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Zhongshi (Intermediate Dampness) presents with whole-body stiffness and rigidity, and the limbs are mostly fatigued and unable to move. The treatment principle should be to unblock and promote urination; one must not lightly use purgative methods.

Exposure to rain or open air, wearing wet clothes, or lying on damp ground can all lead to disease caused by dampness. The pathology involves the Liver and Spleen meridians, with symptoms including loose stools, dark urine, and a pulse that is faint and slow.

In some cases, spontaneous sweating occurs at the onset of the disease, followed by high fever but an inability to sweat. This is due to the dispersion of Yang Qi and insufficient Yin Qi. (Zhang Dongfu stated: Because Yang Qi disperses, there is sweating at the onset; because Yin Blood is insufficient, there is no sweating despite intense heat.) It is appropriate to administer Xiong Gui Tang (Sichuan Lovage and Angelica Decoction) for one to two doses, then add 1-2 fen of Perillae Caulis (Sugeng). Sweating will occur, and the patient will recover.

In other cases, alternating chills and fever occur; after sweating, the fever subsides, but chills return shortly thereafter. This indicates disharmony between Yin and Yang. It is appropriate to use Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) added with Chuanxiong Rhizome (Chuanxiong), Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui), and Paeoniae Radix Alba (Baishao).

Since residual pathogens remain, Yin and Yang are in disharmony. Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao), and Pinelliae Tuber (Banxia) are used to harmonize Yang; Chuanxiong Rhizome (Chuanxiong), Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui), and Paeoniae Radix Alba (Baishao) are used to harmonize Yin; Bupleuri Radix (Chaihu) and Poria (Fuling) are used to clear heat from the half-exterior and half-interior.

In some cases, the six pulses are empty, large, slow, and sluggish. The interior Qi is already deficient, the body feels slightly aversion to cold, and exterior pathogens have not yet been cleared. One may use Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu) 1 qian, Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (Fuzi) 3 fen, plus... [text incomplete].

During the transition between summer and autumn, if the body is hot, aversed to cold, and the pulse is large and hollow, it is appropriate to use Xiong Gui Tang (Sichuan Lovage and Angelica Decoction) added with Morus Folium (Sangye).

If it is cold Qi or cold fluid retention, with food stagnating in the chest and diaphragm, Li Zhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction) is used to harmonize it, supporting the healthy Qi so that vomiting occurs naturally.

If food is in the stomach, Ping Wei San (Calm the Stomach Powder) and Er Chen Tang (Two-Cured Decoction) are used to raise Stomach Qi, allowing vomiting to occur naturally.

If phlegm is above the diaphragm, causing fullness, oppression, and stagnation, emesis is indicated. Boiled water mixed with roasted salt is used to induce vomiting.

For Jiaochangsha (Intestinal Twisting Sha), boiled water mixed with salt is used to induce vomiting via probing the throat.

When food stagnation and retained phlegm are present, causing the limbs to curl and not straighten, Ping Wei San (Calm the Stomach Powder) and Er Chen Tang (Two-Cured Decoction) are used for digestion and resolution, leading to natural vomiting.

If saliva and phlegm are obstructing, Danfan (Alumen) 3 fen and Pengsha (Borax) 2 fen are ground into powder and taken with boiling water to induce vomiting.

For chronic deficiency and damage, Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) added with Perillae Caulis (Sugeng) and Armeniacae Semen Amarum (Xingren), or Xiong Gui Tang (Sichuan Lovage and Angelica Decoction) added with Er Chen Tang (Two-Cured Decoction), or Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) to moisten and guide downward, may be used.

In miscellaneous diseases lasting one month, with reduced dietary intake and persistent irritability and heat, Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) added with Perillae Caulis (Sugeng) and Armeniacae Semen Amarum (Xingren) is appropriate. If abdominal distension is present, add small amounts of Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens (Shengjiang), Cinnamomi Cortex (Guirou), and Evodiae Fructus (Wuzhuyu).

This relates to the Way of Yin. (Zhang Dongfu stated: Schisandrae Fructus (Wuweizi) is only suitable for thirst caused by Kidney deficiency and scanty fluids; in other cases, it should be used with caution.)

In any chronic disease, if the left pulse is deep and deficient, the right pulse is large and surging, and the stool is dry and hard, this indicates Yang sinking into the Yin aspect, with disease affecting the Spleen and Stomach. Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) added with Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen) and Plantaginis Semen (Cheqianzi) is indicated. In another case of chronic disease where the left pulse is deep and deficient and the right pulse is large and surging, initially, when healthy Qi is deficient and sinking, Bu Zhong Yi Tang (Tonify the Middle Decoction) should be used to raise it. However, if the sinking has persisted for a long time, Yin Blood is dried up, Qi and Blood are both deficient, and dry fire is increasingly fierce, using raising methods would trigger symptoms such as headache and sore throat. In such cases, it is necessary to use Dihuang Wan (Rehmannia Pill) to strengthen the source of Water to control the excessive Yang (Sunlight).

For a pulse that is large and surging but forceless, Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) should be used without adding Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen); otherwise, after the fire subsides, the pulse will become choppy. This is because adding Ginseng causes Qi to descend. These are all methods of "seeking descent."