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Shengshengzi said: There are many people in the world suffering from Wei syndrome (flaccidity syndrome), yet there are few methods for treating it. Examining the *Neijing* (Classic of Internal Canon), a specific chapter is dedicated to this topic, which is not like general discussions on pathogenesis that cover various conditions superficially. The scarcity of treatment methods stems from later generations perhaps failing to fully comprehend the principles of the classics. Now, according to the *Neijing*, "Qi heat" (heat in vital energy) is identified as the root cause for all five types of Wei syndrome. Thus, it can be seen that the fundamental pathology of Wei syndrome originates from Qi heat. Why? At the onset of Wei syndrome, the five Zang organs suffer from "lung heat causing leaf scorching" (pulmonary heat leading to fluid depletion and lung tissue damage), transmitting sequentially to one another. This is because the Lung governs all Qi, serves as the canopy over the Heart, is the chief of the Zang organs, acts as the ministerial official to the sovereign (Heart), and is the seat of governance and regulation. The diseases of the five Wei syndromes likely result merely from the transmission of Qi within the Lung, similar to how a prime minister issues orders to the realm based on a single decree. Observing that treatment focuses solely on the Yangming channel without differentiating among the five types of Wei syndrome reveals that lung heat is the root, while the five Wei syndromes are the branches. Therefore, treating by focusing on Yangming represents unifying the approach ("fixing on one"). The character "qu" (select/take) here implies instructing people to tonify, rather than attacking or purging. Yangming is the sea of the five Zang and six Fu organs, primarily responsible for moistening the Zongjin (general tendons/membranes). Additionally, the Chong vessel is the sea of the meridians. It converges with Yangming at the Zongjin. Yin and Yang converge at the Zongjin, meeting at the Qichuan acupoint, with Yangming acting as their leader; they all belong to the Dai vessel and connect to the Du vessel. When Yangming is deficient, the Zongjin becomes flaccid, and the Dai vessel fails to draw them, resulting in foot weakness and inability to use the legs. By tonifying Yangming, grain Qi becomes abundant, the Chong vessel becomes vigorous, the Dai vessel exerts its pulling force, and the Zongjin is moistened. Consequently, bones are bound and joints function smoothly. Hence, treatment focuses solely on Yangming, regardless of the specific type of Wei syndrome. Since "heat" is established as the root and Yangming as the application, clinical prescription depends on the physician's ability to expand upon these principles; how can books exhaustively state everything?

Danxi stated: In the *Neijing*'s "Treatise on Wei Syndrome," it mentions that lung heat causes leaf scorching, affecting the five Zang organs and leading to Wei syndrome. It also states: "All Wei syndromes belong to the Upper Jiao," indicating that the root of the disease lies in the Lung. Someone asked: Why does the *Neijing* state that the method for treating Wei syndrome focuses solely on Yangming? The answer is: "All Wei syndromes arise from lung heat." This single sentence reveals the main idea of treatment. The *Jing* says: "The East is excess, the West is deficient; drain the South, tonify the North." Although this discusses tonification and draining based on generation and restriction cycles, the great principles do not exceed this framework. Among the Five Elements, Fire has two aspects. Although the Kidney has two, "One Yang is often in excess, and Yin is often insufficient." Thus, the *Jing* states: "One Water cannot overcome Two Fires," which is an inevitable principle. Metal is dry and resides above, governing Qi, and fears Fire. Earth is damp and resides in the center, governing the four limbs, and fears Wood. Fire flares upward. If desires are unregulated, Water loses nourishment, Fire lacks restraint, and thus insults the element it normally controls (Metal). The Lung receives Fire evil and becomes hot. Wood is rigid and urgent. When the Lung suffers from evil heat, Metal loses nourishment, Wood lacks restraint, and thus insults the element it normally controls (Earth). Earth suffers from Wood evil and is injured. Lung heat prevents the regulation of the whole body; Spleen injury prevents the limbs from functioning, causing various Wei syndromes to manifest. Draining the South (Heart Fire) clears Lung Metal, preventing Eastern (Liver Wood) excess, thereby avoiding Spleen injury. Tonifying the North (Kidney Water) descends Heart Fire, preventing Western (Lung Metal) deficiency, thereby avoiding Lung heat. Thus, when Yangming is substantial, the Zongjin is moistened, capable of binding bones and facilitating joint movement. The method for treating Wei syndrome does not go beyond this. Luolongji also said: When Wind and Fire blaze together, one should nourish Kidney Water. Dongyuan selected Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex) as the sovereign herb, with Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix) and others as assistant herbs, without a fixed formula. Depending on whether there is phlegm accumulation, excessive dampness, excessive heat, half-heat half-dampness, or cold, formulas are adjusted clinically. He was indeed skilled in treating Wei syndrome! Nevertheless, although the medication hits the mark, if nursing care is improper, even a sage doctor cannot cure it. Those suffering from Wei syndrome who do not maintain a bland diet will certainly not remain safe.

Shengshengzi said: Liu Zongnong believed that formulas for treating Wei syndrome are often lacking because they were mixed into the Stroke section. This follows Danxi's view that Wei syndrome should not be treated as wind. This statement deeply grasps the pathological essence. Wind is external, so it should be dispersed; Wei syndrome results from internal deficiency, so treatment relies solely on tonification. However, in his treatise on Wei syndrome, Danxi posed the question regarding the *Neijing*'s principle of focusing solely on Yangming but failed to explain the rationale behind selecting Yangming. Instead, he cited the *Nanjing*'s method of "draining South and tonifying North" as the treatment protocol. This represents flexibility beyond standard methods, yet he did not consider what insight was actually provided regarding the meaning of selecting Yangming. He intended to clarify but instead obscured. Why not say: Yangming refers to the Stomach, belonging to Kun Earth, the source of sustenance for all things. It is the exterior of the Spleen. If Spleen and Stomach become deficient, Lung Qi perishes first. Lung deficiency prevents the dissemination through Zang-Fu organs and regulation of meridians. Only when Stomach Qi is robust does Spleen Qi fill up; when Spleen Qi is full, it can distribute fluids, allowing Zang-Fu organs to receive their respective endowments, and limbs to move vigorously. In such a case, how could there be leaf scorching or Wei syndrome? One must understand that the beginning and end of Wei syndrome lie only between the Lung and Stomach. Lung heat and leaf scorching prevent the regulation of all meridians; Stomach Qi deficiency leaves Zang-Fu organs without received Qi. The Dai vessel fails to pull, and the Zongjin withers, marking the onset of Wei syndrome. Therefore, the *Neijing* treats Wei syndrome by focusing solely on Yangming, because Yangming is the sea of the five Zang and six Fu organs. The word "solely" implies that this approach suffices to encompass the entire treatment. Danxi's method of draining South and tonifying North might apply to Lung and Kidney Wei syndromes, but dare we try it for Muscle Wei syndrome? The *Jing* states: "Muscles are soaked, numb and insensible, developing into Muscle Wei." Qixuanzi commented: Flesh belongs to the Spleen; the Spleen dislikes dampness. When dampness adheres to muscles, Wei Qi fails to nourish, resulting in Muscle Wei. Based on this, can the method of draining fire and tonifying water generally treat Muscle Wei? Danxi had high innate talent and strong writing skills. People with high talent sometimes write impulsively or cling to their own views without rechecking. His praise for Dongyuan's skill in treating Wei syndrome at the end of the chapter reveals his talent. Unfortunately, he did not reflect on Dongyuan's excellence to correct himself, falling victim to self-righteousness.