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[Editor Rongzhai's Note] The original text of this chapter only contained methods for post-illness conditioning, without mentioning care and protection during the illness. This is a disconnect in compilation and narration, and a deficiency in factual aspects.

It must be understood that disease management and nursing care are a crucial key link in the medical process. Whether the efficacy of medicine and treatment is significant is closely related to whether the nursing care is reasonable. There are quite a few examples recorded in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) literature where accidents occurred due to neglect of nursing care. For instance, *Lenglu Yihua* records: The son of Mr. Wang from Xiushui suffered from fever and cough. Due to failing to avoid wind-cold and dietary taboos, the rash failed to erupt fully, leading to chest tightness, wheezing, and death. This is a factual case. On the other hand, for example, when suffering from cold-induced fever and taking diaphoretic agents, if the patient's family fails to provide proper care, or if too many blankets are used, causing profuse sweating after medication, the condition may反而 worsen with higher fever; or if, after taking medication, one still consumes meat and greasy foods, the heat cannot subside. At this time, the patient's family may still think it is due to the doctor's inaccurate syndrome differentiation and inappropriate medication, not realizing that the crux lies in the patient's family's neglect of nursing care.

The TCM theory of nursing was highly emphasized during the time of Zhang Zhongjing. For example, the "regimen" (Yangxi, adjusting rest and diet) and "taboos" after taking Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction), frequently paying attention to pathological and pharmacological responses after medication, already laid the foundation for nursing science. Later medical books did not value this method, considering it an attachment to the medical task, merely listing it under texts like "Preserving Life" and "Being Cautious About Illness," lacking systematic narration. Now, I have excerpted three texts on nursing methods by modern scholars, selecting those that are easy to understand, avoiding profound theories, and attaching several items from Western nursing science, to complement each other's strengths and facilitate mutual reference and verification.

(A) Mao Tuizhi proposed four points: (1) Air should be ventilated—ventilation should occur two to three times a day and night, but patients should not feel cold during ventilation. In spring and autumn, clothes and blankets should be used carefully for protection; in winter, fire should be kept in the stove to assist warmth. Clothes and bedding should be washed and sunned regularly to keep them clean. The patient's body should be wiped with warm water towels from time to time to facilitate skin respiration. (2) Patient's room—should be tidy, clean, and quiet, strictly avoiding clutter, filth, or noise. (3) Balanced body temperature should be maintained—the patient's hands and feet are most prone to coldness, leading to temperature imbalance with other parts, thereby hindering blood circulation. (4) Food intake should adjust appetite appropriately—the patient's food intake will inevitably be less than usual. If food unsuitable for the stomach is consumed, appetite will decrease while the illness worsens. Although the patient's digestive power is necessarily weak, nutritional intake should not be restricted indefinitely. (Excerpted from *Zhong Xi Yi Hua*, Vol. 2)

(B) Gu Shiyu discussed three aspects: (1) Diet—1. A vegetarian diet is suitable during illness, especially for exogenous diseases. 2. If the patient does not want to eat certain foods, do not force them. 3. When the patient's stomach feels sluggish and lacks appetite, fasting for one day or half a day can be considered. 4. Digestive power is weak during illness; meals should be small and easily digestible. 5. If diarrhea occurs due to excessive consumption of greasy or meaty foods, stop eating immediately. 6. Even if taste is poor during illness, do not consume inappropriate items. 7. Food quantity per meal should be small; if insufficient, increase frequency instead. 8. Porridge is the most suitable food during illness. (2) Temperature regulation—1. Patients' clothes and bedding should be moderately warm or cool, light, soft, and comfortable. 2. Clothes and bedding should suit the season. 3. The patient's room should maintain an appropriate temperature (16–20°C); both extremes are unsuitable. (3) Mental state—1. Patients should strive for mental peace. 2. Caregivers should comfort patients with kind words, carefully observe the condition, and inform the doctor for reference. 3. When patients are irritable, caregivers can tell interesting stories or jokes to reduce mental suffering. 4. No noisy voices in the patient's room to avoid unnecessary distress. 5. Family trivialities should not be told to patients to avoid mental stimulation. (From the first issue of Yun Tieqiao Medical Monthly)

(C) Chen Zuguang on regimen during diaphoresis (sweating therapy)—The goal of inducing sweat has specific standards. Excessive loss of sweat leads to muscle twitching (Jingtirourun), Yang collapse, fluid depletion, difficulty in urination, and dry stool. Uneven distribution of sweat (local sweating without covering the whole body) leads to "illness not resolved" or "incomplete resolution." Therefore, the goal of diaphoresis is neither too much nor too little, but rather uniform, mild moistening of the entire body. Regimen during diaphoresis involves increasing external temperature to supplement insufficient medicinal power or nurturing physical strength to restore bodily functions; thus, it can be divided into two phases: seeking sweat and post-sweat. (1) Seeking sweat phase: 1. Medicinal decoction should be taken warm. 2. Room temperature should be increased. 3. After taking medicine, cover warmly with blankets; the lower body should have extra thick quilts or hot water bottles. 4. Drink small amounts of hot thin porridge to assist medicinal power. (2) Post-sweat phase: 1. Rest in a place with gentle air movement. 2. Sit quietly or lie down within curtains. 3. Maintain normal room temperature. 4. Remove preparations for generating heat. (Note: After sweating, body fluids are lost, pores are open, and bodily functions are slack. Without resting for one to two hours to restore function, relapse is likely. This one-to-two-hour period post-sweat must not be neglected.) (From Wuxing Medicine, First Issue)

(D) Summary of *Nursing Science*—(1) Nursing for general febrile diseases: 1. Absolute bed rest with sufficient sleep, preventing all unnecessary activity. 2. Drink plenty of boiled water, at least 3000 ml per 24 hours, to replenish body fluids and promote toxin excretion. 3. Check temperature twice daily (8 AM, 4 PM) if below 38°C; four times daily (6 AM, 12 PM, 6 PM, 12 AM) if above 38°C. 4. Eat soft food if fever is above 38°C; liquid diet if above 39°C. 5. Do not allow activity during defervescence; rest is necessary as physical strength consumption is high and fatigue is likely. 6. During defervescence, pulse and respiration should decrease; if they increase instead, it indicates signs of collapse. (2) Nursing for Shanghan (Cold Damage): 1. Follow general febrile disease nursing. 2. Absolute quiet rest; besides being quiet during fever, remain quiet for a short period after fever subsides, paying special attention in the third and fourth weeks. 3. Provide high-calorie liquid diet every two hours (preferably minimizing sugar or milk to prevent gas formation in the intestines). 4. Constantly monitor stool, temperature, and pulse. If temperature drops suddenly, pulse increases, or blood appears in stool, report to the doctor immediately. Keep the patient absolutely quiet, apply cold compresses to the abdomen, and fast for one to two days. (3) Nursing for Dysentery: 1. Follow general febrile disease nursing. 2. Isolate the patient. 3. Lie quietly to reduce intestinal peristalsis. 4. Keep abdomen and buttocks warm, or use a hot water bottle on the abdomen to relieve pain. 5. During the acute phase, have the patient defecate lying flat in bed to avoid straining abdominal muscles. 6. During the acute phase, drink boiled water frequently, once every half hour or quarter hour, until urination becomes smooth. 7. Diet: Use Dysentery Type 1 diet (liquid) during the acute phase; switch to Type 2 diet (semi-liquid) when symptoms alleviate; only resume soft and regular food when stool no longer contains mucus and blood.