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In ancient times, the Yellow Emperor asked Qibo: "I have heard that people in ancient times lived to be over a hundred years old, yet their movements remained vigorous. Now, people reach half a century of age, and their movements decline. Is this due to different circumstances, or did people lose their way?" (Qibo) replied: "People in ancient times followed the laws of Yin and Yang (Yin-Yang), harmonized with proper methods, had regulated diets, regular daily routines, and did not exert themselves recklessly. Thus, their form and spirit were united, allowing them to complete their natural lifespan and live beyond a hundred years. People today cannot do this. They treat wine as water, make recklessness a habit, engage in sexual intercourse while drunk, exhaust their essence through desires, dissipate their true Qi (vital energy), seek only momentary pleasure, go against the joy of life, and lack regularity in their daily lives. Therefore, they decline before reaching fifty. Reckless exertion damages the physical appearance; exhausting true Qi damages the spirit and Qi. When diseases arise, the Heart and Kidney are damaged first. If the Heart and Kidney fail to interact, one becomes emaciated before aging, sick before becoming emaciated, and when the disease becomes severe, death is inevitable. Alas! A superior physician treats before illness occurs and preserves health before deterioration begins. It is better to be good at preservation than at taking medicine. Those who are neither good at preservation nor at taking medicine will see their illness enter the pericardium and diaphragm (a state where illness is incurable), beyond the reach of drugs and acupuncture. How miraculous! Master Gong Yingyuan, whose medical skills trace back to Xuanyuan and Qibo, whose heart is vast like heaven and earth, who encompasses literary elegance and has written numerous works, has attained the profound essence of this path. Pitying the afflictions caused by 'two verticals' (a metaphor for disease), lamenting the prejudices of mediocre practitioners, he compiled and published the book *Tanhuo* (Phlegm-Fire) and asked me for a preface. I read his theories and formulas, finding none but refined; his categorization of diseases and symptoms, finding none but detailed. For those unwell, there are methods of nourishing life and preventing disease; for those already ill, there are methods of care and treatment. He deeply explored hidden subtleties and exhausted mysterious transformations. A burst of vital Qi floats on the paper, as if 'red furnace flies snowflakes, dragon and tiger follow each other, Eight Trigrams occupy their correct positions, two verticals are eliminated,' bringing longevity to the world, so that no one remains an old man in the well valley.

Respectfully inscribed by Deng Zhimo, junior fellow townsman.

The term 'Lao' (Consumption/TB) means 'exhaustion.' Due to exhaustion damaging essence, Qi, blood, and fluids, Yang becomes excessive and Yin deficient, causing fire to flare up and phlegm to accumulate. Because it involves both phlegm and fire, and the condition is cruel and terrifying, people avoid calling it 'Tanhuo' (Phlegm-Fire). However, tracing its origins, it is not of a single type. Some result from innate weakness compounded by exhausting the Heart and Kidney through labor, depleting essence and blood. Others result from external Wind-Cold injuring the Lung, leading to chronic cough that cuts off the source of transformation and generation. Still others result from prolonged illness or chronic malaria, where improper recovery further damages Yuan Qi (Original Qi). Some arise among poor laborers who vomit blood due to overexertion, leading to Yin deficiency. Others result from wealthy idlers indulging in alcohol and lust, damaging the Spleen and Stomach through exhaustion. There are also cases of gradual contamination. These variations are too numerous to list, but once consumption sets in, the outcome is the same. However, before this syndrome fully develops, there must be prodromal signs. These may include tubercles in the neck, masses in the abdomen or hypochondrium, habitual nocturnal emissions, frequent epistaxis in childhood, gradually progressing to tidal fever, night sweats, seminal emission, coughing up sputum, hemoptysis, and other bleeding symptoms. Externally, the complexion is haggard, the body is emaciated, hair is dry and brittle, and the pulse is wiry, choppy, hollow, or deficient. In summary, organ Qi is deficient, hyperactivity is unrestrained, leading to this extreme state. The treatment method must examine the external symptoms of each organ to infer internal hyperactivity, then apply methods to expel the 'thief' (pathogen) and tonify the mother organ, thereby grasping the key point. For example, if Lung disease transmits to the Liver, presenting with pale complexion, dry eyes, bitter taste, spontaneous sweating, mental restlessness, and fear, the method should clear Metal and tonify Water to benefit Wood. If Kidney disease transmits to the Heart, presenting with dark complexion, dry nose, mouth ulcers, forgetfulness, and constipation or diarrhea, the method should subdue Water and tonify Wood to benefit Fire. If Liver disease transmits to the Spleen, presenting with greenish complexion, yellow lips, stiff tongue, throat obstruction, salivation, emaciation, and loss of appetite, the method should suppress Wood and tonify Earth to benefit Fire. If Heart disease transmits to the Lung, presenting with red complexion, white nose, expectoration, hemoptysis, cough, and dry hair, the method should drain Fire and tonify Earth to benefit Water. If Spleen disease transmits to the Kidney, presenting with yellow complexion, dry ears, chest fullness and pain, seminal emission, and turbid urine, the method should drain Earth and tonify Metal to benefit Water; these are treatments for the syndrome of organ hyperactivity and constraint. Furthermore, bone-steaming and corpse-infectious diseases exist in many varieties, all resulting from extreme Yin deficiency. The treatment must necessarily involve tonifying Water, clearing Metal, nourishing Yin, and descending Fire. To deviate from this method would be incorrect. As for the 'transmitting corpse' syndrome, there are names such as 'fulian' (lingering transmission), with various manifestations, which Ge Shi has already established treatments for. His prepared Qinghao Decoction (Artemisia Annua Decoction) and Tinggai Powder (Sky Roof Powder) are agents for killing parasites and preventing recurrence. However, taking them early prevents future calamities. If the condition reaches a critical and prostrate state, the disease is deep and the 'worms' are old; even Cang Gong and Bian Que would shrink back in awe.