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Whenever diagnosing and treating carbuncles and sores (Yongju), one must first examine Yin and Yang before applying treatment; this is the guiding principle of medicine. If the judgment of Yin and Yang is not erroneous, how can there be errors in treatment! Although the medical path is complex, it can be summarized in one word: Yin and Yang. Therefore, syndromes have Yin and Yang distinctions, pulses have Yin and Yang differences, and medicines also possess Yin and Yang attributes. Speaking from the perspective of syndromes, exterior manifestations are Yang, interior manifestations are Yin; heat is Yang, cold is Yin; the upper body is Yang, the lower body is Yin; Qi is Yang, Blood is Yin; movement is Yang, stillness is Yin; a high elevation of the lesion is Yang, a flat collapse is Yin; swelling is Yang, grayish-white discoloration is Yin; a gathered boundary is Yang, a diffuse spread is Yin; pain is Yang, numbness is Yin; presence of pus is Yang, absence of pus is Yin; speaking much is Yang, silence is Yin; preferring brightness is Yang, desiring darkness is Yin; when Yang Qi is deficient, one cannot exhale; when Yin Qi is deficient, one cannot inhale; patients with Yang disorders cannot bend forward, while those with Yin disorders cannot lie on their backs. Speaking from the perspective of pulses, floating, large, slippery, and rapid pulses all belong to Yang; deep, faint, fine, and choppy pulses all belong to Yin. Speaking from the perspective of medicines, those with ascending and dispersing properties are Yang; those with astringent and descending properties are Yin; acrid and hot substances are Yang; bitter and cold substances are Yin; those acting on the Qi level are Yang; those acting on the Blood level are Yin; substances with dynamic and moving natures are Yang; substances with static and guarding natures are Yin; these are all major principles in medicine. As for Yin containing Yang and Yang containing Yin, amidst similarities and differences, one must distinguish accurately. Failure to recognize this leads easily to mistakes, making it crucial, yet it ultimately does not depart from the aforementioned principles. However, when two energies combine, one may be less and the other more, leading to variations within. All should be deduced by reason, revealing obvious truths. If Yang is in excess and Yang treatments are applied further, Yang will become more blazing and Yin will diminish further; if Yang is insufficient and Yin formulas are used, Yin will become more prosperous and Yang will perish. If one can clearly understand Yin and Yang, then although medical principles are profound, more than half of them will be understood.

The Dao generates Yin and Yang, originating from the same Qi. Fire is the master of Water, and Water is the source of Fire; Water and Fire are originally inseparable. How do we know this? For instance, Water is Yin, Fire is Yang, appearing distinct like ice and charcoal. Why say they share the same origin? The nature of Fire is inherently hot; if Fire lacks Water, its heat will reach an extreme. Extreme heat destroys Yin fluids, causing all things to wither and dry up. The nature of Water is inherently cold; if Water lacks Fire, its cold will reach an extreme. Extreme cold destroys Yang Qi, causing all things to perish. Can the Qi of Water and Fire truly separate like breaths! In human life, this refers to Primordial Yin and Primordial Yang, also known as Pre-heaven Original Qi. To obtain Pre-heaven Qi, one must consider the root. the Mingmen (Gate of Life) is the aperture of conception and the home of Water and Fire; this is the northern palace of the Pre-heaven. Seeking elsewhere is like asking for a ferry crossing in the sea. Students should realize this.

Regarding the Yin and Yang of ordinary people, people only know to speak in terms of Qi, Blood, Zang-Fu organs, cold, and heat; this is merely Post-heaven tangible Yin and Yang. As for Pre-heaven intangible Yin and Yang, Yang is called Yuan Yang (Primordial Yang), and Yin is called Yuan Yin (Primordial Yin). Yuan Yang is the intangible Fire, responsible for generation and transformation; it is the Shen Ji (Spirit Mechanism), upon which life and destiny depend, hence also called Yuan Qi (Original Qi). Yuan Yin is the intangible Water, responsible for growth and establishment; it is Tian Gui (Heavenly Puberty/Reproductive Essence), upon which strength and weakness depend, hence also called Yuan Jing (Primordial Essence). Yuan Jing and Yuan Qi are the Yuan Shen (Primordial Spirit) that transforms and generates Essence and Qi. Vital Qi connects with Heaven, relying solely on this. The Classics state: "Those who possess Shen prosper, those who lose Shen perish." This is what is meant. Nowadays, people often damage the Pre-heaven through Post-heaven labor and desire. Doctors today only know of tangible pathogenic factors, ignoring intangible Original Qi. Tangible things are traces; their flourishing or decline is obvious and easy to perceive. Intangible things are Shen (Spirit); they change swiftly and are difficult to restore. Thus, the Classics say: "Crude practitioners guard form; superior practitioners guard Shen." Alas! Where can one find someone who understands the divine and perceives the intangible to discuss this path with?

The way of Heaven and Earth's Yin and Yang values harmony above all, ensuring balanced Qi commands and the generation of all things; this is the principle of creation. However, Yang is the foundation of life, while Yin is actually the basis of death. Thus, Daoists say: "If Yin is not fully exhausted, one does not transform (die); if Yang is not fully exhausted, one does not die." Hua Yuanhua (Hua Tuo) said: "Those who obtain Yang live; those who obtain Yin die." Therefore, anyone wishing to preserve life and value existence must especially cherish Yang Qi, which is the Yuan Shen of generation and transformation, and should not be neglected. In the past, Liu Hejian (Liu Wansu) emerged, establishing theories based on summer-heat and fire, exclusively using cold and cool herbs to harm this Yang Qi, causing great harm. Fortunately, Dongyuan Xiansheng (Li Gao) discussed the fire of the Spleen and Stomach, emphasizing the need for warming and nourishing, yet he could not completely refute the bias of his predecessors. Later, Danxi (Zhu Zhenheng) re-emerged, establishing the theory of Yin deficiency with hyperactive fire, creating pills such as Bu Yin Wan and Da Bu Wan, using Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena Rhizome) and Huang Bai (Phellodendron Bark) as chief ingredients. The drawbacks of cold and cool therapies prevailed again. Those who suffered first have passed away and returned no more; those who learn and use these methods later remain confused and unawakened. Alas! Methods rise by a foot, demons rise by a yard. Are these two individuals not demons of Xuanti and Qibo (representing orthodox Traditional Chinese Medicine)! I dare not slander the seniors, but sincerely hope to wash away accumulated prejudices to alleviate the suffering of the people.