Yangming disease is suitable for purgation, and Shaoyang disease must absolutely not be purged. Moreover, Yangming disease complicated by Taiyang or Shaoyang symptoms must absolutely not be purged. Only when Taiyang disease presents with a tight pulse, aversion to cold, absence of sweating, and abdominal pain—indicating Yin qi congealing in the Ying (Nutrient) level—can warming or purging methods be used. Carefully reviewing formula books, one should cautiously deliberate on the clauses regarding when purgation is indicated and when it is contraindicated; only then is the correct approach achieved.