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There are hundreds of difficult-to-treat diseases in the human body, among which asthma (Wheezing Disease) is the most severe. Asthma invariably originates from the Lung (Zang Organ). However, it interconnects with whatever part is injured and gradually progresses to its extreme. The cases involving the three Yin meridians are the most critical. The three Yin refer to the Shaoyin Kidney, Taiyin Spleen, and Jueyin Liver. Among them, the Shaoyin Kidney condition is the most severe. The Classics state: "In kidney disease, there is a tendency toward distension; the patient sits on the buttocks instead of using the feet, and bends the spine forward instead of using the head." This describes the physical manifestation of asthma complicated by kidney disease. It also states: "Lao-feng (Wind caused by overwork) erupts below the lungs. If the Greater Yang (Taiyang) meridian guides the essence, a vigorous person recovers in three days, a middle-aged person in five days, and one lacking essence in seven days. They should cough up thick, turbid phlegm that is greenish-yellow and the size of a large egg. If it is not expelled, the lungs will be damaged, and damage to the lungs leads to death." This describes the clinical situation of asthma complicated by kidney disease. Therefore, for those with this syndrome, the primary focus must be on restraining desires and conserving Kidney Qi, preventing it from attacking upward. Secondly, complications involving the Taiyin Spleen and Jueyin Liver are also significant; one must avoid severely injuring the Liver and Spleen due to improper diet or anger.

As for Mr. Pu Yi's asthma, it was acquired in childhood, without injury from anger or desire, but solely due to external cold and cold drinks damaging the Lungs. However, since he frequently suffered from sores and boils in his youth, and after these developed dental abscesses, it indicates that he inherently possessed excessive damp-heat in the Spleen and vigorous fire in the Stomach. This is the root cause of the Lung injury, extending beyond mere exposure to cold and cold drinks. The damp-heat of the Spleen and the vigorous fire of the Stomach mutually incite and steam each other, condensing into turbid phlegm. This overflows into the upper orifices, lingering for a long time, penetrating the lung membranes, and forming "nest-like sacs" (pathological cavities filled with phlegm). Clear Qi enters these sacs unnoticed, but turbid Qi entering them quickly collides with the turbid phlegm, forming alliances that block the passages, obstructing respiration. The righteous Qi involved in breathing then touches this phlegm, producing snoring sounds, heavy head, ringing ears, stabbing pain between the chest and back bones, alternating saliva and nasal discharge, and nasal sourness and pungency, resembling a common cold. This corresponds to what the Inner Canon states: "When the Heart and Lungs are diseased, respiration becomes difficult." One must wait until the turbid Qi received by the Lungs dissipates and descends, exiting through the anterior and posterior orifices, before the thick phlegm in the Lungs can be easily expectorated, allowing for gradual relief. When turbid Qi rises again, the phlegm in the nest-like sacs moves, and the obstruction recurs. Attacks occur regardless of cold, heat, alcohol consumption, food stagnation, or emotional agitation. The reason is that the turbid Qi has been disturbed. Turbid Qi naturally resides in the lower body and does not easily invade the clear pathways (upper respiratory tract); it usually ascends with fire, as stated: "When fire moves, Qi ascends," meaning turbid Qi ascends. When Kidney fire moves, cold Qi ascends; when Spleen fire moves, damp Qi ascends; when Liver fire moves, wind Qi ascends. Thus, treatment should prioritize regulating fire.

However, since turbid Qi ascends with fire, it can also descend with fire. By focusing the spirit and entering Qi, one can regulate it through stillness. Why does the Qi fail to descend even when the fire subsides? Because although turbid Qi resides in the lower body, the nest-like sacs in the Lungs serve as its newly established base, where it can lodge itself, making the Clear Qi feel uncomfortable, akin to rebellion. Like bandits occupying mountain passes and settling in a region, the local people are inevitably disrupted and follow the bandits. Therefore, although treating fire is prioritized, treating fire without treating phlegm is useless. Treating phlegm without addressing the phlegm in the nest-like sacs is equivalent to no treatment at all. Methods for treating phlegm include expelling, guiding, purging, resolving, inducing vomiting, regulating the Spleen, descending fire, and moving Qi. Previous methods have been detailed. However, phlegm in nest-like sacs is like bees nesting in a house or lotus seeds embedded in a pod; easy to grow, difficult to remove. Due to their narrow exterior and wide interior, drugs used for expulsion, guidance, purging, and vomiting merely injure other Zang organs, as the sacs reject and do not accept the medicine. Upon closer examination, it is not only the phlegm in the sacs that is hard to remove, but also the stubborn phlegm adhering for years outside the lung lobes and between the membrane sources, like vines on trees, dust in houses, or moss on stones. These adhere comfortably and are difficult to eradicate hastily. Many physicians have existed throughout history, yet none have offered such profound insights. I have treated this condition most frequently in my life, achieving full recovery using flexible methods. The turbid phlegm in the Lungs acts like the monster at Niuzhu Rock, unable to escape my illuminating insight (symbolized by burning rhino horn). Observing the pathogenesis broadly, it is truly remarkable. The Lung Metal considers the Spleen Earth as its mother; similarly, the turbid phlegm in the Lungs considers the dampness in the Spleen as its mother. The Spleen naturally prefers dryness and dislikes dampness. When damp-heat remains entrenched for a long time, it transforms from rigid to soft, taking central control. Food entering the Stomach sends its essence to nourish the whole body but also fills the orifices and tunnels with waste. Initially, they nourish each other, but eventually, resources are diverted to support external pathogens, allowing those who rely on defenses to persist in their treachery. Like regions near bandit territories receiving secret supplies from wealthy families, the spread becomes difficult to manage.

The treatment method must use stillness to control Qi, preventing the fire of the three Yin meridians from ascending, thereby silently cutting off external aid. It must also strictly control the Spleen, allowing the authority of the Taiyin Spleen to extend independently without relying on fighting enemies. This creates a situation where we are solid and they are weak, we are firm and they are flawed. Attacking their flaws and empty spots swiftly, without warning, clears the filth within half a day. Then, administer major medicines to harmonize the five Zang organs and cultivate Lung Qi. Once the Qi of Lung Metal is cleared, the Qi of the entire body will descend together. The previously ascending turbid pathogens will have their source cut off, ensuring clarity and health for a century. This is the necessary and inevitable method, not mere rhetoric to impress listeners. Mr. Pu Yi sincerely requested specialized treatment and indeed achieved complete recovery, proving my words were not erroneous.

Mr. Hu Youchen said: "Since the discussions of Qibo and Huangdi, no such fine and thorough discourse has been seen. This should be considered a precious treasure of the medical profession." He added: "Mr. Pu Yi's childhood chronic illness was not easily curable. Now that the disease is cured and he has had a son, the merit of discussing the strategy before prescribing medication is indeed great."