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Tian Shi (Heavenly Master) said: The method of "treating after" refers to the principle of tonifying healthy Qi first, and then dispelling pathogenic factors. When a person has deficient and cold healthy Qi and is invaded by wind-cold pathogenic factors, one must not attack the pathogens first. Wherever pathogens gather, Qi must be deficient; the reason pathogens dare to enter the realm of healthy Qi is that the body's healthy Qi was previously deficient. If one does not hasten to tonify healthy Qi, what would make the pathogens fear it enough to depart quickly? It is like thieves entering a house where the master is weak and the servants are cowardly; the thieves will surely sit comfortably in the hall, enjoying food and wine freely. However, if one employs one or two courageous individuals who fight with their lives at stake, the bandits will flee hastily without time to linger. Therefore, one must first tonify healthy Qi before one can disperse pathogens. The prescription uses Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) 3 qian, Huang Qi (Astragali Radix) 3 qian, Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix) 2 qian, Ban Xia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) 1 qian, Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) 1 qian, Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) 3 qian, Chen Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) 1 qian, Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) 3 qian, Shen Qu (Massa Medicata Fermentata) 5 fen, Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix) 5 fen, and Shan Zha (Crataegi Fructus) 5 pieces, decocted in water and taken orally. (Commentary: Bu Zheng San [Tonify Healthy Qi Powder].) The brilliance of this formula lies in using Ren Shen, Dang Gui, Huang Qi, and Bai Zhu to support healthy Qi, adding Chai Hu and Ban Xia to expel pathogens, adding Chen Pi and Shan Zha to resolve food stagnation, and adding Gan Cao to harmonize the middle Jiao. By not directly attacking the pathogens, they retreat naturally. This is the exquisite method of "treating after."

Zhang Gong said: There are many methods of "treating after"; I will transmit two more. One prescription uses Ren Shen 1 qian, Bai Zhu 3 qian, Gan Cao 1 qian, Ban Xia 1 qian, Chai Hu 3 qian, Fu Ling (Poria) 3 qian, decocted in water and taken orally. (Commentary: Fu Zheng San Xie Tang [Support Healthy Qi and Dispel Pathogens Decoction].) This formula is specifically for cases where healthy Qi is deficient and pathogens have entered. If there are symptoms such as headache and fever, and the pulse at the right Cun position is larger than that at the left Cun position, use this formula urgently, and recovery will be complete. Although external pathogens exist, one should not treat them purely as pathogenic conditions; instead, tonifying healthy Qi should come first, and treating pathogens second. Another prescription: uses Dang Gui 3 qian, Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) 3 qian, Zhi Ke (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus) 1 qian, Bing Lang (Arecae Semen) 1 qian, Gan Cao 1 qian, decocted in water and taken orally. (Commentary: Bu Xue Dang Xie Tang [Nourish Blood and Sweep Away Pathogens Decoction].) This formula is most effective for treating dysentery. It prioritizes tonifying healthy Qi and subsequently sweeps away pathogens. The remaining methods of "treating after" can be understood through mental contemplation and silent comprehension.

Hua Jun said: I have not transmitted these.

Lei Gong said: Among the methods of "treating after," there is a formula for malaria. It uses Ren Shen 5 qian, Bai Zhu 1 liang, Qing Pi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride) 1 qian, Chai Hu 1 qian, Ban Xia 3 qian, decocted in water and taken orally. Although malaria involves phlegm-pathogens, one must not treat the pathogens first. This formula solely tonifies healthy Qi, slightly assisting in expelling pathogens to resolve phlegm; however, once healthy Qi is sufficient, pathogens naturally recede. Furthermore, for cases of Yin deficiency causing fever resembling malaria, use the aforementioned formula with added Shu Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata) 1 liang, Sheng He Shou Wu (Polygoni Multiflori Radix) 1 liang, removing Ban Xia and replacing it with Bai Jie Zi (Sinapis Semen) 3 qian; treatment is also effective.