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The Master said: There are diseases of Ben Tun (Rushing Pig, a condition characterized by the sensation of Qi rushing from the lower abdomen to the chest and throat), vomiting of pus, Jing Bu (fright and terror), and Huo Xie (Fire Evil, disease caused by improper fire therapy). These four types of diseases all arise from fright.

For Cold Qi Jue Ni (Cold pathogen causing reversal coldness of the limbs), Chi Wan (Red Pill) is the primary treatment.

When Xin Zhong Feng (Wind pathogen affecting the Heart) occurs, there is Xi Xi Fa Re (mild feverish heat), inability to rise, a sensation of hunger in the heart region, and vomiting immediately after eating.

For cases attributed to Huo Xie (Fire Evil), Guizhi Qu Shaoyao Jia Shuqi Muli Longgu Jiuni Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction without Paeonia, plus Pinellia Aril, Oyster Shell, and Dragon Bone for Rescue from Reversal) is the primary treatment.

For Xin Xia Ji (palpitations in the epigastrium), Banxia Mahuang Wan (Pinellia and Ephedra Pill) is the primary treatment.

For Ke Ni Yi Xi Bu De Wo (cough with inverted breathing, leaning on support to breathe, unable to lie flat), Xiao Qinglong Tang (Minor Blue Dragon Decoction) is the primary treatment. After administering Xiao Qinglong Tang, if there is excessive salivation, dry mouth, deep pulse at the Cun position, faint pulse at the Chi position, cold hands and feet, Qi rushing from the lower abdomen to the chest and throat, numbness in the extremities, facial flushing resembling drunkenness, followed by heat flowing down to the inner thighs, difficult urination, and occasional dizziness, give Fuling Guizhi Wuweigancao Tang (Poria, Cinnamon Twig, Schisandra, and Licorice Decoction) to treat the Qi rushing. Once the Qi rushing subsides, but cough and chest fullness recur, use Linggui Wumei Gancao Tang (Poria, Cinnamon Twig, Schisandra, and Licorice Decoction), remove Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig), add Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) and Xixin (Asarum), to treat the cough and fullness. When the cough and fullness cease, but thirst recurs and the Qi rushing reappears, it is because Xixin and Ganjiang are hot herbs; taking them should cause thirst. If the thirst stops after drinking water, this indicates Zhi Yin (Branch Fluids, fluid retention in the chest/lungs). Patients with Zhi Yin typically experience dizziness; those who are dizzy must vomit. For those who vomit, add Banxia (Pinellia) to eliminate the fluid. When the fluid is eliminated and vomiting stops, if the patient's body becomes swollen, add Renmi (Apricot Seed) as the primary treatment. Although this condition should theoretically include Mahuang (Ephedra), it is not added because the patient already has numbness; if forced against this principle, it will definitely cause Jue (reversal coldness). This is because the patient has Blood deficiency, and Mahuang disperses Yang Qi. If the face is hot like drunkenness, this is Stomach Heat rushing upward to flush the face; add Dahuang (Rhubarb) to promote purgation.

The Cun Kou (Radial artery at the wrist) pulse is Floating and Slow. Floating indicates Heat; Slow indicates Submergence. The interaction of Heat and Submergence is called Chen (Deep). The Fu Yang pulse is Floating and Rapid. Floating indicates Heat; Rapid indicates Restraint/Stopping. The interaction of Heat and Restraint is called Fu (Hidden). The interaction of Chen (Deep) and Fu (Hidden) is called Shui (Water). Deep pulse implies emptiness of the collateral vessels; Hidden pulse implies difficulty in urination. The interaction of Emptiness and Difficulty causes Water to flow into the skin, resulting in Edema.

The Cun Kou pulse is Wiry and Tight. Wiry implies that Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) does not move freely, leading to aversion to cold. Water fails to flow normally and moves into the intestines.

Question: A patient suffers from Water disease, with swelling of the face, eyes, body, and limbs, and difficulty in urination. Upon palpating the pulse, the patient does not mention Water disease but instead complains of pain in the chest, Qi rushing up to the throat, a sensation as if a piece of roasted meat is stuck there, and likely mild coughing and wheezing. If this matches what the Master said, what kind of pulse would it be? The Master said: The Cun Kou pulse is Deep and Tight. Deep indicates Water; Tight indicates Cold. The interaction of Deep and Tight knots at the Guan Yuan point. Initially, it is slight, and youthfulness masks it. After Yang Qi declines, Ying and Wei (Nutritive and Defensive Qi) interfere with each other. Yang is damaged, Yin becomes excessive. The knotted Cold stirs slightly, Kidney Qi rushes upward, causing throat blockage and tightness, and acute pain under the ribs. Physicians mistook this for Liu Yin (Retained Fluids) and used strong purgatives. The Qi strike remained, and the disease was not cured. Later, heavy emetics were used, causing stomach deficiency and irritability, dry throat desire for water, difficulty in urination, indigestion of food and drink, and edema of the face, eyes, and limbs. Then Tingli Wan (Descurainia Seed Pill) was given to drain water. At that time, there was slight improvement, but overeating caused the swelling to return as before, with bitter pain in the chest and hypochondrium, resembling Ben Tun (Rushing Pig). The overflowing water leads to floating edema, cough, wheezing, and rebellious Qi. One must first attack the rebellious Qi to stop it, then treat the cough. When the cough stops, the wheezing heals itself. Treat the new disease first; the old disease should be addressed later.

In Huang Han (Yellow Sweat) disease, the calves are naturally cold. If they feel hot, this belongs to Li Jie (Migratory Joint Pain). Sweating after eating, and night sweats while lying down in the evening, belong to Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi) disorders. If sweating is followed by fever, the body will eventually develop Jia Cuo (crisscross scales, rough skin). If fever persists, malignant sores will surely develop. If the body feels heavy, and lightens after sweating, prolonged illness will lead to body soreness and chest pain. Sweating will occur above the waist, but not below. The loins and hips will feel loose and painful, as if something is trapped in the skin. In severe cases, there is inability to eat, body pain and heaviness, irritability, and difficulty in urination. This is Huang Han (Yellow Sweat), treated primarily with Guizhi Jia Huangqi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction plus Astragalus).