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The *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) contains no concept of "Zhuanxia" (purging to induce bowel movement to eliminate pathogens); it only mentions dispersing the exterior, and further states that pungent and sweet herbs possess dispersing properties and belong to Yang. Pungent-warm herbs reaching the exterior will naturally cause sweating to dissipate pathogens; acting on the interior, they will naturally unblock the fu organs.
(Note: According to Mr. Dou Cai's argument, since pungent and sweet dispersing belongs to Yang, resolving exterior pathogens harmonizes the interior naturally; this does not mean pungent-sweet herbs can directly attack interior excess. Later generations should view this flexibly.) This is unlike cold-bitter herbs, which disturb the zang-fu organs and drain the body's Yuan Qi (Primordial Energy). Substances like Crotonis Fructus (Badou, 巴豆), Natrii Sulfas (Xiaomangxiao, 芒硝), and Rheum Palmatum Radix et Rhizoma (Dahuang, 大黄) can penetrate straight through the zang-fu organs. Unless there is a massive accumulation or mass, and the patient's Yuan Qi is robust, one dares not use them lightly. Today's mediocre physicians, regardless of deficiency or excess, frequently resort to purging methods, draining the qi of the six fu organs, thereby generating other syndromes. In severe cases, the Spleen and Stomach gradually decline, food intake ceases, emaciation occurs, and death follows. There is also a vulgar saying: "Summer-like tonification in Spring requires taking several doses of purgative herbs by Autumn to drain summer heat accumulation." This statement is highly erroneous. (Mediocre doctors habitually imprint these words upon people's minds. The principles of nourishing, growing, harvesting, and storing according to the four seasons in the *Neijing*, along with the methods of nourishing Yang in Spring and Summer and Yin in Autumn and Winter, are so flexible and comprehensive. Yet fools stick rigidly to one view, unwilling to carefully seek understanding from the *Lingshu* (Spiritual Pivot) and *Suwen* (Basic Questions). It is truly lamentable!)
Heat within the interior will naturally discharge through the five zang and six fu organs, as well as via urination and defecation. If one uses cold herbs to drain heat, I fear that while the heat may not decrease by even one part, the Yuan Qi will have declined by nine parts. I have observed that after taking one dose of purgative medicine, digestive and Spleen-Stomach functions fail to recover for five to seven days. Moreover, only when the Sanjiao (Triple Burner) is warm can it rot and ripen water and grain. If there is no fire (Yang Qi) for even a moment, the skin and muscles become ice-cold, and death ensues due to the exhaustion of Yang Qi. Therefore, the *Neijing* discusses only deep-seated cold and chronic cold conditions, but never speaks of pure Yang heat accumulation. Even if disease arises from accumulated heat, a single dose of purgatives can provide relief. However, if the disease is caused by Yin-Cold, leading to cold extremities, death occurs almost immediately. The ancients established rules such that for major heat syndromes like delirious speech, climbing walls, or jumping onto roofs, one must still examine the stool. If there has been no bowel movement for several days, indicating dry feces, then purgation is indicated. If the stool is normal, purgation is contraindicated. (Delirious speech and climbing walls are naturally heat syndromes, yet there is a type presenting with a blue-black complexion, urgent or faint pulse, and cold limbs, which belongs to Yin syndromes. This is floating Yang without root, a fatal syndrome; if treated early, survival might be possible.)
Today, people indiscriminately use cold and purgative methods even in the absence of the aforementioned heat syndromes, insisting on eliminating all heat. I do not know what remains to sustain life. If the human body lacks heat, Yang Qi is exhausted. These errors left by Liu Wansu and Zhu Danxi have misled later generations. Practitioners must not fail to recognize this malpractice.