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Xiao Sou (asthmatic cough) for many years, originally belonging to an entrenched disease. In previous years, when it erupted, the symptoms were still mild; this time the eruption was severe, with chest fullness and panting, breathing not smooth, and unable to rest on the pillow at night. After administering medicine with warming and unblocking, and bitter descending properties, the closure opened, panting settled, thick phlegm was expectorated, and then peace was restored. Considering that the disease frequently occurs in the diaphragm region, there must be "cocoons" (nests where phlegm-fluid accumulates). Phlegm-fluid gathers day by day within them, advancing like water filling ditches. The Lung is the Huagai (canopy of the five zang and six fu organs), located in the Upper Jiao, governing the function of clearing and descending. When phlegm-qi rebels upward, obstructing the descent of the Lung, thus causing panting and closure without passage. It is necessary to pour out and eliminate the accumulated phlegm completely. Only when the diaphragm region becomes empty and spacious can there be security. Unfortunately, the phlegm in the cocoons is like bees nesting in a house or lotus seeds embedded in a pod; easy to grow, difficult to peel off. Without cutting the root, how can the disaster be prevented? Examining the *Jin Gui Yao Lue*, it distinguishes external fluid treatment for the Spleen and internal fluid treatment for the Kidney, and states: "Fluid pathogens should be harmonized with warm medicines." It is proposed to take Shen Qi Wan (Kidney Qi Pill) early in the morning to warm and unblock Kidney Yang, preventing fluid pathogens from flooding upward. In the evening, use Liu Jun Zi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction), changing decoction to powder, silently strengthening Kun Yuan (Spleen/Stomach earth), hoping that Earth generates Metal (Spleen generates Lung), and simultaneously controlling Water. Phlegm is transformed from body fluids. If the Spleen and Kidney are strong, then daily food intake will generate body fluids rather than phlegm. Since phlegm is not generated, the disease naturally does not occur. A superior physician treating disease must seek its root. Normally, persist in taking pills and powders; during intervals when the disease erupts, use decoctions to search and expel. This is like petty criminals hiding inside; when they act and commit theft, it is easy to apprehend them. Combining suppression and pacification, gradually the disaster can be prevented.

In the follow-up consultation, chills and fever remained as before, and spiritual vitality was even more exhausted. After initially taking the previous prescription, slight blood in phlegm appeared, suspected to be caused by the warming and drying nature of Fu Zi (Aconite Root). After continuing to take five doses, blood was no longer expectorated, and the mouth was not thirsty. Zhong Jing said: "When the body is very hot but the patient desires to wear clothes, the heat is in the skin, and the cold is in the marrow." Moreover, Yue Ren (Bian Que) clearly taught that when Yang Wei Mai (Yang Linking Vessel) is diseased, suffering from alternating chills and fever is a sign. How could one endure such severe chills for years and months, becoming emaciated and unbearable, without applying warming tonification? What other strategy could be employed? Wang Tai Pu (Wang Bing) said: "If heating does not produce warmth, it is due to lack of Fire." Enlarge the source of Fire to eliminate Yin shadows. The purport can be understood. Although the *Nei Jing* states that various convulsions and shivering, as if losing spiritual control, all belong to Fire, and Dan Xi has cases of treatment using cooling methods, this seems inconsistent with the current case. Unfortunately, formulas from the deficiency-tonifying category such as Gui Pi Tang (Restore the Spleen Decoction), Shi Quan Da Bu Tang (Comprehensive Great Tonifying Decoction), Bu Yuan Jian (Decoction for Supplementing Origin), and Yang Ying Tang (Nourish Blood Decoction) have already been taken. Even Lu Rong (Deer Antler) and He Che Da Zao (Placenta Hominis) for treating the Extraordinary Vessels yielded no effect. It is indeed tricky. But carefully detailing the pulse and symptoms, it ultimately boils down to the dual deficiency of Yin-Yang and Essence-Qi. Zhang Jie Bin said, "Dividing Yin-Yang by Essence-Qi means Yin and Yang cannot be separated; dividing Yin-Yang by Cold-Heat means Yin and Yang cannot be confused." If ancient sages rose again, they would not change these words.