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Huang Changren fell ill with Cold Damage (Shanghan) due to sexual exhaustion. He adhered strictly to the taboo of not taking medicine. Although his fever had subsided, more than ten days later, he suddenly fell into a comatose state, trembling all over, with hands and feet as cold as ice. The whole family was in a panic and urgently requested my presence. At that time, another physician had already prepared a decoction containing Ginger (Shengjiang) and Cinnamon Twig (Guizhi). I happened to see this and was shocked. I waited until after completing the pulse diagnosis, and repeatedly pointed out his errors and fallacies. The host suspected it was a Yin Syndrome (Yin Zheng), but my words were not accepted, nor could reason persuade them. I therefore made an agreement with the physician: "This illness is critical; once the medicine enters the mouth, life or death hangs in the balance. You and I shall each bear responsibility. If there is any error in medication, the blame must fall on someone specific." The physician said, "I have treated Cold Damage for over thirty years; I do not know what 'bearing responsibility' means." I smiled and said, "I have clear insight here and cannot bear to watch people die alive. This is also a matter of necessity. If you refuse to take responsibility, then let me administer the medicine." Only then did the host feel at ease and urgently request treatment.

I prescribed Tiaowei Chengqi Tang (Regulate the Stomach Purge Decoction), weighing approximately five qian. After decocting, half a cup was taken hot. A short while later, another half cup was taken hot. Seeing that the extremity coldness gradually receded and the patient gradually regained consciousness, the other physician realized the medication was correct and left. The previous prescription was continued until the course was finished, and the patient's mental state became very clear. Suddenly, the patient developed intense systemic heat. Another dose of Daxiehu Tang (Major Bupleurum Decoction) was administered, after which the heat subsided and the body felt comfortable. A student asked, "The patient claimed it was Jue (extremity coldness) presenting as a Yin Syndrome, yet you firmly identified it as a Yang Syndrome and used purgative herbs, which proved effective. What is the rationale?" I replied, "The rationale is subtle. I arrived at this through deep understanding, so I can explain. In cases of Cold Damage, initial fever consumes body fluids, leading to dry nose, thirst, and constipation. When this progresses to Jue, one can know without asking that it is a Heat Syndrome. It is virtually impossible for a Yang Syndrome to suddenly transform into Yin Jue; throughout history, such cases are non-existent. Yin Jue arises from Yin Syndromes, where pathogens directly strike the Yin meridians from the onset, presenting with blue lips, pale face, profuse cold sweat, free urination and defecation without thirst, curled-up posture, and excessive sleep. Upon waking, the person is lucid. This is vastly different from the Heat Pathogens transmitted via meridians in Cold Damage, which deepen progressively and cause confusion and loss of consciousness. Various medical texts group Yin and Yang Jue together, confusing even the wise, let alone the ignorant.

In this case, the patient first suffered from sexual exhaustion and then contracted Cold Damage. Physicians of the world are often misled by the name 'Yin Jue,' frequently administering Sini Tang (Frigid Extremities Decoction) and similar formulas, hastening sudden death, and attributing it to 'extreme Yin being incurable,' causing wailing ghosts at night, yet remaining unenlightened. This stems entirely from unclear transmission of lineage and theory. Generally, illness contracted after sexual exhaustion is merely heavier than usual: if there is fever, it reaches its extreme; if there is aversion to cold, it reaches its extreme; if there is headache, it reaches its extreme. This occurs because Yin deficiency allows Yang to invade; it is not a case of Yin pathogen overwhelming Yang. Moreover, since the patient initially abstained from medicine, the Yin pathogen must have been mild. The gradual onset after ten days indicates it was certainly not a sudden, severe acute condition. How could it be treated according to the principles of Jueyin Disease? Furthermore, Zhang Zhongjing explicitly stated: 'If fever lasts six days, followed by nine days of Jue, and then three days of renewed fever corresponding to the Jue period, the disease will heal within a day or two.' He also said: 'If Jue lasts five days and fever lasts five days, assuming the sixth day should bring Jue again, if Jue does not return, the disease heals spontaneously.' Clearly, the number of fever days determines the recovery period for Jue. He further stated: 'More Jue and less Heat indicates disease progression; more Heat and less Jue indicates disease retreat.' If Jue resolves but Heat persists too long, pus and blood in stool or carbuncles will develop. If Jue requires purgation but sweating is induced instead, oral ulcers and redness will occur. If Jue precedes Heat, diarrhea will stop naturally; if Jue returns, diarrhea returns. If diarrhea stops but sweating and sore throat appear, the throat will become obstructed (Bi). If the patient can eat during Jue, it may indicate Chuzhong (stomach qi exhaustion); if Jue stops and appetite returns, it indicates pathogen retreat and impending recovery. All these examples illustrate the principle of 'deep heat causing deep Jue'; they never discuss Yin Jue.

Regarding diseases of the Yang aspect, reckless use of sweating, vomiting, or purging methods can lead to critical conditions, such as excessive sweating causing Yang collapse, vomiting and diarrhea with restlessness, and cold extremities. These result solely from medication errors. Without using Sini Tang or Zhenwu Tang to rescue Yang, Yang Qi cannot return. These formulas were originally not designed for Yin Syndromes. Generally, when Cold Damage begins with fever and thirst, Yin deficiency is inherently present. Due to mismanagement, Yang deficiency becomes worse than Yin deficiency. Desperately, one might resort to acrid-hot herbs to temporarily rescue Yang. However, this is worlds apart from Pure Yin without Yang, or Yin Excess repelling Yang. Later generations failed to understand the intent behind formula creation, copying established prescriptions blindly. They did not realize that treating Yin Syndromes focuses on rescuing Yang, whereas treating Cold Damage focuses on rescuing Yin. Even if Cold Damage involves Yang deficiency requiring treatment, one must ensure the patient has sufficient flesh and blood, and that the Yin aspect can tolerate Yang-tonifying herbs, before attempting to restore Yang. If the face is dark, tongue black, body emaciated like dried firewood, and internal evil heat blazing, Yin essence is already exhausted; how can Yang be restored? Thus, encountering Jue and clearing Heat, preserving only one-tenth of body fluids and Yuan Qi, is already too late. How dare one assist Yang and plunder Yin? *Zhengzhi Fang* states: 'If Yin and Yang syndromes are not distinguished, try Six-Directional Pill (Sishun Wan).' *Zhizhi Fang* states: 'If doubt remains, try Lizhong Pill (Lizhong Wan).' This shows that predecessors failed to penetrate this crucial point; despite good intentions, they were helpless. Therefore, I have detailed this analysis for my descendants and future practitioners.

Mr. Hu Youchen said: 'Naturally endowed with spiritual insight, he must be a reincarnation from the hall of Xuanyuan and Qibo.'