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The heat of the Shaoyin (Lesser Yin) channel ascends to cause sore throat. To retain substances with similar affinity to Shaoyin in the upper jiao to clear heat, nothing is more suitable than pig skin (Zhu Fu). Therefore, physicians often use this material to achieve efficacy, and Zhang Zhongjing's Pig Skin Decoction (Zhufu Tang) actually pioneered its use. Now, I will attempt to offer an interpretation based on my humble understanding. Diarrhea, sore throat, and irritability are all symptoms of Shaoyin disease. Although chest fullness seems to involve the Shaoyang (Lesser Yang) channel, one should not overlook that a branch of the Shaoyin pulse emerges from the Lung, connects with the Heart, and enters the chest. Since diarrhea drains Kidney Yin, the floating deficient Yang, taking advantage of the weakness of the Middle Jiao (Spleen/Stomach Qi), disturbs the areas where the channel qi flows, resulting in sore throat and chest fullness with irritability. Because this is deficiency rather than excess, chest fullness does not reach the point of pain, and there is no need for purgative formulas. At this stage, latent pathogens have just emerged and have not yet moved from the blood level to the qi level; thus, bitter-cold herbs that damage healthy qi are unnecessary. The pig is a water animal, and its skin is sweet, cold, light, and floating. It can naturally guide heat downward from the upper jiao, thereby pacifying exogenous heat. However, diarrhea is not merely caused by dampness; without adding white honey (Baimi), it is insufficient to moisten dryness and benefit Yin. Since the pathology manifests both above and below, it is appropriate to establish the Middle Jiao; without adding roasted rice flour (Baifen), it is insufficient to please the Spleen and invigorate fatigue. This syndrome has nothing to do with the Shaoyang channel. Furthermore, Zou cited the appearance of "chest fullness" when using Da Chengqi Decoction for spasm diseases as evidence of involvement of the Yangming channel. How can such reasoning serve as a standard?

Regarding sheep, ancient theories are profound. Some consider it a Fire animal (based on *Liji: Yueling* and *Zhouli: Paoren* annotations), some a Earth animal (*Huainanzi: Shize Xun* and *Lüshi Chunqiu: Mengchun* annotations), some possessing Western attributes (*Taijiao Pian*), and some as the mother of Wood and Earth (*Huainanzi: Shize Xun*). Thus, it encompasses four of the Five Elements. From my own perspective, even calling it a Water animal would not be shameful. Sheep produced in the northwest are considered superior; their long beards correspond to the title "Long-Bearded Registrar" (*Gujin Zhu*). They enjoy climbing steep cliffs without fear, indicating that their Kidney Qi is robust and solid, unlike other animals. Among the Five Elements they possess, they acquire the most Fire and Earth Qi. Therefore, Zhang Zhongjing used mutton to treat Cold Hernia abdominal pain and postpartum abdominal pain, utilizing its hot nature and sweet taste to warm the Spleen and relieve interior tension. Although other drugs can warm the Spleen and relieve tension, why must mutton be used here? Because the pathology is not solely in the Spleen, and mutton does not only treat the Spleen. The *Suwen* mentions "Heart Hernia," where masses appear in the lower abdomen, and Ren Mai pathology involves seven types of hernias in men. Cold Hernia is one of these seven; how can it be unrelated to the Kidney? Even Zhang Zhongjing's Da Wutou Decoction and Didang Wutou Guizhi Decoction, which treat Cold Hernia abdominal pain, both use Aconite Root (Wutou). Aconite Root expels cold-dampness externally and warms Kidney Yang internally. The Wutou Decoction in *Waitai Miyao* is even used to treat cases where Cold Hernia attacks cause retraction of the genitals. Moreover, hypochondriac pain and interior tension clearly indicate cold invading the Jueyin (Greater Yin) channel. Postpartum blood deficiency invariably leads to lower-jiao cold. Although Xiaojianzhong Decoction treats abdominal pain, can it cure such severe syndromes? Dui represents the sheep. In the Dui trigram, two yang lines are at the bottom, and one yin line is at the top. Sheep likely possess a stubborn nature (*Yi Zhuan: Dazhuang Shu*) but can transform yang within yin. Cold Hernia involves both Liver and Kidney yin suffering from cold. Mutton warms the Spleen and relieves tension, while also providing warming benefits to the deficiency-cold of the Liver and Kidney. Therefore, its use in this syndrome is highly appropriate. It must cooperate with Angelica Root (Guizhi/Danggui context implies Danggui here given "Gui Jiang", though text says Gui, usually Danggui or Guizhi, context suggests Danggui for blood/yin transformation support alongside Ginger) and Ginger to succeed because mutton can transform yang within yin but cannot disperse cold pathogens within yin. The pungent-warm properties of Angelica and Ginger fulfill this function; they can be regarded as the vanguard for mutton.