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Although the treatment of women's diseases has other specialized methods, sometimes it is impossible to fully follow the diagnostic and therapeutic principles of the Sages. Nowadays, wealthy families reside in deep courtyards, within curtains, and cover their arms with silk. Consequently, physicians cannot employ the divine skill of observing complexion (Wang Zhen) nor fully utilize the dexterity of pulse diagnosis (Qie Mai). Among the four diagnostic methods (Wang, Wen, Wen, Qie), two are missing. The Yellow Emperor stated: In treating diseases, one must observe the patient's form, Qi, and complexion. If form and Qi are harmonious, it is termed treatable; if the complexion is bright and floating, it is termed easily curable; if form and Qi are discordant, it is termed difficult to treat; if the complexion is dull and lacks luster, it is termed difficult to cure. He also said: The way to diagnose disease lies in observing a person's courage or timidity, as well as their bones, muscles, and skin, to understand the condition and establish diagnostic methods. If the pulse does not correspond to the disease, and since the physician cannot see the patient's form, relying solely on the pulse to prescribe medicine—would this work? Thus, one cannot exhaust the entirety of medical art. This is a common flaw among physicians, which society finds hard to rectify. Physicians inevitably ask detailed questions to explore the truth thoroughly. Patients' families, seeing many questions, do not attribute them to lack of skill but often refuse to take the prescribed medicine. Such cases are numerous. Even Bian Que was not believed when he observed the complexion of the Duke of Qi, let alone physicians who cannot see the patients at all. Alas! This is indeed difficult!

There was a woman suffering from Warm Disease (Wen Bing) for twelve days. Upon diagnosis, her pulse beat six to seven times per respiration and was choppy (Se). The Cun position was slightly large, and the Chi position was slightly small. She presented with alternating chills and fever, red cheeks, dry mouth, mental confusion, and deafness. Inquiry revealed that her menstruation started several days after the onset of illness. This belongs to Shaoyang Heat entering the Blood Chamber (Xue Shi). If treated incorrectly, death would ensue. Based on the syndrome, Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) was administered. After two days, Xiao Chai Hu Tang plus Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) and Ganjiang Tang (Dried Ginger Decoction) were given. One day later, although the chills and fever subsided, she complained of urgency and pain below the umbilicus. Didang Wan (Di Dang Pill) was then administered. After mild purgation, the pain below the umbilicus resolved. Her body gradually became cool and peaceful, and her pulse became even, yet mental confusion persisted. Xiao Chai Hu Tang was administered again. The next day, she reported heat and dryness in the chest, and dryness in the mouth and nose. A small dose of Tiaowei Chengqi Tang (Regulate the Stomach and Purge Yang Decoction) was given, but no bowel movement occurred. The next day, she reported pain in the epigastrium. Half a dose of Daxiexiong Wan (Major Arming Pill) was given, resulting in three bowel movements. On the following day, she suffered from deficiency-induced restlessness, occasional delirium, and manic speech. Although dry feces were suspected, due to her extreme deficiency, aggressive purging was avoided. Zhuye Tang (Bamboo Leaf Decoction) was given to clear deficiency heat. That night, her bowels moved naturally twice until dawn, passing several pieces of dry feces. Her delirium and restlessness completely resolved. Only coughing with frothy sputum remained, indicating Lung Deficiency. Without treatment, this might lead to Lung萎 (Fei Wei/Lung Atrophy) due to deficiency. Thus, Xiao Chai Hu Tang was modified by removing Renshen (Ginseng Radix), Dazao (Jujubae Fructus), and Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens), and adding Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma) and Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus). Cough decreased after one day, and the disease was cured after two days. All above prescriptions were from Zhang Zhongjing.

A woman suffered from vomiting and regurgitation, obstruction of both urination and defecation, mental agitation, cold limbs, and a gradually imperceptible pulse. This lasted for a day and a half. Two doses of Dachengqi Tang (Major Order the Yang Decoction) were administered. By midnight, bowel movement gradually resumed, the pulse returned, and she stabilized the next day. This is Guan Ge Syndrome (Obstruction and Rejection Syndrome), which is extremely difficult to treat; physicians must be cautious. The Classics state: Guan involves vomiting and regurgitation; Ge involves inability to urinate. In such cases, inability to defecate may also occur.

A child suffered from deficiency-type loose stools, slight digestion of food, more than ten bowel movements daily, emaciated limbs, abdominal distension, and hunger shortly after eating. This disease is precisely "Large Intestine Heat transferring to the Stomach," characterized by good appetite but emaciation, also known as Shi Ji (Food Accumulation Disorder). It was May or June; the pulse was洪大 (Hong Da/Vigorous and Large), but vanished upon heavy pressure. With all six pulses showing only Vigor and Large qualities, it indicated that Summer pathogenic factors were dominant. The absence of pulse upon pressure indicated the absence of Stomach Qi. The Classics state: Summer pulse is Vigorous and Large. If accompanied by Stomach Qi, it is normal; if Stomach Qi is scant, it is pathological; if Vigorous and Large without Stomach Qi, it indicates death. Summer relies on Stomach Qi as the root. Due to mistimed treatment, the child died suddenly within ten days.

A person suffered from chronic cough, with Lung Deficiency generating cold and heat. Three liang of Kuandonghua (Flos Farfarae) were burned. When smoke emerged, it was inhaled through a brush tube until the mouth was full, then swallowed. This was done five or six times over several days until recovery.

A person suffered from Malaria (Nüe) for over a month. Subsequent use of emetics and purgatives weakened their Qi, and the disease persisted. Observation of symptoms and pulse indicated Summer Heat injury followed by Wind injury in Autumn. One dose of Chaihu Tang (Bupleurum Decoction) was administered, leading to stability. Later, due to irregular diet, chills and fever recurred in summer. This was caused by prior Summer Heat injury and subsequent dietary indiscretion, leading to vomiting, anorexia, pulling pain in the hypochondrium, and irregular chills and fever. The disease name was Tan Nüe (Phlegm Malaria). One dose of Shizao Tang (Ten Jujube Decoction) expelled several sheng of phlegm-water. The next day, Lizhong San (Regulate the Middle Powder) was administered, leading to recovery.

A person suffered from headache due to Wind-Phlegm, tremors, vomiting, and reduced appetite. The physician attributed it to cold-damage and used warming medicines without success. Pill-based purgatives induced Jue (Syncope/Cold Extremities). Subsequent administration of Jin Ye Dan (Golden Liquid Pill) led to delirium, vomiting, tremors, unconsciousness, manic behavior resembling ghost-visitation, grasping at clothes and bedrails, cold extremities, and a hidden pulse. This indicated accumulated heat in the Stomach causing coma, as Yang Qi could not distribute outward and Yin Qi failed to hold inward, resulting in tremors and Jue. Dachengqi Tang (Major Order the Yang Decoction) was administered. One dose resulted in recovery. See Zhang Zhongjing for the formula. Later, Jinbo Wan (Gold Foil Pill) was taken, see *Shanfan* for the formula.

A sixty-one-year-old man had swollen feet with sores. After eating pork, he felt unwell. Medicines promoting drainage provided slight relief. Upon going outside, he contracted Wind, and after sweating, his head and face swelled suddenly, turning purple-black, with excessive sleepiness. Small blisters with yellow discharge appeared on the earlobes. Xiao Xuming Tang (Minor Continuation of Life Decoction) with double the amount of Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix) was administered, leading to recovery.

A fifty-four-year-old man was constitutionally weak and prone to Cold invasion. Recently, Tusizi (Cuscutae Semen) proved effective. In his youth, he consumed several jin of raw Liuhuang (Sulfur). His pulses at the left and right upper and lower positions were Xian Jin (String-tight and Forceful). For five to seven years, he suffered from spastic contraction of tendons in the right hand and foot, and slightly delayed speech. Zhang Zhongjing's Xiao Xuming Tang was prescribed, with Yiyiren (Coicis Semen) added in one liang to treat tendon spasm. Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Renshen (Ginseng Radix), and Shaoyao (Paeoniae Radix) were each reduced by half to avoid aggravating internal Cold. Xingren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum) was limited to 150 grains. He later reported feeling very cold. Therefore, Renshen, Shaoyao, and Huangqin were removed entirely, and Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) was added in one and a half liang, leading to stabilization. Many people currently use Xiao Xuming Tang. Without modifying according to syndromes, they reach critical conditions unknowingly. Since Xiao Xuming Tang is widely needed today, this case is cited as an example. Can one not be cautious?

The righteous Qi of the eight solar terms sustains life. The deficient evil of the eight solar terms kills. What is not righteous Qi becomes evil; what is not substantial becomes deficiency. Righteous Qi refers to Spring Warmth, Summer Heat, Autumn Coolness, and Winter Cold—this is Heaven's Qi. In humans, it resides in the meridians in Spring, muscles in Summer, skin in Autumn, and marrow in Winter. Presence constitutes Excess; absence constitutes Deficiency. Thus, using the body's deficiency to encounter the seasonal deficient evil and unrighteous Qi, when two deficiencies interact, the pathogen first enters the skin and meridians, then transmits to the Zang-Fu organs, and finally reaches the marrow. At this stage, medicinal power can hardly reach it. Therefore, physicians should use medicines to block, scatter, and tonify, preventing the pathogen from becoming deep-seated and incurable. Furthermore, protecting Stomach Qi is essential. Taking this as an example, others can be inferred similarly.