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It is said: The climate of spring is mild, the climate of summer is hot and sultry, the climate of autumn is cool and clear, and the climate of winter is icy cold. This is the order of the normal Qi of the four seasons. In winter, when it is bitterly cold, all things hide deeply. If major pathological changes occur in spring (referring to "Winter injury by Cold leads to Warm disease in Spring"), this is what is called a "Shi Xing" (Epidemic/Seasonal) disease. Laypeople call it "Heng Bing" (Sudden/Catastrophic Disease), and most do not know how to treat it, claiming that it will heal itself after a certain number of days. Consequently, more than half of those who die wrongly attribute it to this belief. Whenever one initially feels unwell, immediate treatment is required. Once the disease has fully manifested, one should eagerly administer decoctions and food to reduce the toxic pathogenic factor, which will naturally lead to recovery. One must never allow the pathogenic factor to grow unchecked and ravage the body; otherwise, waiting passively for death is a mistake.

Generally, on the first day of illness, the pathogen is in the skin. One should apply medicated ointment massage and fire moxibustion, followed by bathing to induce sweating, which will lead to recovery. If there is no improvement, on the second day, the pathogen is in the flesh/skin layer. Acupuncture may be applied according to method, and herbs that release the muscle layer and induce sweating should be taken. Recovery occurs with sweating. If there is no improvement by the third day, another sweating therapy may be applied. If still unresolved, do not sweat again. By the fourth day, the pathogen is in the chest. It is appropriate to administer Chi Xiao Dou Gua Di San (Red Bean and Melon Peduncle Powder) to induce vomiting, leading to recovery. By the fifth day, the pathogen is in the abdomen; by the sixth day, it enters the Stomach. At this stage, purgation may be used. However, if the heat is outside the Stomach and purgation is mistakenly used, the heat will enter the Stomach through the deficiency. Nevertheless, if the condition truly requires purgation, the pathogen must not remain in the Stomach. If the Stomach is full/excess and the disease is caused by heat toxicity, the prognosis is ten deaths to one life. If the Stomach is deficient, heat toxicity entering the Stomach will cause the Stomach to rot. Mild cases present with red macules (Chi Ban), a prognosis of ten deaths to one life. Severe cases present with black macules, a prognosis of ten deaths to one life. This is because patients vary in strength, and individual constitutions affect efficacy significantly.

If one contracts Shang Han (Cold Damage) without fever, but with delirium, restlessness, and anxiety, where spirit and speech are disordered and communication with others is impaired, one must not use fire methods to force sweating. Instead, administer Wu Ling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria) 3–2 qian, and drink fresh drawn water 1 sheng, or 1.5 sheng, up to 2 sheng. Force the patient to drink, then stimulate the throat to induce vomiting. Recovery follows immediately. If vomiting does not occur, the prognosis is generally poor; do not use other emetics. Furthermore, if this disease is not urgently resolved with Zhu Ling San (Polyporus Powder) and emesis, death comes quickly. Using exterior-releasing herbs first is also excellent. If the patient's illness persists beyond several days, it is no longer a heat syndrome, and purgation is contraindicated. Heat toxicity entering the Stomach via deficiency can also cause Stomach rot and macules.

In spring and summer, drastic vomiting and purgation are contraindicated. In autumn and winter, drastic sweating is contraindicated. In winter and early spring when it is cold, Shen Dan Wan (Divine Pill) is appropriate, along with ointment massage and fire moxibustion. In late spring or early autumn, during these hot months, fire moxibustion is inappropriate, nor is thick covering. Liu Wei Qing San (Six-Ingredient Green Powder) is appropriate. If pills, powders, or decoctions are unavailable, boiling Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix) in large amounts for oral administration is suitable for Shang Han and Shi Xing diseases. Exterior-releasing herbs may also be used; there is more than one method. If sweating therapies fail even after repeated attempts, for patients with Yang Excess patterns, transition to purgation. A pulse that is calm in the morning and rapid in the evening indicates Shi Pi (Excess Mass); a pulse that is calm in the morning and rapid in the evening does not indicate Pi. For Yang transformation patterns, medication can be given early but in small doses to avoid excessive purgation. Various deficiency-related vexation and heat patterns resemble Shang Han but lack aversion to cold and body pain, indicating they are not Shang Han; thus, sweating is contraindicated. If there is no headache and the pulse is not tight and rapid, interior excess is ruled out, so purgation is contraindicated. When neither exterior nor interior attacks are indicated, yet the physician forces an attack, critical damage ensues, often resulting in death. For deficiency vexation, Zhu Ye Tang (Bamboo Leaf Decoction) is appropriate. For vomiting, Ju Pi Tang (Tangerine Peel Decoction) is appropriate; repeat if necessary. If, after continuous administration of decoctions for sweating, no sweat appears, it is a fatal sign. For difficult-to-induce sweating, steaming may be used, similar to the method for Feng Zhong (Wind Strike). Steaming moisture from the outside to attract sweat ensures its emergence.

Generally, for illnesses with fever, aversion to cold, and a洪 (Surging) pulse, immediate sweating is appropriate, followed by applying powder to the body to prevent wind exposure. If sweating is indicated but the patient has recently lost blood, and... [text missing] ...harmonize the interior... Gan (Licorice)... Ke (Can)... Bian (Change)... Zhen (Diagnosis)... Nei (Interior)... Shi (Food)... Xiao (Small)... Yi Zi (Nourish)... Xian You (Rarely)... Ri Er Ke Yu Yin Shui Zhe (Those who desire to drink water on the day)... Wei Yi Duo Yu Ye (Not yet appropriate to give much). Because the heat Qi in the abdomen is still scant and cannot dissipate it, giving more will deepen the illness. If by the seventh or eighth day... Man (Fullness)... Ye (Particle)... Zhe (Particle)... [text ends abruptly].