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Zhou Mengjue stated: Warmth in spring, heat in summer, coolness in autumn, and cold in winter constitute the normal climate (Zhengqi) of heaven and earth. When humans are affected by this normal climate and become ill, it is termed a "normal disease" (Zhengbing). Prolonged drought causing excessive yang, or continuous heavy rain leading to flooding, where rainfall and temperature fluctuations do not follow regular patterns, belong to the abnormal qi of the four seasons. When the annual luck (Yun) coincides with the year's branch (Suihui), and the heavenly stem matches the Tianfu, if the elements of water, fire, wood, metal, and earth each exhibit bias, this is referred to as the pestilential qi (Liqi) of the eight directions. The combination of normal pathogens and pestilential qi brews into toxicity; when humans contract this toxicity and fall ill, it is called epidemic plague (Wenyi). Epidemic plague appears across all four seasons: in spring it is called Spring Warmth (Chunwen); in summer, Heat Disease (Rebing); in autumn, Late Onset (Wanfa) [dysentery is also named Wanfa]; and in winter, Cold Epidemic (Hanyi). The *Neijing* records these accounts through Qibo, detailing the five types of epidemics; the *Rites of Zhou* places them under the charge of Fangxiangshi, strictly enforcing orders to drive away plagues. Their names vary greatly: there are Big Head Plague (Datouwen), Soft Leg Plague (Ruanjiaowen), Toad Plague (Hamawen), and Lump Plague (Gedawen). Regarding macules/rashes, their descriptions differ: Red Cloud Macules (Chixia ban), Purple Gold Macules (Zijinban), Green Cloud Macules (Lvyunban), and Black Sand Macules (Heishaban). They are mutually contagious, and symptoms appear similar regardless of age. Initially, the pathogenic factor lodges in the Mu Yuan (Moyuan, the space between the interior and exterior). [The commentary on Difficulty 67 of the *Nanjing* states: The front-mu points of the five zang organs are located on the abdomen, and the back-shu points are on the back. The 'Yuan' is the root of the 'Shu'; Moyuan is inside the body shell, where meridians connect.] Symptoms include slight headache or no headache, slight aversion to cold or no aversion to cold, but predominantly fever; the pulse is rapid and chaotic, the patient remains silent and depressed, worsening at night. When stagnation reaches its extreme, the pathogen exits from the surface, termed "external溃" (Waikui). This may manifest as profuse sweating or epistaxis, resolving with sweat and blood. If the pathogen invades the stomach fu organ, "internal溃" (Neikui) occurs. Diarrhea results in undigested food in stool; constipation leads to stools hard as stone; stomach fluids dry up, intestines rot, tongue turns black, lips turn cyan, and various critical symptoms arise without limit. This is the toxic vapor of heaven and earth, often characterized by肃杀 (desolation/killing energy), stimulating dysfunction in the heart, lungs, liver, and intestines, causing the soul to flee, presenting a haggard form holding the chest, with clouds of sorrow covering the land. Surrounding villages and neighborhoods echo with ghostly cries and divine wails, filled with desolate sights, while toxic fog obscures the sky. Those who do not recognize the toxicity and treat recklessly will see cities and fields filled with unnatural deaths. Those who recognize the toxicity and treat skillfully can save critically ill patients door-to-door. In the initial stage before溃散 (scattering), when toxicity still occupies the Moyuan, driving out the hidden demon relies entirely on Tsao Guo (Caoguo, *Fructus Tsaoko*), and breaking strong fortresses requires Bing Lang (Binglang, *Arecae Semen*). As toxicity scatters outward and its momentum weakens, Bei Mu (Beimu, *Fritillariae Bulbus*) and Chai Hu (Chaihu, *Bupleuri Radix*) can harmonize the condition. As toxicity scatters inward and becomes more aggressive, without Mang Xiao (Mangxiao, *Natrii Sulfas*) and Da Huang (Dahuang, *Rhei Radix et Rhizoma*), how can efficacy be achieved? Understanding these three gates leaves no room for the disease to hide; prescribing formulas to attack toxicity relies on focused intent. Epidemic plague is caused by abnormal qi of the four seasons, whereas warm disease is caused by normal qi; since life and death are at stake, they must be distinguished carefully. Zhang Jingyue, in his chapter on Epidemic Plague, copied texts on warm diseases and cold damage, arranging them into chapters; the harm done to the common people by this book is unparalleled. He deserves punishment in the medical realm, too numerous to count even if hair were pulled out; in the underworld, he faces the hell of Abi, from which escape is impossible. Wu Youke, although perhaps not fully penetrating the root causes of epidemic plague, provided treatment methods that, since Liu Wansu, Li Dongyuan, Zhu Danxi, and Zhang Yuansu, have made him a meritorious figure in Huangdi-Nei Jing medicine.

Wu Yi Da Yuan Yin (Reach the Original Decoction)
Bing Lang (1 qian) Caoguo (1 qian) Houpo (0.6 fen) Zhimu (1 qian) Baishao (1 qian) Zhi Gancao (1 qian)

Mengjue Chai Hu Tang (Dreamer Bupleurum Decoction)
Chaihu (1 qian) Shengdi (1 qian) Beimu (1 qian) Huangqin (1 qian) Jinyinhua (1 qian) Sheng Gancao (1 qian) Baimaogen (1 qian)

Mengjue Cheng Qi Tang (Dreamer Purging Decoction)
Dahuang (1 qian) Mangxiao (1 qian) Binglang (1 qian) Houpo (0.7 fen) Gancao (1 qian) Zhishi (0.7 fen) Shengjiang (1 qian) Dazao (1 piece)

Tu Weisheng stated: To treat epidemic plague, one must refer to Wu Jutong's *Treatise on Warm Diseases* (*Wenbing Tiaobian*). Wu Youke's Da Yuan Yin has many inadequacies.