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Decoction of herbs must be prepared by a trusted, honest, cautious, and reliable person. The new herbal pot should be washed clean, and the best water to use is fresh, sweet well water. It should be simmered slowly over low heat, filtered through gauze or silk to remove dregs, and the clear decoction taken. One should not take medicine under the light of a lamp. If sour food has been consumed before taking medicine, the taste of the medicine will become sweet; if sweet food has been consumed, the taste of the medicine will turn bitter. Cold medicine should also be avoided, as the Spleen (Zang organ) prefers warmth; coldness impairs its transportive and transformative functions. For diseases located in the upper part of the body, frequent but small doses are preferred; small doses nourish and ascend to the upper jiao. For diseases located in the lower part of the body, large single doses are acceptable; large doses strongly tonify the lower jiao. For diseases in the head, face, neck, and arms, eat first and then take medicine; for diseases in the chest, diaphragm, epigastrium, abdomen, and knees, take medicine first and then eat. For diseases in the four limbs, which belong to "Yang within Yang," medicine should be taken in the morning; for diseases in the bone marrow, which belong to "Yin within Yin," medicine should be taken at night.

During illness, one must avoid anger, worry, and visits from people with unclean bodies. Dietary taboos include fish, mutton, goose meat, distilled liquor, wheat flour products, raw and cold fruits and vegetables, and cured meats. After a sore has healed for 100 days and the patient does not feel thirsty, sexual intercourse may resume.

For all types of carbuncles, ulcers, sores, and toxic swellings, when they are about to heal, visiting mourning households or paying respects can cause immediate recurrence of the swelling. This must be strictly avoided.

In severe cases of carbuncles and ulcers, even concubines or female guests should not meet the patient dressed attractively. It is often seen that after a carbuncle ulcerates and flesh begins to regenerate, interactions with concubines or female guests, even without sexual contact, can trigger lustful thoughts. Once desire arises, essence (Jing) leaves its palace, often leading to death due to deficiency collapse and panting. Patients must cherish their lives and firmly refuse such interactions.

When examining sores and ulcers, the foul odor is strong and nauseating; deep toxicity can easily infect others. One should first plug the nostrils with cotton paper, consume ginger, garlic, distilled liquor, and fill the stomach with food to counteract the foul air. One must never examine sores on an empty stomach. After eating garlic or drinking liquor, one must not breathe directly onto the sore, lest the foul air touch the wound and cause pain to the patient.