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During the Xining era, Song Di, the prefect, because his nephew had contracted early-stage Shanghan (Cold Damage), could not distinguish its symptom presentation. Seeing that the patient was irritable, thirsty, and sweating profusely, he treated it with cooling herbs to resolve the exterior.

Thus, [he intended to use] ... or if the Chi position of the pulse ... then thirst turns into ... Yin San (Yin-Dispersing Powder) and Wusheng San (Five-Victories Powder) to treat Shanghan. If one feels that Shanghan pathogenic factors have invaded the four limbs, causing pain in the head, eyes, and all bone joints, immediately decoct this medicine and take it. Within the time it takes a person to walk five li, administer three doses again. Sweating will occur, and recovery will be immediate. If suffering from Yindu Shanghan (Yin-Toxic Cold Damage), add Ban Qian (half a qian) of Tuiyin San (Retreating-Yin Powder) and decoct together. Or if injured by cold or food stagnation, resulting in dizziness, qi distension, and heart pain, taking this formula yields visible efficacy without exception.

Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba, remove nodes, weigh), Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, remove white pith), Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, raw), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, honey-fried), Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma, processed), Rougui (Cinnamomi Cortex, remove rough bark, avoid direct fire), Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix), Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, processed, remove skin and umbilical scar), Zhuyu (Corni Fructus, select clean, soak in hot water ten times, dry-roast), Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma, wash in hot water seven times). All above ingredients are in equal proportions.

For the above ingredients, increase Mahuang by half, decrease Zhuyu by half. Grind them together into powder. Each dose is one Da Qian (large qian). Use one Zhan (unit of volume) of water, three slices of Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens), and one Zao (Jujubae Fructus). Decoct until seven parts remain. In autumn...

Treat Yindu Shanghan (Yin-Toxic Cold Damage), characterized by cold extremities, deep and fine pulse, headache, and heavy sensation in the waist. Administer three doses consecutively. For minor cold injury, each dose is one Zi (small unit), decocted within the San Ji (Powder), adding a pinch of Yan (Salt). For cough and counterflow qi caused by Yindu Shanghan, decoct one dose, sip slowly while hot to stop the symptoms.

Chuanwu (Aconiti Radix, processed, remove skin and umbilical scar), Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma, processed, equal proportions).

Grind the above ingredients into coarse powder, stir-fry until the color changes, allow to cool, then grind again into fine powder. Each dose is one Qian. Use one Zhan of water, a pinch of Yan (Salt). Decoct until half a Zhan remains, strain the dregs, and take warm.

Treat Shanghan (Cold Damage) presenting with headache, high fever, bone and joint pain, lethargy and fatigue, cough, nasal congestion, and loss of appetite. Also an efficacious formula for treating Shanghan complicated by cold-toxin.

Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, honey-fried), Wuweizi (Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus, select), Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum, four Liang each), Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma, processed, three and a half Liang).

Grind the above ingredients into powder. Each dose is two Qian. Use eight-tenths of a Zhan of water, add a small amount of Yan (Salt). Decoct together until six-tenths remain, take orally. If complicated by cold qi, decoct with Jiang (Ginger) and Zao (Jujube). Or when treating Yindu Bing (Yin-Toxic Disease), add a small amount of Aiye (Artemisiae Argyi Folium) and decoct together.