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Qi circulates outside the vessels, while Blood circulates inside the vessels. During the day, Qi circulates in the Yang aspects twenty-five times; at night, it circulates in the Yin aspects twenty-five times. This is the natural physiological process of a healthy person. When exposed to Cold, circulation becomes slow and insufficient; when exposed to Heat, circulation becomes rapid and excessive. Internal injury from the Seven Emotions (Joy, Anger, Worry, Thought, Sorrow, Fear, Fright) and external invasion by the Six Exogenous Pathogens (Wind, Cold, Summer-heat, Dampness, Dryness, Fire) cause the movement of Qi and Blood to be either slow or rapid, leading to disease onset. Those suffering from Tongfeng (Gout-like Pain Syndrome) generally occur because the Blood has been heated to the point of boiling, after which they may wade into cold water, stand on damp ground, fan themselves for coolness, or sleep facing the wind. External Cold constrains the exterior; when hot Blood encounters Cold, it becomes turbid, coagulated, and stagnant, thus causing pain. Pain intensifies at night because Qi and Blood travel through the Yin aspects during that time. The treatment method involves using acrid-hot herbs to disperse Cold and Dampness and open the Couli (skin pores and interstices). Once the Blood flows freely and harmonizes with Qi, the disease will naturally resolve. However, there are several variations in treatment methods; I record a few here to substantiate my statements.

Fu Wen from Dongyang, over sixty years old, had an impatient nature and overexerted himself. He suffered from severe pain in both legs, which worsened with movement. Upon examination, I said: "This is a syndrome complicated by deficiency. One should tonify and warm the Blood, and the disease will resolve." I prescribed Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) added with Tao Ren (Peach Kernel), Chen Pi (Aged Tangerine Peel), Niu Xi (Achyranthes Root), and Sheng Gan Cao (Raw Licorice Root). The decoction was prepared with fresh ginger. Additionally, Qianxing San (Secretly Advancing Powder) was administered orally while hot. After thirty to forty doses, he recovered.

Another patient, the lady of the Zhu household, nearly thirty years old, consumed rich and heavy flavors, and had an irritable temperament. She suffered from Tongfeng (Gout-like Pain Syndrome) with limb contracture for several months, to no avail despite medical prayers and rituals. Upon examination, I said: "This is a syndrome involving Phlegm and Qi stagnation. One should harmonize the Blood, regulate Qi, and guide out Phlegm, and the disease will resolve." I used Qianxing San added with Sheng Gan Cao (Raw Licorice Root), Niu Xi (Achyranthes Root), Chao Zhi Ke (Stir-fried Bitter Orange Peel), Tong Cao (Tetrapanax Pith), Chen Pi (Aged Tangerine Peel), Tao Ren (Peach Kernel), and Jiang Zhi (Fresh Ginger Juice). After half a year of decoction administration, she recovered.

Neighbor Bao Liu, in his twenties, had previously suffered from Xueli (Blood Dysentery). He used astringent herbs to achieve efficacy but later developed Tongfeng (Gout-like Pain Syndrome), crying out so loudly that it disturbed his neighbors. Upon examination, I said: "This is a syndrome where Evil Blood enters the meridians. The Blood, affected by Damp-Heat, eventually becomes turbid and coagulated. The residual blood from the dysentery remained stagnant in the tunnels (meridians and collaterals), causing pain. If left untreated for a long time, it may lead to Pianku (Hemiplegia)." I prescribed Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) added with Tao Ren (Peach Kernel), Hong Hua (Safflower), Niu Xi (Achyranthes Root), Huang Qin (Scutellaria Root), Chen Pi (Aged Tangerine Peel), and Sheng Gan Cao (Raw Licorice Root). The decoction was prepared with fresh ginger. Qianxing San (Secretly Advancing Powder) was mixed in and taken with a small amount of wine for dozens of doses. Additionally, I punctured Weizhong (BL40) to release nearly three he of dark blood, after which he recovered.

Someone asked: "Recently, I have seen neighbors use herbal medicines ground into wine and drunk. Within just a few doses, some have recovered. Your approach seems to take a long time to show effects. Is it not too pedantic and slow?" I replied: "These are herbs that forcibly attack the pathogen. They use Shisi (Stone Silk found on rocks) as the chief herb, supported by Guoshanlong (Lycopodium clavatum) and others. These herbs are acrid, hot, and drying. They cannot nourish Yin but can dry Dampness. In superficial diseases, Damp-Phlegm dissipates upon encountering dryness, and hot Blood moves upon encountering heat, so efficacy can be achieved. However, in patients with deep-seated disease and deficient Blood, such forcible attacks only increase deficiency and drive the pathogen deeper, as in the case of Ms. Zhu. Do you consider me pedantic and slow?!"