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Fever, aversion to cold, absence of sweating, and a tight pulse indicate Cold Damage (Shanghan); fever, aversion to wind, presence of sweating, and a moderate pulse indicate Wind Strike (Zhongfeng). In Wind Strike, body fluids are agitated by the wind pathogen and leak outward; although the exterior is moist, the interior is actually dry. If compounded by warm pathogens or mistakenly treated with diaphoretic herbs such as Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang) and Cinnamomi Ramulus (Guizhi), complications may arise, including dry nose, shortness of breath, red lips, dry tongue, facial flushing resembling drunkenness, and a sensation of smoke rising from the orifices. In Cold Damage, the interstices (Couli) are tightly bound by cold pathogens and cannot vent; although the exterior is dry, the interior is actually moist. Only when the condition persists and transforms into heat, causing Defensive Qi (Wei Qi) to fail in venting and scorching the Interior to consume Nutritive Yin (Ying Yin), will symptoms such as dry nose and forced breathing occur. Yu Jiayan stated: "Even minor cases of Wind Strike can present with Floating Yang (Daiyang); this is fundamentally due to chronic deficiency of True Yin. Once subjected to the薰灼 (scorching) of wind-heat, body fluids fail to ascend, resulting in forced respiration and extreme dryness!" Therefore, it is known that treating Cold Damage sometimes precludes the direct use of acrid-warm methods; conversely, treating Wind Strike absolutely requires the assistance of clearing and moistening agents.

Regarding Cold Damage and Wind Strike, excessive sweating may lead to Collapse of Yang (Wang Yang) or transmission to Yangming Internal Excess (Yangming Neishi), as previously discussed in detail by earlier scholars. Inadequate sweating may result in pruritus of the skin and a flushed face; Zhang Zhongjing provided treatments using Guizhi Er Mahuang Yi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Twice, Ephedra One Decoction) and Guizhi Mahuang Ge Ban Tang (Equal Parts of Cinnamon Twig and Ephedra Decoction). Furthermore, in individuals whose body fluids are naturally abundant, prolonged fever from Cold Damage often presents with a yellowish complexion, skin swelling, occasional pruritus, and even weeping exudate upon scratching. I have frequently imitated the methods of Guizhi Er Mahuang Yi Tang and Guizhi Mahuang Ge Ban Tang to induce sweating. The sweat stains clothing yellow; the flowing exudate resembles saliva, is sticky to the touch, and has a fishy odor. This is transformed from body fluids stagnating and steaming for a long time. If this exudate remains hot and unresolved for a long period, it will inevitably be scorched dry; or if cooling herbs are overused to clear heat, the heat subsides but the fluid coagulates, blocking the Xu Fu (sweat pores), obstructing Wei Qi circulation and Ying Qi flow, potentially leading to Blood Bi (Blood Stasis Obstruction) and Bone Steaming (Gu Zheng), thereby entering the pathway of Lao Zhai (Consumption Disease/Tuberculosis). Thus, Zhang Zhongjing used Guizhi Er Mahuang Yi Tang and Guizhi Mahuang Ge Ban Tang to assist in generating new body fluids and inducing vigorous sweating; the intent behind this is profound. Old interpretations claiming these two formulas constitute mild diaphoresis methods are incorrect.