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The methods described by our former master Zhang Zhongjing are all available, but one must carefully deduce them according to the specific syndrome. For instance, in cases where the Taiyang disease (disease of the Taiyang channel) presents with a stiff body, [KT KT] (describing a state of stiffness and discomfort), and a deep, slow pulse: if there is sweating, it is classified as Rou Jing (Soft Spasm), caused by wind predominating over cold, and treated with Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) modified; if there is no sweating, it is classified as Gang Jing (Hard Spasm) or Han Jing (Cold Spasm), and treated with Gegen Tang (Kudzu Root Decoction). Although Gegen Tang contains Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang, 麻黄), it is not named after Cinnamon Twig (Guizhi, 桂枝) nor after Ephedrae Herba, because the pathogen has already entered the Yangming channel. In such cases, one must be familiar with the classics through daily study and exercise caution during clinical practice, thereby ensuring accurate judgment.

When spasm is induced by Wind-Cold cough, the principle of Xing Su San (Apricot and Perilla Powder) using acrid-warm methods should naturally be included under the Cold category.

(Note: This refers to convulsions, caused by the abnormal Qi of the Shaoyang channel. The subsequent sections on Warm Heat, Summer-Heat Warmth, and Autumn Dryness follow this same principle.)

This represents the normal seasonal manifestation of Wind, a time when Yang Qi is venting, and when Jun Huo (Ministerial Fire) governs the Qi. It is appropriate to use the standard Acrid-Cool method. For mild cases, use a light Acrid-Cool formula; for severe cases, use a heavy Acrid-Cool formula, such as Yinqiao San (Honeysuckle and Forsythia Powder) and Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction) from the Upper Jiao chapter of this treatise. If Body Fluids are damaged, add Sweet-Cool herbs, such as adding Sheng Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix Preparata) and Mai Dong (Ophiopogonis Tuber) to Yinqiao San, or Yu Nu Jian (Jade Woman Decoction), which combines Baihu Tang with Dong Qing Zi and Sheng Di Huang. If there is coma and delirium, combine with aromatic herbs to open the Danzhong (Chest Center), such as Qing Gong Tang (Palace Cleansing Decoction), Niu Huang Wan (Calculus Bovis Pill), or Zi Xue Dan (Purple Snow Elixir). After recovery, use Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill), San Cai Feng Sui Dan (Three-Talent Seal-Marrow Elixir), or Fumai Tang (Pulse-Replenishing Decoction) to restore lost Body Fluids.

When spasm is induced by Wind-Warmth cough, the Acrid-Cool principles of Sang Ju Yin (Mulberry Leaf and Chrysanthemum Drink) (formula seen in Upper Jiao chapter) and Yinqiao San apply. This is distinctly different from Wind-Cold cough, and one must absolutely not indiscriminately use the Acrid-Warm method of Xing Su San.

(This refers to the Fire Qi among the Six Evils, which consumes True Yin. As stated in the *Neijing*, diseases occurring before the Summer Solstice are termed Warm diseases.)

The treatment follows the same principles as Wind-Warmth discussed above. However, spasm caused by Wind-Warmth is mild and rare, whereas spasm caused by Warm Heat is frequent and severe. Generally, the severity and depth of treatment depend on the severity and depth of the disease.

(Summer-Heat combines with Damp-Heat. There is a separate section on Damp Spasm later; this case leans towards more Heat than Dampness, closely related to Warm Heat. As the *Jingshu* states, diseases occurring after the Summer Solstice are termed Summer-Heat diseases.)

According to common parlance, Infantile Acute Convulsive Wind (Xiao Er Ji Jing Feng) is most prevalent in summer and presents with the most complex accompanying symptoms. Only those whose minds are clear as a still pool, eyes sharp as wisdom pearls, and penmanship precise as a dividing-water rhino horn can easily distinguish this condition. Infants have thin skin and timid spirit, with delicate meridians and viscera that cannot withstand the venting of the Three Evils. When pathogens arrive, their momentum is like a galloping horse, and their transmission is as swift as lightning. How could a careless practitioner handle such responsibility? For example, in summer, if an infant has fever, headache, neck stiffness, and no sweat, this is Summer-Heat combined with Wind-Cold, and Xin Jia Xiang Ru Yin (Newly Added Elsholtzia Drink) is suitable. If there is sweat, continue using Yinqiao San with increased Sang Ye (Mulberry Leaf); if there is cough, use Sang Ju Yin; if there is excessive sweat, use Baihu Tang; if the pulse is Kou (Hollow) and there is wheezing, use Renshen Baihu Tang (Ginseng White Tiger Decoction); if the body feels heavy with little sweat, use Cang Zhu Baihu Tang (Atractylodes White Tiger Decoction); if the pulse is Kou, the face is red, there is excessive talking, and wheezing suggests impending collapse, immediately use Shengmai San (Generate Pulse Powder); if consciousness is unclear, immediately use Qingying Tang (Clear Nutrient Decoction) added with Gou Teng (Uncaria Ramulus), Mu Dan Pi (Moutan Cortex), and Ling Yang Jiao (Saiga Antelope Horn); if there is coma, combine with Zi Xue Dan or Niu Huang Wan. For mild heat conditions, use Qingluo Yin (Clear Collateral Drink). These methods are fully recorded in the Upper Jiao chapter; students should seek them out carefully alongside the Summer-Heat section of the first three Jiao chapters. However, dosages may be reduced to one-quarter or one-half, adjusted according to the infant's strength and size. If spasm is caused by Summer-Heat, one need only treat the cause of the spasm, and the spasm will cease naturally; one should not obsessively seek cures solely within the symptom of spasm itself. If one rigidly seeks to treat spasm merely as spasm, I do not know what spasm truly is. Spasm is a disease name, just as headache is a disease name. A skilled practitioner of headaches will always inquire about the cause of the headache, because headaches can be caused by Cold-Damage, Wind-Injury, Summer-Heat, Heat, Dampness, Dryness, Phlegm-Jue, Yang Deficiency, Yin Deficiency, trauma, Heart Fire intending to form abscesses, Liver Wind moving internally and ascending along the Shaoyang Gallbladder collateral causing lateral headache, or Zhen Tou Tong (True Headache) which causes death from morning to evening. If one does not ask for the cause of the disease, and simply treats all headaches with Qiang Huo (Notopterygii Rhizoma) and Gao Ben (Ligustici Rhizoma et Radix) as contemporary practitioners often do, how can the headache ever be cured! How much more difficult is it to treat spasm?