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Answer: The Classics state that "Lianggan" (Simultaneous involvement of exterior and interior meridians) is a fatal condition and difficult to treat. On the first day, both the Taiyang (Greater Yang) and Shaoyin (Lesser Yin) meridians are affected, presenting with headache, fever, aversion to cold, dry mouth, vexation, fullness, and thirst.

The Taiyang meridian belongs to the Fu organs (specifically the Foot-Taiyang Bladder), where pathogens enter from the Shu points on the back; this is common knowledge. The Shaoyin meridian belongs to the Zang organs (specifically the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney), where pathogens enter through nasal respiration; this is unknown to many. Nasal qi connects with Heaven, thus formless cold pathogenic qi enters and exits through the nose. The Kidney corresponds to Water; water flows towards dampness, therefore the Kidney receives it. The Classics say, "Those injured by Dampness suffer first in the lower part." This is due to the attraction of similar energies (Tongqi Xiangqiu). It is also stated, "Heavenly pathogenic qi affecting humans harms the Five Zang organs." From this, we know that simultaneous external and internal invasion leads to disease in both Zang and Fu organs. To release the exterior, one worries about the interior pathology; to purge the interior, one worries about the unresolved exterior. Since the exterior and interior cannot be treated separately, death ensues. Hence, it is said that Lianggan is incurable. However, constitutional endowment varies between deficiency and excess, and the depth of pathogenic invasion varies. Those who are deficient and deeply invaded will certainly die; those who are robust and lightly invaded may still be treatable. There are cases where treatment fails to save the patient. Yet, there is no case of survival without treatment. I have occasionally used this prescription, saving two or three out of ten patients. Therefore, I established this formula for benevolent physicians to use. It is named the "Divine Formula for Resolving Lianggan."

Ingredients: Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix), Duhuo (Angelicae Pubescentis Radix), Fangji (Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, honey-fried), Xixin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma, cleaned of soil, each 3 qian); Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma, raw), Chuanxiong (Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Dihuang (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata, each 1 liang).

Crush the above herbs. Take 0.5 liang per dose, add 2 zhan of water, decoct until 1.5 zhan remains. Strain to obtain a large zhan of clear liquid. Drink hot. If symptoms do not resolve, administer again. Resolution may occur after 3-4 zhan. Stop when the disease is cured. If residual symptoms persist, treat according to Zhang Zhongjing's principles of following the meridian patterns.

Clear Qi resides in the upper part of the body, corresponding to Yang and Fire. The Yin within the Li trigram (symbolizing Heart/Fire) descends. Afternoon marks the generation of one Yin, which corresponds to the Heart generating Blood. Thus, it is said that "Clear Qi constitutes Ying (Nutritive Qi)."

Turbid Qi resides in the lower part of the body, corresponding to Yin and Water. The Yang within the Kan trigram (symbolizing Kidney/Water) ascends. After midnight (Zi hour) marks the generation of one Yang, which corresponds to the rising action of Kidney Yang. Thus, it is said that "Turbid Qi constitutes Wei (Defensive Qi)." Earth's turbidity does not ascend naturally, but Earth's clarity can ascend; it can raise Yang Qi upwards. Heaven's clarity does not descend naturally, but Heaven's turbidity can descend, driven downward by the Six Yin energies. The Classics state, "Earthly Qi rises to become Clouds; Heavenly Qi descends to become Rain. Rain originates from Earthly Qi; Clouds originate from Heavenly Qi." This is what is meant.