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Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum) [Large dose: 6–8 liang; Medium dose: 2–4 liang; Small dose: 8 qian – 1.2 liang] Zhizi (Gardeniae Fructus) Xiaoshengdi (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata, small size) [Large dose: 6 qian – 1 liang; Medium dose: 3–5 qian; Small dose: 2–4.5 qian] Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix) Wuxijiao (Rhinocerotis Cornu, black rhinoceros horn) [Large dose: 6–8 qian; Medium dose: 3–4 qian; Small dose: 2–4 qian] Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix) Zhenchuanlian (Coptidis Rhizoma, genuine from Sichuan) [Large dose: 4–6 qian; Medium dose: 2–4 qian; Small dose: 1–1.5 qian] Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma) Chishao (Paeoniae Radix Rubra) Yuanshen (Scrophulariae Radix) Lianqiao (Forsythiae Fructus) Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) Danpi (Moutan Cortex) Xianzhuye (Bambusae Folium Frescum)

Boil Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum) for dozens of boils first, then add the remaining herbs. Grind Wuxijiao (Rhinocerotis Cornu) into juice and mix with the decoction for administration.

Yu Shiyu stated: This is a formula that drains fire from the twelve meridians. It is indicated for all types of heat-fire pathogens affecting both the exterior and interior simultaneously, manifesting as mania, restlessness, vexation, dry mouth, sore throat, high fever with dry retching, delirious speech, insomnia, hematemesis, epistaxis, and severe heat toxin causing macules (rash). Regardless of whether it is in the early or late stage of the disease, this formula should be used as the primary prescription. Although macules originate from the Stomach, they are also assisted by fire from various other meridians. By heavily using Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum), which directly enters the Stomach meridian, its effects are distributed throughout the twelve meridians to retreat excessive heat. It is assisted by Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Wuxijiao (Rhinocerotis Cornu), and Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix) to drain heart and lung fire in the Upper Jiao; Danpi (Moutan Cortex), Zhizi (Gardeniae Fructus), and Chishao (Paeoniae Radix Rubra) to drain liver fire; Lianqiao (Forsythiae Fructus) and Yuanshen (Scrophulariae Radix) to dissipate floating and wandering fire; Xiaoshengdi (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata) and Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma) to suppress hyperactive yang and support yin fluids, draining extreme fire and rescuing nearly exhausted water (yin); Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix) and Xianzhuye (Bambusae Folium Frescum) to guide the medicinal action upward; and Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) to harmonize the stomach. This is a major cold detoxification formula. By heavily using Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum), the most severe symptoms are pacified first, and the fire in all meridians naturally becomes tranquil. If epidemic disease (Yi Bing) begins with aversion to cold and fever, headache as if splitting, restlessness and delirium, body heat with cold limbs, prickly tongue with scorched lips, upper vomiting and lower diarrhea, and six pulses that are deep, fine, and rapid, use the large dose immediately. For deep and rapid pulses, use the medium dose; for floating, large, and rapid pulses, use the small dose. Once macules appear, add Daqingye (Isatidis Folium) and slightly assist with Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), 4–5 fen, to guide the toxin outward. This is the method of internal transformation and external resolution, descending turbidity and ascending clarity. Treatment yields success in every case; treating ten results in ten successes. Compared to those methods that use lifting and releasing the exterior which exacerbate the condition, is this not a valuable insight worthy of adoption?