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The symptom of excessive thirst (Dake) has true and false manifestations. In true thirst, the patient drinks up to one *dou* (a unit of volume) yet remains unquenched; the tongue feels like it is covered with thorns, the eyes are red as fire, and sparks seem to emanate from the throat. This indicates true heat (Zhen Re). Thirst caused by extreme heat is indeed true thirst. For such cases, if a large dose of Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction), containing Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum) and Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma), is not decocted and administered, recovery is impossible. Patients presenting these symptoms will naturally know how to medicate themselves; there is no need for me to elaborate excessively.

Even in cases of false thirst, the patient may drink incessantly, but the stool is not dry or solid. Although white coating appears in the mouth, there is no sensation of thorns. Although heat is felt in the chest, the eyes show no redness or swelling. The patient experiences frequent irritability, and drinking hot water is acceptable. The pulse is surging (Hongda) at the upper position but faint and nearly imperceptible (Weixi Jue) at the lower position. There is sweat on the upper body, while the lower body is cold and anhidrotic. These are all signs of false thirst. I have formulated a prescription suitable for this condition, named Ganlu Yin (Sweet Dew Decoction). After one dose, thirst is halved; after two doses, thirst ceases. Subsequently, Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia) is modified with Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix), Wuweizi (Schisandrae Fructus), and Rougui (Cinnamomi Cortex), processed into pills. One qian (approx. 3-5g) is swallowed twice daily, morning and evening. After three months of administration, recurrence does not happen. This prescription seems miraculous but is actually ordinary. Excessive thirst often involves Kidney deficiency accompanied by boiling Stomach fire. The Stomach serves as the gate for the Kidney; if the gate is not closed, Kidney fire rises with Stomach fire, creating a prairie-fire momentum that can only be extinguished by water. Thus, water is required to quench thirst. How can a cup of water stop such a blaze? Therefore, excessive thirst requires large-dose prescriptions, akin to heavy rain soaking the mountains and fields, to extinguish all remaining embers.

**Ganlu Yin**: Xuanshen (Scrophulariae Radix, 4 liang), Shudi (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata, 4 liang), Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix, 4 liang), Shanzhuyu (Corni Fructus, 4 liang), Shengdi (Rehmanniae Radix, 4 liang), Rougui (Cinnamomi Cortex, 5 qian), Bei Wuwei (Schisandrae Fructus, 1 liang), Niuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix, 4 liang), Cheqianzi (Plantaginis Semen, 2 liang). Decoct in water and take orally.

Regarding Hu Shan (Fox Hernia), do people know its true and false distinctions? Hernias generally do not have true/false distinctions, but Fox Hernia uniquely does. If hernia ascends during the day and descends at night, it is undoubtedly Fox Hernia. However, treatments for Fox Hernia yield varying results—some effective, some not. The reason lies in failing to distinguish between true and false forms. What constitutes the true form? It disappears during the day and descends at night, rising high and erect. Since foxes are combative by nature, and this disease resembles a fox, its Yang energy also mimics the fox. Ancient naming based on analogy was not arbitrary. For true Fox Hernia, I use a prescription called Zhu Hu Tang (Fox-Chasing Decoction), which cures the disease completely in one dose—a miraculous formula. It uses Shashen (Glehniae Radix) to nourish Yin and Du Ruo (Polygalae Tenuifoliae Radix) to dispel pathogens, securing victory. Other ingredients aim to resolve phlegm and purge turbidity. Rougui guides the medicine into the Bladder channel, striking the core directly, ensuring rapid efficacy. This is how true Fox Hernia is treated.

What about the false form? It also disappears by day and descends by night, but remains low throughout the night, or rises only to become flaccid immediately. Pain worsens with cold. Over years, it may cause numbness in the limb. When retracted during the day, there is no pain. This is false Fox Hernia. I also have a highly effective prescription: lightened in one dose, further improved in two, and cured in three. This prescription benefits the waist and umbilicus while dispelling pathogens and resolving phlegm. It cures hernia without specifically targeting "fox" characteristics. By distinguishing these types, what hernia cannot be cured?

**Zhu Hu Tang**: Shashen (Glehniae Radix, 1 liang), Juhe (Citri Reticulatae Viride Fructus, 3 qian), Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, 1 qian), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, 1 qian), Binglang (Arecae Semen, 1 qian), Tianhuafen (Trichosanthis Radix, 3 qian), Rougui (Cinnamomi Cortex, 5 fen), Ye Dueruo Hua Gen (Radix et Rhizoma Polygalae Tenuifoliae Wild, 5 qian; use 2 liang fresh, crushed). Decoct in water and take orally.

**Subsequent Formula**: Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, 1 liang), Rougui (Cinnamomi Cortex, 3 qian), Baijiezi (Sinapis Semen, 5 qian), Juhe (Citri Reticulatae Viride Fructus, 2 qian), Xiaohuixiang (Foeniculi Fructus, 2 qian), Zhiqiao (Aurantii Fructus, 1 qian), Fuling (Poria, 3 qian), Ye Dueruo Hua Gen (Radix et Rhizoma Polygalae Tenuifoliae Wild Fresh, 1 liang). Decoct in water and take orally.