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Yihuang San (Benefit Yellow Powder) is used to treat deficiency-cold of the Spleen and Stomach; therefore, Dingxiang (Clove) is used to warm the Stomach, Chenpi (Aged Tangerine Peel) and Qingpi (Green Tangerine Peel) regulate the Stomach, resolve food stagnation, and transform phlegm, Hezi (Chebula Fruit) astringes the intestines and stomach, stops diarrhea, and consolidates Qi, Gancao (Licorice Root) harmonizes the Middle Jiao, and adding Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome) is appropriate. If it is not deficiency-cold, and the diarrhea is clear without food accumulation, remove Qingpi and Dingxiang, and add Baizhu and Fuling (Poria) instead. Wendan Tang (Warm Gallbladder Decoction) eliminates phlegm and stops vomiting; adding Baizhu, Shaoyao (White Peony Root), and Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome) transforms it into a formula that subdues Liver Wood and tonifies Spleen Earth.

My commentary: Yihuang San is a formula for warming and tonifying the Spleen and Stomach. If there are symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea with clear discharge, and cold breath from the mouth and nose, this indicates Cold Water counter-acting and insulting Earth (Spleen); Qian Yi's Yihuang San should be used. If caused by taking hot drugs like Badou (Croton Seed), or due to summer-heat damaging milk and food intake, injuring the Spleen and Stomach, resulting in vomiting and diarrhea with hot breath from the mouth and nose, this indicates deficiency of Stomach Qi with Wind-Heat; Li Dongyuan's Anwei San (Stomach-Anchoring Powder) should be used.

Children under eight years old do not suffer from Shanghan (Cold Damage). Even if they have a common cold or wind invasion presenting with nasal congestion, runny nose, fever, and cough, treatment should focus primarily on descending phlegm, with only slight addition of mild dispersing agents. Formulas that disperse, drain, or detoxify are not suitable for young children. For mild cases of wind invasion, medication is unnecessary; waiting two or three days often leads to spontaneous recovery.

My commentary: Regarding the aforementioned conditions, if accompanied by cold hands and feet or abdominal distension, it indicates Spleen Deficiency; use Liu Junzi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction) added with Shengma (Cimicifuga Rhizome) and Chaihu (Bupleurum Root). If accompanied by abdominal distension or wheezing, it indicates Lung Deficiency; use Si Junzi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) added with Chaihu and Shengma. The Classics state that the Lung governs Qi and controls the skin and hair. When Lung Qi is deficient, the interstices (Couli) are not tight, making external pathogens easy to invade. After releasing the exterior through sweating, once the pathogen is eliminated, one should tonify the Spleen and Lung to strengthen the exterior, so that Wind pathogens cannot re-enter. Often, after exterior release, if heat-induced cough persists and exterior-releasing methods are applied again, it easily transforms into severe adverse syndromes.

The son of Shi Xuan Nian from Wujiang contracted a wind invasion and was treated with exterior-releasing and phlegm-resolving medicines, leading to excessive phlegm, cough, abdominal distension, and pale complexion. This indicates Spleen Earth deficiency failing to generate Lung Metal. I used Liu Junzi Tang added with Jiegeng (Platycodon Root); one dose resulted in immediate recovery. Three days later, the previous symptoms recurred with a runny nose, caused by re-injury from wind-cold. Using the previous prescription added with Sangbaipi (Mulberry Bark), Xingren (Apricot Seed), and Jiegeng led to recovery.

The youngest son of Vice Minister Shi suffered from wheezing and cough, chest and abdominal distension, diarrhea, and anorexia. This indicates dietary injury to Spleen Earth failing to generate Lung Metal. Using Liu Junzi Tang, all symptoms were cured after one dose.

The son of Shi Muchuan, aged six, had a cold with cough. Due to excessive exterior-releasing treatment, he developed wheezing and cough, and could not eat. Using Liu Junzi Tang added with Jiegeng led to recovery. It was April, and while accompanying his father to inspect farming, he suddenly experienced chills and recurrent cough. Someone administered exterior-releasing formulas, causing blood in the sputum. I said, "This has become Fei Yong (Lung Abscess)." The next day, he expectorated pus mixed with sputum, and was cured using Jiegeng Tang (Platycodon Decoction). Later, when Yuan Qi (Primal Qi) had not yet recovered, his stool resembled dysentery. Someone used Wuling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria), Huanglian, Zhishi (Immature Bitter Orange), etc., leading to phlegm-wheezing, frequent blinking of eyes, and convulsions of the four limbs. I said, "This is Spleen Qi failure transforming into Man Pi Feng (Slow Spleen Wind)." I declined to treat, and indeed (the child died).