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In general, the treatment of Shanghan (Cold Damage) requires prior knowledge of the sequence of meridian transmission. For instance, on the first day, when the pathogen is in the Taiyang Meridian (Taiyang Channel Disease), symptoms such as aversion to cold and headache manifest; on the second day, when it enters the Yangming Meridian (Yangming Channel Disease), symptoms include eye pain, nasal dryness, and insomnia; on the third day, in the Shaoyang Meridian (Shaoyang Channel Disease), symptoms comprise deafness, hypochondriac pain, alternating chills and fever, and bitter taste in the mouth; on the fourth day, in the Taiyin Meridian (Taiyin Channel Disease), symptoms involve abdominal fullness and spontaneous diarrhea; on the fifth day, in the Shaoyin Meridian (Shaoyin Channel Disease), symptoms present as dry tongue and parched mouth; on the sixth day, in the Jueyin Meridian (Jueyin Channel Disease), symptoms include vexation, abdominal fullness, and retraction of the testicles. This constitutes the general pattern of meridian transmission in Shanghan. However, diseases vary, and symptoms are multifarious; therefore, one cannot rigidly adhere to fixed rules or apply them mechanically.

Currently, some practitioners fail to observe pathological changes, mechanically applying prescriptions based solely on days and meridians. Consequently, the symptoms often do not match the treatment, highlighting the difficulty. Take fever, absence of sweating, and headache as an example: these are typically treated with diaphoresis (sweating method), which aligns with the treatment principle for the Taiyang Meridian. Yet, Zhang Zhongjing stated: "What are the external manifestations of Yangming disease?" The answer is: body heat, spontaneous sweating, aversion to neither cold nor preference for heat; this represents fever in Yangming disease. He further stated: "In Yangming disease, if there is no sweating, but urination is clear and profuse, accompanied by vomiting and coughing, and cold extremities, the patient will suffer from severe headache"; this represents headache without sweating in Yangming disease. He also stated: "In Shanghan, if the pulse is wiry and fine, accompanied by headache and fever, it belongs to Shaoyang"; this represents headache and fever in Shaoyang disease.

Generally, the three Yang meridians (Taiyang, Yangming, Shaoyang) are considered exterior syndromes, but only Shaoyang is described as "half-exterior, half-interior," where diaphoresis is contraindicated. However, therapeutic principles also state: "If the pulse at the cun, guan, and chi positions are all floating, the disease is in Taiyang; if all are long, it is in Yangming; if all are wiry, it is in Shaoyang." If these three meridians are affected, and the pathogen has not yet entered the fu organs, it can be resolved through diaphoresis. Does this not imply that Shaoyang disease may also require diaphoresis? Such is the logic regarding the treatment of the three Yang meridians.

Similarly, the three Yin meridians (Taiyin, Shaoyin, Jueyin) have analogous cases. For instance: "In Taiyin disease, if the pulse is floating, diaphoresis may be used, preferably Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction)." Also: "In Shaoyin disease, upon initial onset, if there is contrary fever and a deep pulse, Mahuang Fuzi Xixin Tang (Ephedra, Aconite, and Asarum Decoction) is indicated." Furthermore: "In Jueyin syndrome, if there is dysentery, abdominal fullness, and body pain, one should first warm the interior, then attack the exterior; use Sini Tang (Frigid Extremities Decoction) to warm the interior, and Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) to resolve the exterior." These examples illustrate fever in the three Yin meridians and instances where sweating methods are appropriate for the three Yin meridians.

Regarding purgation (downward draining), it is uniquely contraindicated for Shaoyang because it is a half-exterior, half-interior channel; failing to recognize this risks the pathogen sinking inward due to deficiency. Thus, purgation is forbidden for Shaoyang, whereas the other five meridians may have indications for purgation. From this perspective, do the three Yang meridians never present interior syndromes? Do the three Yin meridians never present exterior syndromes? Therefore, a skilled practitioner, seeing that exterior pathogens remain unresolved, must resolve the exterior; if the exterior syndrome is unresolved, one must not purge the interior. Conversely, if interior syndromes are fully established, one must purge the interior; if the interior condition is not yet solid, harmonization (hejie) is appropriate. Whether using diaphoresis, harmonization, or purgation, one must adapt to the urgency of the symptoms and apply the suitable method. This constitutes the unified therapeutic principle of ancient and modern times.