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(Zhang Zhongjing) Treats Taiyang Wind-Strike syndrome, characterized by a floating and tight pulse, body pain, fever with aversion to cold, anhidrosis (absence of sweating), and irritability/restlessness. (Cheng Wuji notes: This is Wind-Strike presenting with Cold pulses. A floating pulse indicates Wind, which injures the Wei (Defensive) Qi; a tight pulse indicates Cold, which injures the Ying (Nutritive) Qi. Since both Ying and Wei are diseased, fever, aversion to cold, and body pain occur. "Fan" (irritability) is Yang and caused by Wind; "Zao" (restlessness) is Yin and caused by Cold. When both Wind and Cold injure the body, causing Ying and Wei to be full/excess, anhidrosis and irritability/restlessness result. Zhang Zhongjing also states: If the pulse is weak and faint, with sweating and aversion to wind, this formula must not be used. Misuse will lead to limb reversal (cold extremities), tendon twitching, and muscle fasciculation, which constitutes a therapeutic error. Note: This corresponds to the syndrome of Yang depletion due to excessive sweating in Shaoyin disease, so Zhang Zhongjing established Zhenwu Tang to remedy such errors). It also treats Shanghan (Cold Damage) with a floating and rapid pulse, where the body is heavy but not painful, occasionally feeling lighter, provided there are no Shaoyin symptoms. (Cheng Wuji notes: This is Shanghan presenting with Wind pulses. Shanghan typically involves body pain; here, Wind is predominant, hence no pain. Wind-Strike typically involves body heaviness; here, it is complicated by Cold, hence symptoms fluctuate. With severe external Wind-Cold, there is no vomiting, diarrhea, or limb reversal, nor any interior Shaoyin syndrome. Wang Ang's note: Cheng's annotation is incorrect. This formula should only be administered when the pulse is floating-tight or floating-rapid, accompanied by irritability/restlessness and anhidrosis. Zhang Zhongjing added "no Shaoyin syndrome" to prevent misdiagnosis of Shaoyin irritability as Taiyang, which would be harmful. Generally, irritability in Taiyang is treated with diaphoresis; in Yangming, with purgation; and in Yin syndromes, with warming).

Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba, 6 liang) Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, 2 liang, honey-fried) Xingren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum, 40 seeds, skin and tip removed) Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum, size of a chicken egg) Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens)

This prescription belongs to the Foot-Taiyang Bladder channel. Cheng Wuji states: Guizhi treats Wind-Strike, Mahuang treats Shanghan. Now that both Wind and Cold injure the body, Guizhi is used to release the muscle layer and expel Wind, while... [text fragment] Xingren, with acrid, sweet, and bitter properties, assists Mahuang to release the exterior; Dazao, with sweet and warm properties, and Shengjiang, with acrid and warm properties, assist Guizhi to release the muscle layer (Ginger and Jujube can also circulate Spleen fluids to harmonize Ying and Wei). If Ying, Wei, Yin, and Yang are all injured, light agents alone cannot resolve the condition; heavy and light agents must be combined to disperse the pathogens, thereby eliminating Yin-Yang evils and harmonizing Ying and Wei. Shigao, with acrid, sweet, and slightly cold properties and heavy substance, specifically reaches the muscle layer, serving as the guiding herb (When external Wind-Cold is strong, human Yang Qi inevitably stagnates and generates heat. Shigao's heavy weight clears heat, and its light qi releases the muscle layer, hence the distinction between heavy and light agents. The Foot-Taiyang Bladder channel suffers from exterior diseases, yet the exterior differs in Ying-Wei status, and diseases differ in Wind-Cold nature. Zhang Zhongjing divides treatment into three syndromes: Guizhi releases the muscle layer and expels Wind; Mahuang induces sweating and disperses Cold; Da Qing Long Tang resolves both Wind and Cold. They have distinct boundaries, forming the tripod of three major principles. Note: Da Qing Long Tang is a heavy diaphoretic agent. Tao Jian'an says: This decoction is dangerous and峻烈 (pungent/strong); it should only be given when both Wind and Cold are severe and accompanied by irritability/restlessness. Yu Jiayan says: Releasing the muscle layer combined with inducing sweating takes its meaning from the Azure Dragon; when the dragon rises, clouds ascend and rain falls, clearing stagnant heat instantly and resolving irritability. How else could this be achieved without the dragon's spirit? Qing Long Tang is established for Taiyang anhidrosis, differing little from Mahuang Tang syndrome, except for the additional symptom of irritability/restlessness. Fan is caused by Wind, Zao by Cold; this method is required for resolution. However, irritability/restlessness due to anhidrosis is distinctly different from that after sweating; irritability/restlessness after purgation differs from that before purgation. If Shaoyin irritability/restlessness is mistakenly treated with this, it leads to Yang depletion. Furthermore: Gypsum, when entering a group of sweet-warm herbs, becomes part of Qing Long Tang; when paired with cool-cold herbs, it becomes part of Bai Hu Tang. Since both Wind and Cold injure the body, one should follow acrid-sweet dispersal methods; but if exterior and interior are both hot, warm-hot herbs are contraindicated. To resolve both Wind-Cold exterior-interior heat simultaneously, Bai Hu Tang was established to supplement the insufficiency of Qing Long Tang. Note: Irritability/restlessness can be in the exterior (this case: anhidrosis with irritability/restlessness); in the interior (constipation with irritability/restlessness); due to Yang deficiency (illness persists after sweating/purgation with irritability/restlessness); or due to Yin excess (Shaoyin disease with vomiting, diarrhea, limb reversal, and extreme irritability/restlessness). Internal heat is called "Fan," representing rooted fire; external heat is called "Zao," representing unrooted fire. Therefore, if there is only Zao without Fan,