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(Zhu Danxi)
Gout (Tongfeng) may differ in having cold pathogens, dampness pathogens, heat pathogens, phlegm turbidity, or blood stasis. This is a general formula for treating gout (Note: This corresponds to what the *Neijing* calls Xingbi [Wandering Bi Syndrome] and Tongbi [Painful Bi Syndrome]. The classics state: Wind, cold, and dampness combine to form Bi syndrome. Generally, Fengbi [Wind Bi], Weizheng [Flaccidity Syndrome], and Juezheng [Reversal Syndrome] often involve mixed pathologies; thus, in common parlance, Fengbi is mentioned, where some conditions exhibit wind signs but no pain).

Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex), processed with wine; Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma), washed with rice water; Nanxing (Arisaematis Rhizoma), processed with ginger juice, each 2 liang; Shenqu (Massa Medicata Fermentata), stir-fried; Chuanxiong (Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma); Taoren (Persicae Semen), skin and tip removed, pounded; Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus), 3 qian, using horizontal branches.

This is a general formula for treating gout. Huangbai clears heat, Cangzhu dries dampness (These two herbs constitute Ermiao San [Two Marvels Powder], the specific remedy for treating Weizheng [Flaccidity Syndrome]); Longdancao (Gentianae Radix) purges fire, Fangji (Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix) promotes urination to leach out dampness; these four herbs treat dampness and heat. Nanxing dries phlegm and disperses wind; Taoren and Honghua (Carthami Flos) invigorate blood and remove stasis; Chuanxiong acts as the Qi-moving herb within the Blood category; these four herbs treat phlegm and blood stasis. Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix) dispels wind from all joints; Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix) dispels wind from the head and face; Guizhi and Weilingxian (Spatholobi Caulis) dispel wind from the arms and shins; these four herbs treat wind. The addition of Shenqu serves to eliminate stagnant Qi in the Middle Jiao (Spleen and Stomach). Dispelling wind to vent the Upper Jiao, purging heat and promoting urination to drain the Lower Jiao, invigorating blood, drying phlegm, and eliminating stagnation to regulate the Middle Jiao; thus, it can treat multiple syndromes simultaneously and be used generally. If the syndromes are not combined, adjustments can be made according to judgment (Zhu Danxi stated: The general method for treating gout uses Cangzhu, Nanxing, Chuanxiong, Danggui, Baizhi, and Jiuhuangqin [Scutellariae Radix processed with wine]; if the pathology is in the upper body, add Qianghuo, Guizhi, Weilingxian; if in the lower body, add Niuxi, Fangji, Mutong, Huangbai).

Treating stroke (Zhongfeng) manifesting as slurred speech (Jiansese), spasm of hands and feet, hemiplegia, and flaccid numbness (Slurred speech occurs because wind pathogen attacks the tongue root; hemiplegia occurs because evil pathogens invade deficiency; hand and foot spasms occur because wind-dryness damages sinews and blood fails to nourish them; flaccid numbness occurs because wind combines with dampness, leading to stubborn numbness and weakness).

Qianghuo; Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix); Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), stir-fried with soil; Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), washed with wine; Chuanniuxi (Cyathulae Radix), soaked in wine; Chuanbixie (Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae Rhizoma); Duzhong (Eucommiae Cortex), stir-fried with ginger juice until fibers break; [Text missing here, likely a seed/herb name] zi (processed with heat, crushed, quantity [missing]). Thirty jin [of wine], boiled until cooked, remove "fire toxicity" before consumption.

This is a prescription for the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian. Fangfeng, Qianghuo, Cang'erzi (Xanthii Fructus), Qinjiao (Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix), Songjie (Pinus Massoniana Node), Qiegen (Solanum Melongena Root), Can Sha (Bombyx Batryticatus), and Bixie both dispel wind and dry dampness (Songjie removes wind from between bones and joints; Qiegen disperses blood swelling and reduces edema, treats frostbite, and is also a cold-dispersing agent); Danggui, Gouqi (Lycii Fructus), Duzhong, and Niuxi tonify Yin and moisten dryness, nourish blood and benefit sinews; Baizhu tonifies Qi and strengthens the Spleen (The Spleen governs the four limbs); Hujiu (Panther Bone) dispels wind and strengthens bones (Wind originates from the tiger, hence tiger bone treats wind diseases; even after death, a tiger stands without falling, its strength lies in the front tibia, and tibial bone enters the hand and foot meridians; if there is lumbar and spinal pain, vertebral bone should be used instead); Biejia (Trionycis Carapax) also belongs to the Jueyin Blood level.