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Patients suffering from this disease initially do not exhibit the typical symptoms expected of common epidemics; they merely experience slight headache, mild body stiffness with aversion to cold and fever, and slight pain, distension, and fullness in the heart and abdomen. Within two or three days, they suddenly hallucinate seeing ghosts and deities, speak madly with fixed gaze, salivate excessively, have a runny nose, exhibit restlessness of hands and feet, run around screaming wildly, present with a deep, tight, and rapid pulse, and have no body heat. Some may have fever, but this is distinctly different from mania caused by pathogenic factors entering the Yangming Stomach organ. This condition arises from contracting epidemic pestilential qi, where wind, fire, and phlegm combine to cause illness. If not treated urgently, death will occur within two or three days. It is advisable to first prick the Shaoshang (LU-11) acupoint and the ten fingertips (pricking method see previous section), then urgently administer Zhu Li Jie Yi Decoction (Bamboo Sap Epidemic-Resolving Decoction) for one to two doses, which yields miraculous effects. This is also a rare condition in the world; I once encountered a patient with this ailment and felt it was highly unusual. Recalling that acute diseases often belong to fire, and strange diseases often belong to phlegm, I devised a treatment plan based on this reasoning: using pricking therapy first, followed by herbal medication, which proved effective. When several patients appeared at once, I realized it was an epidemic. The treatment was successful upon application, so I named it "Tan Yi" (Phlegm Epidemic) and recorded it for reference.

Zhu Li Jie Yi Decoction (Self-formulated new prescription.)
Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian), Scutellariae Radix (Huangqin), Gardeniae Fructus (Zhizi), Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma (Danchao), Bombyx Batryticatus (Jiangcan - soaked and roasted), Arisaematis Cum Bile (Danning), Trichosanthis Semen (Louren - oil removed and ground), Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus (Chuanbei - heart removed and ground), Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Juhong), Pinelliae Rhizoma Preparatum (Banxia).
Decoct with running water until cooked. Mix with Bamboo Sap (Zhuli) and Ginger Juice (Jiangzhi) before administration, with Bamboo Sap as the sovereign herb. (Dosage: up to one cup, or at least half a cup.)

Regarding the names of the above seventy-two epidemic conditions, some argue that the naming is indecorous and lacks literary elegance, seemingly insufficient for long-term dissemination. I respond: This is truly what is called "seeing little and marveling much"! I have traveled throughout the land and gained profound experience. These conditions are generally more common in northern provinces and less common in southern regions. They are frequent during years of famine and rare during years of abundance. Furthermore, their names are derived from classics, histories, philosophical works, collections, famous mountains' stone chambers, and oral teachings of skilled physicians. Having tested them over generations with remarkable efficacy, I dared to record them in writing. This is certainly not baseless talk, nor can it be compared with those who seek obscure and vulgar expressions. Observe the ungrammatical sentences and vulgar rhymes in medical books throughout history, where tonal patterns are violated and difficult to recite; there are too many to count. Compared to my discourse on epidemics, how can they be equated? The above are only a few conditions, named after local dialects and colloquialisms. Critics label them as vulgar, yet do they not recall that ancient sages still examined even the words of ordinary people? I hope that great masters and readers of this book will not disdain it, but consider it worthy of consultation like the advice of grass-cutters and wood-choppers. Then I would be extremely fortunate! Songfeng records again.