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The symptoms of Shanghan (Cold Damage) differ from Chunwen (Spring Warmth) and Xiare (Summer Heat). In warm-heat diseases, headache and fever are invariably accompanied by aversion to cold and thirst. If it is Shanghan, the presentation is different. The pathogen enters from the exterior into the interior. At the onset, the pathogen is in the Taiyang Bladder Meridian, presenting with headache, aversion to cold, fever, and a floating pulse. Jiawei Xiangsu San (Modified Elsholtzia and Cyperus Powder), Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction), Mahuang Tang (Ephedra Decoction), or Chaige Jieji Tang (Bupleurum and Pueraria Muscle-Releasing Decoction) are indicated. Subsequently, it transmits to the Yangming Stomach Meridian, presenting with eye pain, dry nose, cracked lips without thirst. Gegen Tang (Kudzu Root Decoction) is indicated. Further transmission to the Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian presents with vertigo, deafness, chest fullness, hypochondriac pain, bitter taste, alternating chills and fever, sweating on the head, and a wiry pulse. Xiaochaihu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) is indicated. These are the exterior syndromes of the three Yang meridians' transmission. If untreated, it will transmit to the three Yin meridians. Transmission to the Taiyin Spleen Meridian presents with abdominal fullness and pain, diarrhea, and a deep pulse. Daxiehu Tang (Major Bupleurum Decoction) is indicated. Transmission to the Shaoyin Kidney Meridian presents with dry mouth and throat, purgation of clear water, and blurred vision; this is critical. Xiao Chengqi Tang (Minor Order the Qi Decoction) and Da Chengqi Tang (Major Order the Qi Decoction) are indicated. Regarding transmission to the Jueyin Liver Meridian, symptoms include lower abdominal fullness, curled tongue, retracted scrotum, and cold extremities. Da Chengqi Tang is used. Some may survive, while others do not transmit to the three Yin but instead transmit back to the Taiyang Bladder Meridian, presenting with thirst and red urine. Wuling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria) is indicated. Transmission to the Yangming Stomach Fu-organ presents with delirium, mania, dry thirst, constipation, passing flatus, spontaneous sweating, and insomnia. Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction) and Tiaowei Chengqi Tang (Regulate the Stomach Order the Qi Decoction) are indicated. The above constitutes transmitted Shanghan, resulting from cold transforming into fire.

In cases where the initial cold pathogen directly strikes the three Yin meridians, symptoms include cold abdominal pain, vomiting of clear froth, diarrhea of undigested food, curling up in bed, cold limbs, retracted scrotum, vomiting of roundworms, a black and moist tongue coating, and a deep, fine pulse. This is a Cold Syndrome. For direct strike to the Taiyin Spleen, Lizhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction) is used. For direct strike to the Shaoyin Kidney, Sini Tang (Frigid Extremities Decoction) is used. For direct strike to the Jueyin Liver, Baitong Zhu Danzhi Tang (Akebia Decoction with Pig Bile) is used. Urgent administration is required without delay. This is the most critical syndrome in medicine, hence it is discussed specifically.

Xu Lao (Deficiency Consumption) is a major syndrome. It is indeed caused by the depletion of True Yin and deficiency fire consuming Lung Metal. However, its onset is largely due to external contraction. When the pathogen affects the Lung, coughing ensues. If treatment is inappropriate, the cough persists. Chronic cough damages Lung Metal; damaged Lung Metal fails to generate Kidney Water, causing Kidney Water to wither daily and Kidney Fire to blaze fiercely, scorching the Lung upwards. Coupled with indulgence in sexual desire and repeated exposure to external pathogens, exhausting the Water essence, Xu Lao is formed. Occasionally, due to congenital insufficiency and excessive mental exertion, Heart Blood is depleted, Heart Fire becomes hyperactive, Kidney Water dries up, and Lung Metal withers. Although the etiology differs, the result is the same: Xu Lao. Such syndromes often involve hemoptysis, phlegm surging, fever, nocturnal emission, amenorrhea, as well as Fei Wei (Lung Flaccidity), Fei Ju (Lung Abscess), sore throat with hoarseness, lateral recumbency, and infectious wasting diseases like Chuanshun Guizhu. The key lies in abandoning all distractions, abstaining from women, regulating diet, guarding against wind and cold, calming anger, and resting quietly for two or three years. Medication may be taken or not; naturally, vital energy will gradually recover, restoring harmony with Heaven. This cannot be achieved overnight. Since there is a disease, there must be a treatment. Prescriptions are listed for selection, but ultimately success depends on the patient's self-care.

For early-stage cough, Zhisou San (Stop Cough Powder) with Su Geng (Perilla Stem) is used to disperse. If it persists and transforms into deficiency heat, Tuan Yu Wan (Softshell Turtle Pill) is added. If the pathology deepens, Yuehua Wan (Moonlight Pill) is added. For hemoptysis, Six Raw Pills (Sisheng Wan) are used first, followed by Sheng Dihuang Tang (Rehmannia Decoction) or Xiaoyao San (Free and Easy Wanderer Powder). For Yuan Qi (Original Qi) deficiency, Wuwei Yigong San (Five-Ingredient Efficacious Academy Powder) is used. For Qi and Blood deficiency with fever, Bazhen Tang (Eight-Treasure Decoction) or Renshen Yangrong Tang (Ginseng Nourishing Vigor Decoction) are suitable. For sore throat, Baiyao Jian San (Hundred-Medicine Infusion Powder) is used. For hoarseness, Tongyin Jian (Voice-Unblocking Infusion) is used. For seminal emission, Mijing Wan (Secret Essence Pill) is used. For amenorrhea, Zelan Tang (Agastache Decoction) is used. For damage to the five Zang organs, Butian Dazao Wan (Heaven-Replenishing Great Creation Pill) is used. The principles of medication are no more than this. Only one or two out of ten patients survive; those who survive do so through self-care, not merely through medicinal power.