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Hua Tuo's Internal Medicine Divine Prescription

On the first day of contracting Shanghan (Cold Damage), when the pathogen is in the skin, one should apply medicated ointment with massage and use moxibustion; this will lead to recovery. If there is no improvement, on the second day when the pathogen is in the flesh and skin, acupuncture may be performed according to protocol, and Jieji San (Muscle-Releasing Powder) should be taken to induce sweating; recovery follows once sweat appears. If there is still no improvement, on the third day when the pathogen is in the muscles, inducing sweat again will lead to recovery. If it remains unresolved, do not induce sweat again. On the fourth day, when the pathogen is in the chest, Lili Wan (Veratrum Pill) is suitable; mild vomiting leads to recovery. If the patient becomes more distressed and Lili Wan fails to induce vomiting, Xiaodou Guiti San (Adzuki Bean and Melon Seed Dispersant) should be taken to induce vomiting for recovery. Observe if the illness has not cleared; if so, apply another method of acupuncture. On the fifth day, the pathogen is in the abdomen; on the sixth day, it enters the Stomach (Zang-Fu organ). Once it enters the Stomach, purgation can be used. Additionally, at the onset of Shanghan, using Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Fuling (Poria), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus), Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba) each at one qian, Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) at two qian, and Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) at five fen, decocted in water and taken orally, is highly effective.

For those suffering from Shanghan who have not sweated within the first two days, the following is suitable:
Ge Gen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix) half jin, Wumei (Mume Fructus) fourteen pieces, Congbai (Allii Fistulosi Bulbus) one handful, Douchi (Sojae Semen Praeparatum) one sheng (wrapped in cotton cloth).
Boil in nine sheng of water until three sheng remain. Divide into three doses. After the first dose, cover densely to induce sweating; apply powder after sweating occurs.

Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) four liang, Houpo (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex) two liang (roasted), Zhishi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus) three pieces (roasted).
Boil in four sheng of water until one sheng and two he remain. Remove dregs and take warm in two divided doses. If bowel movement is achieved after the first dose and delirium ceases, do not take further.

For cases where Shanghan heat reaches an extreme causing mania, palpitations, and confusion, urgently use:
Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum) two qian, Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma) one qian.
Grind into powder, decoct Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) in water, let cool, and take orally; this is effective.

Jietong (Chest Binding) in Shanghan refers to the accumulation of toxic heat in the heart and chest region. This arises because the disease originated in the Yang aspect but was treated too early with purgatives, allowing heat to enter the deficiency and cause persistent stagnation. Tenderness upon pressure, a floating pulse at the Cun position, and a sinking pulse at the Guan position are indicative. The following may be used:
Shu Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) half jin, Tinglizi (Descurainiae Semen seu Lepidii Semen) half sheng (fried), Xingren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum) half sheng (skin and tip removed, fried until dark red-black), Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas) half sheng.
Crush and sieve two of the four ingredients. Grind Xingren and Mangxiao into a paste, mix uniformly, and form pills the size of a bullet. Take one pill per dose with Gansui (Kansui Radix) powder one qian-bi, white honey one liang, and two sheng of water. Boil together until one sheng remains, take warm in one dose. Natural evacuation will occur overnight. If no evacuation occurs, administer again to ensure evacuation. Alternatively, use one Gualou (Trichosanthis Fructus) (crushed) and one qian of Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), decocted together and taken orally; this is extremely effective.