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Wind, cold, summerheat, and dampness can all invade the human body. Only when dampness accumulates over a long period and lingers in the joints does it cause "Zhong Shi" (Dampness Strike), unlike wind, cold, and summerheat which cause sudden "Bao Zhong" (Sudden Invasion).

The manifestations of Zhong Shi (Dampness Strike) include joint pain and heaviness, edema, asthma and chest fullness, abdominal distension, vexation, and coma with loss of consciousness. Bai Zhu Jiu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Wine) is indicated. If there are open wounds, and dampness enters through the wound during bathing, causing coma and heavy sensation resembling Zhong Shi, it is named Po Shang (Broken Injury), and Bai Zhu Jiu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Wine) is also indicated.

The manifestations of Zhong E (Evil Strike) involve sudden cold reversal of the hands and feet, cutaneous gooseflesh, cyanotic and blackish head and face, inability to guard the spirit, or delirious speech, trismus, and lockjaw, or dizziness and fainting with coma. These correspond to Zu Jue (Sudden Syncope), Ke Wu (Guest Malevolence), Fei Shi (Flying Corpse), Gui Ji (Ghost Blow), Diao Si (Hanging Death), Wen Sang (Mourning Inquiry), Ru Miao (Entering Temple), Deng Zhong (Ascending Tomb), etc., many of which present with such symptoms. Su He Xiang Wan (Styrax Pill) should be administered via gavage. Once the patient regains slight consciousness, Tiao Qi San (Regulate Qi Powder) and Ping Wei San (Calm the Stomach Powder) should be taken together, named Tiao Mai Ping Wei San (Pulse-Regulating and Stomach-Calm Powder).

Huo Luan (Cholera-like Disorder) arises suddenly with chaotic changes, similar to Zhong E (Evil Strike), commonly called Chu E (Touching Evil), distinguished by vomiting and diarrhea. The syndrome presents with chest oppression, abdominal qi stagnation, failure of qi ascent and descent, and in severe cases, cold reversal of the extremities and spontaneous cold sweating. Some present with vomiting only, some with diarrhea only, some with both vomiting and diarrhea, and some with incomplete vomiting and diarrhea. First, use Su He Xiang Wan (Styrax Pill) to unblock obstruction; subsequently administer Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San (Agastache Powder to Rectify the Qi) with Ban Qian (half qian) of Mu Xiang (Vetiver Root); then swallow Lai Fu Dan (Reviving Pill) mixed with Su He Xiang Wan (Styrax Pill). If diarrhea is severe, Lai Fu Dan (Reviving Pill) must not be used. For diarrhea without vomiting and chest-diaphragm fullness, first administer Nong Yan Tang (Strong Salt Decoction) in one dose to induce vomiting. Whether vomiting has occurred or is impending, take Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San (Agastache Powder to Rectify the Qi), occasionally administering Su He Xiang Wan (Styrax Pill). For vomiting without diarrhea, heart-abdominal pain, frequent urge to defecate but inability to do so, add Yi Qian (one qian) of Zhi Qiao (Immature Bitter Orange) to Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San (Agastache Powder to Rectify the Qi), and take more Lai Fu Dan (Reviving Pill). To achieve rapid effect, use Sheng Zhi Qiao (Raw Immature Bitter Orange). If ineffective and the condition becomes critically urgent, Shen Bao Wan (Divine Treasure Pill) must be used. Although Shen Bao Wan (Divine Treasure Pill) promotes purgation, it also acts on the Large Intestine. If obstruction is upper and downward movement fails, leading to increased constipation, use Lai Fu Dan (Reviving Pill) powdered and swallowed with water along with Yang Zheng Dan (Support Righteousness Pill) 100 pills, to guide the previous medicines downward. For simultaneous vomiting and diarrhea with heart-abdominal turmoil, add Guan Gui (Cinnamon Bark) and Mu Xiang (Vetiver Root) half qian each to Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San (Agastache Powder to Rectify the Qi); if unresolved, administer Si Shun Tang (Four Smooth Decoction).

If vomiting and diarrhea persist, causing depletion of Yuan Qi (Original Qi) and critical illness, or if no food/water can be retained, or if thirst with preference for cold drinks occurs, or if aversion to cold with shivering and cold reversal of extremities occurs, or if fever with vexation and desire to remove clothing/bedding occurs: this indicates internal deficiency and excess Yin. Do not mistake the preference for cold and desire to remove clothing as Heat. Li Zhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction) is indicated; in severe cases, Fu Zi Li Zhong Tang (Aconite Regulate the Middle Decoction). If ineffective, Si Ni Tang (Frigid Extremities Decoction) is also suitable, and should be taken completely cold.

Inability to vomit or defecate, heart-abdominal turmoil, unbearable pain, blockage of upper and lower passages, unstable speech, and hallucinations are commonly known as Gan Huo Luan (Dry Cholera). First, administer Nong Yan Tang (Strong Salt Decoction) in one dose; then mix Su He Xiang Wan (Styrax Pill) and swallow Lai Fu Dan (Reviving Pill); subsequently advance Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San (Agastache Powder to Rectify the Qi) with Mu Xiang (Vetiver Root) and Zhi Qiao (Immature Bitter Orange) half qian each. Modern folk physicians call this Juan Chang Sha (Intestinal Curling Sand), believing it to be distinct, unaware that it is actually Huo Luan (Cholera-like Disorder). Recovery by chance is merely due to the effect of one purgation.

For Huo Luan (Cholera-like Disorder) with tendon twitching, add Yi Qian (one qian) of chopped and stir-fried Dong Jiao (Donkey-hide Gelatin) to Li Zhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction), and bind the legs and calves. If tendons retract into the abdomen or whole-body twitching occurs, it is incurable. For twitching, soak in warm Zao Qu Liao Zhi (Fermented Mold Polygonum Juice) or Nong Yan Tang (Strong Salt Decoction).

After Huo Luan (Cholera-like Disorder) has subsided, but residual vomiting and diarrhea persist with remaining abdominal pain, decoct single-herb Bao Qiu Dou Ye (Report Autumn Bean Leaf) for administration; dried leaves are superior.

After Huo Luan (Cholera-like Disorder), if Yang Qi has collapsed, presenting with enuresis and unconsciousness, shortness of breath and aphasia, sweat like pearls, extreme restlessness with desire to enter water, or flaccidity of the four limbs, it is incurable. After Huo Luan (Cholera-like Disorder) and various vomiting/diarrhea episodes, if the chest-diaphragm is elevated and obstructed to the point of suffocation, use Li Zhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction) with Ban Qian (half qian) of Zhi Shi (Immature Bitter Orange) and Ban Qian (half qian) of Fu Ling (Poria), named Zhi Shi Li Zhong Tang (Immature Bitter Orange Regulate the Middle Decoction). If vomiting and diarrhea have ceased but strength is weak and spirit not restored, take Shi Bu Yin (Ten Tonics Drink).

In summer, contracting summerheat with cholera-like vomiting and diarrhea, Liu He Tang (Six Harmonies Decoction) and Xiang Ru Tang (Elsholtzia Decoction) are essential remedies. For massive vomiting and diarrhea followed by cold reversal and restlessness, if determined to be caused by summerheat, only Xiang Ru Yin (Elsholtzia Infusion) is suitable. In summer, excessive consumption of melons/fruits and drinking cold water while exposed to wind leads to undigested food retention, forming Pi (Glomus/Obstruction), blocking upper and lower jiao, resulting in Huo Luan (Cholera-like Disorder). Use Liu He Tang (Six Harmonies Decoction) with doubled Huo Xiang (Patchouli), decoct well, and mix with Su He Xiang Wan (Styrax Pill).