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Mineral, metallic, and herbal substances can all contribute to longevity or immortality; whether they are effective depends on the practitioner's resolve. Although some medicines can be taken for a long time, if their hot nature causes Qi stagnation and obstruction without dispersion, or results in Qi rebelling upward or sinking downward, or causes Qi blockage or sluggishness, each will present specific manifestations. For instance, dizziness and blurred vision, red face, palpitations, pain in limbs and joints, numbness in the anterior and posterior orifices, excessive phlegm and shortness of breath, aversion to heat and preference for cold, as well as conditions resembling Zhong Feng (Wind Stroke), are collectively termed Shang Pi (Upper Obstruction). Similarly, abdominal fullness and distension, fatigue in the four limbs, difficulty in walking and standing, vomiting after eating, frequent dizziness, reduced appetite, or thirst constitute Zhong Pi (Middle Obstruction). Furthermore, difficult urination, fullness and hardness below the umbilicus, slurred speech, lower back pain, heavy legs, and inability to stand are known as Xia Pi (Lower Obstruction). Therefore, one must carefully examine the condition and administer medication with caution.

Diseases may require treatment with Decoctions (Tang), Pills (Wan), or Powders (San); they may necessitate purgation (Xia), emesis (Tu), sweating (Han), tonification (Bu), moxibustion (Jiu), acupuncture (Zhen), massage (An Mo), Daoyin (Guiding and Leading exercises), steaming and hot compress (Zheng Yun), warm washing (Nuan Xi), psychological joy (Yue Yu), or gentle regulation (He Huan), as well as water-based or fire-based therapies. Without profound and broad medical expertise, it is difficult to achieve recovery. Incompetent practitioners with shallow knowledge indiscriminately prescribe decoctions and pills, mixing up sweating, purging, tonifying, and emetic methods. This causes mild conditions to become severe and severe conditions to become fatal, a common occurrence in the world. Generally, decoctions can cleanse the Zang-Fu organs, open meridians and collaterals, regulate Yin and Yang, expel evil pathogens, moisten withered tissues, nourish the skin, boost Qi and strength, and assist in recovering from exhaustion; nothing is more suitable than decoctions. Pills can drive out wind-cold, break hard accumulations, dissipate masses, promote appetite, soothe Ying and Wei Qi, stabilize and open orifices, and provide gradual comprehensive regulation; nothing is more suitable than pills. Powders can dispel wind, evil, summer-heat, and dampness, relieve toxicity from cold, warmth, dampness, and turbidity, disperse stagnation in the four limbs, eliminate knot-like pathologies in the five Zang organs, harmonize intestines and stomach, and promote blood vessels and meridians; nothing is more suitable than powders. Purgation opens blockages; tonification supplements deficiency; moxibustion raises Yin and unblocks Yang; acupuncture circulates Ying and Wei Qi. Daoyin can expel external pathogens from joints; massage can驱驱 floating pathogens from muscles. Steaming and hot compresses ward off cold; warm washing generates Yang; joy refreshes the spirit; gentle regulation calms Qi. If excess patterns are not treated with purgation, it leads to abdominal distension, irritability, and edema. If deficiency patterns are not treated with tonification, it leads to dissipation of Qi and Blood, wasting of muscles, loss of spirit, and confusion of will. If sweating is indicated but not performed, pores close, orifices sever, leading to death. If emesis is indicated but not performed, Jie Xiong (Chest Binding) occurs with wheezing, preventing food and water intake, leading to death. If moxibustion is indicated but not performed, cold Qi condenses heavily, Yin toxicity gathers internally, Jue Qi (Rebellious Qi) rushes upward, divisions fail to disperse, leading to emaciation. If acupuncture is indicated but not performed, Ying and Wei Qi fail to circulate, meridians become obstructed, pathogens overcome healthy Qi, causing dizziness and coma. If Daoyin is indicated but not performed, pathogens invade joints, becoming fixed and difficult to clear. If massage is indicated but not performed, pathogens linger in muscles without resolving. If steaming and hot compresses are indicated but not performed, cold Qi lingers, gradually forming Bi Jue (Obstruction and Cold Extremities). If warm washing is indicated but not performed, Yang Qi fails to circulate, and Yin pathogens harm the body. If purgation is inappropriately used, it causes severe diarrhea and uncontrollable bowel movements. If sweating is inappropriately used, it consumes muscles and exhausts body fluids. If emesis is inappropriately used, it causes mental agitation and chaotic organ functions. If moxibustion is inappropriately used, it severely damages meridians, retains phlegm and toxins internally, harms the Harmonious Middle, and becomes incurable. If acupuncture is inappropriately used, it scatters Qi and Blood and causes joint contraction. If Daoyin is inappropriately used, it exhausts True Qi and allows pathogens to act recklessly. If massage is inappropriately used, it causes muscle swelling and excessive relaxation of sinews and bones. If steaming and hot compresses are inappropriately used, it causes Yang Qi to move unevenly and Yin Qi to gather internally. If warm washing is inappropriately used, it causes dampness to scorch the skin and heat to generate in the flesh. If joy is inappropriately induced, it causes loss of spirit and unhappiness. If gentle regulation is inappropriately applied, it causes Qi stagnation, mental decline, forgetfulness, and damage to willpower. In general, treatment must adhere to appropriateness. The pulse signs and disease manifestations are briefly outlined below: If the pulse is not tight and rapid, do not induce sweating; if the pulse is not swift and rapid, do not use purgation; if the chest and heart are not blocked and the Chi position pulse is weak and faint, do not use emesis; if joints are not urgent and Ying and Wei Qi are not stagnant, do not use acupuncture; if Yin Qi is not abundant and Yang Qi is not deficient, do not use moxibustion; if there is no external pathogen internally, do not use Daoyin; if there is no invasive Qi externally, do not use massage. Do not use steaming and hot compresses if the skin is not bi-syndrome affected; do not use warm washing if muscles are not cold; do not use joy-inducing methods if the spirit is not confused; do not use gentle regulation if Qi is not rushing urgently. Following these principles leads to life; violating them leads to death.