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Deficiency consumption fever is caused by internal injury to the Seven Emotions (joy, anger, worry, thought, grief, fear, and fright). Any loss of moderation in diet and daily life can cause injury; it is not limited only to excessive sexual activity as an internal injury.

For instance, engaging in sexual intercourse after drunkenness or overeating, along with sorrow, excessive thinking, or physical labor, or dietary imbalance during illness, as well as extreme joy, anger, pain, or weeping, and sexual activity in severe cold or heat without proper regulation, allow pathogenic factors to enter the interior and become "Zhu" (Stagnation/Injection). The term "Zhu" implies staying or lodging. When external pathogens penetrate deeply and remain stagnant without being expelled, if left untreated, they undergo "Bian Zheng" (a pathological transformation involving heat), and if Bian Zheng is untreated, it leads to coughing, expectoration, hemoptysis, and critical illness. Therefore, night fever, internal heat, and deficiency heat are the initial manifestations of deficiency consumption, whereas bone-steaming, internal heat, and tidal fever are the fundamental manifestations. Timely treatment is required to prevent the disease from spreading. The therapeutic principle focuses on clearing Metal (clearing Lung heat), nourishing Ying (nourishing nutritive blood), dispersing pathogens, and moistening dryness, so that the heat will naturally subside.

Various types of Fire can be treated with tonifying Fire methods, but various types of Heat cannot. Furthermore, while deficiency Fire in other Zang organs can be treated with tonifying Fire, latent Fire in the Lung cannot. This statement elucidates insights previously unarticulated by predecessors. When this Fire erupts, it may have a prairie-fire intensity, manifesting as red face and cheeks, dizziness, syncope, or other varying symptoms. In such cases, warming and moistening Kidney-tonifying formulas can be used to anchor floating Yang and guide it back to its root in Life and Nature; tonification is permissible here. Why is it said that various Heat patterns should not be treated with tonifying Fire? Heat refers to Excess Heat. It originates in the Qi level and gradually manifests in the形体 (body/form) over time, resembling heated objects. Its symptoms appear at fixed times and locations, without rising/falling dynamics or changes. Night fever refers to fever occurring precisely at night but not during the day. Internal heat refers to constant heat within the body while the skin remains cool. Bone-steaming consumption heat refers to a sensation of heat steaming out from the marrow and penetrating the skin. These various steaming heats require clearing methods, not warming/regulating methods; tonification is contraindicated. Why is it said that deficiency Fire in other organs can be tonified, but latent Fire in the Lung cannot? The Lung differs from the other four Zang organs. For example, the Dragon-Lei Fire of the Liver and Kidneys can be anchored via tonification; the Fire of Stomach-Spleen Cold-Rejection can be dispersed via tonification; the deficient agitated Fire of the Heart can be settled via tonification. However, the Lung belongs to Metal, which fears control by Fire, and Fire delights in smelting Metal; thus, the clear and descending organ most fears Fire. This refers to the organ's nature. Located above the diaphragm, the Lung has clear Qi and a high position; if Fire rushes upward, it disrupts the Lung's governance, leading to phlegm stagnation, Qi obstruction, asthma, and cough. Thus, the highest region greatly fears Fire. This refers to anatomical location. However, occasionally floating Fire does not violate this prohibition. Only when it becomes Latent and Rebellious Fire, arising from Yin Deficiency with Yang Hyperactivity, where Fire invades the Metal position, is it called "Thief Pathogen." Because the Fire resides below the lung lobes, it is named "Latent"; because even a small spark can obstruct the Metal function, it is named "Rebellious." In such cases, symptoms must include stubborn phlegm obstructing the chest/diaphragm, short inhalation and long exhalation, and a fine (thin) and rapid pulse. Fine indicates Blood Deficiency; Rapid indicates Excess Fire. In young people, this is the root of consumptive cough; in those over forty, it is a sign of Blood Deficiency with Phlegm-Fire. Clearing methods should be used, not warming/regulating methods; tonification is absolutely contraindicated.