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Heaven possesses wondrous texts, earth holds extraordinary events, and humans suffer from rare diseases; one must not be constrained by conventions. To treat these illnesses, ordinary medicines are insufficient. There are orthodox treatments (Zhengzhi), contrary treatments (Fan Zhi), compliant treatments (Shun Zhi), and opposing treatments (Ni Zhi); there are internal treatments (Nei Zhi) and external treatments (Wai Zhi); there are complete treatments (Wan Zhi) and fragmented treatments (Sui Zhi); there are major treatments (Da Zhi) and minor treatments (Xiao Zhi); there are life-preserving treatments (Sheng Zhi) for those with vitality, and death-related treatments (Si Zhi) for those without; there are upper treatments (Shang Zhi), lower treatments (Xia Zhi), and middle treatments (Zhong Zhi); there are prior treatments (Xian Zhi) and posterior treatments (Hou Zhi); there are urgent treatments (Ji Zhi) and slow treatments (Huan Zhi); there are root treatments (Ben Zhi) and branch/untreated aspects (Wei Zhi). In total, there are 128 methods.

The following discusses lung abscess, the method of swallowing qi for chronic cough, watery diarrhea, bloody dysentery, edema, distension and acid regurgitation in both hypochondria, lumbar pain, palpitations, and insomnia.

Grand Master Qi said: Whenever a person suffers from asthma, vomiting, or coughing, it is a disease of the Lung. The Lung is the Metal Zang organ and is also a delicate organ. It resides above the Heart, shaped like a lotus flower, with red coloration and a purple stalk. Below the pharynx lies the Lung Meridian, which governs the entry and exit of Qi and does not allow food to pass. Above the pharynx is the epiglottis (the uvula/small tongue), which covers the entrance to the throat. Only when the epiglottis covers the pharyngeal opening can food and drink enter the esophagus directly and descend to the Stomach. If a person speaks excessively while eating, the epiglottis may fail to cover the pharyngeal opening in time; if solid food such as rice enters the trachea, it will inevitably cause incessant coughing. Thus, the trachea cannot tolerate any foreign object, indicating that medicine cannot be poured directly into the trachea either. Treating the Lung directly is very difficult; one should instead treat the Spleen. When the Spleen Qi is nourished, Earth generates Metal, and the cough will cease naturally. Among the Five Zang organs, all except the Lung can be treated directly; only the Lung Meridian should not be treated directly. Then, how should an abscess in the Lung Meridian be treated? Use Yuan Shen (Scrophulariae Radix) 1 liang, Sheng Gan Cao (Raw Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) 1 liang, Jin Yin Hua (Lonicerae Japonicae Flos) 8 liang, and Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) 2 liang, decocted in water and taken orally. [Comment: Qing Jin Xiao Du Tang (Clear Metal and Eliminate Toxin Decoction)]. Add Mai Dong (Ophiopogonis Tuber) 1 liang. Among these herbs, only Mai Dong clears Lung Fire; the others enter the Spleen, Liver, and Heart. Why use them? Entering the Liver calms Wood, so the Lung Metal need not exert effort to control it, thereby nourishing the Lung Metal; entering the Spleen allows Spleen Earth to generate Lung Metal, thus nourishing the Lung Metal; entering the Heart Meridian prevents Heart Fire from harassing Lung Metal, thus nourishing the Lung Meridian. Although these herbs treat the Heart, Spleen, and Liver, seemingly employing indirect methods (treating the organ separated by one, two, or three positions), this is actually the orthodox treatment for Lung Metal. [Lei Gong said: I believe adding Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) 3 qian would be even better, to calm Liver Fire, weaken Heart Fire, and prevent it from controlling the Lung.]

Zhang Zhong Jing, Grand Master of Changsha, said: The Lung Meridian is indeed a delicate organ that tolerates no foreign matter, yet it is not immune to receiving "guest Qi" (external breath therapy). For those suffering from chronic cough unresponsive to various Lung-tonifying medicines, following Grand Master Qi’s method ensures recovery. However, if one only takes herbal decoctions without guiding Qi into the pharynx, the Lung Meridian will hardly heal quickly. The method involves using a thirteen-year-old girl to exhale into the patient's mouth for them to swallow. At dawn (Wu Geng time), have the girl feed breath mouth-to-mouth, forcefully sending the Qi from below the navel entirely into the patient's mouth. After the patient swallows once, push the girl away immediately; do not embrace her, to avoid stirring the Ministerial Fire. Only one exhalation per day is allowed, ensuring the herbal medicine takes effect. During exhalation, strictly forbid any sexual desire. Moving desire brings harm rather than benefit. Limit to one or two exhalations to protect the girl’s health.

Grand Master Qi said: Diseases of the Spleen Meridian, such as watery diarrhea, result from Spleen Qi lacking warmth. Bloody dysentery results from excessive dryness and heat. For watery diarrhea, use Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) 1 liang and Che Qian Zi (Plantaginis Semen) 5 qian, decocted in water for immediate effect. [Comment: Fen Shui Shen Dan (Water-Separating Divine Pill)]. Bloody dysentery differs, presenting with or without abdominal pain. Pain indicates Heat-Fire. Use Gui Wei (Angelicae Sinensis Radix Caulis) 1 liang, Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma) 3 qian, Zhi Ke (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus) 2 qian, Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) 1 liang, Guang Mu Xiang (Costi Radix) 2 qian, Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) 1 qian, and Luo Bo Zi (Raphani Semen) 2 qian, decocted in water. [Comment: Shen Dan]. Non-painful cases indicate Cold. Use Bai Shao 3 qian, Dang Gui 3 qian, Luo Bo Zi 1 qian, Zhi Ke 1 qian, Bing Lang (Arecae Semen) 1 qian, and Gan Cao 1 qian, decocted in water. [Comment: Shen Dan]. Watery diarrhea is caused by sudden Water-Qi invading the Spleen, leading to profuse discharge. Bai Zhu benefits the Qi and Blood of the waist and umbilicus, while Che Qian Zi disperses the Water-Qi; this is the orthodox treatment.

Zhang Zhong Jing said: Bai Zhu and Che Qian Zi benefiting the waist/umbilicus and eliminating Water-Qi is correct. However, Bai Zhu also strengthens the Spleen; a strong Spleen naturally separates Water-Dampness, originally not requiring reliance on Che Qian Zi. Che Qian Zi opens orifices and stabilizes Zang Qi, doing more than just dispersing Water-Dampness. When Zang Qi is stable, Water-Dampness dissipates naturally. Each has its specific function, yet they assist each other, yielding miraculous effects.

Grand Master Qi said: Bloody dysentery is caused by the Liver Meridian overcoming Spleen Earth. Although due to Spleen Earth Dampness combined with insidious Summer-Heat invasion and internal injury from melons/fruits, it ultimately stems from excessive Liver Wood without restraint, harassing Spleen Earth. Thus, the formula uses Bai Shao and Dang Gui to nourish the Liver and calm Wood. When Liver Wood is nourished, it stops overcoming Spleen Earth, allowing Spleen Earth to be nourished, and bloody dysentery heals itself.

Zhang Zhong Jing said: Although bloody dysentery presents with or without pain, it essentially involves Fire-Evil carrying Dampness. Theoretically, both formulas could treat it generally, but Grand Master Qi distinguishes between pain and non-pain out of caution. Both formulas, with modifications, are miraculous. One need not hesitate to use one for pain and the other for non-pain. Fire-Evil with Dampness resides at the junction of Intestines and Spleen, unable to rush downward, inevitably causing urgency and tenesmus. The brilliance lies in using Dang Gui and Bai Shao for their slippery, purgative nature, facilitating the direct expulsion of Fire-Evil, thereby calming Liver Wood and saving Spleen Earth.

Grand Master Qi said: Edema arises because Earth fails to control Water. The formula uses Qian Niu Zi (Pharbitidis Semen) 3 qian and Gan Sui (Kansui Radix) 3 qian, decocted in water. One dose causes massive diarrhea of over a dou of water, completely resolving the distension. This directly seizes the Water-Qi, allowing Earth to regain its level function. [Comment: Xiao Shui Shen Fang (Water-Eliminating Divine Formula). Lei Gong said: This formula is miraculous, but 3 qian each seems too much; reducing each by 1 qian makes it less harsh, eliminating disease without damaging the root.] If the disease persists, another dose may be given, maintaining balance. However, these two herbs are harsh and fierce; people doubt this is orthodox treatment. Yet, when Water-Qi floods like a river, one must open the floodgates for the water to subside. The miracle of these two herbs lies in their fierceness, hitting the disease source. After taking these, absolutely no salt should be consumed; consuming salt causes relapse, which is incurable. This is self-inflicted death due to ignoring taboos, not the fault of the medicine. Modern people view Qian Niu Zi and Gan Sui as fatal poisons, which is wrong. Edema must present with pitting edema (pressing the foot leaves a dent like mud) before these two herbs can be used for orthodox treatment. Otherwise, if the skin rebounds immediately upon pressing, it is not Water-Qi but Qi Deficiency or Kidney Deficiency, and these two herbs should not be lightly administered to kill the patient. [Comment: How appropriate!]

Zhang Zhong Jing said: There are many treatments for edema, but these two herbs are uniquely miraculous. Next best is Ji Shi Li (Chicken Manure Wine), but it is inferior because Ji Shi Li is toxic, whereas this formula is non-toxic. Qian Niu Zi is fierce, but becomes slower with Gan Sui; Gan Sui is mild, but becomes faster with Qian Niu Zi. Together, they complement each other effectively. This formula was originally mine; Grand Master took it to save the world. I cannot claim credit, only noting their synergistic effect.

Diseases of the Heart Meridian, such as palpitations (Zheng Tong) and insomnia (Bu Mei), stem from Heart Blood deficiency. The formula uses Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) 3 qian, Dan Shen (Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix) 2 qian, Mai Dong 3 qian, Gan Cao 1 qian, Fu Shen (Poria with Hostwood) 3 qian, Sheng Zao Ren (Ziziphi Spinosomi Semen - Raw) 5 qian, Shu Zao Ren (Ziziphi Spinosomi Semen - Cooked) 5 qian, Chang Pu (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma) 1 qian, Dang Gui 3 qian, and Wu Wei Zi (Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus) 1 qian, decocted in water. [Comment: An Mei Dan (Calming Sleep Pill). Wonderful.] The brilliance lies in using equal parts raw and cooked Zao Ren (5 qian each), assisted by other Heart-nourishing herbs. Zao Ren is the holy herb for calming the mind and treating insomnia: raw keeps one awake during the day, cooked prevents waking at night. With day and night stabilized, palpitations settle naturally, making unnecessary the use of Tiger Eye, Amber, or Cinnabar.

Diseases of the Liver Meridian, such as hypochondriac distension and acid regurgitation, stem from Liver Wood stagnation. The orthodox treatment uses Bai Shao 5 qian, Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix) 2 qian, Chao Zhi Zi (Gardeniae Fructus - Stir-fried) 1 qian, Cang Zhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma) 1 qian, Fu Ling (Poria) 1 qian, Shen Qu (Massa Medicata Fermentata) 5 fen, Ban Xia (Pinelliae Tuber) 1 qian, Gan Cao 1 qian, and Dan Pi (Moutan Cortex) 3 qian, decocted in water. [Comment: Qi Shuang Dan (Qi-Freshening Pill). Lei Gong said: Adding Dang Gui 3 qian to generate Liver Blood is advisable. The brilliance lies in Bai Shao, Dan Pi, and Chai Hu. These three are specific to the Liver Meridian; Bai Shao especially calms Liver, preventing it from harassing Spleen Earth. Nourished Earth allows Wood to舒展 (relax); relaxed Wood freshens Qi, removing pain and stopping regurgitation.]

Diseases of the Kidney Meridian, such as lumbar pain, use Du Zhong (Eucommiae Cortex) 1 liang, Po Gu Zhi (Psoraleae Fructus) 5 qian (both stir-fried with salt water), Shu Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata) 3 liang, Bai Zhu 3 liang, and Hu Tao Ren (Juglandis Semen) 2 liang. All are powdered and made into pills with honey. Take 1 liang when hungry, washed down with plain boiled water. Self-healing occurs after completion. The uniqueness lies in Bai Zhu, a Spleen herb, being used for Kidney treatment. Bai Zhu benefits the waist and umbilicus; if clear, Water-Dampness does not stay in the Kidney Palace. Combined with Shu Di and Du Zhong (pure Water-nourishing herbs), and Hu Tao Ren with Po Gu Zhi (mutually assisting, tonifying Kidney Fire to generate Kidney Water), this is indeed orthodox treatment. Grand Master Qi omitted this, perhaps leaving it for me to supplement. I thus supplement the methods for Heart, Liver, and Kidney, urging careful consideration in medication.

Master Hua said: This is the text transmitted to me, without formulas.

Sun Simiao said: Treating the Lung involves indirect methods (separated by one, two, three organs), which are actually orthodox Lung treatments. This discussion enlightens the deaf. All Lung diseases should be treated thus; do not assume Grand Master Qi only discussed Lung Abscess and that it doesn't apply to general Lung diseases.

Note: Regarding bloody dysentery, Master Zhang attributes it generally to Fire-Evil carrying Dampness, specifically referring to robust individuals. However, in cases of internal injury from overwork or Middle Qi Deficiency-Cold, where the Spleen fails to control blood, Spleen Dampness descending can cause bloody dysentery. These are often cured with Lizhong Tang added with Mu Xiang and Rou Gui, or Buzhong Yiqi Tang added with Shu Di and Charred Gan Jiang. However, Fire-Evil blood is bright red with a surging-slow pulse, thirst preferring cold drinks, and hot, turbid red urine. Internal injury blood is bright but purple-dark or pale red, with a fine-slow or floating-empty pulse, no thirst (or preferring hot drinks), and non-astringent, non-turbid urine. (Recorded by Li Ziyong.)

Ancient experts' discussions on swelling differ. Generally, rebounding pressure indicates Edema, while mud-like indentation indicates Qi Deficiency. Attached here for clinical verification. (Recorded by Li Ziyong.)