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Translation:
It is said that Lao Zhai (Consumption Disease) is a major affliction for humans. Those who contract this disease undergo various transformations, spreading over years and infecting others, even leading to the extinction of entire families. How can one not sigh at this? Generally speaking, it is collectively called Chuan Shi (Transmitting Corpse), while specifically distinguished, it includes Gu Zheng (Bone Steaming), Fu Lian Shi Zhu (Reconnecting Corpse Transmission), Lao Zhu (Labor Transmission), Chong Zhu (Insect Transmission), Du Zhu (Poison Transmission), Re Zhu (Heat Transmission), Leng Zhu (Cold Transmission), Shi Zhu (Food Transmission), and Gui Zhu (Ghost Transmission). The term "Zhu" implies "Zhu" (to pour/transfer); the pathogen transfers from above to below, with identical origins, hence termed Zhu. Its variations include twenty-two types, thirty-six types, or ninety-nine types. There are also so-called "Five Corpses": Fei Shi (Flying Corpse), Dun Shi (Escaping Corpse), Han Shi (Cold Corpse), Sang Shi (Mourning Corpse), and Zhu Shi (Transmission Corpse). Although names differ, their transmission is even more complex. Among those infected, only one or two out of ten recover. Generally, when the five viscera transmit pathogens, it causes aversion to cold and fever, but symptoms vary. If transmitted to the Liver, there is pale complexion, dry eyes, bitter taste, spontaneous sweating, mental restlessness, and fright. If transmitted to the Heart, there is dark complexion, dry nose, mouth ulcers, forgetfulness, and constipation or diarrhea. If transmitted to the Spleen, there is greenish-yellow complexion, yellow lips, stiff tongue, throat obstruction, salivation, emaciation, and loss of appetite. If transmitted to the Lung, there is reddish complexion, white nose, expectoration of blood, coughing and wheezing, and dry hair. If transmitted to the Kidney, there is sallow complexion, dry ears, chest fullness, diaphragmatic pain, cloudy urine, and seminal emission.

There are also twenty-four types of "Lao Zheng" (Labor Steaming), which can be verified by symptoms. Steaming in the Heart manifests as shortness of breath, mental oppression, and a blackened, scorched tongue. Steaming in the Small Intestine manifests as borborygmus within the abdomen, and constipation or diarrhea in the Large Intestine. Steaming in the Liver manifests as blurred vision, dizziness, and intermittent irritability. Steaming in the Gallbladder manifests as deafness, bitter taste, and hardness/pain under the ribs. Steaming in the Kidney manifests withered earlobes and sore, aching waist and legs. Steaming in the Right Kidney manifests as emotional instability and emission of semen resembling white絮 (cotton-like substance). Steaming in the Lung manifests as coughing, expectorating blood, hoarse and distant voice. Steaming in the Large Intestine manifests as dryness and pain in the right nostril and dull pain in the Large Intestine. Steaming in the Spleen manifests as dry lips and mouth, abdominal and hypochondriac distension, aversion to cold, and anorexia. Steaming in the Stomach manifests as dry nose and mouth, abdominal distension with spontaneous sweating, and restless sleep. Steaming in the Bladder manifests as yellow-red urine, thick and slippery like paste. Steaming in the San Jiao (Triple Burner) manifests as alternating chills and fever, with frequent mental oppression in the Zhong Wan and Dan Zhong regions. Steaming in the Diaphragm manifests as chest and heart blockage, painful discomfort. Steaming in the Zong Jin (Major Sinew) manifests as flaccid sinews and tendons, dull lower abdominal pain, and hyperactive Yin Qi. Steaming in the Hui Chang (Returning Intestine) manifests as constipation or diarrhea, with tenesmus during defecation. Steaming in the Yu Fang (Jade Chamber/Genitals) manifests as seminal emission in men and leukorrhea in women. Steaming in the Brain manifests as excessive eye discharge, dizziness, and spitting of turbid saliva. Steaming in the Skin manifests as scaly skin, broken hairs, and scorched scalp hair. Steaming in the Bone manifests as blackened and dry incisors, and soreness at the Da Shu acupoint. Steaming in the Marrow manifests as shoulder and back pain and fatigue, and bone soreness. Steaming in the Tendons manifests as blurred vision, hypochondriac pain, and scorched, brittle nails. Steaming in the Vessels manifests as mental restlessness, body heat, and stabbing pain like needles. Steaming in the Flesh manifests as subjective body heat and unbearable restlessness of the four limbs. Steaming in the Blood manifests as scorched hair, occasional epistaxis, or hematuria. Detailed examination of these diseases reveals they are roughly as described. Investigating the root cause, the damage caused by insects gnawing the Heart and Lungs is most severe. Treatment should first aim to eliminate the root, followed by nursing care. Some have recovered by moxibustion on the Gao Huang and Cui Shi acupoints early on. If treatment is delayed until the disease takes deep root, it is too late. A few effective prescriptions collected for routine use are recorded below for reference.

It is said that Chuan Shi Lao is a disease of Gu Zheng (Bone Steaming) that spreads through the five viscera. Symptoms include lying and sitting half-upright, waking in the morning, but slight steaming fever in the afternoon, constant dissatisfaction, frequent palpitations, night sweats, dreams of intercourse with ghosts, red cheeks, lips looking bloody, inability to sleep despite wanting to, inability to eat despite wanting to, occasional mild diarrhea, dry nose and mouth, progressing to emaciation. Although death is imminent, the spirit remains clear; this is its characteristic. If treatment is slow, it is like water drying up, leading to death unnoticed.

In recent times, for young men and women, husbands and wives, presenting with irregular menstruation, cold pain in the umbilical and abdominal region, and five-palm heat, physicians immediately treat them as Gu Zheng Lao. Patients hear this and are terrified. They do not realize that people originally do not have Lao Zheng; it stems from weak congenital constitution and insufficient Qi and Blood. Improper treatment and poor medication lead to this illness. Often, herbs such as Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix), Di Gu Pi (Lycii Cortex), Qing Hao (Artemisiae Annuae Herba), Zhi Mu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma), Ou Jie (Nelumbinis Node), Bie Jia (Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum), Zi Wan (Asteris Radix), and Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogonis Tuber) are used as antipyretics. After taking them, fever subsides slightly but returns soon. Physicians then investigate the origin, failing to consult medical texts regarding "Deficiency Heat," and reuse these drugs, causing Qi and Blood to become increasingly deficient and the disease to worsen. Moreover, these drugs are cold in nature, inevitably damaging the Spleen and Stomach. Day after day, lack of appetite leads to gastric injury and loose stools, resulting in emaciation and untreatable condition. This error is due to Chai Hu and other drugs. It is truly pitiable. Chai Hu and similar herbs are formulas for resolving exterior syndromes in Shang Han (Cold Damage); they are unsuitable for those with deficient Qi and Blood. Previous formularies mentioned this, though the language was obscure. Now, I clarify briefly for easier understanding. If the patient has not taken these drugs, it is easier to treat; if already taken excessively, depleting True Qi and exhausting the exterior, rescue is difficult. One should take Yi Shen Yin (Benefit Spirit Drink).

For those suffering from Gu Zheng, sitting, lying, and living environments should avoid both cold and heat. Excessive cold hinders the passage of medicinal energy, causing distension and indigestion; or abdominal Qi rises causing heat, potentially blocking blood vessels, leading to dizziness, eye pain, dry lips and mouth, and mental oppression with thirst. These are all signs of improper nursing, which should be strictly avoided. Nursing methods must ensure appropriate warmth and coolness: remove clothes if hot, add clothes if cold. Cold injury to the back causes coughing; heat injury to hands and feet causes mental restlessness; covering too thickly causes night sweats; covering too thinly causes abdominal distension. Therefore, meal times are flexible; better to eat less frequently in small amounts to avoid food stagnation, aiding medicinal action. Food must be soft and easy to digest. Avoid raw and hard foods to prevent damaging Stomach Qi and causing indigestion. Recovery depends on easily digestible foods. For Gu Zheng, regardless of gender, sexual activity, physical exertion, and labor are contraindicated. Old, sour, salty, sticky, and indigestible foods, beef, horse, donkey, sheep, beans, pork, fish, greasy foods, alcohol, wheat noodles, fruits, wild birds, okra, bamboo shoots, garlic, ferns, and cold/raw foods must be avoided. Recovery will naturally occur, and diet can gradually expand after one month. Generally, cooked rice, salted fermented soybeans, bean paste, ginger, scallions, leeks, goji berries, alfalfa, bitter vegetables, Rehmanniae Radix (Di Huang), and Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix (Niu Xi) should be boiled thoroughly and eaten. As the disease recedes, fearing weak skin and flesh, dried venison jerky may be consumed occasionally.