洁古云∶在邪前者为实邪，子能令母实，但贼伤于母，其子又引母所克，妻来相助，故曰实邪也；在后者为虚邪，
母引子之鬼贼至，由母能令子虚也。《内经》曰∶母能令子虚、子能令母虚，正此之谓也。
妻来乘夫为微邪，夫来乘妻为贼邪，法当泻鬼补本脏。本脏自病为正邪，宜虚则补之、实则泻之。《内经》云∶滋
苗者必固其本，伐下者必枯其上。逆其根，伐其本，则败其真矣！
按刘宗浓云，此五行生克之通论也，义见《难经》五十难及后五脏补泻治要论，宜参考之。
洁古云∶心主热，自病或大热，泻心汤主之。实则烦热，黄连泻心汤主之；虚则惊悸，生犀散主之。
肺乘心为微邪，喘而壮热，泻白散主之。
肝乘心为虚邪，风热，煎大青膏，下大青丸。
脾乘心为实邪，泻利身热，泻黄散主之。
肾乘心为贼邪，恐怖恶寒，安神丸主之。
按刘宗浓云∶乘者犹乘车之乘也。大抵五脏之病相乘伏匿，隐显莫测，以上俱言本病乘胜之道，故以五脏之治要附
下，宜参考焉。
凡心脏得病，必先调其肝肾两脏，肾者心之鬼，肝者心之母，肝气通则心气和，肝气滞则心气逆，此心病先来求于
肝，清其源也，五脏受病必先传其所胜，水能胜火，则肾之受邪，必传于心，故先治肾逐其邪也，当退肾气、抑肝气两
方，或诊其脉，肝肾两脏俱和而心自生疾，然后审心之虚实治之。
肺主燥，自病则喘嗽，燥则润之，实则喘而气盛，泻白散主之，虚则喘而少气，先益黄散而后阿胶散。
心乘肺为贼邪，热而喘嗽，先地黄丸，次导赤散，后阿胶散主之。
肝乘肺为微邪，恶风眩目，昏愦喘嗽，羌活散主之。
肾乘肺为实邪，憎寒而嗽，清利，百部丸主之。
脾乘肺为虚邪，体重吐痰泄泻，参苓白术散主之。
凡肺之得病，先观心经之虚实。若心火炎上铄金，即当先抑心气后服肺药，若心气和更看脾脉，若脾气虚冷，即不
能相生，而肺之生气不足则风邪易感，故患肺寒者皆脾虚得之，若脾气盛实则亦痞膈中焦，而大肠与肺表里不能相通。
夫中焦热膈则肺与大肠不通，其热毒之气必上蒸于肺而生痰。故患肺热者多脾实得之，心气盛者泻之，脾气虚者益之，
脾气实者通之，然后随其脉之寒热以治之，故有益心气、益脾气、通脾气三药，若诊其脉气，心脾两脏俱和而肺自生痰，
则但察肺之虚实而治之。
肝主风，自病则风搐拘急。肝若急，急食甘以缓之，佐以酸苦，以辛散之，实则风搐力大，泻青丸主之，虚则风抽
力少，地黄丸主之。
心乘肝为实邪，壮热而搐，利惊丸主之。
肺乘肝为贼邪，气盛则前伸，吹欠微搐，法当泻肺，先补本脏。补肝，地黄丸主之；泻肺，泻白散主之。
脾乘肝为微邪，多睡体重而搐，先当定搐，泻青丸主之，搐止再见后症，则别立法以治之。
肾乘肝为虚邪，憎寒呵欠而搐，羌活膏主之。
凡肝得病，必先察其肺肾两脏，知其病之所因，方可治疗。盖肾者肝之母，金者木之贼，今肝之得病，若非肾
水不能相生，必是肺金鬼来相攻，不得不详审而求之。故其来在肺，先治其肺，攻其鬼也；其来在肾，先治其肾，滋其
根也，然后审肝家本脏之虚实而治之。
脾主湿，自病则泄泻多睡，体重昏倦，脾若湿，急食甘以缓之，实则泄下赤黄，睡不露睛，泻黄散主之。虚则泄泻
白色，睡则露睛，白术散主之。
肝乘脾为贼邪，风泻而吐，茯苓半夏汤主之。
心乘脾为虚邪，壮热体重而泻，羌活黄芩苍术甘草汤主之。
肺乘脾为实邪，能食不大便而呕嗽，煎槟榔大黄汤，下葶苈丸。
肾乘脾为微邪，恶寒泄泻，理中汤之类。
凡脾之得病，先察其心肝两脏之虚实，根其源之所起，然后救疗。盖肝为脾之鬼，心为脾之母，肝气盛则鬼胜，心
气亏则脾之生气不足，盛者抑之，亏则补之，所以有抑肝气、益心气两法。诊其脉，肝心两脏俱和，则是脾自生疾也，
察其脉虚实而治之。
肾主寒，自病则足经寒而逆。人之五脏惟肾无实，小儿疮疹变黑陷，则是肾实，水克退心火，是以水能制火也
心乘肾为微邪，内热不恶寒，桂枝汤主之。
肺乘肾为虚邪，拘急、气搐、身寒，理中汤主之。
脾乘肾为贼邪，体重泄泻身寒，理中丸主之。
肝乘肾为实邪，喘嗽皮湿身寒，百部丸主之。
本脏虚弱是自己正令不行，乃为鬼贼所克害，当补本脏之正气。假令肺病喘嗽时，于初春见之，法当补肾，见于夏
救肺，见于秋泻肺，见于冬补心、泻本脏，乃名寒嗽。大抵五脏各至本位即气盛，不可更补，到所克位不可更泻。
又按刘氏云，五行之间惟有肾之一脏，母盛而子反受邪，而物之性有不可一概论者，肺肾是也。何则肺属金，应于
皮毛所主者气。肾属水，主于骨髓，所藏者精。气之轻浮，能上而不能下；精之沉重，能下而不能上，此物性之自然。
今肺之盛，其热之作也，气得热则上蒸于肺不能下，生于肾而肺受邪矣，急宜清凉以解之，使肺气温和，自能下生于肾，
此肾病必先求之于肺。若肺和而肾忽然受病者，不过脾之湿，刑于肾而生病，所以有解肺热、去脾邪两药，若脾肺两脏
俱和而肾自生病，亦察其本脏虚实而治之。
〔附方〕
泻心汤 见热症内。
牛犀散 见目症内。
泻白散 见咳嗽症内。
大青丸 见惊风症内。
泻黄散 见热症内。
安神丸 见疳积症（去山药）。
益黄散 见疳积症内。
阿胶散 阿胶 大力子 铃子 杏仁 糯米 甘草
导赤散 生地 木通 淡竹叶 甘草
羌活散 防风 羌活 白芷 荆芥 川芎 地骨皮 炙草 连翘 大腹皮 鼠粘子 柴胡
百部丸 百部 麻黄 杏仁
参苓白术散 见诸泻症内。
泻青丸 见惊风症内。
利惊丸 胆草 防风 芦荟 南星 钩藤 牙硝 铁粉 樟脑 麝香 青黛
白术散 见热症内。
茯苓半夏汤 白茯 陈皮 黄芩 半夏 甘草 加姜煎
葶苈丸 见咳嗽症内。
理丸中 见惊风症内。
桂枝汤 见惊风症内。
Zhang Jiegu said: That which precedes the pathogenic factor is excess pathogen (Shi Xie). The child organ can cause the mother organ to become full. However, if the thief pathogen injures the mother organ, its child organ will draw in the organ that the mother organ overcomes. The wife (referring to the overcome element) comes to assist, hence it is called excess pathogen. That which follows the pathogenic factor is deficiency pathogen (Xu Xie). The mother organ draws the ghost-thief pathogen of the child organ, because the mother organ can cause the child organ to become deficient. *The Inner Canon* states: "The mother can cause the child to be deficient; the child can cause the mother to be deficient." This is precisely what is meant.
When the wife overcomes the husband, it is a slight pathogen (Wei Xie); when the husband overcomes the wife, it is a thief pathogen (Ze Xie). The treatment method should be to drain the ghost-thief pathogen and tonify the affected organ. When the organ itself is diseased, it is a normal pathogen (Zheng Xie), suitable for tonification in deficiency and draining in excess. *The Inner Canon* says: "To nourish the sprout, one must surely secure the root; to cut off the lower part, one must surely wither the upper part." To go against the root and cut off the base will ruin the true Qi!
According to Liu Zongnong, this is a general theory of the generation and restriction cycles of the Five Elements. The principles are seen in Difficulty Classic (Nan Jing) Chapter 50 and the subsequent discussion on the essential methods of tonifying and draining the five organs; reference is advised.
Zhang Jiegu said: The Heart governs Heat. If the Heart is diseased by itself or presents with severe heat, Xiexin Tang (Cinnabar Decoction) is the primary formula. In cases of excess, there is vexation and heat, treated with Huanglian Xiexin Tang (Coptis Decoction for Draining the Heart); in cases of deficiency, there is palpitations and fright, treated with Shengxi San (Raw Rhinoceros Horn Powder).
When the Lung overcomes the Heart, it is a slight pathogen, presenting with wheezing and high fever, treated with Xiebai San (Draining the White Powder).
When the Liver overcomes the Heart, it is a deficiency pathogen, presenting with wind-heat, treated with Daqing Gao (Great Green Paste) decocted and Daqing Wan (Great Green Pill) administered.
When the Spleen overcomes the Heart, it is an excess pathogen, presenting with diarrhea and body heat, treated with Xiehuang San (Draining the Yellow Powder).
When the Kidney overcomes the Heart, it is a thief pathogen, presenting with terror and aversion to cold, treated with Anshen Wan (Calming the Spirit Pill).
Liu Zongnong stated: "Overcome" (Cheng) is like riding a vehicle. Generally, diseases of the five organs overcome and hide from each other, appearing and disappearing unpredictably. The above all discuss the way the primary disease gains dominance. Therefore, the essential treatments for the five organs are attached below for reference.
Whenever the Heart becomes diseased, the Liver and Kidney organs must first be regulated. The Kidney is the Ghost-Thief of the Heart, and the Liver is the Mother of the Heart. When Liver Qi flows freely, Heart Qi is harmonious; when Liver Qi stagnates, Heart Qi rebels. Thus, heart disease seeks treatment from the Liver first to clear the source. When the five organs receive disease, they first transmit to what they overcome. Water overcomes Fire, so if the Kidney receives pathogen, it must transmit to the Heart. Therefore, treat the Kidney first to expel the pathogen. Formulas to retreat Kidney Qi and suppress Liver Qi should be used. Alternatively, examine the pulse; if both Liver and Kidney are harmonious and the Heart falls ill spontaneously, then examine the Heart's deficiency or excess to treat it.
The Lung governs Dryness. If the Lung is diseased by itself, there is wheezing and cough; dryness requires moistening. In excess, there is wheezing with abundant Qi, treated with Xiebai San (Draining the White Powder). In deficiency, there is wheezing with shortness of breath, first treated with Yihuang San (Benefiting the Yellow Powder) and subsequently with Ejiao San (Donkey-Hide Gelatin Powder).
When the Heart overcomes the Lung, it is a thief pathogen, presenting with heat, wheezing, and cough, first treated with Dihuang Wan (Rehmannia Pill), followed by Daochi San (Guiding Out Red Powder), and finally Ejiao San (Donkey-Hide Gelatin Powder).
When the Liver overcomes the Lung, it is a slight pathogen, presenting with aversion to wind, dizzy eyes, drowsiness, wheezing, and cough, treated with Qianghuo San (Notopterygium Powder).
When the Kidney overcomes the Lung, it is an excess pathogen, presenting with aversion to cold and cough, with clear urination, treated with Baibu Wan (Stemona Pill).
When the Spleen overcomes the Lung, it is a deficiency pathogen, presenting with heavy body, vomiting phlegm, and diarrhea, treated with Shenling Baizhu San (Ginseng, Poria, and Atractylodes Macrocephala Powder).
Whenever the Lung becomes diseased, first observe the deficiency or excess of the Heart meridian. If Heart Fire flares upward and scorches Metal, suppress Heart Qi first, then administer Lung medications. If Heart Qi is harmonious, examine the Spleen pulse. If Spleen Qi is deficient and cold, it cannot generate, leading to insufficient vital Qi in the Lung, making it susceptible to Wind pathogen. Thus, lung cold often arises from Spleen deficiency. If Spleen Qi is excessive and solid, it causes blockage in the Middle Jiao, preventing communication between the Large Intestine and Lung. If heat blocks the Middle Jiao, Lung and Large Intestine do not communicate, and heat-toxin steams upward to the Lung, generating phlegm. Thus, lung heat often arises from Spleen excess. Drain excess Heart Qi, tonify deficient Spleen Qi, and unblock excessive Spleen Qi. Then treat according to the cold or heat indicated by the pulse. Hence, there are three medicines: one to benefit Heart Qi, one to benefit Spleen Qi, and one to unblock Spleen Qi. If the pulse shows both Heart and Spleen are harmonious and the Lung generates phlegm spontaneously, examine only the Lung's deficiency or excess to treat it.
The Liver governs Wind. If the Liver is diseased by itself, there is wind convulsions and stiffness. If the Liver is tense, urgently use sweet flavors to relax it, assisted by sour and bitter, and disperse with pungent flavors. In excess, wind convulsions are forceful, treated with Xieqing Wan (Draining the Green Pill). In deficiency, wind tremors are weak, treated with Dihuang Wan (Rehmannia Pill).
When the Heart overcomes the Liver, it is an excess pathogen, presenting with high fever and convulsions, treated with Lijing Wan (Relieving Fright Pill).
When the Lung overcomes the Liver, it is a thief pathogen. With abundant Qi, the body extends forward, yawning slightly with tremors. The method is to drain the Lung and first tonify the affected organ. Tonify the Liver with Dihuang Wan (Rehmannia Pill); drain the Lung with Xiebai San (Draining the White Powder).
When the Spleen overcomes the Liver, it is a slight pathogen, presenting with excessive sleep, heavy body, and convulsions. First, stop the convulsions with Xieqing Wan (Draining the Green Pill). After convulsions cease, observe subsequent symptoms and establish another treatment method.
When the Kidney overcomes the Liver, it is a deficiency pathogen, presenting with aversion to cold, yawning, and convulsions, treated with Qianghuo Gao (Notopterygium Paste).
Whenever the Liver becomes diseased, first examine the Lung and Kidney organs to understand the cause before treating. The Kidney is the Mother of the Liver, and Metal (Lung) is the Thief of Wood (Liver). Now, if the Liver becomes diseased, it is either due to failure of Kidney Water to generate, or attack by Lung Metal ghost-thief. It is necessary to examine carefully. If the source is the Lung, treat the Lung first to attack the ghost-thief; if the source is the Kidney, treat the Kidney first to nourish the root. Then examine the Liver's own deficiency or excess to treat it.
The Spleen governs Dampness. If the Spleen is diseased by itself, there is diarrhea, excessive sleep, heavy body, and fatigue. If the Spleen is damp, urgently use sweet flavors to relax it. In excess, there is discharge of red-yellow stool, sleeping with eyes closed, treated with Xiehuang San (Draining the Yellow Powder). In deficiency, there is white diarrhea, sleeping with eyes open, treated with Baizhu San (Atractylodes Macrocephala Powder).
When the Liver overcomes the Spleen, it is a thief pathogen, presenting with wind-diarrhea and vomiting, treated with Fuling Banxia Tang (Poria and Pinellia Decoction).
When the Heart overcomes the Spleen, it is a deficiency pathogen, presenting with high fever, heavy body, and diarrhea, treated with Qianghuo Huangqin Cangzhu Gancao Tang (Notopterygium, Scutellaria, Atractodes, and Licorice Decoction).
When the Lung overcomes the Spleen, it is an excess pathogen, presenting with ability to eat but no bowel movement, vomiting, and cough. Decoct Binglang Dahuang Tang (Areca Seed and Rhubarb Decoction) and administer Tingli Wan (Descurainia Seed Pill).
When the Kidney overcomes the Spleen, it is a slight pathogen, presenting with aversion to cold and diarrhea, treated with Lizhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction) and similar formulas.
Whenever the Spleen becomes diseased, first examine the deficiency or excess of the Heart and Liver organs to trace the source, then treat. The Liver is the Ghost-Thief of the Spleen, and the Heart is the Mother of the Spleen. If Liver Qi is excessive, the ghost-thief prevails; if Heart Qi is deficient, the Spleen's vital Qi is insufficient. Excess should be suppressed, deficiency should be tonified. Hence, there are two methods: suppressing Liver Qi and benefiting Heart Qi. Examine the pulse; if Liver and Heart are both harmonious, the Spleen falls ill spontaneously. Examine the pulse for deficiency or excess to treat it.
The Kidney governs Cold. If the Kidney is diseased by itself, the foot meridians are cold and rebellious. Among the five viscera, only the Kidney has no excess conditions. In children, if carbuncles/rashes turn black and sink inward, this is Kidney excess. Water overcomes and retreats Heart Fire; thus, Water can control Fire.
When the Heart overcomes the Kidney, it is a slight pathogen, presenting with internal heat without aversion to cold, treated with Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction).
When the Lung overcomes the Kidney, it is a deficiency pathogen, presenting with stiffness, Qi convulsions, and cold body, treated with Lizhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction).
When the Spleen overcomes the Kidney, it is a thief pathogen, presenting with heavy body, diarrhea, and cold body, treated with Lizhong Wan (Regulate the Middle Pill).
When the Liver overcomes the Kidney, it is an excess pathogen, presenting with wheezing/cough, moist skin, and cold body, treated with Baibu Wan (Stemona Pill).
When the affected organ is weak, its own normal command does not function, and it is harmed by ghost-thieves. One must tonify the righteous Qi of the affected organ. For example, in Lung disease with wheezing and cough: if seen in early Spring, the method is to tonify the Kidney; if seen in Summer, rescue the Lung; if seen in Autumn, drain the Lung; if seen in Winter, tonify the Heart and drain the affected organ. This is named Cold Cough. Generally, when each of the five organs reaches its own position, its Qi is abundant and should not be further tonified; when it reaches the position it overcomes, it should not be further drained.
Furthermore, according to Master Liu, among the Five Elements, only the Kidney is such that when the Mother is excessive, the Child suffers evil. The nature of things cannot be generalized. Lung and Kidney are examples. Why? Lung belongs to Metal, governing Qi associated with skin and hair. Kidney belongs to Water, governing Marrow, storing Essence. Qi is light and floating, able to ascend but not descend; Essence is heavy and sinking, able to descend but not ascend. This is the natural nature of things. Now, when Lung is excessive and heat arises, Qi heated steams upward to the Lung and cannot descend. Generated in the Kidney, the Lung suffers evil. Urgently use cooling to resolve it, making Lung Qi mild, allowing it to naturally descend and generate into the Kidney. Thus, Kidney disease must first seek treatment in the Lung. If Lung is harmonious but Kidney suddenly becomes diseased, it is merely Spleen Dampness punishing the Kidney and causing illness. Hence, there are two medicines: resolving Lung heat and removing Spleen pathogen. If Spleen and Lung are both harmonious and Kidney falls ill spontaneously, examine the Kidney's own deficiency or excess to treat it.
[Attached Formulas]
Xiexin Tang (Cinnabar Decoction) See under Heat Symptoms.
Niuxi San (Ox Horn and Rhinoceros Horn Powder) See under Eye Symptoms.
Xiebai San (Draining the White Powder) See under Cough Symptoms.
Daqing Wan (Great Green Pill) See under Fright Convulsion Symptoms.
Xiehuang San (Draining the Yellow Powder) See under Heat Symptoms.
Anshen Wan (Calming the Spirit Pill) See under Infantile Malnutrition Symptoms (remove Dioscorea).
Yihuang San (Benefiting the Yellow Powder) See under Infantile Malnutrition Symptoms.
Ejiao San (Donkey-Hide Gelatin Powder) Ejiao (Donkey-Hide Gelatin), Dalizi (Arctium Fruit), Lingzi (possibly Bletilla or similar), Xingren (Apricot Seed), Nuomij (Glutinous Rice), Gancao (Licorice).
Daochi San (Guiding Out Red Powder) Shengdi (Rehmannia Root), Mutong (Akebia Stem), Danzhuye (Bamboo Leaf), Gancao (Licorice).
Qianghuo San (Notopterygium Powder) Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia Root), Qianghuo (Notopterygium Rhizome), Baizhi (Angelica Dahurica Root), Jingjie (Schizonepeta Spike), Chuanxiong (Ligusticum Rhizome), Digupi (Phellodendron Bark), Zhigancao (Honey-fried Licorice), Lianqiao (Forsythia Fruit), Dafupi (Areca Peel), Niubangzi (Arctium Fruit), Chaihu (Bupleurum Root).
Baibu Wan (Stemona Pill) Baibu (Stemona Root), Mahuang (Ephedra Herb), Xingren (Apricot Seed).
Shenling Baizhu San (Ginseng, Poria, and Atractylodes Macrocephala Powder) See under Various Diarrhea Symptoms.
Xieqing Wan (Draining the Green Pill) See under Fright Convulsion Symptoms.
Lijing Wan (Relieving Fright Pill) Dancao (Gentian Root), Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia Root), Lvhui (Aloe), Nanxing (Pinellia Tuber), Gouteng (Uncaria Ramulus), Yanxiao (Mirabilite), Tiefen (Iron Powder), Zhangnao (Camphor), Shexiang (Musk), Qingdai (Indigo Naturalis).
Baizhu San (Atractylodes Macrocephala Powder) See under Heat Symptoms.
Fuling Banxia Tang (Poria and Pinellia Decoction) Baifu (Poria), Chenpi (Citrus Peel), Huangqin (Scutellaria Root), Banxia (Pinellia Tuber), Gancao (Licorice). Add Ginger and decoct.
Tingli Wan (Descurainia Seed Pill) See under Cough Symptoms.
Liwanzhong (Regulate the Middle Pill) See under Fright Convulsion Symptoms.
Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) See under Fright Convulsion Symptoms.