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The *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) does not use the term "Lao Zhai" (Consumption/Tuberculosis), but it discusses its etiology. Any external contraction of the Six Excesses (Wind, Cold, Summerheat, Dampness, Dryness, Fire) and internal injury from the Seven Emotions (Joy, Anger, Worry, Pensiveness, Sorrow, Fear, Fright). The pathogenic factors circulate and invade the Five Viscera, eventually leading to withering of the large bones and sinking of the large muscles, presenting symptoms of decline and exhaustion corresponding to each organ. If True Visceral Pulses (pulse signs indicating the absence of Stomach Qi and imminent death) appear, there is a deadline for death. Disease of the Yangming Channel (Second Yang) leads to Feng Xiao (wasting due to wind-heat consuming fluids) and Xi Ben (shortness of breath and chest fullness). Disease of the Taiyang Channel (Third Yang) transmits into Suo Ze Dan (a heat disease causing dry and dark skin) and becomes Xiao Zhong (polyphagia). Heat from the Large Intestine transfers to the Stomach; heat from the Stomach transfers to the Bladder; if the Gallbladder is affected, the body loses nourishment and emaciates. One who was once noble but became lowly develops an internal disease named Tuo Ying (Depletion of Ying); one who was once rich but became poor develops Shi Jing (Loss of Essence). Sudden joy followed by suffering both injure Jing-Qi; when Jing-Qi is exhausted, the physical form is ruined and collapsed. Separation, isolation, frustration, worry, fear, anger, and joy cause the Five Viscera to become empty, and Blood and Qi to scatter and lose their residence. The *Lingshu* states: "Terror and overthinking injure Shen (Spirit); when Shen is injured, fear and self-loss occur, muscles break down and fall away, hair becomes brittle, complexion turns lifeless, and death occurs in Winter." Furthermore, lesions in the skin, flesh, vessels, sinews, and bones should be traced to their root in the corresponding primary Viscera, not sought in the Viscera that overcomes them (the overcoming element). Later, Zhang Zhongjing established the section on Deficiency Consumption (Xu Lao), based on this principle. Chao Yuanfang discussed Xu Lao, Zheng Bing (Steaming Disorder), and Zhu Bing (Imparted/Transmitted Disease), all deduced from this. Xu Lao refers to Wu Lao (Five Labors), Liu Ji (Six Extremities), and Qi Shang (Seven Injuries). Wu Lao refers to Zhi Lao (Mental Labor), Si Lao (Pensiveness Labor), You Lao (Worry Labor), Xin Lao (Heart Labor), and Shou Lao (Emaciation Labor - *Note: Text says 'Shou', likely referring to labor leading to emaciation or specific mental strain*). Liu Ji refers to Qi Ji (Qi Exhaustion), Xue Ji (Blood Exhaustion), Jin Ji (Sinew Exhaustion), Gu Ji (Bone Exhaustion), Ji Ji (Flesh Exhaustion), and Jing Ji (Essence Exhaustion). Qi Shang includes: Yin Han (Yin Cold), Yin Wei (Yimpotence), Li Ji (Internal Urgency/Discomfort), Jing Lian (Continuous Essence Loss), Jing Shao Yin Xia Shi (Scanty Essence with Yin Dampness), Jing Hua (Spermatorrhea), Xiao Bian Ku Shu (Bitter frequency/dysuria in urination), and Lin Shi Bu Ju (Failure to erect during intercourse). It also states: Overeating injures the Spleen; great anger with reversed Qi injures the Liver; forceful lifting and long sitting on damp ground injure the Kidney; cold exposure and drinking cold beverages injure the Lung; worry and overthinking injure the Heart; wind, rain, cold, and summerheat injure the Form; great fear without moderation injures Zhi (Will). Additionally, the five types of Steaming Disorders are: Gu Zheng (Bone Steaming), Mai Zheng (Vessel Steaming), Pi Zheng (Skin Steaming), Rou Zheng (Flesh Steaming), and Nei Zheng (Internal Steaming). These involve widespread heat, often occurring after recovery from a heat disease, triggered by eating beef, drinking alcohol, or sexual activity. The manifestations of Zhu Bing (Imparted Disease) refer to pathogenic factors residing within the human body, hence the name "Zhu" (Imparting/Transmitting). This results from the loss of balance between Yin and Yang, emptiness of the meridians, caused by Wind, Cold, Summerheat, Dampness, and overexertion. Or, Shaoyang diseases transmitted to the Yin channels are not cleared in time, leaving lingering pathogens after recovery; or undigested food with unbalanced hot/cold qualities flows and stagnates; or sudden contact with qi of life and death, or abrupt encounter with evil spirits' essences, can all cause disease, with varied and complex symptoms. The term "Zhu" implies "stopping" or "residing," indicating continuous stagnation and retention; after death, it may transmit to others. Regarding the above patterns of Xu Lao, Zheng Bing, and Zhu Bing, although modern formularies list many herbs, none summarize the essential principle. Essentially, human vitality consists of Qi and Form. Qi belongs to Yang, Form belongs to Yin. Bias toward Yang causes Heat; bias toward Yin causes Cold. Moreover, nothing consumes things more than Fire. Patients with Lao Zhai invariably suffer from emaciated forms and wasted muscles. This is because Jing and Blood cannot control the fiery heat of Qi. Therefore, one should use Cool/Cold herbs to harmonize it and tonify Water (Kidney Yin) to assist it! To claim that deficiency of Form requires warming with Qi methods misunderstands the concept; "Wen" (Warm) here means "gentle care/nourishment," not Hot/Warm temperature. Qi is inherently Yang, and adding warmth creates Hyperactive Yang. Adding Hot/Warm properties to already depleted Jing and Blood, how can Tian Zhen (Heavenly Truth/Vital Essence) arise? There is another category: those born with fine bones and weak constitutions inevitably have deficient Jing and Blood. Their Tian Gui (Menstrual/Essential fluid promoting reproduction) has arrived, but Yin cannot fully flourish to match Yang. When desires stir internally, or due to overexertion, Ministerial Fire (Xiang Huo) and Sovereign Fire (Jun Huo) fan each other into flame. The deficient Yin Water cannot restrain them, thus steaming the Five Viscera internally and connecting to the four limbs externally. Such individuals, due to congenital insufficiency, are hardly curable by medicine!