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I suffered from long-standing Spleen and Stomach deficiency, with partial loss of vision and hearing. This is due to Yin excess encroaching upon Yang, compounded by shortness of breath and insufficient spirit. These conditions arise from the Xuan pulse (String-like pulse) indicating deficiency, and the fault of excessive talking. All are manifestations of weakened Yang Qi, unable to expand and extend, thus lying hidden within the Yin aspect. In the sixth and seventh months of the Gui-Mao year, continuous rain and excessive cold persisted for over a month. Many people at that time suffered from diarrhea and dysentery, as excessive dampness tends to form the five types of Xiexie (Diarrheal diseases). One day, I experienced heavy body weight and pain in the joints, frequent loose stools (three times), and urinary obstruction. Reflecting on the treatment method, according to the *Neijing·Biaoben Lun* (Treatise on Root and Branch): For difficulty in urination and defecation, regardless of root or branch priority, one should first promote urination and defecation. It also states: "For ailments below, guide and exhaust them," which implies promoting urination first. Furthermore: "For all diarrheal diseases, if urination is difficult, distinguish it first." And: "To treat dampness without promoting urination is not the correct method." All suggest promoting urination, necessarily using bland-flavored draining and leeching agents. This is the standard method. Alas! The methods of the Sages, though recorded in books, have unexpressed nuances that can be grasped through inference. Now, the pathogenic cold-dampness invades from the exterior to the interior, striking suddenly. If one follows the aforementioned rules and uses bland-draining agents to eliminate it, although the disease may resolve immediately, this represents "descending again and again," thereby increasing Yin and further depleting Yang Qi. Consequently, Yang Qi becomes more depleted, spirit becomes weaker, Yin becomes stronger while Yang becomes weaker; this actually assists the pathogen. Therefore, one must use ascending Wind herbs to achieve recovery: Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix), Duhuo (Angelicae Pubescentis Radix), Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), and Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), each 1 qian; Fangfenggen (Saposhnikoviae Radix), half a qian; Zhi Gancaogen (Glycyrrhizae Radix Preparata), half a qian. These are coarsely crushed, boiled in four cups of water until one cup remains, strained, and taken slightly warm. The general principle states: "When damp-cold prevails, assist with Wind herbs to pacify it." It also says: "What has sunk, lift it up; let the ascending Yang Qi carry it away." Another principle states: "Eliminate the intruder," which means correcting deviation by following its course. The Sages' methods can be inferred analogously; understanding one case reveals a hundred. Without comprehending the principles of Ascending-Descending and Floating-Sinking, applying treatments indiscriminately, recovery is merely fortunate.

In early June of the Wu-Shen year, Bai Wenju, Director of the Pivot Bureau, aged sixty-two, had a chronic history of Spleen and Stomach deficiency. His eye disorders occurred intermittently. His whole body, face, eyes, and sclera were yellowish. His urine was sometimes yellow, sometimes white. His bowel movements were irregular. He had reduced appetite, shortness of breath with qi rebellion, lethargy, propensity to sleep, and flaccidity of the four limbs. By mid-June, his eye disorder recurred. Physicians administered Xiegan San (Liver-Draining Powder) several times via purgation, causing the previous ailments to worsen. I reasoned that Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) and Qianniu (Pharbitidis Semen), although capable of clearing damp-heat, cannot travel through the meridians. Upon ingestion, they do not enter the Liver channel but first enter the Stomach. Dahuang is bitter and cold, severely weakening the Stomach; Qianniu is extremely pungent, capable of draining qi, and severely damages the Lung organ. This led to severe coughing. Because the excess at the branch level was not removed, the underlying deficiency became worse. Additionally, during the hot and rainy season, individuals predisposed to Huangzheng (Jaundice) would see exacerbation. Treatment should target the root organs of the Spleen, Stomach, and Lung, clearing damp-heat from the exterior meridians. Qing Shen Yi Qi Tang (Clear Spirit and Boost Qi Decoction) was prescribed, resulting in recovery.