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The Heavenly Master said: The true nature of the disease is indeed difficult to distinguish clearly; however, where there is a false appearance, there must be a true reality. Speaking of the previous symptoms, such as when a person suffers from sore throat, dry mouth, dry tongue, and fever, it is indistinguishable from false heat. Yet, how can one differentiate this condition identified as true heat? In cases of false heat, although the mouth feels thirsty, the thirst is not severe; although the tongue is dry, it is not parched; even if dry, there are no prickles or cracks. Although the throat hurts, the pain is lighter during the day; although the body is hot, there is sweating. This contrasts with true heat, where the mouth is extremely dry causing calls for water, the tongue is extremely dry leading to cracking and the formation of prickles, the throat hurts continuously day and night, and the body is intensely hot to the touch without sweating. The prescription consists of Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang) 3 qian, Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian) 3 qian, Scutellariae Radix (Huangqin) 3 qian, Gypsum Fibrosum (Shigao) 3 qian, Anemarrhenae Rhizoma (Zhimu) 3 qian, Pinelliae Tuber (Banxia) 2 qian, Aurantii Fructus (Zhike) 2 qian, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao) 1 qian, and Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui) 5 qian. Decoct in water and take orally. Symptoms alleviate after one dose and resolve after two doses. This formula uses purely cold-natured herbs to expel fire. Once the fire is expelled, the upper jiao (the area above the diaphragm) will feel relaxed and comfortable.

Furthermore, some people have cold hands and feet, or experience multiple episodes of limb jue-ni (cold limbs extending beyond elbows and knees), trembling body, and aversion to cold, which appears identical to false cold. However, how can one identify this as true cold? In cases of false cold, although hands and feet are cold, they may sometimes become warm; the jue-ni and trembling are not too severe, with periods of calm alternating with spasms. This differs from true cold, where hands and feet remain cold for a long time without warming, turning blue-purple in color, the body trembles incessantly, and the jaw is clenched emitting sounds uncontrollably. The prescription for emergency rescue consists of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (Fuzi) 3 qian, Cinnamomi Cortex (Rougui) 1 qian, Zingiberis Rhizoma (Ganjiang) 1 qian, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu) 5 qian, and Ginseng Radix (Renshen) 1 liang. This represents direct invasion by cold pathogenic factors, where Kidney Fire (Mingmen Fire) is forced out of the body shell, and Yin-cold qi directly attacks the Heart Palace. Consequently, the Heart Spirit loses its residence, and Liver Qi lacks support, resulting in tremors, jaw clenching, and hands and feet appearing entirely cyan. One might ask, since using Fuzi, Rougui, and Ganjiang to expel cold pathogens should suffice, why add Baizhu and Renshen? Moreover, small doses should be sufficient; why increase them so significantly? It is because the Yuan Yang (fundamental Yang Qi) has fled and scattered, leaving only a thread of breath unextinguished. If Ren Shen is not urgently used to restore vital energy at this precarious moment between life and death, and one relies solely on the pungent and hot herbs like Rougui, Fuzi, and Ganjiang, although the pathogen may be expelled outward, the righteous Qi will also approach extinction. Therefore, it is better to administer larger doses of Ren Shen in critical moments. This is akin to defeated soldiers seeing that an isolated army remains intact and a brave general rallying the scattered troops; would they not then reorganize their banners and spears and rush together to the battlefield? This is the subtlety of true treatment.

Master Zhang said: This is a remarkable theory, opening up new horizons. True treatment is direct treatment; it addresses the root disease directly without deceiving with false remedies. Symptomatic medication is sufficient; I have nothing more to add.

Master Hua said: I agree.