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If using toxic drugs to treat diseases, start with a small dose, such as the size of millet or broomcorn millet; stop immediately once the pathogen is eliminated; if the disease persists, double the dose; if it still persists, increase to ten times the initial dose, taking the elimination of the disease as the limit.

For diseases located above the chest and diaphragm, eat first and then take medicine; for diseases located below the heart and abdomen, take medicine first and then eat; for diseases located in the four limbs and blood vessels, it is appropriate to take them on an empty stomach in the morning; for diseases located in the bone marrow, it is appropriate to take them when full at night.

When taking pills or powders, if the original prescription does not specify whether to use wine or water for delivery, follow the original prescription's general rule.

When taking purgative decoctions, they should be taken early; when taking general decoctions, they should be taken while slightly warm, which facilitates digestion and prevents vomiting. If too cold, it may cause vomiting and poor absorption; if too hot, it will damage the throat, so attention must be paid. The decoction must be clear; if turbid, it causes mental restlessness. The interval between doses should be approximately the time it takes to walk ten *li*. If the interval is too short, before the previous dose is digested, the new dose arrives, inevitably causing vomiting and reflux. Therefore, ask the patient if the medicine in the abdomen has dissipated before administering the next dose.

The general method for taking decoctions is to divide them into three doses. Take three *sheng* of liquid, and administer while the patient's *Gu Qi* (Grain Qi/Stomach Qi) is strong. The first dose should be the largest, the second gradually smaller, and the third the smallest, ensuring stability. Since the patient's strength diminishes with subsequent doses, the dosage should gradually decrease. When taking tonic decoctions, aim for 3.5 *sheng* per administration, three times during the day and once at night, interspersed with meals, so that the medicinal qi irrigates the hundred vessels and efficacy is easily achieved. The speed of taking decoctions should not be too slow or too fast. One should also lie supine and prone on both sides for about one meal's duration, after which the medicinal momentum spreads throughout the abdomen. Walking indoors for about one hundred steps is also beneficial; staying indoors for the day is highly advantageous.

For three days after taking decoctions, alcohol must be avoided due to incompatibility. For decoctions treating wind diseases, the first dose should be covered tightly to induce sweating; once sweat occurs, cover lightly to prevent excessive sweating. Meals should be interspersed. Otherwise, the person will lose strength and become more emaciated.

Pills are generally made the size of a Chinese quince seed (*Cotoneaster melon*). Tonic pills start at ten pills, gradually increasing with each dose, but not exceeding forty pills, as excess harms the body. If prescribed three times a day, the course should be extended over many days without interruption. The medicinal qi gradually permeates and steams the five zang organs; accumulation over time yields better results. It is not necessary to take all at once; finishing early is good. Wasting expensive medicines yields little benefit.

For those under forty, purgatives may be used for illness, tonics are generally unnecessary unless there is specific damage. For those over forty, purgatives should not be used, and tonics are required. For those over fifty, tonics should not be lacking in any season to prolong life and master health preservation methods. Specific formulas are recorded in Volume 27. As stated in *Su Wen*: "Excess is treated by purging, deficiency is treated by tonifying; neither excess nor deficiency is balanced by regulating the meridians." This is the general principle.

For any organ accumulations, regardless of age, purge if necessary; for any deficiency, regardless of age, tonify if necessary, judging according to circumstances.

When taking medicines for hemorrhoids, fistulas, or gan syndrome, strictly avoid pork, chicken, fish, and oils until recovery.

When taking purgatives, stop once bowel movement is achieved; do not overdose to cause uncontrolled diarrhea, which severely damages the body.

After healing from various severe sores, dietary restrictions must be observed for one hundred days, otherwise the sores may recur.

When taking wine-processed medicines, ensure the alcohol effect is continuous without interruption, otherwise efficacy is lost. Dosage should be adjusted until effective; intoxication and vomiting must be avoided as they severely harm the body.

When taking medicine, avoid raw, cold, sour, and slippery foods, as well as pork, dog, chicken, fish, oil, flour, garlic, and fruits. For major tonic pills/powders, strictly avoid stale, smelly, or leftover foods. When using *Kong Qing* (Azurite), avoid blood-generating foods. *Tian Dong* (Asparagus Root) avoids carp; *Bai Zhu* (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome) avoids plums, peaches, sparrow meat, *Hu Su* (Coriander), garlic, and green fish; *Di Huang* (Rehmannia Root) avoids *Wu Yi* (Chrysanthemum Seed); *Gan Cao* (Licorice Root) avoids *Song Cai* (Chinese Cabbage) and *Hai Zao* (Sargassum); *Xi Xin* (Asarum) avoids raw vegetables; *Tu Si Zi* (Dodder Seed) avoids rabbit meat; *Niu Xi* (Achyranthes Root) avoids beef; *Huang Lian* (Coptis Rhizome) and *Jie Geng* (Platycodon Root) avoid pork; *Mu Dan Pi* (Moutan Cortex) avoids *Hu Su*; *Li Lu* (Veratrum Root) avoids civet cat meat; *Ban Xia* (Pinellia Tuber) and *Chang Pu* (Acorus Rhizome) avoid maltose and mutton; *Heng Shan* (Dichroa Root) and *Gui Xin* (Cinnamon Twig Heart) avoid raw scallions and vegetables; *Shang Lu* (Phytolacca Root) avoids dog meat; *Fu Ling* (Poria) avoids vinegar-treated foods; *Bai Zi Ren* (Biota Seed) avoids wet dough; *Ba Dou* (Croton Seed) avoids asparagus soup and pork; *Bie Jia* (Turtle Shell) avoids amaranth.

When taking medicine, avoid contact with corpses and postpartum filth, as well as anger and worry/overwork.

When taking decoctions, porridges, meats, and vegetables must be thoroughly cooked. Cooked food is easy to digest and compatible with medicine; raw food is hard to digest and impairs efficacy. Eat less vegetables and hard foods for best results; consume small amounts of salt and vinegar. Avoid mental strain, sexual activity, and extreme emotions. Thus, the efficacy of medicine relies heavily on proper diet and care, which benefits the treatment significantly. Patients must focus on moderation and caution; ultimate caution leads to longevity, not just cure.

When taking purgative decoctions or pills/powders/wines, if eating is required at mealtime, first have a mouthful of cold vinegar rice, wait a moment, then eat.

If suddenly encountering wind disease onset with sudden physical and mental deterioration or inability to speak, take *Da Xiao Xu Ming Tang* (Major and Minor Continuation Life Decoction), *Xi Zhou Xu Ming Tang*, *Pai Feng Tang*, or *Yue Bi Tang*. In a windless, sealed room, take four to five doses daily, regardless of quantity, without worrying about deficiency. Aim for continuous sweating on the head, face, hands, feet, abdomen, and back. When the decoction is digested, eat porridge; when porridge is digested, take decoction again. Slightly supplement with mutton. If wind is severe, continue decoctions for five days and nights, then stop for two days. Supplement the four limbs with soups. If slightly improved, stop medication and recover gradually. If not improved, resume attacking with decoctions until cured.

To expel wind via decoctions, heavy sweating is required. Hence, *Ma Huang* (Ephedrae Herba) is present in most wind formulas: *Xi Zhou Xu Ming Tang* uses eight taels, *Yue Bi Tang* six taels, *Da/Xiao Xu Ming Tang* one, three, or four taels. Without sweating, cure is impossible. Treatment must occur in a sealed room; arbitrary dosing only worsens the condition.

For those over fifty with severe deficiency, take *San Shi Geng Sheng* (Three Minerals Rejuvenation Pill); do not use *Wu Shi San* (Five Minerals Powder). Take one to two *sheng* every morning at dawn throughout the seasons, lifelong without interruption. Avoid garlic, oil, pork, chicken, fish, goose, duck, beef, and horse meat to remain disease-free.