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When a person reaches ten years of age, the functions of the five Zang organs (Five Viscera) begin to stabilize, and the flow of Xueqi (Blood and Qi) is already smooth. At this stage, Zhengqi (Upright Qi) operates primarily in the lower part of the body; therefore, they enjoy running. At twenty years of age, Xueqi begins to flourish, and muscles and bones are growing. This represents the peak period of human vitality. However, at this time, the Couli (interstitial spaces and pores) begin to become loose, the complexion gradually declines, and gray hair appears on the temples. Compared with the peak state, Xueqi has diminished, and vigorous activity ceases; thus, they prefer sitting. At fifty years of age, Liver Qi begins to decline, the liver lobes become thinner, bile secretion decreases, and vision becomes blurred. At sixty years of age, Heart Qi begins to decline, leading to frequent sadness and melancholy; Xueqi becomes sluggish and lazy, resulting in a preference for lying down. At seventy years of age, Spleen Qi begins to decline, causing the skin and flesh to wither and dry up, and food intake to decrease. At eighty years of age, Lung Qi begins to decline, the Po (Corporeal Soul) and Hun (Ethereal Soul) begin to scatter, and speech becomes erroneous. At ninety years of age, Kidney Qi dries up and exhausts, the root becomes withered and枯 (dry), and the meridians become empty, leading to deafness or loss of hearing. Upon reaching one hundred years of age, the functions of all five Zang organs fail completely, Shenqi (Spiritual Qi) cannot remain within, and both Hun and Po depart, leaving only the physical form to perish. Some individuals do not live out their natural lifespan and die before the age of one hundred. This is due to the lack of solidity in the Zang-Fu organs and the lack of firmness in the muscles. Frequent exposure to Wind pathogens leads to obstruction of Xueqi, where True Qi and Evil Qi attack each other, and the roots and branches become chaotic, resulting in premature death.

For women, at seven years of age, Kidney Qi becomes abundant, teeth are replaced, and hair grows. At fourteen years of age (two sevens), Tian Gui (the substance that promotes reproductive maturity) arrives, the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) becomes unobstructed, and the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) becomes flourishing. Menstruation occurs regularly, enabling reproduction.

For men, at eight years of age, Kidney Qi is solid, hair grows, and teeth are replaced. At sixteen years of age (two eights), Kidney Qi is abundant, Tian Gui arrives, Jing Qi (Essential Qi) overflows and is discharged, Yin and Yang harmonize, enabling reproduction. At twenty-four years of age (three eights), Kidney Qi is balanced, sinews and bones are strong, wisdom teeth grow, and physical development reaches its peak. At thirty-two years of age (four eights), sinews and bones are robust, and muscles are full and strong. At forty years of age (five eights), Kidney Qi declines, hair begins to fall out, and teeth become dry. At forty-eight years of age (six eights), Yang Qi in the upper body declines, the face becomes darkened and withered, and hair on the temples turns gray. At fifty-six years of age (seven eights), Liver Qi declines, sinews move poorly, Tian Gui is exhausted, Jing Qi is scant, Kidney function weakens, the body becomes extremely fatigued, and hair and teeth fall out. At sixty-four years of age (eight eights), teeth and hair further deteriorate.

Regarding the formulation of prescriptions to treat diseases, one must first diagnose and understand the source of the disease, observe its excess or deficiency states, and then apply tonifying or reducing methods. One must distinguish the climatic differences of cold and heat in different regions, observe the vitality changes between men and women, and deeply understand the sweet, bitter, sour, pungent, and salty properties of herbs and minerals. Adjustments should be made based on seasonal climates. For conditions involving Wind, Dampness, and Bi syndrome (painful obstruction), where pathogens migrate between the interior and exterior without fixed locations, powder preparations should be used first to pacify the condition, followed by pill preparations. Pills can expel Wind and Cold, break up accumulations, dissolve various hard masses, promote appetite, and harmonize Ying (Nutritive) and Wei (Defensive) Qi. Those who can integrate and apply these methods comprehensively can be called Shang Gong (Superior Physicians). Hence it is said, "The physician's art lies in intent." Generally speaking, medicines for nourishing life contain more Jun (Monarch) herbs; medicines for nurturing nature contain more Chen (Minister) herbs; and medicines for treating diseases contain more Shi (Envoy/Assistant) herbs. If selected judiciously, errors will be rare.

To treat Cold syndromes, use Hot-natured drugs; to treat Heat syndromes, use Cold-natured drugs; for indigestion, use emetic or purgative drugs; for Gui Zhu (Ghost Attachment) and Gu Du (Poisonous Toxins), use antitoxic drugs; for abscesses, sores, and tumors, use specific dermatological drugs... [Text ends abruptly]