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The *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) states: "Deficiency of Zhong Qi (Middle Jiao Qi) leads to abnormalities in urination and defecation." The body's excretion of urine and feces relies entirely on the transportation and transformation function of Zhong Qi, thereby maintaining normal physiological patterns. When Kidney Qi is deficient, the "gate" fails to secure retention; when Spleen Qi is deficient, the "granary" fails to store, giving rise to diseases such as diarrhea and frequent urination. Fang Ding prescribed Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction) to raise Spleen Yuan Qi, and Sishen Wan (Four Spirits Pill) to consolidate Kidney Qi. The two prescriptions are used concurrently without conflict. Added Gouqi (Lycium Fruit) and Tusi (Cuscuta Seed) [Note: Text says 'Gou Tu', interpreted as Gouqi and Tusizi] assist the efficacy of Doukou (Amomum Fruit) and Yuyu (Cornus Fruit); Lianzi (Lotus Seed) and Qianshi (Euryale Seed) augment the power of Renshen (Ginseng) and Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome). Thus, the prescription treats the Spleen and Kidney separately, while the disease addresses both urination and defecation simultaneously.

An Bo comments: The Kidney opens into the two yin orifices (anterior and posterior). When Kidney Qi is deficient, it loses its controlling function; when Spleen Qi is weak, its transportation loses its rotational force. Therefore, a method of tonifying both Spleen and Kidney is employed. However, this patient likely suffered for many years, with chronic diarrhea and frequent urination. If the diarrhea and short, red urine were recent in onset, the condition would be vastly different.

Dysentery was anciently known as "Zhi Xia" (Stagnant Downward Flow). However, the character "Zhi" (Stagnation) here does not solely refer to food stagnation, but rather indicates that Summer-heat and Dampness invade internally, obstructing the Qi mechanism of the Fu organs, leading to stagnation. Contracting Summer-heat pathogens during late summer, which lie latent in the intestines and stomach, results in dysentery in early autumn, characterized by abdominal pain, tenesmus (feeling of incomplete defecation), sticky discharge of red and white pus/blood, and frequent bowel movements day and night. Examining how ancient sages treated dysentery, they did not exceed two methods: Purging (Tong) and Astringing (Se). Generally, initial dysentery should be treated with purging, while chronic dysentery should be treated with astringing. Summer-heat and Dampness pathogens lodging in Ying and Wei (Nutritive and Defensive levels) cause sores and boils; entering the intestines and stomach causes diarrhea and dysentery. The red and white discharge in dysentery is like the pus and blood in boils; if pus and blood are not cleared, the boil will not heal; if red and white discharge is not cleared, dysentery will not cease. In the initial stage of the syndrome, treatment values purging. The Classics state: "Use purging to treat purging-type syndromes" (Tong Yin Tong Yong). However, this "purging" does not exclusively refer to cathartic methods, but signifies the free flow of Qi mechanism without obstruction. Danxi noted that Hejian elucidated the syndrome and treatment of Zhi Xia, stating that harmonizing blood heals bloody stool spontaneously, and regulating Qi eliminates tenesmus spontaneously. These two statements are truly illuminating as the sun and moon, and shocking as thunder. Yet his methods often use Huangqin (Scutellaria Root), Huanglian (Coptis Rhizome), Binglang (Areca Seed), and Zhishi (Immature Bitter Orange), which are bitter-cold and attacking. While suitable for those eating simple coarse foods, they may be too harsh for those consuming rich, fatty foods. Mr. Wang Yungu from my prefecture stated that dysentery is an epidemic pestilence; turbid pathogens attack the lower jiao, named "Zhi". It is also caused by miscellaneous qi, hence it is often contagious. His self-formulated Huangjin Tang (Golden Yellow Decoction), although composed of plain and unremarkable herbs, is quite appropriate in its principle of expelling pathogens and detoxifying. If appetite for grain food remains unchanged and Stomach Qi is still strong,功效 can be achieved within approximately two weeks (14 days).

An Bo comments: Huangjin Tang consists of Huangtu (Yellow Earth), Jinyinhua (Lonicera Flower), Bian Dou Rou (Flesh of Lablab Bean), Bian Dou Hua (Lablab Bean Flower), Fuling (Poria), Guya (Sprouted Grain), Heidou (Black Soybean), Gancao (Licorice Root), Sheng Baishao (Raw White Peony Root), Wugu Chong (Insect Excrement), and Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger). I have found it very effective in treating Jin Kou Li (Dysentery with inability to eat/drink), having verified its efficacy on several patients.