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Lin syndrome (Strangury) is characterized by dribbling, astringent pain in urination, the desire to void but inability to do so, and the inability to stop once started. The ancients divided it into five types: Shilin (Stone Strangury), where excretions resemble sand or stones; Gaolin (Gelatinous Strangury), where excretions resemble gelatinous fat; Laolin (Labor-induced Strangury), arising from overexertion; Qilin (Qi Strangury), caused by Qi stagnation and blockage, resulting in stifling pain below the umbilicus; and Xuelin (Blood Strangury), caused by stasis of blood accumulating, with cutting pain in the urethra. All these conditions are caused by heat binding in the Bladder (Bladder). However, in treatment, emphasis is not placed on the Bladder, but rather on the Sanjiao (Triple Burner). The Classics state: "The Bladder is the official of the capital, storing fluids; when Qi transformation occurs, they can be expelled." It also says: "The Sanjiao is the official of irrigation, through which water passages flow." These few sentences have been misunderstood by commentators for hundreds of years. They did not realize that body fluids are the source of sweat; when the Bladder undergoes Qi transformation, it can produce sweat. Therefore, Zhang Zhongjing's method of inducing sweating must take its cue from the Taiyang (Greater Yang) channel. Water passages are the channels for conducting water; when the Sanjiao performs its duties, urine flows smoothly. One must understand that what exits outwardly is the fluid of the Bladder, while what exits downwardly is the water passage of the Sanjiao. There is also the method of clearing the Heart, because the Heart and Small Intestine are exterior-interior related. There is the method of clearing the Liver, because the Liver governs free flow and drainage. There is the method of tonifying the Kidney, because the Kidney is the organ responsible for managing water. For the standard treatment of the Sanjiao and Bladder, Wulin San (Five-Strangury Powder) is used. To clear the Heart and nourish the Kidney, Daochi San (Guide Out Redness Powder) is used. To clear the Liver, Longdan Xiegan Tang (Gentian Decoction to Drain the Liver) and similar formulas are used. As for Ongbi syndrome (Retention of Urine), where urine passes drop by drop or not at all, and even causes distension and stifling sensation as if dying, the pathological origin is the same as the aforementioned syndromes, but the treatment methods go a step further. Some use Bawei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill) with doubled Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig) and Fuzi (Aconite Root) to steam and activate Kidney Qi to open the orifices. Some use Zishen Wan (Kidney-Nourishing Pill) to nourish Yin and transform Yang. Some use Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Decoction to Supplement the Middle and Augment the Qi), followed by stimulating vomiting with fingers after ingestion. (This is like a vessel dripping water: if the upper orifice is closed and it is inverted, no drops fall. Removing the upper closure allows the lower orifice to open.) Some use Wulin San added with Mahuang (Ephedra Herb) and Xingren (Apricot Seed) to induce slight sweating. (Mahuang has potent force, capable of penetrating Yang Qi to the deepest Yin locations, descending Lung Qi, governing the skin and hair; paired with Xingren to descend Qi to the Bladder, following the principle that 'conducting water must start from high places.') Some use Renshen (Ginseng Root) and Mahuang each in one liang, decocted in water and taken orally. In summer months, Mahuang is not dared to be used. Some use Zisu (Perilla Leaf), Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia Root), and Xingren each in three qian, decocted in water and taken orally, covered warmly to induce slight sweating. Some use Baijuhua Gen (White Chrysanthemum Root) mashed, mixed with raw Baijiu (Chinese Liquor), taking the juice warm. Some use Haipiaoxiao (Cuttlefish Bone) in four liang and Jicai (Shepherd's Purse) in fourteen grains, decocted in water and taken orally. Some use Zaojiao (Gleditsia Sinensis Fruit), Congtou (Scallion Bulb), and Wangbuliuxing (Vaccaria Seed) each in several liang, decocted in a basin of soup, allowing the patient to sit and soak therein, fumigating and washing the lower abdomen and genitalia. Over time, internal heat reaches, stagnation opens naturally, and urination resumes. Treatment must carefully examine pulse and symptoms before applying therapy; one must not adhere rigidly to a single approach.

The pulse should be floating and large; fine and small pulses are contraindicated.

Wulin San (Fifty: Universally treats Five Stranguries and Ongbi).
Modification rules. For Qilin, add Jingjie (Schizonepeta Spike), Xiangfu (Cyperus Rhizome), and Sheng Maiya (Raw Barley Sprout). ○ For Xuelin, add Niuxi (Achyranthes Root), Taoren (Peach Kernel), Honghua (Carthamus Flower), and Shengdi (Rehmannia Root), adding a small amount of Shexiang (Musk). ○ For Shilin, administer Liuyi San (Six-One Powder) in three qian with water. ○ For Gaolin, combine with Bixie Fenqing Yin (Dioscorea Hypoglauca Decoction to Separate Clear Turbid). ○ For Laolin, combine with Buzhong Yiqi Tang. ○ If excessive consumption of mineral drugs has occurred, or in elderly men whose Yang Qi is already atrophied, who indulge in sexual thoughts to ejaculate, causing essence to deteriorate internally leading to strangury, add Bixie (Dioscorea Hypoglauca Rhizome), Shichangpu (Acorus Rhizome), and Tusizi (Cuscuta Seed) to guide them out.

Liuyi San (Fifty-Two: Stone Strangury).
Bixie Fenqing Yin (Eighty-Three: Gelatinous Strangury).
Daochi San (Forty-Nine: Red Strangury).
Longdan Xiegan Tang (Ninety-Seven: Suitable for swelling of the penis and severe pain in the urethra).
Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Five: Qi Strangury).
Liuping Wan (Fourteen: Water Deficiency).
Bawei Wan (Fifteen: Cold Strangury).
Jisheng Shenqi Wan (One Hundred and Two: Supporting Yang to transform Yin).
Zishen Wan (Ninety-Four: Nourishing Yin to transform Yang).
Sisheng Wan (One Hundred: Blood Strangury).
Baihe Tang (Ninety-Three: Qi Strangury).