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Shanghan (Cold Damage) is named after its etiology. Wenbing (Warm Diseases) and Rebing (Heat Diseases) are named according to the seasonal climate and clinical manifestations. All three originate from contracting cold pathogens. Therefore, they are sometimes collectively referred to as Shanghan.

Shanghan occurs during cold weather, where cold pathogens invade the exterior, closing the Couli (pores and interstices), leading to symptoms of aversion to wind and cold. This is due to wind-cold residing in the exterior, injuring the Wei Qi (Defensive Qi).

Wenbing and Rebing occur later during warm or hot weather. Heat rises from within to the exterior, stagnating the Couli. There is no cold pathogen in the exterior; thus, there are no symptoms of aversion to wind or cold. If such symptoms appear, it indicates a new contraction of wind-cold, causing further injury to the Wei Qi.

If Shanghan fails to resolve after sweating or purging therapies and the pathogen enters the meridians, it transforms into a Wenbing pattern. The pulse of Wenbing circulates through the various meridians; treatment should target the specific meridian affected.

Datouwen (Great Head Plague) results from excessive heat pathogens in the Foot-Yangming Meridian, which intensifies the Ministerial Fire of the Shaoyang Meridian. The pathology primarily involves the Shaoyang or Yangming meridians, or may transmit to the Taiyang meridian. Treatment depends on observing the location of the swelling and selecting acupoints along the corresponding meridian. Damp-heat causes swelling, while excessive fire causes pain. This pathogen manifests on the head, mostly around the ears, with the initial symptoms indicating the primary disease site.

Treatment should not be overly aggressive or rapid. Rapid intervention may fail to clear the upper heat while generating middle-jiao cold. Moreover, the head is a hollow area; pathogens adhering to this void can spread everywhere. The therapeutic principle is "first slow, then urgent." "First slow" means using herbs with mild properties and flavors, administered slowly to gradually dissipate formless pathogens. "Then urgent" applies when the mild formula has cleared some pathogens, but the remaining pathogen has penetrated inward to the Yin levels and attached to substantial tissues. If not removed quickly, it will damage Yin fluids. At this stage, the exogenous pathogen must be expelled urgently.

For example, if both Shaoyang and Yangming meridians are involved: Shaoyang involvement presents as swelling around the ears; Yangming involvement presents as massive head swelling. Initially, use Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma), and Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), stir-fried together, decocted, and taken in small amounts frequently. After one dose, switch to Wei Dahuang (Prepared Rheum Palmatum Radix et Rhizoma), Chao Shuniuzi (Fried Arctii Fructus), decocted, strained, and mixed with Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas), all in equal parts. Take frequently in small sips until slight diarrhea occurs. Once the pathogen is eliminated, resume the first formula. If unresolved, continue the sequence until bowel movements become free and the pathogen ceases. If the patient exhibits thirst due to Yangming involvement, add Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum); if due to Shaoyang involvement, add Gualougen (Trichosanthis Radix). For pathogenic factors traveling along the Yangming meridian, add Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), and Gegen (Puerariae Lobatae Radix); for the Taiyang meridian, add Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix) and Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix).