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[General Discussion] The transmission and transformation of Shanghan (Cold Damage) have been detailed by ancient sages. The symptoms are numerous and difficult to list exhaustively. Generally, those contracted from after Frost's Descent until before the Spring Equinox due to cold pathogenic factors are termed "Zheng Shanghan" (True Cold Damage). Those contracted in spring and summer are commonly known as "Four Seasons Shanghan," or may be mixed with other syndromes. Only by carefully distinguishing at the onset can one ensure appropriate regulation and treatment.

If there is headache, aversion to cold, fever, and soreness/aching of the body and limbs that does not cease day or night, it is Shanghan. If there is distension and fullness in the chest and diaphragm, headache, and fever that comes and goes intermittently, it is due to overexertion or food stagnation.

Shanghan is among the most difficult conditions to treat. On the first day, the pathology is in the skin; on the second day, in the flesh; on the third day, in the muscles; on the fourth day, in the chest; on the fifth day, in the abdomen; on the sixth day, in the stomach. Treating it at the onset allows for easy dissipation of the shallow pathogen.

Regarding the meridian transmission: On the first day in the Taiyang Meridian (Taiyang Channel), there is pain in the head and nape, stiffness in the waist and spine, and a floating-tight or floating-slow pulse. On the second day in the Yangming Meridian (Yangming Channel), there is eye pain, dry nose, a floating-long pulse, body heat, and insomnia. On the third day in the Shaoyang Meridian (Shaoyang Channel), there is deafness, hypochondriac pain, a wiry pulse, alternating chills and fever, bitter taste in the mouth, and vomiting. On the fourth day in the Taiyin Meridian (Taiyin Channel), there is dry throat, abdominal fullness, spontaneous diarrhea, and a deep-thin pulse. On the fifth day in the Shaoyin Meridian (Shaoyin Channel), there is a dry tongue, dry mouth, and a floating-slow pulse. On the sixth day in the Jueyin Meridian (Jueyin Channel), there is irritability and fullness, contraction of the scrotum, and a deep-choppy pulse. This is the general pattern of meridian transmission.

Contraindications include: a pulse that is firm, large, and rapid; sweating like oil; inability to take fluids; continuous panting; blackening around the mouth; complexion resembling soot; fixed staring gaze; shaking of the head; cyanosis of the lips; upward rolling of the eyes; and incontinence of urine and feces. Violation of these signs indicates untreatable conditions.

At the onset of Shanghan, when differentiation is ambiguous, regardless of Yin/Yang or Deficiency/Excess patterns, use 5 qian of clean white sugar. For Yin patterns, administer with Ginger-Scallion Decoction; for Yang patterns, administer with boiling water. Even severe cases can be alleviated.

Regardless of Yin or Yang patterns, if medicines are unavailable in an emergency, use 1 liang of Fresh Ginger, 10 stalks of Scallion White, and two large bowls of good wine. Decoct to one bowl, take hot, cover with blankets to induce sweating for resolution. Do not allow excessive sweating. Avoid heavy meat for five to seven days. In spring, follow this prescription; in summer, halve the dose; in winter, add 2 he of stir-fried Charred Black Beans and decoct together.

[Shenbai San] Treats all seasonal epidemic Shanghan, regardless of Yin or Yang patterns. It can be taken by the old, young, male, female, and pregnant women. Ingredients: Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (Baizhi) 1 liang, Raw Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Sheng Gancao) 5 qian, Fresh Zingiberis Rhizoma (Sheng Jiang) 3 slices, Allii Cepae Bulbus (Cong Tou) 3 cun, Black Dates (Hei Zao) 1 piece, Fermented Soybeans (Douchi) 50 grains. Add two bowls of water, decoct, and take to induce sweating. If no sweat occurs, take again. Even if the disease has lasted over ten days without sweating, it can be taken. (Note: Baizhi is an aromatic herb that circulates through the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine, Foot-Yangming Stomach, and Hand-Taiyin Lung meridians. It is a formula for resolving wind-cold. Its flavor is mild and peaceful, not harsh. Using up to 1 liang aims for concentrated power to resolve pathogens in these three meridians. Indeed...)

[Headache, Internal Heat, Surging Pulse, No Sweat] Ge Gen (Kudzu Root) 1 liang, Douchi 1 spoon. Decoct in water. Just before taking, add a little bit of Fresh Ginger Juice. Take in one dose to induce sweating. (Note: Ge Gen resolves the Foot-Yangming Meridian and is the holy medicine for treating headache in Shanghan. It is sweet and neutral, releases the exterior, and stops thirst. Ancient formulas used up to 4 liang because its flavor is light. Users should exercise judgment. It is even more effective for treating epidemic diseases.) For prolonged cases without sweat, use one large pear and one piece of ginger, crush together to extract juice, add one bowl of Child's Urine, heat in a double boiler, and take in one dose. Sweating will occur immediately. (Do not use if initial cold is severe.)

[Shanghan with Chest Binding and Food Stagnation] At onset, there is chest fullness and rattling phlegm sound in the throat, with a floating-slippery pulse at the Cun position. Use the food-vomiting method from the Wind-Stroke section. If after three or four days vomiting is impossible, and pain is bound and obstructed, use 6 liang of Aged Fragrant Lees, 4 liang of Fresh Ginger, 4 liang of Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma (Shui Changpu), and 2 liang of Sodium Chloride (Yan Shi). Crush evenly, stir-fry until hot, form into cakes, and apply to the painful area on the chest. If still unresolved, apply heat with an ironing tool. Remove when internal rumbling sounds are heard. If thirsty, drink tea freely. Recovery occurs upon defecation of foul matter.

If the chest/diaphragm feels unrelaxed, painful, or for any cold-heat, phlegm-food-water binding, use Fresh Ginger (crushed to paste, juice removed, dregs kept). Stir-fry until hot, wrap in silk, and slowly rub/iron the chest, heart, and hypochondrium. Effect is very rapid. If ginger cools, add juice and re-fry.

[Yin Toxic Shanghan with Cold Extremities] Evodiae Fructus (Zhu Yu) 1 sheng, mixed with wine. Pack into two damp silk bags, steam until extremely hot, replace and iron the soles of the feet. Stop when warmth penetrates.

For vomiting and cold extremities in various seasonal miscellaneous diseases: Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride (Ju Hong) 1 liang, Fresh Ginger 1 liang. Decoct in water, sip slowly to stop symptoms.

[Shanghan with Internal Injury] Due to food stagnation and blood stasis, there is hardness and distension in the lower abdomen, inability to speak, fixed staring gaze, rigid limbs leading to collapse, and impending loss of spirit, making oral medication difficult. Use Zi Su (Perilla Leaf) 5-7 liang, decoct in water. Soak a hand towel in the hot decoction, wring out, and place hot on the patient's abdomen. Have someone rub gently in circles over the towel. Replace when cool. Wait for old food and stasis to pass naturally, then seek medical treatment. If anal constipation occurs, treat according to guidance methods for urinary/fecal retention.

[Throat Tube Shanghan] For unbearable itching in the throat: Bohe (Menthae Haplocalycis Herba) 2 fen, a small amount of Moschus (She Xiang), ground to fine powder. Blow into the throat. Wait for qi to open, expectorate about one bowl of saliva, then drink half a teacup of aged rice soup to stop. If tea or alcohol is mistakenly consumed, the relief of itching makes it incurable.

[Shanghan Parotitis] Originally caused by wind-cold, exterior pathogens remain unresolved. Prolonged fever, swelling and pain anterior/posterior to ears and neck, body heat, and thirst. Chai Hu, Tian Hua Fen, Gan Ge, Niu Bang Zi, Huang Qin, Jie Geng, Lian Qiao, Shi Gao (each 1 qian), Gan Cao (5 fen), Sheng Ma (3 fen).

[Extreme Hyperactive Pathogenic Heat] Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma) 2 liang, decoct to strong juice (one cup). Cool in well water. Soak green cloth, apply to chest, change slowly. Stop when heat subsides slightly.

[Shanghan Jaundice] After five to six days, whole body turns yellow. Use Sesame Oil (Ma You) half cup, water half cup, one egg white. Mix and take to resolve jaundice.

[Yellow Tongue, Irritability, Delirium] Swallow 1-2 raw egg whites to feel refreshed. For fever with wild running/walking: Use eggshells from hatched chicks, soak in water, and take to induce sleep.

[Vomiting After Medication/Rejection] Fresh Ginger Juice, take warm, several spoons or half cup to allow intake.

[Unceasing Hematemesis] Chen Jing Mo (Aged Beijing Inkstick), grind with egg white and take to stop bleeding. Unceasing Epistaxis: Apply paper soaked in cold water to the nasal bridge. Blow finely ground Gardeniae Fructus (Hei Shan Zhi) into the nose.

[Urinary Retention] Ban Xia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) and She Xiang (Moschus), each a small amount, ground to powder. Fill into the patient's umbilicus. Also, crush Cong Bai (Scallion White) and Viverricula Aquatica? No, Tian Luo (Snail Meat) together into a cake. Seal over the umbilicus.

[Red Skin/Eyes from Excessive Fu Zi Consumption] Huang Lian and Raw Gan Cao (each 5 qian). Decoct with Radish Juice and take. Redness will recede. If not treated urgently, blood may flow from upper orifices, becoming incurable. (If radish is unavailable, Radish Seed decoction can substitute.) Alternatively, use Di Jiang Shui (Earth Slurry Water): Dig ~3 chi deep in clean, unplanted soil, mix with spring water, clarify, and drink. Two to three bowls resolve toxicity. For mild Fu Zi toxicity, boil Black Beans, eat beans and drink juice; several sheng is effective.

[Unceasing Sweating from Excessive Ma Huang] Nuomi Fen (Glutinous Rice Powder), Long Gu (Fossilized Bones), Mu Li (Oyster Shell), Fang Feng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), Ben Cao (Ligustici Rhizoma et Radix? Note: Text says 'Ben', likely Ligusticum or similar root), each 1 liang. Grind to fine powder. Dust all over the body to stop sweating. Also, immerse patient's hair in a basin of water for swift effect.

[Fetal Protection Method] For pregnant women with Shanghan, fearing fetal damage: Use Fu Long Gan (Dragon's House Earth/Cauldron Earth), Qing Dai (Indigo Naturalis), Jing Di Ni (Well Bottom Mud). Equal parts, ground to powder. Apply to umbilicus within 2 cun. Does not harm fetus. After Shanghan recovery, do not overeat, do not exert labor. Avoid rich flavors, mutton, alcohol. Strictly forbid sexual intercourse for 100 days. As spleen/stomach just recover, violation leads to incurable conditions.