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Methods for regulating climate. For instance, keeping warm in winter and cool in summer, without violating the seasonal order, is a means of self-protection. Sages of old who understood health preservation adjusted their sleeping and rising times according to the four seasons; their activities followed a constant system of harmony; methods for nourishing muscles and bones involved specific postures of lying down and stretching up; and principles for balancing work and rest involved knowing when to exert and when to conserve. When temperature regulation is appropriate, hundred diseases will not arise. The *Tai Su Jing* states: "Those who adapt to cold and heat should not feel chillingly cold in winter, nor sweat profusely in summer; if one avoids the 'Eight Evils' in one's dwelling, the body will remain safe." This applies not only to convalescence after illness but also to daily health preservation when free from disease. Herein are described the various methods for seasonal regulation, listed by season.

Spring. The three months of spring are called "Fa Chen" (releasing the old to let the new emerge). Heaven and earth generate together, and all things flourish. Sleep early and rise early, take broad steps in the courtyard, loosen hair and walk slowly, so that the will may be generated. Generate rather than kill, give rather than take; this corresponds to the Qi of Spring and is the way of nourishing life. As Spring Yang first arises and all things sprout, between the first and second lunar months, temperatures fluctuate between cold and hot. If one has latent pathogens or hidden heat from previous illnesses, the stirring of Spring Qi causes them to erupt rapidly. Additionally, residual heat accumulated from winter practices such as warming clothes with smoke or fire may be released in spring, leading to fever, dizziness, cough, epigastric fullness, and limb fatigue. If symptoms of Wind-Warmth or Spring-Warmth appear slightly, do not use purgative or draining medicines, lest they damage the Lung organ. Instead, use formulas that dissipate wind and clear heat while harmonizing Qi and Blood, or formulas that cool the chest and resolve phlegm. For post-illness recovery during the mild warmth of spring, reside in spacious gardens to expand the mind and promote vital Qi. Do not sit still or lie in bed for long periods, which would stagnate the generation of Qi. Since weather varies between cold and warm, do not abruptly remove cotton clothing; reduce layers gradually. If feeling slightly cold, do not endure it; add clothing immediately. Avoid letting the back get cold, as cold damages the Lungs, causing nasal chill and cough. Feishu (BL13) is the surface of the five Zang organs; Weishu (BL21) is the length of the meridians; do not lose control over cold and heat at these points. At night in spring, occasionally wash the knees down to the feet with hot water mixed with a pinch of salt before sleeping; this can dispel wind pathogens and benefit Hong Kong Foot (podagra/gout). These are the methods for health preservation before illness and convalescence in spring.

Summer. The three months of summer are called "Fan Xiu" (luxuriant growth). Heaven and Earth Qi intersect, and all things flower and bear fruit. Sleep late and rise early, do not dislike the sun, keep the will free from anger, allow essence to mature, and let Qi vent. This corresponds to the Qi of Summer and is the way of nourishing growth. Summer heat is fierce; externally it scorches stones and melts metal, internally heart fire burns fiercely. Even healthy individuals should live alone, eat bland food, restrain desires, calm the mind and breath, and diligently preserve the body. For among the four seasons, only summer is the critical juncture for life and death in disease. Observe how grass withers and trees drop leaves; their juices are exhausted in summer. Therefore, diseases in summer are more numerous than in other seasons, making summer health preservation particularly cautious. Whether healthy or recovering, avoid sleeping outdoors under eaves, pergolas, alleys, or windowless rooms; do not sleep exposed to the open air; do not sleep while sweating in the wind; do not have others fan you for cooling. Even in extreme heat, do not consume ice water, jelly, ice cream, cold porridge, or any raw, cold, fried, roasted, greasy, sweet, or spicy foods. Do not wash the face with cold water. If latent heat exists in the body, do not wear clothes heated by the scorching sun or soaked in sweat immediately. Eating until full then exposing oneself to cold will certainly cause cholera-like disorders. Avoid melons, eggplants, and raw vegetables; the abdomen receives Yin Qi, and consuming stagnant foods often leads to abdominal masses. Those suffering from cold qi or phlegm-fire must especially avoid these. These are the methods for health preservation before illness and convalescence in summer.

Autumn. The three months of autumn are called "Rong Ping" (containment and peace). The heavenly Qi becomes urgent, and the earthly Qi becomes clear. Sleep early and rise early, waking with the chickens. Keep the will peaceful to mitigate the harshness of Autumn; gather and store Shen (Spirit) to harmonize with Autumn Qi; do not let the will wander outward, keeping Lung Qi pure. This corresponds to the Qi of Autumn and is the way of nourishing harvest. Although autumn winds are refreshing, they often carry a killing energy, causing all things to wither. Adapt to the season by keeping the will peaceful. If summer damp-heat illness is nearly resolved, care for oneself well after the Start of Autumn. Autumn is not suitable for inducing vomiting, as it disturbs the Zang-Fu. Avoid roasted beef, pork, chicken, raw fish, turbid wine, stale/rotten foods, salty items, vinegar, and sticky/difficult-to-digest foods. If one enjoyed raw/cold foods in summer, dysentery or malaria may arise in autumn; if one slept exposed to coolness in summer, cholera might not occur immediately, but malaria will likely develop in autumn. Do not eat fresh ginger, as its excessive heat damages the eyes. Do not greedily seek new coolness. (All Back-Shu points of the five Zang organs converge on the back. After intense heat, seeking wind coolness is the source of wind-stroke. Therefore, the back should always be kept warm.) Upon waking in the morning, close the eyes, tap the teeth, swallow saliva, rub hands, and massage the eyes to brighten vision. These are the methods for health preservation before illness and convalescence in autumn.

Winter. The three months of winter are called "Bi Cang" (closing and storing). Heaven and Earth are closed and stored; water freezes and earth cracks. Do not disturb Yang; sleep early and rise late, waiting for sunlight. Move away from cold toward warmth; do not let the skin sweat and open. Violating this injures the Kidneys, leading to flaccidity and cold limbs in spring, reducing the foundation for life. This corresponds to the Qi of Winter and is the way of nourishing storage. At this time, essence sinks downward; one should conserve Jing and nourish Shen, storing thickly like plants protected in winter to flourish in spring. If harmed now, lacking roots in spring, one will surely wither. Regulation methods: if there is phlegm, expectoration is suitable; if there is heat in the heart and diaphragm, sweating is contraindicated as it leaks Yang Qi. Taking medicinal wine for tonification is suitable. In extreme cold, gradually add cotton clothes; do not frequently roast with strong fire. Treat hands and feet as one treats the heart; do not roast hands with fire, drawing fire into the heart, causing irritability. Cold medicines should not treat heat diseases; hot medicines should not treat cold diseases. Reduce salt and increase bitterness to nourish Heart Qi. In winter, Yin Qi is on the exterior, and many elderly people suffer from upper heat and lower cold. Yang Qi is inside; bathing is not advisable, nor should hot water induce profuse sweating, as loose pores easily invite external pathogens. Going out early to encounter frost is inadvisable; drinking a little alcohol to counteract cold is acceptable. Do not eat too much green onion, as it disperses Yang Qi. These are the methods for health preservation before illness and convalescence in winter.

In summary, regulating according to the four seasons relates to daily health preservation. For illness management, the climate of the sickroom must be appropriately warm or cool, with air circulation allowing clear Qi to enter and turbid Qi to exit. Lighting in the room should be minimal. It is a custom in my Shaoxing region that families treating typhoid or epidemic fevers rely heavily on superstition, fearing evil spirits. Not only are red candles burned high at night, but even during the day, many lamps are lit in the sickroom to simulate sunlight, surrounded by numerous attendants standing shoulder to shoulder, whispering, talking loudly, and exhaling humid breath. They do not realize that human body heat is hottest and lamp fire is most toxic. Carbon monoxide, sweat acidity, and foul odors fill the room, blocking clear Qi flow. Even a healthy person staying here long-term would suffer dizziness and chest oppression, let alone a patient. What enters through the nose and mouth, infiltrating the Lungs and Stomach, often turns mild cases severe and severe cases fatal. Such bad habits are the cause of epidemics. This applies to all epidemics and all diseases. This is due to patients' lack of hygiene knowledge.