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All diseases fall within the scope of the Six Channels (Taiyang, Yangming, Shaoyang, Taiyin, Shaoyin, Jueyin). The standard treatments do not exceed the Six Methods. By examining symptoms according to the channels and establishing formulas based on the syndromes, the Six Methods serve as the principal approach, while the Ten Methods act as auxiliary measures. In this way, the treatment of cold-induced injuries is thoroughly covered. Nevertheless, pathological changes are unpredictable, and individuals have inherent differences in their Qi and Blood constitution. To fully comprehend these unpredictable pathological changes, one must penetrate every aspect of pathology; to preserve the inherent Qi and Blood, one's vital energy must be kept continuously agile and responsive. Only then can one discuss the methods and medicines for healing. I shall now elaborate on this.

[Commentary by Xiu] Zhang Zhongjing of the Later Han Dynasty authored the *Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases* (*Shanghan Zabing Lun*), transmitting 113 prescriptions, all ancient formulas, and established 397 therapeutic principles, each adhering strictly to the classics. He further used the Six Channels to categorize all diseases, which constitutes an unchangeable definitive method. Using one case to illuminate another serves as a swift method for enlightenment. Therefore, famous sages of successive generations have revered it as the orthodox lineage. While it is indeed orthodox, in my clinical experience, it is still insufficient because there are concurrent syndromes, combined syndromes, transformed syndromes, and damaged syndromes, each differing from the others; thus, one must draw upon diverse sources. When treating pure excess syndromes, I often incorporate the methods of Zhang Zihe; for pure deficiency syndromes, I often incorporate the methods of Zhang Jingyue; for cases where excess contains deficiency or deficiency contains excess, I often incorporate the methods of Zhang Shiwang. This allows me to collect widely from various methods, ensuring that no method departs from the ancients, yet without rigidly adhering to their fixed prescriptions.

[Commentary by Lian] Zhang Changsha (referring to Zhang Zhongjing) authored the *Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases*, synthesizing the achievements of medicine prior to the Han Dynasty. It was only during the Song Dynasty that it was divided into two books: the *Treatise on Cold Damage* (*Shanghan Lun*) and the *Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Casket* (*Jingui Yaolue*). In the Yuan Dynasty, Zhang Zihe specialized in authoring the *Intimate Advice for the People* (*Rumen Shiqin*). In the Ming Dynasty, Zhang Jingyue authored the *Complete Classified Classic* (*Leijing Quanshu*) and three works including *Records of Doubts* (*Zhiyi Lu*). At the beginning of the Qing Dynasty, Zhang Luyu (also known as Zhang Shiwang) authored *Derivation of the Thousand Gold Formulas* (*Qianjin Fang Yanyi*) and *Medical General Principles* (*Yitong*). These are all excellent books that integrate past and present knowledge and are worthy of emulation and transmission. Although my ancestor held these four Zhangs in high esteem, he particularly enjoyed studying the works of Zhang Jingyue and Zhang Luyu. Consequently, he was more specialized in internal injury and miscellaneous diseases. This was likely due to his frequent consultations with Jin Shi'e in the city and Chen Nianyi from Xiafangqiao, both senior figures of that era, leading him to revere the Zhangs of the Ming and Qing dynasties. As for myself, I studied under Master Fan Kaizhou, specializing in the methods of Ye Tianshi. I meticulously studied and researched anything related to Ye's methods. Alas! I merely read ancestral books in vain, ashamed to have failed to uphold our family tradition. The divergence in medical practices brings deep sorrow, akin to the grief of wind and wood. If my ancestor's spirit were present, he would surely blame me for deviating from the right path.

[Commentary by Rongzhai] This chapter is divided into six sections: (1) Diaphoretic Agents (Sweating agents), (2) Harmonizing Agents, (3) Purgative Agents, (4) Warming Agents, (5) Cooling Agents, (6) Tonifying Agents. In the original text, Tonifying Agents were listed fifth and Cooling Agents sixth. According to Zhang Jiabin's (Zhang Jingyue's) approximate laws for cold damage, the methods are "Sweating," "Vomiting," "Purging," "Warming," "Cooling," and "Tonifying." Mr. Yu modified the Vomiting method to the Harmonizing method to better suit practical application. However, the sequence of the Six Methods (not the order of usage), prioritizing Cooling before Tonifying, is unquestionable; here we reverse this order. The "Sweating Method" eliminates pathogens through sweat glands, and the "Purging Method" eliminates pathogens through feces; both methods focus on expelling disease toxins as their primary principle. The "Warming Method" maintains the metabolic activity of bodily cells, while the "Cooling Method" suppresses hyperthermia; these two methods are symptomatic treatments rather than those aimed directly at eliminating the disease. The "Harmonizing Method" coordinates the internal environment of the body, thereby enhancing the efficacy of sweating, purging, warming, cooling, and tonifying. The "Tonifying Method" can be divided into two types: one is Yin-nourishing, referring to substances that regulate circulation, supply raw materials for hematopoiesis, promote oxidative metabolism, or increase nutritional components, possessing strong flavors without irritation or aromaticity, corresponding to modern nourishing and strengthening agents; the other is Yang-restoring, referring to substances that revive declining functions, stimulate nerves, and restore normal vitality to various parts of the body, corresponding to modern excitatory and strengthening agents. These six standard methods implicitly align with the Six Channels in Mr. Yu's work. As for the "Ten Auxiliary Methods," they are scattered throughout the therapeutic sections of this book. The phrase "examine symptoms according to channels and establish formulas based on syndromes" implies that the scope is not limited to ten methods but encompasses the Ten Categories (Decoctions): Dispersing, Unblocking, Tonifying, Draining, Sliding, Astringing, Drying, Moistening, Cooling, and Heating. Cheng Zhongling's Eight Methods of Medicine—Sweating, Vomiting, Purging, Harmonizing, Warming, Cooling, Tonifying, and Reducing—effectively balance constancy with flexibility, providing us with rules for adaptable application. These are appended after the formulas in each section of this chapter for reference.