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Liang Nongzhai, a Grand Secretary, suffered from shortness of breath with phlegm, dark and difficult urination, and pain in the heels. The Chi pulse (Kidney pulse) was floating and large, but felt choppy upon deep pressure. This is a pattern of Kidney deficiency with Phlegm-fluid retention. He was treated with Siwu Tang (Four Substance Decoction) to deliver Liuwei Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia), and recovered in less than a month. Mr. Zhang Zhongjing discussed patterns of Qi deficiency with fluid retention, using Shenqi Wan (Kidney Qi Pill) to tonify and expel the fluids; this truly enlightened later generations and dispelled their ignorance.

Meng Youya, a Censor-in-Chief, presented with shortness of breath, dizziness due to phlegm, and after taking acrid-aromatic agents, developed increased phlegm and urinary incontinence. Both Chi pulses were floating and large, yet seemed absent upon deep pressure. I diagnosed this as the Kidney's failure to grasp Qi and return it to its source, exacerbated by the drying nature of aromatic herbs. He was treated with the ingredients of Bawei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill, i.e., Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan) and recovered after three doses.

Sun, a Censor-in-Chief, had a robust physique, suffered from mental overwork and irritability, displayed a red complexion (Yang color), thirst, and expectoration. He experienced occasional dizziness of the head and eyes, or heat rising from the abdomen. The three pulses on the left hand were flooding and forceful, while the three pulses on the right hand were flooding but weak. I attributed this to deficiency of the Foot Three Yin meridians. He was treated with Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) added with Maidong (Ophiopogon Root) and Wuweizi (Schisandra Fruit), followed by a reduced dose of Bawei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill), leading to recovery. When individuals show signs of premature aging, cannot tolerate cold or heat, and are unable to withstand physical labor, suffering from recurrent illnesses across seasons, these are all due to depletion of Qi and Blood and excessive sexual activity causing injury. Consequently, the manifestations are difficult to describe exhaustively. Since this is insufficiency of Essence and Qi, nourishing the Source of Transformation (Spleen/Stomach) will allow the disease to heal spontaneously. Similarly, for various syndromes caused by improper diet, fatigue, or emotional imbalance, the aforementioned methods should be applied. If syndromes arise from invasion by the Six Exogenous Pathogens, it is because the True Qi is internally deficient, allowing external pathogens to attack; in such cases, protecting Stomach Qi is paramount. The Stomach is the root of the Five Zang organs; therefore, Huangbai (Phellodendron Bark) and Zhimu (Anemarrhena Rhizome) should not be used lightly, lest they further damage Stomach Qi. Generally, miscellaneous diseases attributed to internal causes involve insufficiency of both Formative Qi and Pathogenic Qi, requiring tonification rather than purgation. Although Shanghan (Cold Damage) is attributed to external causes, one must still differentiate between exterior/interior and deficiency/excess, and treatment must be prudent.

My elder brother had a robust and grand physique, produced copious amounts of sputum, and had a flooding and forceful pulse. He was particularly intolerant of fatigue; exposure to wind caused dizziness and a sensation of falling. His mouth and tongue cracked, sometimes becoming red and ulcerated. After accidentally consuming a small amount of ginger and garlic, his phlegm worsened significantly. He was cured by taking Bawei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill) and Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) added with Fuzi (Aconite Lateral Root). However, after stopping medication for over a month, all symptoms recurred. This indicates that the Deficient Fire of the Mingmen (Gate of Life) failed to return to its source.