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Jiaochang Wen (Intestinal Plague) is characterized by borborygmus (intestinal rumbling), dry retching, and watery diarrhea with a sensation of incomplete evacuation. Treatment should employ the method of inducing vomiting to expel pathogens. The Shuangjie San (Double-Resolution Powder) is indicated.

Ruanjiao Wen (Soft-Legged Plague) is characterized by clear stools, discharge of white mucus, and swollen feet that are difficult to move. This condition is equivalent to Shiwen (Damp-Warmth). The Cangzhu Baizhu Tang (Atractylodes Macrocephala and White Tiger Decoction) is indicated. One must not lightly employ purgative methods.
Children are also susceptible to infection. When observing children experiencing convulsions and spasms, practitioners often mistakenly treat them as Jingfeng (Wind-Convulsion). This presentation bears many similarities to adult cases. Therefore, any Damp-Warmth syndrome occurring in midsummer harbors Yi Li (Plague Pathogens) within. If contracted by one individual, it manifests as Damp-Warmth; if transmitted throughout a region, it is termed Yi Li. Thus, the onset of plague pathogens is often most prevalent during spring and summer, due to the intermingling and steaming of Dampness, Warmth, and Summerheat. Generally, Spring is governed by Jueyin Liver Wood, Autumn by Yangming Lung Metal, and Winter by Taiyang Bladder Water, each exercising its own authority. Only from after the Spring Equinox to before the Autumn Equinox do Shaoyang Ministerial Fire, Shaoyin Sovereign Fire, and Taiyin Spleen Earth jointly exert their influence. Heaven is inherently hot, augmented by the summer heat of the sun; Earth is inherently intense, augmented by the dampness of the ground. These three qi interact, sometimes separating and sometimes merging. When separated, wind moves internally, overcoming dampness and resolving steaming, causing no distress. When merged, heavenly heat descends and earthly dampness ascends. Humans exist within this intersection of qi, with no refuge. Consequently, the complexity and severity of diseases are greatest in summer months. Formless heat steams and agitates formed dampness; even healthy individuals contracting this will inevitably suffer harm, let alone those with pre-existing damp-heat or deficiency in the lower yuan (kidney essence/origin). Therefore, for damp-heat syndromes, sweating is strictly contraindicated. Sweating causes dampness and heat to merge into one, completely damaging the Middle Qi (Spleen/Stomach energy), often leading to death. The appropriate approach is to resolve and separate the pathogens, first unblocking the Middle Qi, allowing it to gradually govern the exterior and interior, dispersing pathogens above and below, thus ensuring recovery. Regarding plague pathogens, however, evil and righteous qi are mixed; evil is extremely strong while righteous qi is extremely weak, leading to sudden death. Bitter-cold herbs damage the Stomach, while warm-tonic herbs assist the evil. Substances like Renzhong Huang (Human Midden Yellow) constitute the legal treatment. The pathogen of Shanghan (Cold Damage) first affects the back of the body, then the anterior, then the lateral aspects, entering from the exterior shell. The pathogen of Wenyi (Plague-Epidemic) travels directly along the central pathway, distributing through the Three Jiao (Triple Burner). The Upper Jiao belongs to Clear Yang, so clear pathogens enter from above; the Lower Jiao belongs to Turbid Yin, so turbid pathogens enter from below; the Middle Jiao is the junction of yin and yang, where clear and turbid pathogens must be distinguished. In severe cases, the Three Jiao become confused, with upward movement reaching extremity turning downward, and downward movement reaching extremity turning upward. Shanghan pathogens remain in the exterior shell and dissipate upon releasing the exterior; Wenyi pathogens travel in the central pathway and do not dissipate with exterior-releasing methods. When Shanghan pathogens enter the Stomach-Fu organs, abdominal fullness and constipation occur, making purgation applicable. Wenyi pathogens distribute in the Middle Jiao; dispersing them fails to gather them, and purging them causes them to recombine. How does this relate to the various exterior-interior methods used for treating Shanghan?
Zhou Yuzai stated: Wu Keyi discussed common epidemic plagues, while Yu Jiayan discussed only the great epidemics caused by abnormal heaven-earth qi. Both were thorough and cannot be viewed rigidly. One must understand that plagues differ in whether they injure Qi, Blood, or the Stomach, leading to different clinical manifestations and slightly varied treatments. If pathogens enter the Zang-Fu organs, the patient will lose consciousness and die. The general principle is to take symptoms as the standard, rather than relying solely on pulse diagnosis.