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The condition known as "Bone-steaming Consumption" (Gu Zheng Lao) derives its name from accumulated heat attaching to the bones. It is also referred to as "Chuan Shi" (Transmitting Corpse), [missing character in original text, likely referring to Ghost Stagnation], "Fu Lian", and "Wu Gu". Although names vary, these diseases are all caused by deficiency and damage of the Lung and Stomach. The physical presentation includes emaciation, diarrhea and dysentery, and limb weakness. If the pathogen transmits to the Kidney, symptoms include unremitting night sweats, pain in the lower back and knees, dreams of sexual intercourse with spirits, and dark yellow urine. If it transmits to the Heart, symptoms include a timid and palpitating spirit, irregular emotions of anger and joy, redness of the cheeks and lips, and alternating sensations of heat and cold. If it transmits to the Lung, symptoms include chest fullness, shortness of breath, coughing with expectoration, and skin resembling fish scales (Jia Cuo). If it transmits to the Liver, symptoms include dim vision, painful obstruction under the costal margin, irritability when behind closed doors; once the Five Zang organs are diseased, treatment becomes difficult.

Xue Lizhai stated: These preceding conditions are mostly caused by injury to the Spleen and Stomach due to menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth, improper diet, or emotional disturbances, or they arise from lack of proper care after illness.

Li Dongyuan stated: Regarding feverish conditions, if it is Lung Heat, heat can be felt with light touch but disappears upon slight pressure, worsening in the late afternoon. Symptoms include cough and alternating chills and fever; for mild cases, Xie Bai San (White Powder Decoction to Drain the Lung) is used, increasing dosage for severe cases. If it is Heart Heat, symptoms include mental restlessness and heart pain, heat in the palms, and hiccups; Huanglian Xiexin Tang (Coptis Decoction to Drain the Heart), Dao Chi San (Guide Out Redness Powder), and Zhusha Anshen Wan (Cinnabar Calming Spirit Pill) are used. If it is Spleen Heat, light touch does not reveal heat, nor does heavy pressure reaching the sinews and bone; the heat lies in the intermediate layer of the muscles, worsening at night. Symptoms include lethargy, drowsiness, flaccidity of the four limbs, and lack of energy to move; Xie Huang San (Yellow Powder Decoction to Drain the Spleen) is used. If it is Liver Heat, pressure between the muscles and bones reveals heat, peaking during Yin and Mao hours (3:00-7:00 AM). Symptoms include distension and stuffiness in the four limbs, difficulty in defecation with tendon spasms, irritability, fright, and tendon flaccidity preventing one from rising from bed; Xie Qing Chaihu Tang Yin (Green Draining Bupleurum Decoction Drink) is used. If it is Kidney Heat, pressure reaches the bone level, feeling steaming and burning hot. Symptoms include bone fragility as if eaten by insects, and inability to rise from bed due to fatigue and heat; Zi Yin Wan (Nourish Yin Pill) is used. This is the method for treating Excess Heat. (If there is no Excess Heat, it implies stagnation has transformed into excess; both clearing/dispersing and nourishing yin should be combined; one cannot rely solely on specific formulas.)

Xue Lizhai stated: For Deficient Heat of the Lung Meridian, use Renshen Bufei Tang (Ginseng Tonifying Lung Decoction); for Spleen Deficiency failing to generate Lung Metal, use Liu Junzi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction); for Spleen Heat transferring to the Lung, use Sanhuang Wan (Three Yellows Pill); for Deficient Heat of the Heart Meridian, use Buxin Tang (Tonify Heart Decoction); for Decline of Mingmen Fire failing to generate Earth, use Ba Wei Wan (Eight Flavor Pill); for Liver Deficiency failing to generate Heart Fire, use Bukgan San (Tonify Liver Powder); for Kidney Water overacting on Heart Fire, use Fuzi Lizhong Tang (Aconite Regulate Middle Decoction); for Deficient Heat of the Spleen Meridian, use Renshen Huangqi San (Ginseng and Astragalus Powder); for Earth overacting on Water, use Chengqi Tang (Assist Qi Decoction); for Kidney Deficiency failing to nurture Liver Wood, use Liuwei Wan (Six Flavor Pill).