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When the human body is deficient, wind pathogens invade the Ying and Wei (Ying refers to nutritive qi circulating within the vessels, while Wei refers to defensive qi circulating outside the vessels), overflow into the interstices of the skin, and combine with internal deficiency heat. Consequently, the sensation wanders throughout the body, resembling insects crawling.

When pathogenic factors lodge in the muscles, they cause muscle deficiency and the dispersion of True Qi. Additionally, cold pathogens bind the skin, causing outward emission to the Cou Li (skin texture and pores) and closing the Hao Mao (fine hairs). The excessive pathogens contend with the Wei Qi; if Yang prevails, there is heat; if Yin prevails, there is cold. Cold leads to exterior deficiency, and deficiency allows pathogenic factors to move back and forth, resulting in itching of the flesh. Generally, for conditions similar to Bi Syndrome (obstruction syndrome characterized by pain, numbness, or heaviness), heat induces itching, while cold induces pain.

When a person's Yang Qi is deficient at the exterior, they tend to sweat excessively. If one sweats and is exposed to wind, the wind pathogen contends with the muscles and combines with heat, leading to the generation of Luo Li (a condition characterized by subcutaneous nodules). These nodules resemble hemp seeds or beans; in severe cases, they gradually enlarge, and scratching them causes ulcers.

All Lei diseases (a general term for stubborn skin diseases, such as leprosy) are caused by exposure to malicious wind and violating taboos. Initially, one may feel numbness in the skin, or experience intense itching as if insects are crawling, or see objects in front of the eyes like hanging threads, or notice hidden redness turning black. These are all signs of the onset of disease. Immediate treatment is required: abstain from grains and meat, and consume only Sesame (Sesamum indicum) and Pine Resin/Armillaria (Songzhi/Pinus resin or related fungi) preparations, which is most beneficial.

Diseases often originate from wind pathogens. If treated mildly at the beginning, they will not cause harm. When initially entering the interior of the skin, one cannot perceive it. It may circulate to the four limbs, lurk in the meridians, reside in the Zang-Fu organs, manifest as alternating chills and fever, and spread across the Spleen and Kidney. It obscures the hair follicles and Cou Li, causing blockage and difficulty in circulation. This leads to the separation of Qi, Blood, Essence, and Marrow. If left untreated for a long time, it results in stubborn Bi Syndrome; or sweat fails to excrete, causing soreness and pain in the hands and feet where acupuncture feels no pain; or it manifests on the face and eyes with a tingling sensation; or in the chest and neck, feeling like insects crawling; or generalized body itching that forms sores when scratched; or swelling of the body and face with pain penetrating to the bone marrow; or hard plaques the size of coins, resembling oyster-shell lesions; or shaped like combs or hands, insensitive to needle pricks; or presenting in blue, red, yellow, or black colors, resembling rotting wood; or pain without fixed location, migrating irregularly; or resembling sour jujubes or hanging bells; or feeling bound like ropes, stiff and unable to bend or extend, with immovable limbs, swollen and tearing eyes, internal and external sores, dark yellow urine, dribbling after urination, pale complexion, mental confusion, and forgetfulness. The variations in symptoms are manifold.

If toxic worms consume the Liver, eyebrows and eyelashes fall out. If they consume the Lungs, the nasal bridge collapses, or fleshy growths appear in the nose, obstructing airflow. If they consume the Spleen, the voice becomes scattered. If they consume the Kidneys, tinnitus occurs with buzzing sounds or thunder-like noises. If they consume the sinews and vessels, limb joints degenerate. If they consume the skin and flesh, stubborn Bi Syndrome arises with insensitivity to pain and itch, or sensations like needle pricks, named Ci Feng (Puncture Wind). If worms ride the wind through the skin and flesh, it feels like insects crawling externally. Another type involves worms consuming skin and flesh, starting from the head and face to form fleshy growths the size of peach pits or small dates. Those starting from the head and face are called Shun Feng (Smooth Wind); those starting from both feet are called Ni Feng (Reverse Wind). This causes numerous sores resembling tinea or scabies, or fish scales, with alternating itch and pain, and discharge of yellow fluid. At the onset, they may resemble elm seeds or coin holes, appearing in blue, white, black, or yellow, varying不定ly, appearing and disappearing. These are all precursors of the disease.

It is also said that the origin of wind lies in the interaction of cold and heat, flowing into the five Zang organs and penetrating into the bones. Deficient wind combined with dampness generates worms, leading to illness. Regarding the causes, they often stem from overexertion, improper diet, excessive sexual activity, and open pores allowing cold and wind to enter the five Zang organs. Accumulated cold and heat interact, circulating through the meridians. Acute cases manifest immediately, while chronic cases take longer. Consuming filthy or mixed meats allows worms to breed over time. When cold and heat become extreme, worm populations increase, consuming the five Zang organs, bone marrow, skin, flesh, sinews, and joints. Eventually, these tissues disintegrate, a condition named Lai Feng (Leprosy Wind). To treat this, first administer pills containing Polyporus umbellatus (Leiyuan) to expel the worms. Upon observing the expelled worms, which may be blue, red, black, yellow, or white, appropriate herbal treatment ensures recovery.

However, Lei diseases have various names. Mu Lei (Wood Leprosy): Initially, eyebrows and eyelashes fall out, the face and eyes itch, and sores appear. After three years, it becomes a major affliction. Urgent treatment leads to cure; neglect leads to disease. Huo Lei (Fire Leprosy): Resembles burns, may sever limb joints, and causes eyebrow/eyelash loss after seven years. Urgent treatment cures; after eight years, it is difficult to treat. Jin Lei (Metal Leprosy): Considered heavenly retribution for lacking merit. Eyebrows fall out initially; after three years, the nose is consumed and the bridge collapses. Incurable, though skilled physicians may achieve some improvement. Tu Lei (Earth Leprosy): Body has lumps the size of chicken eggs. Urgent treatment is needed; after six years, it becomes a major affliction; after fifteen years, incurable. Shui Lei (Water Leprosy): Begins as edema, lingers, triggered by wind, causing eyebrow/beard loss. Without urgent treatment, it develops over a year. Xi Shuai Lei (Cricket Leprosy): Worms resembling crickets exist inside the body, causing bleeding from joint heads. Incurable after three years. Mian Lei (Face Leprosy): Worms resemble masks, body turns pale/white. Difficult to treat; fumigation may help, but incurable after many years. Yu Lei (Rain Leprosy): Mottled skin, white or red. Eyebrows/beards fall out. Treatable, but difficult after many years. Ma Lei (Hemp Leprosy): Resembles tinea with intense itching. Becomes a major affliction after ten years; urgent treatment leads to cure. Feng Lei (Wind Leprosy): Wind enters the body, causing prickly sores on limbs and cold-bi stiffness. Untreated, it becomes a major affliction after twenty years; urgent treatment is advised. Lei Disease: Causes heavy body sensation, resembling Wind Leprosy. Becomes a major affliction over time; rapid treatment leads to cure. Jiu Lei (Wine Leprosy): Caused by sleeping drunk on millet husks, sweating, and subsequent wind invasion due to deficiency, causing eyebrow/beard loss and fear. Minor treatment yields major recovery.

Health preservation taboos state: Sleeping outdoors while drunk may unfortunately lead to Leprosy.

It is also stated: Fish without gills should not be eaten. Eating them causes Leprosy to manifest in the fifth month.