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Taiyang disease presenting with body itching, and Yangming disease presenting with a sensation of insects crawling on the skin, are both due to deficiency of Ying and Wei Qi (Nutritive and Defensive Qi), with slight pathogenic factors remaining in the exterior unable to be expelled. Thus, symptoms resembling insect crawling or itching occur. In all such cases, Guizhi Mahuang Geban Tang (Cinnamon Twig and Ephedra Half-Volume Decoction) is appropriate.

When Taiyang disease persists for eight or nine days, presenting like malaria with more fever than chills, no vomiting, normal bowel movements, occurring two or three times a day, and with a slightly slow and relaxed pulse, it indicates impending recovery. If the pulse is faint and there is aversion to cold, this indicates deficiency of both Yin and Yang; sweating, purging, or emesis should not be employed. If the face appears flushed, the disease has not yet resolved because slight sweating has not occurred to expel the pathogen, leading to body itching; Guizhi Mahuang Geban Tang (Cinnamon Twig and Ephedra Half-Volume Decoction) is indicated.

Yangming disease typically involves profuse sweating; if there is no sweating and the body feels as if insects are crawling in the skin, this is due to chronic deficiency. (Guizhi Mahuang Geban Tang (Cinnamon Twig and Ephedra Half-Volume Decoction) is indicated; *Ren Shu* suggests Baizhu Fuzi Tang (Atractylodes Macrocephala and Aconite Decoction) or Huangqi Jianzhong Tang (Astragalus Middle-Jian Decoction)).

Zhao stated: The sensation of insects crawling in the skin is what the classics refer to as body itching. "Chronic deficiency" here means insufficiency of Exterior Qi and lack of Jin-Ye (Body Fluids) nourishing the skin, causing dryness of the Cou-Li (interstices) and difficulty in sweating. If one argues that deficiency requires tonification, since Yangming is affected by pathogenic factors, can pathogens be treated by tonification? Using herbs like Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata), and Huangqi (Astragali Radix), which are astringent and stop sweating, would cause Ying and Wei Qi to stagnate, preventing pathogen expulsion and generating internal heat. Moreover, this condition lacks signs of stomach deficiency such as vomiting or diarrhea, and the pathology is not in the interior but in the superficial deficiency of Qi in the skin. Harmonization is appropriate. It is better to borrow Guizhi Mahuang Geban Tang (Cinnamon Twig and Ephedra Half-Volume Decoction); if there is heat, Chaihu Guizhi Tang (Bupleurum and Cinnamon Twig Decoction) may be used. This sweet and pungent combination can harmonize Ying and Wei, circulate Jin-Ye (Body Fluids), and resolve the exterior. Whether this is correct remains to be seen.

Cheng Wuji stated: Chu Zhong (Elimination of the Middle) refers to a state where internal cold should prevent eating, yet the patient suddenly desires food. There are two patterns, both belonging to Jueyin Zang Cold. One pattern results from mistakenly administering cooling medicines like Huangqin Tang (Scutellaria Decoction), carrying a prognosis of certain death. The other involves less heat and more cold limbs; if Stomach Qi remains, recovery is likely, but one must fear sudden collapse of Yang followed by death, whereas sustained warmth indicates survival. This is not caused by medication.

In Shanghan (Cold Damage) with a slow pulse persisting for six or seven days, administering Huangqin Tang (Scutellaria Decoction) to clear heat is erroneous. A slow pulse indicates cold; using Huangqin Tang (Scutellaria Decoction) further removes residual heat, causing abdominal coldness and an inability to eat. If the patient suddenly eats, this is called Chu Zhong (Elimination of the Middle), indicating certain death. Symptoms include blurred vision, inability to speak, yet increased intake of food. Although the mouth attempts to speak, the tongue cannot move. In cases of cold limbs and diarrhea where eating is inappropriate, Chu Zhong (Elimination of the Middle) must be suspected. Offering Suobing (noodles) as a test: if fever ensues, it is Chu Zhong (Elimination of the Middle); if no fever occurs, it is not. (See detailed discussion in the Jueyin chapter).