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In the summer and autumn of the 11th year of the Guangxu era (1885), an epidemic prevailed south of the Yangtze River. Its symptoms included aversion to cold, cold extremities, headache, body aches, shortness of breath, sweating, and in some cases vomiting and diarrhea; dozens died daily in the lakes. Because the flesh at the fingertips of patients appeared sunken, it was called "Biēluó Shā" (Shrivelled Snail Sha); since death often occurred within half a day, it was also known as "Liùshí Shā" (Six-Hour Sha) or "Zǐwǔ Shā" (Midnight-Noon Sha). Thereafter, it recurred every few years or annually, persisting for ten years without cessation.

A guest asked me, "What qi causes this? Did the ancients discuss it?" I smiled and replied, "Heaven has only the Six Exogenous Pathogens (Liu Yin), and humanity has only the Five Emotional Stimuli (Wu Zhi). Although diseases manifest in myriad ways, they do not exceed these two categories. Since Zhang Zhongjing composed his treatises, up until the Tang and Song dynasties, therapeutic methods were already complete. Following the correct path and adhering to established norms ensures no errors, fulfilling the physician's duty. However, people consider such occurrences commonplace. Cunning individuals exploit omissions in ancient texts, boasting of novel discoveries to astonish the public. Thus, regarding febrile diseases, they invariably term them 'Bái Hóu' (White Throat), claiming this is absent from ancient books; regarding throat wind, they also call it 'Bái Hóu', asserting it too is unrecorded historically. Only by doing so can they shock the senses, monopolize interpretation, and facilitate the practice of their techniques. Alas! Clever indeed, but consider: do their prescribed formulas truly transcend those of the ancients for treating febrile diseases and throat conditions? I know names may change, but methods cannot. Current 'Biēluó Shā' is merely Cold Injury during Summer Heat (Zhòng Hán)! The accompanying vomiting and diarrhea constitute Huò Luàn (Cholera-like disorder)! Their proper nomenclature exists within ancient discourses. The circulated formula with over ten herbs for treating 'Biēluó Shā', along with Léi Gōng Sǎn (Lord Lei Powder), are standard methods used by ancients for Huò Luàn and Cold Injury during Summer Heat. What is extraordinary about them? You are simply being deceived! I often observe that weak persons immersing hands in cold water for long periods, or suddenly encountering severe ice and snow, experience shrivelling of the finger flesh. Why single out 'Sha' as peculiar? Those who die from 'Sha' succumb to excessive sweating or diarrhea-induced dehydration, not to the shrivelling of fingers. Since death does not result from the physical appearance of shrivelling, one need not even mention 'Biēluó'.

Recently, Xú Língtāi criticized Zhào Yǎngkuí’s revision of Taiji theory, stating that the human body possesses Yuan Yang (Primordial Yang) but not Yuan Yin (Primordial Yin). This statement is profound! The human body resembles heaven and earth; Yuan Yang is akin to Taiji in the *I Ching* (*Book of Changes*); when Yuan Yang moves, it manifests as Yang; when still, it manifests as Yin, resembling Liangyi (Two Modes). Only the Yang generated by the movement of Yuan Yang can be contrasted with the character 'Yin'; as for Yuan Yang itself, there is nothing to pair with it, hence how can there be 'Yuan Yin'? When Yuan Yang grows, it is termed Yang; when it wanes, it is termed Yin. 'Yang' implies expansion, referring to the flourishing of Yuan Yang; 'Yin' implies concealment, referring to the hiding of Yuan Yang. Have you not observed the Twelve辟 Guà (Expanding Hexagrams)? Growth corresponds to Yang lines (solid), decline to Yin lines (broken). A solid line represents the fullness of Yuan Yang; a broken line represents the absence of Yuan Yang, leaving the position empty. Honoring Yang and despising Yin stems from this reason. Therefore, it is acceptable to say the body has Yin, but unacceptable to say it has 'Yuan Yin'. In treating disease, everything centers on Yuan Yang: if Yuan Yang is deficient, tonify it; if hyperactive, suppress it. Understanding this principle allows one to truly comprehend the meaning of Yin and Yang. Among physicians of our dynasty (Qing), I must pay highest respect to the elder of Huíxī (Xú Língtāi)."