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Individuals who consume opium have their Qi and Blood daily consumed by the smoke and fire, causing Kidney Water (fluids of the Kidney) to gradually dry up and Spleen Yang (the warming and transforming function of the Spleen) to become weak. Consequently, they suffer from poor appetite, emaciation, dry skin, mental exhaustion, and coma upon falling ill. Even after the pathogenic factors recede, they often remain weak and fail to regain their complexion; quiet cultivation and nourishment are essential. If one is irritable and desires a rapid recovery, it is likely that healing will not occur.

In cases where Liver Qi (the regulating and dispersing function of the Liver) is stagnant, combined with a deficient constitution and excessive labor, nodules may form in the hypochondriac region. These swell and harden significantly upon exertion, or ulcerate and discharge clear fluid. The firm swelling persists; such conditions invariably develop into Consumption Disease (a chronic wasting syndrome).

When Damp-Heat (pathogenic dampness and heat) flows downward into the Large Intestine, small bumps initially appear at the anus, gradually enlarging, ulcerating, and discharging pus, with internal connection to the Large Intestine. These lesions are difficult to heal over time, or may heal for over a month only to ulcerate again. Many such cases evolve into Consumption Disease. If treated early with several doses of Qingre Ne Xiaosan (Clear Heat and Dissolve Internal Accumulation Decoction; see formula below), cure is possible. However, if fistula forms without coughing, it is incurable.

For pregnant women suffering from disease, hot-natured medicines are contraindicated. Formulas must include herbs that clear heat and stabilize the fetus, providing step-by-step protection. If heat is severe and injures Yin (body fluids/substance), leading to miscarriage, rescue is rarely successful.

In prolonged Yige (Dysphagia/Obstruction of the Esophagus), where food is rejected and cannot be swallowed, blood stasis (static blood) may block the upper opening of the Stomach. This can result in an inability to take even a drop of water, vomiting two or three mouthfuls of purple blood clots, vomiting a cup of bright red blood followed by immediate death, death occurring days later, or death after prolonging until extreme weakness.

Worry and depression injure the Liver, causing several purple veins to bulge on both sides of the thyroid cartilage (Di Ding), constricting the throat as if obstructed by a foreign object, making it impossible to spit out or swallow. This is named Shang Ge (Upper Obstruction). A long-bladed knife should be used to pierce and sever these veins, and Pinggan San (Calm the Liver Powder; see formula below) should be administered internally to induce relaxation. Recurrence is inevitable if Liver Qi is disturbed again.

Field cultivation requires manure for nourishment. During the peak of summer (Sanxia), intense sunlight evaporates damp-toxicity from the soil. Men and women engaged in agriculture are prone to contracting this toxicity on their hands and feet. Initially, there is itching, pain, redness, and swelling, which then spread and ulcerate. Washing several times with a decoction of garlic bulbs, pine cones, sugarcane, and lettuce peels can cure the condition. However, if food is touched by fingers infected with the toxin and then put into the mouth, the toxin easily contaminates the food, invades the Lungs, and triggers wheezing and coughing; treatment will be ineffective.

Spleen deficiency fails to control water metabolism, causing water to accumulate in the Kidneys and overflow into the scrotum, resulting in swelling that is large and translucent like crystal. A fine iron needle threaded with a single hair should be inserted through the skin on either side of the main tendon of the scrotum, following the direction of fluid drainage. The needle passes through the hole, leaving two segments of hair hanging outside to keep the puncture open, allowing the fluid to drain completely. Internally, a formula for warming tonification and promoting diuresis should be administered.