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Qi deficiency should be treated by tonifying Qi, using Sijunzi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction); blood deficiency should be treated by nourishing blood, using Siwu Tang (Four Substance Decoction). In cases of severe deficiency, cooked Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root) is added to both. This is because Sijunzi Tang and Siwu Tang are both mild and gentle formulas; it requires the vigorous and potent action of Fuzi to facilitate their efficacy. Although Fuzi is a hot-natured herb and should not be used lightly, it can be used when the condition warrants it, even during the hot summer months. I once treated a servant who suffered from heat disease in May, presenting with thirst, dry lips, and delirium. His pulse was fine and slow. I prescribed Sijunzi Tang supplemented with Huangqi (Astragalus Root), Danggui (Angelica Sinensis Root), Shaoyao (Peony Root), and cooked Fuzi. After one dose, the fever intensified, and he became delirious and ran about wildly. Some said that the use of Fuzi was incorrect. Upon re-examining his pulse, which remained fine and slow, I increased the dosage of Fuzi. After administering a large dose, he sweated profusely, the fever subsided, and his pulse returned to four beats per breath.

I also once treated a woman who contracted heat disease in summer. Initially, she was given formulas to harmonize Qi and blood while clearing heat and resolving exterior pathogens. After two or three doses, there was no improvement, and the fever worsened. She developed black scorched coating on her tongue, a sensation of fire in the chest and diaphragm, and desired to rinse her mouth with water but did not swallow. Her pulse was weak and minute in both hands, particularly so in the right hand. Over six to seven days, she exhibited severe symptoms including delirium, picking at empty air, and groping at bedsheets. Subsequently, I prescribed Siwu Tang supplemented with Huangqi (Astragalus Root), Renshen (Ginseng Root), Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome), Chenpi (Tangerine Peel), Maimendong (Ophiopogon Tuber), Zhimu (Anemarrhena Rhizome), and cooked Fuzi. After one to two hours of ingestion, she sweated and the fever subsided. The fever recurred the next day, subsided again after another dose, and recurred on the third day. Recognizing extreme deficiency, I continued to administer ten doses consecutively, all containing Fuzi, until she stabilized.

In my opinion, the preceding discussion exemplifies "abandoning the season in favor of the symptoms" and "abandoning the symptoms in favor of the pulse," demonstrating truly firm diagnostic insight.

A male patient presented with fever, irritability, thirst, and headache. Due to an erroneous use of diaphoretic methods, he developed panting, abdominal pain, spontaneous sweating, and delirium. He was treated with Shiquan Dabu Tang (Ten Great Tonics Decoction) plus Fuzi (Aconite Root). He fell into a deep sleep and could not be awakened initially. Upon waking, all symptoms suddenly subsided, and he recovered after two additional doses.

Huang Wuxuan suffered from fever and aversion to cold due to improper diet and overwork. An erroneous use of exterior-resolving herbs led to mental confusion and red macules on the chest. His pulse was surging and rapid yet powerless. I stated, "This is internal injury to Yuan Qi (Original Qi), not an external pathogen. Urgent treatment with warming and tonifying formulas is required." He did not follow my advice and subsequently died.