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Xiao Ke (Wasting and Thirsting Syndrome) is divided into three types: Upper, Middle, and Lower. Upper Xiao pertains to the Heart and Lung; Middle Xiao pertains to the Stomach and Intestines; Lower Xiao pertains to the Liver and Kidney. Generally, Xiao Ke is caused by an excess of Fire or Water imbalance, and the treatment method involves simultaneously nourishing Yin and clearing Heat. To distinguish between Upper, Middle, and Lower types, one must first observe external signs. In Upper Xiao, there are red cracks on the tongue, extreme thirst with copious drinking, resulting from Heart Heat transferring to the Lung. The ancient method primarily uses Renshen Baihu Tang (Ginseng White Tiger Decoction). In Middle Xiao, there is excessive appetite with emaciation, spontaneous sweating, and hard stools, resulting from Large Intestine Heat transferring to the Stomach. The ancient method primarily uses Tiaowei Chengqi Tang (Regulate the Stomach Order Qi Decoction). In Lower Xiao, there is irritability, craving for drinks, and urine turbid like paste, mostly due to Liver and Kidney deficiency. The ancient method uses Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) or Bawei Dihuang Wan (Eight-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) with modifications. As for "drinking one part and urinating two parts," it is often difficult to treat. Sun Simiao said: Patients who recover from Xiao Ke often develop severe carbuncles and die suddenly. This is not due to other reasons, but clearly because essence and fluids, Qi, and Blood have been exhausted. In any case of Xiao Ke, if urine is dropped on dry soil, it will resemble brine; if dropped in a basin, it will foam like yeast. This is because essence and fluids are consumed and lost. Additionally, some who usually eat only a small amount may suddenly eat continuously for several days. This indicates intestinal parasites; one should use vermifuge methods to expel them, after which the disease will heal.

Asthma is actually caused by Excess pathogens in the Lung. If the pulse is floating and tight, with wheezing, no sweat, ability to eat but inability to lie supine, Da Qinglong Tang (Major Green Dragon Decoction) is indicated; if there is sweat, Yebing Tang (Diaphoretic Decoction) is indicated; the effect is miraculous. However, if there is even slight deficiency involved, disaster follows immediately. I often imitate their formula structure but reduce the dosage, using Suye (Perilla Leaf), Qianhu (Peucedani Radix), Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), Xingren (Prunus Seed), Lianqiao (Forsythiae Fructus), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix). If heat is severe, add Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum), Juhong (Tangerine Peel), Gancao (Licorice Root). If phlegm is abundant, add Fuhaisshi (Halloysitum Rubrum), Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma), Laifuzi (Radish Seed), Zhike (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus), etc. The following herbs are suitable for modification: Sangbaipi (Morus Cortex), Digupi (Lycii Cortex), Huafen (Trichosanthis Radix), Qingdai (Indigo Naturalis), Lugen (Reed Rhizome), Maogen (Imperatae Rhizoma), Sangye (Mulberry Leaf), Zhuye (Bamboo Leaf), Pipaye (Loquat Leaf), Chuanbei (Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus), Xiangbei (Fritillariae Thunbergii Bulbus), Kuandonghua (Farfarae Flos), Ziwan (Asteris Radix), Madouling (Aristolochiae Radix), Fuling (Poria), Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma), Yiren (Coicis Semen), Tongcao (Tetrapanacis Medulla). Select and add them according to symptoms. For cases with slight deficiency, assist with Shengtian Baizhu (Fresh Sweet Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizoma), Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix), Shashen (Glehniae Radix), Yuan Shen (Scrophulariae Radix). For cold patterns without heat, discard all cooling herbs, and add Laojiang (Old Ginger) and Guizhimu (Cinnamomi Ramulus). When the pathogen is reduced by sixty or seventy percent, combine dispersing and tonifying methods. After complete recovery, one must employ herbs that tonify Earth to generate Metal (Spleen to Lung), and consolidate the exterior while regulating the interior. Examples include Yigong San (Yi Gong Powder) combined with Yupingfeng San (Jade Windscreen Powder), plus Tian Xingren (Sweet Apricot Kernel), Suzi (Perilla Fruit), and Li Zhi (Pear Juice). Or, prepare pills from Laifu Gao (Radish Paste) to prevent recurrence. Hua Zhenren stated: Asthma seems like Lung Excess, but is actually Lung Deficiency. This is true. Therefore, using tonics often yields good results, whereas prolonged use of clearing and dispersing methods worsens the condition, which also verifies this point. In treating Lung diseases, if one can achieve success by tonifying the Mother (Spleen), it is considered a perfect strategy, ensuring no recurrence. For cases of Kidney Deficiency wheezing without asthma sounds, Zhenyuan Yin (Zhenyuan Decoction) is indicated, composed of Shudi (Prepared Rehmanniae Radix) and Guishen (Angelicae Sinensis Radix); its response is immediate.