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1. Differentiating by Odor: The pathogenic factor of Wind-Cold enters inward from the exterior with a contracting nature. Typically, there is no steaming vapor emanating from the patient that can be sensed by others; if such vapor exists, it usually appears only after several days when the disease has transferred to the Yangming Fu-organ syndrome (a stage characterized by heat accumulation in the intestines/stomach). In contrast, for Warm-Heat diseases and Damp-Warmth diseases, the pathogenic qi steams outward from the interior. Consequently, a steaming vapor is immediately perceptible. Mild cases may fill the bed curtains, while severe cases may make the entire room steamy. This occurs because the Zang-Fu organs, Qi, Blood, and Body Fluids of the human body contract inward when exposed to Cold, but flare upward when exposed to Fire. Warm-Heat belongs to the category of Fire; upon infection, it naturally steams from the Zang-Fu organs out to the muscle surface. When Qi, Blood, and Body Fluids are scorched by heat, they deteriorate and overflow. The degree of overflow varies, as does the extent of its reach. Only those with a keen sense of smell can distinguish this; once clearly differentiated, treatment will not be confused. Knowing it is Warm-Heat rather than Cold Damage (Shanghan), one must not mistakenly use Acrid-Warm dispersing methods for exterior symptoms like headache and fever; nor should one hesitate to apply Clearing or Purging methods for interior symptoms requiring them.

2. Differentiating by Complexion: Wind-Cold has a contracting nature, leading to condensation; thus, the complexion tends to be tight, shiny, and clean. Warm-Heat has a steaming and dissipating nature, leading to laxity; thus, the complexion tends to be loose, slow, and dull or dirty. When affected by steaming heat, Body Fluids overflow upward to the face, causing turbidity around the head and eyes. It may appear oily or soot-like, looking repulsive; these are all complexions indicative of Warm-Heat. Upon seeing such a complexion, even if accompanied by headache and fever, Acrid-Warm dispersing methods must not be used. Upon seeing interior symptoms such as yellow tongue coating, irritability, and thirst, purgation should be employed immediately, without being bound by the saying that "purgation should not be applied too early."

3. Differentiating by Tongue Appearance: When Wind-Cold is at the exterior level, the tongue typically lacks coating; if a white coating is present, it is thin and slippery. As it gradually transfers to the interior, the coating changes from white to yellow, then becomes dry and eventually black. In Warm-Heat diseases, upon the appearance of headache and fever, a white coating appears on the tongue immediately. This coating is thick and not slippery; it may have a pale yellow tint, be coarse like accumulated powder, display two or three colors simultaneously, or be dry despite being white. There are also cases where the coating turns black but remains non-dry; this is due to the concurrent presence of Dampness and Phlegm. However, upon palpation, the coating feels coarse and rough, or may have red papillae (cinnabar dots) or fissures. One must not mistake this for Interior Cold Yin-Condensation. A practitioner treating Warm-Heat should differentiate during the exterior phase, avoiding Acrid-Warm dispersing methods; upon identifying interior symptoms, they should immediately apply Cooling and Purgative methods. This approach is correct.

4. Differentiating by Spirit/Mental State: When invaded by Wind-Cold, the patient remains mentally clear about their suffering, such as knowing they have a headache or chills/fever. Even when the disease transfers to the interior and stomach, manifesting as mental confusion or delirious speech, the fundamental nature of Wind-Cold pathology maintains clear spirit amidst potential clouding. In contrast, Warm-Heat disease causes abnormal mental state and lack of awareness of specific discomfort right from the onset. Irritability is common, and in severe cases, the patient may appear dazed or intoxicated, exhibiting agitation, panic, and palpitations. When asked about their discomfort, they often do not know. Even if some patients retain clarity and self-awareness, they frequently suffer from restless sleep and visual hallucinations with closed eyes, which are the roots of delirious speech. This may result from failing to apply Cooling and dispersing methods promptly at the beginning, allowing the condition to drag on.

5. Differentiating by Pulse: The pulse of Warm-Heat disease resembles that of Wind-Cold after transmission, but differs significantly at the onset. Wind-Cold enters via the skin and hair; within one to two days, the pulse is mostly Floating, possibly combined with Tight, Slow, or Surging qualities, invariably Floating. It ceases to be Floating only after transferring to the interior, yet its rate remains distinct and clear. Warm-Heat emerges from the Middle Jiao; within one to two days, the pulse is mostly Deep. Only when moving from interior to exterior does the pulse cease to be Deep and become Rapid, possibly combined with Wiry or Large qualities, but generally not Floating. Its rate is vague and indistinct. If the pulse is Deep and Slow at the onset, do not mistake it for a Yin Syndrome. Deep indicates pathogen in the interior; Slow indicates pathogen in the Zang organs. Although the pulse quality mimics Yin-Cold, the complexion, tongue coating, and mental state will differ according to the previous differentiation methods. If the pulse is Rapid but forceless, do not treat it as Deficiency. Because the Heat steams and dissipates, the pulse naturally fails to press forcefully against the fingers. One should resolve the Heat rather than tonify Qi. Since the etiology differs, identical pulses may yield different diagnoses.