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Lü Mei Vitrioli (Zao Fan) six taels (stir-fried nine times with vinegar) Myrrh (Moyao) three taels (stir-fried to remove oil)
Grind together into powder, form pills with jujube flesh, take seven pills with warm water on an empty stomach; effective within seven days. Alternatively:
Trogopterus Dung (Wulingzhi) and Cyperus Rhizome (Xiangfu) one jin each Black Morning Glory Seed (Hei Chou) and White Morning Glory Seed (Bai Chou) two taels each
Pulverize together, half stir-fried until cooked, half used raw, mix with vinegar to form pills, take three qian daily.

Platycodon Root (Jiegeng) and Bitter Orange (Zhike) in equal parts
Decoct in water, take warm; effective.

Coptis Rhizome (Huanglian) one qian Perilla Leaf (Zisu Ye) eight fen
Decoct in water and take. Extremely effective.

Frankincense (Ruxiang) Sulfur (Liuhuang) and Aged Mugwort (Chen Ai) two qian each
Pulverize the above ingredients, decoct with aged wine for a few boils, inhale the steam while hot. Externally, rub fresh ginger on the chest area; extremely effective.

Xiao Ke (Wasting-Thirst Syndrome) refers to the symptom of thirst without urination. This is caused by long-term, small-dose consumption of Five-Mineral Pills and powders. Over years, the mineral energy accumulates in the kidneys, causing deficiency-heat in the lower jiao. When age advances and qi and blood diminish, they cannot control the mineral energy; the mineral energy becomes dominant, drying the kidneys. Thus, there is drinking of water but little urination. The prescription is as follows:
Ophiopogon Tuber (Maimendong), Poria (Fuling), Coptis Rhizome (Huanglian), Gypsum (Shigao), and Polygonatum Rhizome (Weirui) eight fen each Ginseng (Renshen), Scutellaria Root (Huangqin), and Gentian Root (Longdan) six fen each Immature Bitter Orange (Zhishi) five fen Cimicifuga Rhizome (Shengma) four fen Fresh Ginger (Shengjiang), Goji Berry (Gouqizi), and Trichosanthes Root (Gualougen) ten fen each
Pulverize the above ingredients, form pills like wu-tzu seeds with honey. Take ten pills with juice decocted from one sheng of Phragmites Rhizome (Maogen) and three he of millet. Take twice daily. If thirsty, take this; hemp seed drink is also acceptable.

The origin of this syndrome should be due to internal heat. Urination volume exceeds intake, causing extreme deficiency and shortness of breath. Food is digested and excreted as urine, yet there is no thirst. Although rare, this disease is extremely fearsome. Urgently use:
Goji Branches and Leaves (Gouqi Zhiye) one piece Trichosanthes Root (Gualougen), Coptis Rhizome (Huanglian), and Gypsum (Shigao) three taels each Licorice Root (Gancao) roasted two taels
Take the above five herbs, decoct in one dou of water until three sheng remain, remove dregs, divide into five warm doses. Take three times during the day and five times at night. For severe cases, increase dosage; drink when thirsty. If fearing incomplete recovery, change to: Lead Oxide (Qiandan) two fen (roasted and ground separately before adding) Trichosanthes Root (Gualougen) and Licorice Root (Gancao) roasted ten fen each Alisma Rhizome (Zexie) five fen Lead Carbonate (Hufen) two fen (roasted and ground before adding) Gypsum (Shigao), Halloysite Alba (Baishizhi), and Halloysite Rubra (Chishizhi) five fen each
Pulverize and grind into powder. Take one fangcun bi with water, three times daily. Young and robust persons take one and a half fangcun bi. Those ill for one year recover in one day; those ill for two years recover in two days. Pill form is also good: take ten pills per dose, stop when recovered. This prescription works miraculously. Avoid Seaweed (Haizao) and Chinese Cabbage (Songcai).