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White Cardamom Powder. Second consultation: The previous discussion suggested that the patient's constitution was too weak to tolerate tonification, all due to latent pathogens from summer lingering in the Qi level. The Lung governs the Qi of the whole body; since Qi is obstructed, its clear and descending function cannot operate normally, causing the meridians to fail to flow smoothly, and the Sanjiao (Triple Burner) is entirely obscured by it. The previous failure of purging methods can be attributed to the fact that Damp-Heat is received through inhalation, which differs from Wind-Cold common cold; it is misty and pervasive in the void, gathering to cause disaster. Therefore, we select bland, tasteless, and light-aroma herbs to only unblock the Upper Jiao, without disturbing the Middle and Lower Jiao, so as not to injure the emptiness, allowing the latent Qi to be expelled, slightly assisting with acrid-aromatic substances—not for dryness, but imitating the meaning of dispelling filth: Frost-treated Mulberry Leaf (Sangye), Fresh Loquat Leaf (Pipaye), Poria (Fuling), White Cardamom Seed (Kouren), Coix Seed (Yiren), Reed Rhizome (Lugen). This is the treatment method for mild cases of Damp-Warmth invading the Lung.

Another Case: Treatment Verification by Mr. Wang Mengying of the Qing Dynasty

Huang Chunguang, aged seventy-eight, suffered from Damp-Warmth for over ten days. His pulse showed intermittent pauses (Dai pulse), and hiccups persisted day after day, causing other physicians to shrink back in fear upon seeing him. Mr. Mengying diagnosed: Although the pulse has pauses, it is wiry, forceful, and rooted, indicating strong congenital endowment. Although he is of advanced age, this still presents as an Excess pattern. Considering the deep-seated disease with hoarseness and hiccups, originally not a minor issue, and given the obstruction of urination and defecation, greasy grey tongue coating, it seems the Fu organs' Qi is not unblocked, and Phlegm-Damp-Heat is blocking the pathway of Qi transformation and circulation. Clearing, dispersing, and spreading may still achieve a cure. He Xin-zhi agreed with his reasoning. Thus, he prescribed Inula Flower (Xuanfuhua), Light Bamboo Shavings (Danzhuru), Scorched Gardenia (Jiaoshanzhi), Sichuan Chinaberry Fruit (Chuanlianzi), Loquat Leaf (Pipaye), Apricot Kernel (Guangxingren), Evodia Fruit (Wuzhuyu), Small Coptis Rhizome (Xiaochuanlian), Aster Root (Ziwan), Trichosanthes Fruit (Louren), Aged Jellyfish (Chenhaidie), and Large Water Chestnut (Dadili) as the formula, decocting one tael of Common Reed Stem Pian Tong Cao to boil the herbs. After taking the first dose, symptoms immediately decreased. After several doses, he vomited large amounts of sticky phlegm, had multiple bowel movements, and was able to consume congee. However, coughing and rebellious Qi occurred upon movement, gradually revealing signs of Lower Jiao deficiency. He was given American Ginseng (Xiyangshen), Turtle Shell (Guiban), Oyster Shell (Muli), Cistanche Stem (Rongrong), Dendrobium Stem (Shihu), Achyranthes Root (Niuxi), Cordyceps (Dongchongxiacao), Quartz (Shiying), Poria (Fuling), and Angelica Sinensis Root (Danggui), after which various ailments gradually stabilized. Subsequently, adding Amomum Fruit (Sharen) and Prepared Rehmannia Root (Shudi) led to recovery.

Mr. Wu, brother-in-law of Weng Jiashun's wife, experienced fever and yellowing of the body after labor injury, believing himself to have exhausted his strength.

Mr. Mengying observed a soft and rapid pulse, identifying this as a severe case of Damp-Warmth, hence the jaundice appeared at the onset. Urgent clearing and resolving measures were taken. Stools gradually became loose, urine very red, indicating Damp-Heat was draining downward, and heat subsided. Living in Maojiabu, he was stingy with carriage fares and abruptly stopped medication. Seven or eight days later, fever recurred, accompanied by delirium, coma, deafness, convulsions, and urinary incontinence. He again requested Mr. Mengying's consultation. This indicated Damp-Heat pathogenic factors disturbing the Ying (Nutritive) level. He administered Scrophularia Root (Yuanshen), Rhinoceros Horn (Xijiao - *note: substitute with Buffalo Horn in modern practice*), Acorus Rhizome (Changpu), Forsythia Fruit (Lianqiao), Bamboo Shavings (Zhuru), Bamboo Leaves (Zhuye), Honeysuckle Flower (Yinhua), and Gypsum (Shigao), employing the method of venting the Wei level and clearing the Ying level, assisted by Calculus Bovis Pills (Niuhuang Wan) and Purple Snow Pellet (Zixue Dan), resulting in recovery. The skin on the buttocks had collapsed; urgently applying gold-beaten sheepskin prevented ulceration, leading to healing.

Another Case: Treatment Verification by Mr. Zhou Xueqiao of the Qing Dynasty

In July last year, my wife contracted Damp-Warmth. Initially, I did not pay much attention to it, but she was naturally unwilling to take medicine, and I acquiesced. By the fifth or sixth day, her condition suddenly worsened. Symptoms included aversion to cold and fever, with temperature reaching 103°F, headache, chest oppression, severe thirst unable to drink, no food intake for several days, no bowel movement, white greasy tongue coating thick like powder, complete loss of taste even when offered food, foul breath detectable from several feet away, confused mental state, incoherent speech, presenting a critical danger. I self-formulated Huazhuo Tang (Damp-Turbidity Resolving Decoction), using Magnolia Bark (Nongpu) as the sovereign herb, assisted by Patchouli Herb (Huoxiang), Scutellaria Root (Huangqin), Peucedanum Root (Qianhu), Tangerine Peel (Fupi), Eupatorium Leaf (Peilan), Bitter Orange (Zhike), Fermented Soybean (Xiangchi), and Gardenia Seed (Zhiren), and added Yushu Dan to descend rebellious Qi. After one dose, fever completely subsided, and mental clarity returned. However, the greasy tongue coating remained, bowels were still blocked, and eating was impossible. Therefore, mild laxatives were used to open the bowels, combined with Pingwei San method for regulation. After five or six days, taste returned to food, and after another two or three days, she could get up.

Mr. Zhu Yanan's second son, Da Zai, along with his brother and sister-in-law, went to Shanghai for studies last autumn. They caught a cold on the journey and suffered from irregular diet. Upon arriving at their lodging, they contracted Damp-Warmth, presenting with dizziness, fever, chest oppression, nausea, and vomiting copious phlegm-fluid. Initially treated with Phlegm-Fluid Draining agents, heat intensified to around 104°F, whole-body paralysis occurred, foul breath emitted, tongue coating greasy like powder, and consciousness was clouded. His brother was extremely anxious. I continued using Huazhuo Tang but heavily increased Perilla Stem (Sugeng). After one dose, profuse sweating occurred thoroughly, fever completely subsided, and consciousness cleared. However, bowels had been unopen for six or seven days, and foul breath/tongue coating persisted. Using the previous formula with modifications, adding Processed Rhubarb (Zhi Dahuang) 3 qian to purge. No response after one dose; increased Processed Rhubarb by 2 qian. After two more doses, bowel movement occurred, foul odor instantly disappeared, and food intake gradually resumed. I stated: The pathogen is gone; simply regulate diet for spontaneous recovery, no need for further medication.

Early April this year, Mr. Wang Yuanruo, a fellow townsman and Hanlin Academician, whose second son Lianqing was four years old, also contracted Damp-Warmth. Unable to verbalize his suffering, he suffered frequent convulsions. Once, the convulsive episode lasted about an hour; family members thought he was dead and cried, but fortunately he revived. He suffered insomnia for several nights. Inviting me to treat, I saw pale complexion, head retracted backward, mental fatigue, gurgling sound in throat, slippery-rapid pulse, knowing there was excessive phlegm. Palpating the abdomen revealed fullness yet softness. I said: Not eating for days should not present this way; likely there is Food Stagnation. Measuring axillary temperature with a watch yielded 102°F, stating oral temperature must be around 103°F. Sweat was extremely sticky, crying without tears, thirsty and desiring drink, but covering oneself during sleep without removing covers spontaneously, indicating exterior pathogen. Frequent hand-touching of head indicated headache/distension. Foul breath detectable within a few steps. Knowing this was also a Huazhuo Tang syndrome, I prescribed this formula but changed Perilla Stem to Perilla Seed (Su Zi), using Yushu Dan 4 fen. Before medication, convulsions persisted, requiring massage therapy to stop. Minutes after taking medicine, he suddenly vomited two large masses of sticky phlegm, lasting about an hour, viscous and clotted. Several hours later, one bowel movement occurred, extremely foul, abundant, black color. That night he slept peacefully. Next day's follow-up showed fever subsided, spirit clear, disease completely resolved. Treating with methods to search out residual pathogens, I said: After one dose, no more medication needed. The next day, he walked normally.

Lianchen notes: Damp-Heat and Damp-Warmth appear similar but are actually different. Damp-Heat involves receiving Dampness first, then transforming into Heat, with gradual onset; Damp-Warmth involves latent Warmth first, then receiving Dampness, with sudden onset. Damp-Heat is mild, while Damp-Warmth is severe. At the onset, it is crucial to distinguish severity. If Dampness outweighs Warmth, use Wu Shi San Ren Tang (Dr. Wu's Three Seeds Decoction) and Zhou Shi Huazhuo Tang (Mr. Zhou's Turbid-Damp Resolving Decoction) as main formulas. As Mr. Xueqiao stated: Damp-Warmth diseases often reside in the intestines and stomach; when tongue coating is slippery, white, thick, and greasy, heavily use Magnolia Bark (Chuanpu) as sovereign; if foul breath exists, Yushu Dan is also a key drug. This view is correct. If Warmth outweighs Dampness, use Modified Huopo Xialing Tang (Modified Pogostemon-Atractylodes-Pinellia-Coix Decoction) and Qingfang Touxie Tang (Clear-Aromatic Expel-Pathogen Decoction) as main formulas. If Dampness and Warmth are equal, use Xin Ding Dayin Yin (Newly Formulated Dayin Decoction), Zhishi Zhichi He Xiaoxianxiong Tang (Bitter Orange-Gardenia Combined with Small Chest-Hiding Decoction) with modifications, or Huoxiang Zuojin Tang (Patchoueli Supporting Metal Decoction) is also good. These are methods for treating early-stage Damp-Warmth. Other varied syndromes are numerous; methods in the treatise are complete; apply according to symptoms. Although selected cases are few, they broadly cover essentials, sufficient to guide future learners.

Additional Note: In "Discussion on Wonderful Uses of Verified Prescriptions," 184 new formulas were added, totaling 511 formulas above.