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It is stated in the treatise: "For coldness of the hands and feet, with a fine pulse that seems on the verge of disappearing, Danggui Sini Tang (Angelica Sinensis Decoction for Extremity Cold) is the primary formula." This syndrome is slightly milder than typical Sini patterns. The reason for substituting Danggui lies in the character "fine" (xi). In all other Sini patterns, the pulse is typically "minute" (wei), without mention of being "fine." Although both minute and fine pulses belong to the category of Yang depletion, a minute pulse indicates Qi deficiency, whereas a fine pulse indicates Blood deficiency; their indications differ. The treatise states: "After purgation followed by sweating, the pulse becomes minute and fine." The minute aspect arises from sweating leading to Yang depletion, while the fine aspect arises from purgation leading to Yin depletion. By analogy, the fine pulse here clearly indicates Blood deficiency. *Jingui Yaolue* states: "Blood deficiency leads to Jue (extremity cold); Jue inevitably involves Mao (dizziness/vertigo)." Thus, Jue can indeed originate from Blood deficiency. Therefore, Danggui must be used to warm the meridians, and Shaoyao (White Peony Root) to treat Bi (obstruction), so that the Blood may flow freely; Xixin (Asarum) opens the pathways, Tongcao (Tetrapanax Pith) penetrates them, so that blood circulation is unimpeded; the use of Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig) is to disperse exterior Cold. Such is the intent of the formula.

The treatise further states: "If diarrhea occurs and aggressive purgation is applied, resulting in a floating and革 (ge, like a drum skin) pulse, accompanied by borborygmus (intestinal rumbling), it belongs to the Danggui Sini Tang pattern." A floating-ge pulse is also indicative of Blood deficiency, and borborygmus is a consequence of Blood deficiency. Moreover, this occurs after purgation, which corresponds perfectly with the previous discussion for mutual reference. This type of Sini pattern naturally belongs to the Shaoyang (Half-Exterior, Half-Interior) stage. *Qianjin Fang* describes it as a treatment for Yang pathogenic factors sinking inward, which is correct. If aggressive purgation results in a large pulse, it also implies an accompanying Exterior syndrome!

Regarding the explanation of Hou's Black Powder (Houshi Heisan), opinions vary widely, yet none possess solid evidence. Examining *Zhubing Yuanhou Lun* (General Treatise on the Pathogenesis and Manifestations of All Diseases) under "Cold Food Disorder," Huangfu Mi states that the "Cold Food Medicine" is unknown to the world. Some attribute it to Hua Tuo, others to Zhang Zhongjing. Based on factual examination, Hua Tuo's refined prescriptions were generally simple and concise, whereas Zhang Zhongjing's canonical formulas include Hou's Black Powder and Zhi Shiyang Formula, both comprising multiple ingredients with similar variations and regulations. Therefore, the Cold Food Powder and the Grass-Stone formulas originated from Zhang Zhongjing, not Hua Tuo. From this, we know that Hou's Black Powder was a prescription taken by those consuming Stone Medicines (mineral pills), hence the saying about taking it cold to fill the intestines. The heat toxicity from stone medicines often invites Wind pathogens, thus incorporating treatments for Wind-stroke. Generally, wind syndromes induced by stone medicine consumption began in the late Han Dynasty and flourished during the Sui and Tang Dynasties. After Zhang Zhongjing transmitted his formulas, *Waitai Miyao* recorded their use in detail. Since the Song Dynasty, few have consumed stone medicines, causing this powder to nearly fall into oblivion. Recently, Yu Jiayan erroneously identified it as the principal formula for Wind-stroke. Followers of this view, seeing that the herbs did not match the symptoms, dared not follow it, and instead selected only Chrysanthemum (Juhua), claiming it aligned with Zhang Zhongjing's principles, thereby obscuring the true meaning of this formula. See my detailed discussion in *Jingfang Lishi*.

Note: Yu's intention was that since the text mentions Wind-stroke, but the formula contains only a few types of herbs in the Black Powder! How could he know that the principal formula for Wind-stroke should be Xuming Tang? *Waitai Miyao* explicitly states that Xuming Tang is a formula of Zhang Zhongjing. Its absence in *Jingui Yaolue* is due to textual loss. See my detailed commentary in *Jingui Fanglun Zhu*.