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Da Tou Tong (Great Headache) is a disease caused not only by latent heat pathogens in the upper body, but also by contracting epidemic qi from heaven and earth that does not conform to the seasonal rhythms. When it progresses to ulceration with pus discharge and infects others, it is called Yi Li (Epidemic Pestilence). Generally speaking, when the pathogenic heat of the Foot-Yangming Meridian is extremely severe and the constitution is full, or when the Ministerial Fire of Shaoyang is blazing, the disease may reside in Shaoyang or Yangming. In severe cases, it may transmit reversely to Taiyang. One should observe which part of the body is swollen and treat according to the affected meridian. Damp-heat causes swelling, while excessive Wood (Liver/Gallbladder) causes pain. This pathogen originates in the head, usually taking the area around the ears as the root where symptoms first appear. Treatment should be initiated early, and medication should not be administered too rapidly or heavily, lest the medicinal force exceed the pathology. This could result in the upper heat remaining uneliminated while middle jiao cold arises, potentially causing death. This disease develops from the interior to the exterior and involves blood pathology. Since the head is the highest part of the body and the pathogen manifests in formless regions, treatment should proceed from slow/gentle to rapid/forceful. "Slow" refers to addressing the formless pathogen in the upper region; since its transmission is不定 (indeterminate), using heavy purgatives will fail to remove the pathogen and may worsen the condition. Even with mild herbs, if taken hastily, on an empty stomach, or all at once, the "slow" principle is lost, preventing the medicine from ascending to slowly dissipate the formless pathogen. The nature, flavor, and shape of the herbs, as well as processing methods like stir-frying or wine-soaking for cold-natured herbs, must adhere to this gentle approach. "Rapid" follows the "slow"; after the gentle formula reaches the high regions and drains pathogenic qi into the middle, it enters the yin regions and internal solid structures. If the medicine does not act swiftly to expel the pathogen here, it may damage the yin substation. Thus, treating the "guest" pathogen requires urgency. Treating the "host" (primary) condition requires slowness. This distinction lies in whether yang pathogens affect yang branches (host) or yin pathogens affect yang branches (guest). Urgency is applied to guests; slowness to hosts. For example, in Shaoyang and Yangming diseases: Shaoyang disease involves pathogens emerging around the ears; Yangming disease involves severe swelling of the head and face. Initially, use Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix), Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma), and Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), stir-fried together, crushed, and decocted. Take small sips continuously. After one dose, use Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma), either wine-soaked or roasted, along with Niu Bang Zi (Arctii Fructus) stir-fried on a new tile. Decoct, strain, and add Mang Xiao (Natrii Sulfas) in equal parts. Sip frequently after meals until slight diarrhea occurs, indicating pathogen expulsion. Continue with the initial formula; if ineffective, proceed to the second formula. Follow this sequence and stop once bowel movements are achieved. If Yangming disease presents with thirst, add Shi Gao (Gypsum Fibrosum). If Shaoyang disease presents with thirst, add Gua Lou Gen (Trichosanthis Radix). For Yangming meridian involvement, add Sheng Ma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), Ge Gen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix), and Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) as appropriate. For Taiyang meridian involvement, add Qiang Huo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix), Jing Jie (Schizonepetae Herba), and Fang Feng (Saposhnikoviae Radix) as appropriate. Combine these with the primary formulas; do not use them alone. The method of dispersal is discussed in *Bing Ji Qi Yi Bao Ming Ji* regarding wind epilepsy, fright epilepsy, mania, aversion to people and fire, associated with Hong, Chang, and Fu pulses. Moxibustion is applied to the 3rd and 9th vertebrae. Administer Ju Fang Miao Xiang Wan (Official Formulation Wonderful Fragrance Pill), piercing it with a needle and soaking it in water briefly before ingestion. For Xian, Xi, and Huan pulses with epilepsy resembling madness, use Li He Nan Wu Sheng Wan (Li He's Five Raw Ingredients Pill). Generally, treating miscellaneous diseases requires regulating qi first, then treating specific ailments without damaging Stomach qi, which is crucial. If blood is diseased, regulate qi first, as stagnant qi prevents blood circulation; qi acts as the commander of blood. Similar to women's menstrual disorders, Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix) is used first to release the exterior of the meridians, followed by Si Wu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) to nourish the interior, reflecting the priority of qi over blood. Thirst without ability to drink, inability to eat, and yellow or obstructed urine indicate Stomach qi deficiency generating heat. Fire flares upward causing thirst due to the failure of Earth (Stomach) to transform Water (Kidney). Urine becomes yellow-red like date juice. The treatment should tonify the Stomach using Qian Zhong Yang's Bai Zhu San (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Powder) with Gan Ge (Puerariae Radix), Mu Xiang (Aucklandiae Radix), and Huo Xiang (Agastaches Herba).
Upper Jiao thirst with free urination: Bai Hu Tang (White Tiger Decoction).
Middle Jiao thirst with difficulty in both urination and defecation: Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang (Regulate the Stomach and Direct the Qi Decoction).
Lower Jiao thirst with red, scanty, painful urination and constipation: Da Cheng Qi Tang (Major Order the Qi Decoction).