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The patients' families in my hometown of Shaoxing often attribute the safety and danger of a patient's illness to the physician. They do not realize that caregivers, regarding the patient, often have unreasonable living environments, unclean bodies, inappropriate temperature regulation, and irregular sleep-wake schedules. This not only fails to assist the physician's treatment capabilities but actually promotes the proliferation of pathogens. Therefore, I list below the various points mentioned above that require attention:

**Regulating the Living Environment** *Qianjin Fang* (Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold) states: The living environment should not be overly ornate or luxurious, lest it make people greedy and insatiable, damaging their willpower. It is sufficient for it to be elegant, simple, clean, and hygienic, capable of avoiding wind, rain, summer heat, and dampness. It also states: In any room where people reside, the sleeping area must be tightly sealed with no small gaps, preventing cold air from entering. Over time, unnoticed, this can cause one to contract Zhongfeng disease (Wind-Stroke). Whenever strong wind blows into a room, one should not endure sitting there for long; one must rise and move away to avoid it. It also states: Do not place beds near stoves, nor sit facing the stove. Long-term contemplation of inauspicious matters is an ill omen. *Yanshou Danshu* (Golden Pill Book for Longevity) states: Beds should be elevated two or three chi high, so that earthy qi does not reach, and pathogenic qi cannot invade. Do not seek coolness in dark rooms, nor sit for long periods on wet ground, to avoid suffering from new invasion of Cold-Damp pathogenic factors. The patient's bedroom should be spacious, windows open and ventilated, and lighting abundant. These three points focus on indoor air, keeping it fresh, which is the most crucial principle of pathological hygiene. Wang Shixiong stated: In densely populated areas where epidemics occur, it is because the local qi is hot and turbid qi is abundant. Therefore, regardless of the size of the housing, it must be open, ventilated, and kept clean, so that fresh breeze comes naturally and epidemic qi dissipates naturally. Conversely, heat and turbid qi will further serve as a banner for epidemic qi. Whenever seasonal epidemics prevail, those who contract the disease are mostly poor people wearing coarse cloth and living in dilapidated houses, all due to this reason.

**Cleaning the Body** After illness, the face should be frequently wiped to maintain luster and promote smooth blood and qi flow. Eyes should be frequently rubbed; during quiet times, one should keep eyes closed to clear the heart and calm the spirit. Alternatively, rubbing the backs of two fingers together can dispel fire. Teeth should be frequently washed and brushed to remove oral impurities. The abdomen should be frequently massaged to digest food and prevent accumulation of turbid matter. Feet should be frequently rubbed; frequently rubbing the Yongquan acupoint (Kidney Meridian point) on the sole can dispel Wind-Damp and strengthen walking. Sleeping posture should preferably involve flexing the legs and lying on the side to prevent seminal emission and ensure qi does not stagnate in the joints. In summer, using cold water to wipe the face is taboo. Cleaning the body and frequent friction are methods to harmonize blood and qi after illness.

**Adapting to Cold and Warmth** Clothes worn by patients must be changed every other day; bedding must be especially clean. Patients' coverings should not be too warm. Excessive warmth can also worsen the condition. Severe cases may result in death because heat stagnates internally, and qi cannot circulate freely. The patient's back should always be kept warm to prevent invasion of Wind-Cold. The chest should be protected to prevent Cold invasion. It is taboo to wear cold, sweaty clothes, as this invades the back and damages the Lungs. Wearing clothes that have been sun-dried when hot is dangerous, as prolonged sun exposure imbues clothes with "heat toxicity." Drying clothes with hot fire in winter provides temporary comfort but causes illness if done long-term. When spring waters have not yet thawed, clothing should be thin on top and thick on bottom to nourish Yin and gather Yang. During intense summer heat, after removing sweaty clothes, one must not face the wind. In sudden winter cold, while putting on cotton clothes quickly, one should not add layers all at once. If slightly warm, one should temporarily remove some layers. Observe the weather's cold and warmth, distinguish the thickness of clothes. Whether before illness or after recovery, one should pay attention at all times.

**Determining Sleep-Wake Times** *Qianjin Fang* states: In spring, one should sleep late and rise early; in summer and autumn, lie down and rest, sleeping only at night and rising early. In winter, sleep early and rise early. All these benefit the person. Although it says rise early, do not do so before the rooster crows. Although it says rise late, do not do so after sunrise. It also states: When physical strength is robust, lie flat; sleeping, do not dislike curling up; waking, do not dislike stretching out. It also states: Men should not sleep with their heads pointing North, nor sleep directly under roof beams. After sleeping, do not leave lamps burning, as this unsettles the Hun and Po spirits and the Six Spirits, causing sorrow and resentment. For sleep, first settle the mind, then the body. After sleeping, do not breathe with an open mouth, as this leads to Xiaoke disease (Wasting-Thirst) and blood loss over time. Prolonged sleep depletes Qi. It also states: At night, do not cover the head while sleeping, which promotes longevity. At night, do not let ears face drafts, as this leads to deafness. Do not hang feet on high places while sleeping, as this leads to Kidney deficiency and impotence/cold feet. It also states: Do not place charcoal braziers near the head; prolonged exposure to fire heat causes heavy head, red eyes, and dry nose. *Qianjin Fang* states: Sit cross-legged in cold weather; sleep with legs extended in warm weather. Sitting upright with feet spread in an 'eight' shape dispels cold and treats five types of hemorrhoids. Jian Yun stated: If one indulges in sleep, the Spirit scatters, Qi loses its master, and becomes chaotic. Do not lie supine after a full meal; do not go to bed immediately after eating. These regulations regarding sleep and wakefulness, whether for the healthy or the convalescent, if observed, will yield great benefits.

**Editor Rongzhai's Note:** The four requirements proposed in this section (Living and Rest Regulation) are issues patients should note and urgently need to achieve. Undoubtedly, these four requirements align with the principles of Soviet protective medical care systems. However, mere alignment is insufficiently deep and comprehensive. The article "Situation of Implementing Medical Protective Systems in Beijing Hospitals," excerpted from Issue 350 of *Health News*, introduces certain specific measures of the protective medical system more comprehensively. I transcribe it here for verification and reference. It states:
Regarding the attributes of the protective medical system and specific practical issues, we propose the following preliminary insights and understandings:
1. The hospital's recuperation environment itself can form elements that act as pathogenic factors for effective therapeutic agents. Therefore, one should reduce and avoid exposing patients to various adverse stimuli conditions, and utilize and create various positive influence conditions to protect and promote the development of normal physiological functions in patients. Thus, regarding physical, chemical, biological, and linguistic stimuli, besides general precautions, special attention must be paid to:
(1) Regarding visual stimuli, such as color, light, artificial lighting, pictures, furnishings, and furniture arrangement, all visual stimuli should exert a benign effect. For example, colors stimulate and soothe patients; red, yellow, and orange are stimulating colors, suitable for winter and patients with low spirits; gray, blue, and green are soothing colors, suitable for summer and excitable patients. The intensity and color of light and artificial lighting should also be moderate and gentle. Furthermore, pictures can form benign or adverse effects through the cerebral cortex, significantly impacting disease cure. Images of abnormal childbirth, photos of malformed infants, and pathological specimens (amputated limbs) can form adverse stimuli; appropriately decorating with landscape pictures, health pictures, and sports exhibition pictures is not only pleasing to the eye but also makes patients' moods cheerful.
(2) Regarding auditory stimuli, quietness is a necessary condition for treating all diseases. For example, patients eager to sleep find it harder to fall asleep due to faint sounds; post-operative patients may experience or worsen pain due to door opening/closing sounds. Therefore, maintaining silence is essential. Music should also be utilized; if conditions permit, personal headphones are best, making patients feel relaxed and happy.
(3) Regarding olfactory stimuli, abnormal odors in the patient's recuperation environment should be avoided as much as possible, such as medicinal smells, pus odor, and bloody smells, which should be removed. Fragrant flowers and plants can be placed to enhance pleasure, but potted plants should be moved out at night.
(4) Regarding sensory stimuli, the relationship is closer. For instance, whether temperature is too low, humidity is appropriate, and air is ventilated constitute specific sensory stimuli for patients. Additionally, whether clothes, pants, quilts, and mattresses are soft and suitable affects rest and sleep, having a certain impact on disease treatment.
(5) Regarding social stimuli (mainly belonging to the second signal system), the scope of social stimuli is broad and numerous, such as language, text, and attitude. Stiff language or rough attitudes will exacerbate the condition; indifferent attitudes or lack of patient explanation will lower patients' confidence in medical treatment. Withholding test results and medical records from patients may increase their suspicion and fear. Other information regarding internal hospital conditions, staff technical conditions, work style, and life circumstances should also be strictly avoided showing in front of patients to prevent affecting their faith in the hospital. Explanations of specific treatments must be consistent to prevent patient doubt. Furthermore, unnecessary examinations and lab tests should be avoided to prevent increasing patient aversion and anxiety.
2. Regarding institutional aspects, the following points deserve emphasis: Under the principle of everything being for the patient, establish treatment and nursing systems to make patients feel convenient and comfortable, allowing them to rest and sleep more. Pay attention to the quality and quantity of patients' diets to guarantee sufficient nutrition and try various ways to promote appetite. Appropriate recreational activities are a powerful auxiliary to treatment. Additionally, visiting policies should be considered from multiple aspects; generally, there should be fixed times. Visits during meal times are taboo to avoid external inhibition affecting appetite; ambulatory patients should receive visitors in the reception room to avoid affecting other patients. Visitors should be briefed on precautions beforehand, and books, newspapers, and food they bring should be checked to avoid adverse stimuli. Treatments, thermometer checks, and examinations should not be concentrated at the same time, overwhelming the patient; nor should they be excessively dispersed, depriving the patient of rest.
3. Regarding the handling of medical errors and accidents, our opinion is: Medical errors and accidents should not happen in hospitals but are difficult to completely avoid. After occurrence, during the investigation period, approach the issue from the side to avoid emotional fluctuations in patients, and even more so, avoid letting patients know. However, for those involved and related patients, provide factual, patient explanations or admit mistakes and shortcomings, and provide detailed assistance if needed. Accidents unknown to the patient should be minimized to avoid forming adverse stimuli.