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Diseases that can be cured rapidly must involve robust Yuan Qi (Original Qi) and unimpaired Qi, or cases of occasional exterior syndromes of the Three Yang meridians, dietary injuries, or sudden exposure to cold. Treatment requires only a few doses for recovery. As for severe conditions such as the Five Wasting-and-Thirst disorders (Wu Lao), Seven Injuries (Qi Shang), and Six Extremities (Liu Ji), if one is willing to cultivate carefully and take pure, effective medicines consistently over several years, there may be a chance for survival. Even so, some remain incurable. How could one dare to use eclectic, aggressive, and unconventional methods to attack immediate symptoms, thereby severely damaging Yuan Qi and leading to rapid deterioration? The Family Collection of Duke Wu Wending records: Chen Ruzhong once suffered from Stomach-Spleen Stagnant Fire syndrome and sought treatment from Sheng Yongmei. After palpating his pulse, Sheng said, "If treated this way, he will live; if treated that way, he will die. If treated this way, he may survive slightly longer; if treated that way, he may die quickly." Later, during treatment, Chen felt the efficacy was slow. Someone recommended a monk proficient in medicine. Chen, confused by these words, sought treatment from him. After drinking the monk's medicine, he vomited a sheng (approx. 1 liter) of blood and died. Alas! Physicians use medicine to attack disease. If the disease cannot be removed but instead leads to death, what is the purpose of medicine? That monk was entirely mediocre and arrogant; he did not understand medical classics, could not distinguish drug properties, and failed to examine pulse conditions. He ignored the patient's deficiency or excess and the newness or chronicity of the disease, relying solely on toxic drugs to attack. He likely killed many people. I blame Chen Ruzhong for his poor choice of physician, which led to his quick death. I record this specifically as a warning to those who take medicine lightly.

Physicians and patients today often obtain a good prescription or herb and believe it can treat all diseases indiscriminately, like a beggar finding a rare treasure, keeping it secret and boasting about it. They do not realize that this causes great harm. How ignorant they are! People differ in poverty, wealth, status, age, strength, and constitution. Diseases vary in duration, deficiency, and excess. Zang organs differ in Yin and Yang characteristics. Lands vary in elevation, and physical properties suit different conditions. The Yellow Emperor raised questions regarding the four directions, and Qibo demonstrated abilities in four treatments. Physicians facing illness must examine carefully. There are instances where one disease requires multiple prescriptions, but never one prescription cures multiple diseases. Luo Taiwu said, "Using ancient formulas to treat modern diseases is like dismantling an old house to build a new one; the timber is not uniform. Without the work of a skilled carpenter, can it be used?" Xu Shuwei, in *Shi Wei Lun*, stated, "I read Zhang Zhongjing's books and use his methods, yet I do not rigidly adhere to his formulas; this is truly grasping Zhang Zhongjing's intent." The saying goes, "Study formulas for three years, and there will be no sick people to treat; study medicine for three years, and there will be no fixed formulas to apply." These words are indeed profound.