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Answer: The five zang organs belong to Yin, and they govern all tangible structures, namely bone, flesh, sinew, blood, and skin/hair. When the Yin of these five zang organs is sufficient, it results in Excess Heat (Shi Re). This occurs because sufficient Yin prevents heat from venting through the li (collaterals/skin texture), and when sufficient Yin is overcome by excessive heat, it is termed Excess Heat. Conversely, if there is bone flaccidity, emaciated flesh, relaxed sinews, withered blood, contracted skin, and fallen hair, this indicates insufficiency of the five Yin organs leading to a heat disease, which is termed Deficient Heat (Xu Re).

In women who first present with aversion to cold and cold extremities, without any fever, a pulse rate of eight beats per respiration (extremely rapid), and slight pain in the hypochondrium, the practitioner treats it as Shaoyang syndrome (Lesser Yang disorder). One might ask, "Although the clinical presentation is so, the theoretical basis remains unclarified." Furthermore, "If there is no aversion to cold or fever, and no hypochondriac pain, which meridian should be treated?" The questioner dared not answer. Aversion to cold is attributed to Taiyang (Greater Yang), while a rapid pulse is treated as a Yang syndrome. In such cases, one should not follow the standard biao-ben (root-branch) principles but rather treat from the center (zhong). The treatment focuses on Shaoyang. If the rapid pulse is interpreted as ministerial fire (Xiang Huo) hyperactivity, it also falls under Shaoyang. Moreover, since the pathology moves from the interior to the exterior, priority must be given to treating Shaoyang. It is unnecessary to debate the presence or absence of hypochondriac pain or whether the pulse is wiry (xian); it should always be treated as Shaoyang syndrome.

Answer: When Yang qi invades the marrow from within, and Yin manifests externally causing chills, treatment should not target the interior or exterior directly but should regulate from the middle. Xiaochaihu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) is suitable for harmonization, with increased doses of Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger Rhizome) and Dazao (Jujube Fruit).

When heat resides in the portion circulating through Yang, it is governed by Lung Qi. Therefore, Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction) is used to purge fire from the Qi level.

When heat resides in the portion circulating through Yin, it is governed by Kidney Qi. Therefore, Digupi Yin (Anchore Bark Decoction) is used to purge fire from the Blood level.

Baihu Tang is indicated for a洪 (Hong) or surging pulse; thus, suppression is employed to allow the Qi of Autumn (Metal) to descend. Digupi Yin is indicated for a弦 (Xian) or wiry pulse; thus, elevation is employed to allow the Qi of Spring (Wood) to ascend.

For Lung Qi: Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum), acrid. For Kidney Qi: Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma). For Lung Blood: Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), bitter. For Kidney Blood: Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex).

Digupi (Lycii Cortex) clears Kidney fire and generally treats heat externalized. 'Di' (Earth) represents Yin; 'Gu' (Bone) represents the interior; 'Pi' (Skin/Cortex) represents the exterior.

Mudanpi (Moutan Cortex) clears fire in the Baozhong (Uterus/Sea of Blood), indicated for bone-steaming tidal fever without sweating. 'Pin' and 'Mu' are terms for Heaven and Earth. 'Mu' (Male/Yang) is the head of flowers; leaves represent the generation of Yang; flowers represent the completion of Yin. 'Dan' (Cinnabar/Red) represents Fire. Mudanpi can clear fire within Yin. Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) added with these two herbs treats bone-steaming in women. Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma) clears Kidney fire, indicated for bone-steaming tidal fever with sweating.