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The *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) states: "In spring, injury by wind." This refers to the time when the Jueyin (Liver/Gallbladder channel system associated with Wood) governs the season, and Wind-Wood holds authority; at this time, one is injured by Wind pathogen. The diseases caused by Wind pathogen vary in severity: mild cases are termed "Mao" (Covering/Encountering), moderate cases "Shang" (Injuring), and severe cases "Zhong" (Striking). For instance, alternating chills and fever with sweating indicates that Wind has injured the Wei (Defensive) level, named "Wind-Injury Disease" (Shangfeng Bing); nasal congestion and cough indicate that Wind has covered the exterior, named "Wind-Covering Disease" (Maofeng Bing); sudden fainting and loss of consciousness indicate that Wind has struck the interior, named "Wind-Stroke Disease" (Zhongfeng Bing). Treatment should be differentiated according to the severity of the condition and the depth of the pathology. Furthermore, Wind is the leader among the Six Qi (Wind, Cold, Summerheat, Dampness, Dryness, Fire) and can command other pathogens. If residual cold remains in spring, Wind may carry Cold qi; those contracting this are afflicted by "Wind-Cold." If the weather becomes suddenly hot, Wind may carry Heat qi; those contracting this are afflicted by "Wind-Heat." If continuous spring rains cause dampness from the earth to rise, Wind may carry Damp qi; those contracting this are afflicted by "Wind-Damp." If spring, which should be warm, turns cold instead, presenting a climate inappropriate for the season, and individuals suffer chills and fever resembling Taiyang disease (Shanghan), this is termed "Cold Plague" (Han Yi). These seven types are all new pathogens contracted during the Spring season; they manifest immediately upon contraction, differing vastly from "Latent Qi" (Fuqi) that does not manifest immediately. They must be carefully distinguished.

The Wind-Injury Disease corresponds to the syndrome of "Wind injuring the Defensive level" described in Zhang Zhongjing's works. Various schools have discussed this in detail, so there is no need for further elaboration here. However, the general presentation at its onset should be described. When Wind pathogen initially lodges in the Defensive level, symptoms include headache, fever, sweating, aversion to wind, and a floating and moderate pulse. In such cases, the method of resolving the muscle layer and dispersing the exterior should be employed. The classics state: "Those injured by Wind, the head receives it first," hence the symptom of headache; when Wind merges with the Defensive level, causing Ying (Nutritive) weakness and Wei strength, symptoms of fever and sweating occur; sweating leads to open pores (cou li), resulting in aversion to wind; a floating pulse indicates an exterior condition, and a moderate pulse indicates Wind, thus the method of resolving the muscle layer and dispersing the exterior is used to expel Wind from the defensive exterior. If the pulse is floating and tight, with fever but no sweating, this method must not be used; one must recognize this to avoid error. Misapplication will inevitably lead to other complications, at which point treatment should follow Zhang Zhongjing's methods. Laypeople often see nasal congestion and cough and assume it is Wind-Injury, failing to realize it is actually Wind-Covering. Details on Wind-Covering Disease are provided in the lower section.