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All cases of astringency, withering, drying up, dryness, and skin cracking are attributed to Dryness. (Yangming Dry Metal corresponds to the Qi mechanism of the Lung and Large Intestine.)

(Astringency)
Astringency: Objects are slippery when moist and obstructed when dry; this is because Dryness and Dampness have opposite natures. For instance, if there is an obstructive sensation throughout the body inside and out, it belongs to the transformation of Dry Metal, hence the autumn pulse is described as "astringent." Numbness may also arise from astringency; due to the scarcity of body fluids leading to dryness and obstruction, the Qi mechanism becomes stagnant and fails to flow smoothly and freely. When the Qi force strongly attacks and rushes, it manifests as numbness. For example, when a healthy person restrains their limbs, the True Qi suddenly encounters severe obstruction, becoming stagnant and blocked, failing to flow smoothly, resulting in numbness. This is similar to the phenomenon of striking an object: parts that do not wish to move belong to Yang. If one causes the Qi mechanism to move more vigorously, the numbness intensifies. Secular prescriptions for treating numbness often employ Aconitum Radix Preparata (Fuzi, 附子) and Aconitum Carmichaelii Radix (Wutou, 乌头) to make the Qi movement violent and intense, thereby exacerbating the numbness. This serves to break open pathways to achieve smooth flow; once the medicinal effect subsides, things return to normal, and when Qi flows freely, the numbness heals. However, the Six Qi do not necessarily cause disease singly; Qi can combine. If fluid loss leads to Dryness, or if numbness presents without heat signs, this method applies; if Wind-Heat overcomes Dampness to transform into Dryness, causing numbness, then it is appropriate to regulate with cooling herbs that dispel wind, clear heat, invigorate blood, nourish fluids, moisten dryness, and unblock Qi, allowing the numbness to heal naturally. The treatment of all astringent-dry conditions follows this method.

(Withering and Drying Up)
Withered refers to lack of flourishing nourishment. Dried up means absence of water/fluids. Dry means lacking moisture. Stiff/rigid means lacking flexibility. Spring and Autumn seasons are opposite, and Dryness and Dampness differ, hence the distinction. Generally, surface heat indicates Heat at the Exterior; thirst with desire to drink indicates Heat at the Interior. Body heat combined with drinking indicates Heat in both Exterior and Interior; cool body without thirst indicates no Heat in either Exterior or Interior. The Classic does not solely attribute thirst to Fire transformation because thirst is not exclusively caused by Heat. For example, in cold diseases involving vomiting and diarrhea, extreme loss of fluids can also lead to dryness and thirst; conversely, even in Wind-Heat diseases, if fluids have not yet depleted, there will be no thirst. How can one only say thirst signifies Heat and deny it signifies Cold? In fact, the pathology of dry-thirst often accompanies Heat. Thus, the I Ching states: "Among all things that dry, none is greater than Fire." Now stating that thirst belongs to Dryness completes the picture. According to general principles, a cool body without thirst indicates no Heat in Exterior or Interior, so it is not termed Cold. If one posits slight Heat in Exterior and Interior, there are indeed cases where the body is not hot and there is no thirst; is this not reasonable?

(Cracking and Peeling)
Cracking and peeling refer to skin fissures. Qian (Heaven) corresponds to Dry Metal; Kun (Earth) corresponds to Wet Earth. Heaven and Earth are opposite, and Dryness and Dampness have different functions. Therefore, Dry Metal governs contraction and tightening, which is why the autumn pulse is tight, fine, and subtle. Wet Earth governs relaxation and slowness, which is why the pulse in the sixth month is slow, large, and long. Just as wet earth relaxes and becomes slippery, while dry earth contracts and becomes rough/astringent, the principle of skin cracking is clearly visible. Secular belief holds that cracking is caused by Wind, because Wind can overcome Dampness and transform into Dryness. The Classic says: "Wherever Jueyin arrives, it manifests as Wind Mansion and as fissures/cracks." This is because Wind overcomes Dampness to create Dryness. The reason symptoms are worse in cold months and milder in hot months is that Cold causes contraction, closing the interstices (Cou Li), preventing sweating, leading to dryness, thus worsening the condition. Heat causes the skin to relax and interstices to open, allowing sweat to moisten, thus alleviating the condition. Some people soak their skin in water but still prefer cracking/peeling; this is because water/dampness attracts Wind-Cold.