再论其热传营，舌色必绛。绛，深红色也。初传，绛色中兼黄白色，此气分之邪未尽也
，泄
卫透营，两和可也。纯绛鲜色者，胞络受病也，宜犀角、生地黄、连翘、郁金、石菖蒲等。
延之数日，或平素心虚有痰，外热一陷，里络就闭，非菖蒲、郁金所能开，须用牛黄丸、至
宝丹之类，以开其闭，恐其昏厥为痉也。
再色绛而舌中心干者，乃心胃火燔，劫烁津液，即黄连、石膏，亦可加入。若烦热烦渴
，舌
心干四边色红，中心或黄或白者，此非血分也，乃上焦气热烁津，急用凉膈散，以散其无形
之热，再看其后转变可也，慎勿用血药以滋腻难散，至舌绛望之若干，手扪之原有津液，此
津亏湿热熏蒸，将成浊痰蒙闭心包也。
再有热搏营血，其人素有瘀伤，宿血在胸膈中，挟热而搏，其舌色必紫而暗，当加入散
血之
品，如琥珀、丹参、桃仁、丹皮等。不尔，瘀血与热为伍，阻遏正气，遂变如狂发狂之症。
若紫而肿大者，乃酒毒冲心，若紫而干晦者，肾肝色泛也，难治。舌色绛而上有粘腻，似苔
非苔者，中夹秽浊之气，急加芳香逐之。舌绛若伸退场门而抵齿难骤伸者，痰阻舌根有内风也
。舌绛而光亮，胃阴亡也，急用甘凉濡润之品。若舌绛而干燥者，火邪劫营，凉血清火为要
。舌绛而有碎点白黄者，当生疳也。大红点者，热毒乘心也，用黄连、金汁。其有虽绛而不
鲜，干枯而痿者，此肾阴涸，急以阿胶、鸡子黄、生地、天冬等救之，缓则恐涸极而无救也
。其有舌独中心绛干者，此胃热心营受灼也，当于清胃方中，加入清心之品，否则延及于尖
，为津干火盛，舌尖绛独干，此心火上炎，用导赤散泻其火。
再舌苔白浓而干燥者，此胃燥气伤也，滋润药中加甘草，令甘守津还之意。舌白而薄者
，此
外感风寒也，当疏散之。若白干薄者，肺津伤也。加麦冬、花露、芦根汁等轻清之品，为上
者上之也。若白苔绛底者，湿遏热伏也，当先泄湿透热，防其就干也。勿忧之，再从里透于
外，则变润矣。初病舌干，神不昏者，急养正，微加透邪之品。若神已昏，其内陷矣，不可
救药。又不拘何舌色，上生芒刺者，皆是上焦热极也。当用青布拭冷薄荷水揩之，即去者轻
，旋即生者险矣。舌苔不燥，自觉闷极者，属脾湿盛也。或有伤痕血迹者，必问曾经搔挖否
，不可以有血而便为枯症，仍从湿治可也。再有神情清爽，舌胀大不能退场门者，此脾湿胃热，
郁极化风而毒延口也。用大黄磨入当用剂内，则舌胀自消矣。
再舌上白苔粘腻，吐出浊浓涎沫者，口必甜味也，为脾瘅病，乃湿热气聚与谷气相搏，
土有
余也。盈满则上泛，当用省头草芳香辛散以逐之则退。若舌上苔如咸者，胃中宿滞，挟浊秽
郁伏，当急急开泄，否则闭结中焦，不能从幕原达出矣。
Furthermore, regarding the transmission of heat to the Ying (Nutrient) level, the tongue color must be crimson (Jiang). Crimson refers to a deep red. In the initial stage of transmission, if the crimson color is mixed with yellowish-white, this indicates that the pathogenic factors in the Qi (Energy) level have not yet been cleared. One should employ methods to vent the Wei (Defensive) level and reveal the Ying level, harmonizing both can suffice. If the tongue is purely crimson and bright, it signifies disease of the Pericardium Collateral (Baoluo); one should use Rhinoceros Horn (Xijiao), Rehmanniae Radix Preparata (Sheng Dihuang), Forsythiae Fructus (Lianqiao), Curcumae Aromatae Rhizoma (Yujin), and Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma (Shichangpu). If delayed for several days, or if the patient has inherent Heart deficiency with phlegm, once external heat sinks inward, the interior collaterals become blocked. This cannot be opened by Shichangpu and Yujin alone; one must use Niuhuang Wan (Calculus Bovis Pill) or Zhibao Dan (Precious Treasure Pill) to open the blockage, fearing coma leading to convulsions (Jing syndrome).
Again, if the tongue is crimson with dryness in the center, this is due to blazing fire in the Heart and Stomach consuming body fluids. In such cases, Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian) and Gypsum Fibrosum (Shigao) may also be added. If there is vexatious heat and thirst, with a dry tongue center but red edges, and the center is either yellow or white, this does not belong to the Blood level, but rather to excessive heat in the Upper Jiao burning fluids. One should urgently use Liangge San (Cool the Diaphragm Powder) to dissipate formless heat, and then observe subsequent changes. Be careful not to use blood-nourishing herbs that are cloying and difficult to disperse. Regarding a tongue that appears dry when viewed but retains moisture when touched, this indicates fluid deficiency with damp-heat steaming, which is about to form turbid phlegm clouding the Pericardium.
Furthermore, if heat combats the Ying and Blood levels, and the patient has a history of trauma with residual blood in the chest and diaphragm, clashing with heat, the tongue color will necessarily be purple and dark. One should add blood-dispersing agents such as Succinum (Hupo), Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Danshen), Persicae Semen (Taoren), and Moutan Cortex (Danpi). Otherwise, stasis and heat combine, obstructing righteous Qi, leading to symptoms resembling mania or actual mania. If the tongue is purple and swollen, it indicates alcohol toxin rushing to the Heart. If purple and dry/dull, it reflects the colors of the Kidney and Liver emerging, which is difficult to treat. If the crimson tongue has a greasy coating that looks like moss but is not, it indicates turbid miasma trapped inside; urgently add aromatic drugs to expel it. If the crimson tongue extends out but hits the teeth and cannot retract quickly, it indicates phlegm blocking the tongue root with internal wind. A bright crimson tongue indicates the loss of Stomach Yin; urgently use sweet-cool moistening agents. If the crimson tongue is dry, fire pathogens have seized the Ying level; cooling the blood and clearing fire is essential. If the crimson tongue has small white/yellow spots, gan sores (ulcers) will likely develop. Large red dots indicate heat-toxin attacking the Heart; use Huanglian and Jinzhi (Gold Juice). If the tongue is crimson but not bright, dry, and atrophic, this is exhaustion of Kidney Yin; urgently rescue with Cornu Bubali (Ejiao - actually Donkey-hide gelatin, usually Ejiao), Egg Yolk (Jizihuang), Rehmanniae Radix Preparata (Shengdi), and Asparagi Radix (Tian Dong). Delay risks irreversible exhaustion. If only the center of the tongue is crimson and dry, this is Stomach heat scorching the Heart Ying; add heart-clearing agents to stomach-clearing formulas. Otherwise, it spreads to the tip, causing dryness and excess fire; a dry crimson tip indicates flaming-up Heart fire; use Daochi San to drain the fire.
Regarding a thick white coating that is dry, this is Stomach dryness injuring Qi; add Licorice Root (Gancao) to moistening prescriptions, intending to retain sweetness and restore fluids. A thin white coating indicates exterior Wind-Cold; disperse it. A dry thin white coating indicates injury to Lung fluids; add light and clear agents like Ophiopogonis Radix (Maidong), Flower Dew, and Reed Rhizome Juice (Lugen Zhi), following the principle of "treating the upper with upper-acting methods." A white coating with a crimson base indicates dampness suppressing heat; first vent dampness and reveal heat to prevent dryness. Do not worry; if revealed from the interior to the exterior, it will become moist. Initial dry tongue without unconsciousness requires urgent support of Zheng Qi with slight pathogen-revealing agents. If unconsciousness occurs, the pathogen has sunk inward, and it is incurable. Regardless of tongue color, prickles on the surface indicate extreme heat in the Upper Jiao. Wipe with blue cloth soaked in cold mint water; if pricles disappear easily, it is mild; if they return immediately, it is dangerous. A non-dry coating with extreme stuffiness belongs to Spleen dampness. If there are scratch marks or blood, ask if scratched; do not assume dryness just because of blood, still treat dampness. If the spirit is clear but the tongue is swollen and cannot retract, this is Spleen dampness and Stomach heat, stagnation transforming into wind and toxin spreading to the mouth. Add Rhubarb (Dahuang) to the prescription to reduce swelling.
Regarding a sticky white coating with expulsion of turbid thick saliva, accompanied by a sweet taste in the mouth, this is Pi Dan (Spleen Heat/Dampness), where damp-heat gathers and combats grain Qi, indicating excess Earth. Fullness causes upward flooding; use Euphorbiae Humifusae Herba (Shentoucao/Polan) aromatic and pungent dispersants to expel it. If the coating tastes salty (or resembles salt/specific texture), it indicates old stagnation in the Stomach with turbid miasma lying dormant; urgently open and drain, otherwise it will close in the Middle Jiao and cannot reach the Membrane Source (Moyuan).