硫黄原是火之精，朴硝一见便相争。水银莫与砒相见，野狼毒最怕密陀僧。巴豆性烈最为上，
偏与牵牛不顺情。丁香莫与郁金见，芒硝难合京三棱。川乌、草乌不顺犀，人参又忌五灵脂。官
桂善能调冷气，石脂相见便跷蹊。大凡修合看逆顺，炮鉴炙爆要精微。
大方之说有二∶有君一臣三佐九之大方，有分两大而顿服之大方。盖治肝及在下而远者，宜
顿服而数少之大方。病有兼证而邪不专，不可以一、二味治者，宜君一臣三佐九之大方。王太
仆以人之身三折之，上为近，下为远。近为心肺，远为肝肾，中为脾胃。以予睹之，身半以上
其气三，天之分也；身半以下其气三，地之分也；中脘，人之分也。又手之三阴阳，亦天也，其
气高；足之三阴阳，亦地也，其气下；戊己之阴阳亦人也，其气犹中州。故肝之三服，可并心之
七服；肾之二服，可并肺之七服也。
小方之说亦有二∶有君一臣二之小方，有分两微而平服之小方。盖治心肺及在上而近者，宜
分两微而少服而频之小方，徐徐而呷之是也。病无兼证邪气专，可一、二味而治者，宜君一臣
二之小方。故肾之二服，可分为肺之九服及肝之三服也。
缓方之说有五∶有甘缓之之缓方，糖、蜜、枣、葵、甘草之属是也。盖病在胸膈取甘能恋也。
有丸药以缓之之缓方，盖丸之比汤散，其气力宣行迟故也。有品件群众之缓方，盖药味众则各
不得骋其性也。如万病丸七八十味递相拘制也。有无毒治病之缓方，盖药气味薄则长于补上治上，
比至其下，力已衰，故补上治上，制之以缓，缓则气味薄也。故王太仆云∶治上补上，方若迅
急则上不任而迫走于下。制缓方而气味浓，则势与急同。
急方之说有五∶有急病急攻之急方，如心腹暴痛，两阴溲便闭塞不通，借备急丹以攻之。此
药用不宜长，盖病不容俟也。又如中风于关紧急，浆粥不入，用急风散之属是也。有汤散荡涤之
急方，盖汤散之比丸下咽易散而施用速也。有药性有毒之急方，盖有毒之药能上涌下泄，可以
夺病之大势也。有气味浓药之急方，药之气味浓者，宜趋下而气力不衰也。故王太仆云∶治下补
下，方之缓，缓慢则滋道路而力又微，制急方而气味薄，则力与缓等。
奇方之说有二∶有古单方之奇方，独用一物是也。病在上而近者，宜奇方也。有数合阳数
之奇方，谓一三五七九，皆阳之数也，以药味之数皆单也。君一臣三、君三臣五亦合阳之数也，
故奇方宜下不宜汗。
偶方之说有三∶有两味相配之偶方；有古之复方之偶方，盖方之相合者是也。病在下而远者，
宜偶方也。有数合阴数之偶方，谓二四六八十也，皆阴之数。君二臣四、君四臣六亦合数之
阴也，故偶方宜汗不宜下。
复方之说，有一方、二方、三方相合之复方，如桂枝越脾一方，如调胃承气汤方，芒硝、甘
草、大黄外参以连翘、薄荷、黄芩、栀子，以为凉膈散是。本方之外，别加余味者皆是也。有
分两均剂之复方，如胃风汤各等分是也。以《内经》考之，其奇偶四，则反以味数奇者为奇方，
味数偶者为偶方。下复云∶汗者，不可以奇；下者，不可以偶。及观仲景之制方，桂枝汤汗药
也，反以三味为奇；大承气汤下药，下反以四味为偶，何也？
岂临事制宜，复有增损者乎！考其大旨，王太仆所谓汗药如不以偶，则气不足以外发；下药
如不以奇，则药毒攻而致过。必如此言，是奇则单行，偶则并行之谓也。何者？下本易行，
故宜单；汗或难出，故宜并。盖单行则力孤而微，并行则力齐而大，此王太仆之意也。然太仆
又以奇方为古之单方，偶为复方，此又七方之中已有偶，又有复，何也？岂非偶方者二方相合
之属也，复方者二方、四方相合之方欤？不然，何以偶方之外，又有复方者欤？此复字非重复
之复，乃反复之复，何以言之？盖内经既言奇偶之方，不言又有重复之方，惟云奇之不去，则偶
之是为重方，重方者即复方也。下又云∶偶之不去，则反佐以取之。所谓寒热温凉，反从其
病也。由是言之，复之为方反复，亦不远《内经》之意也。
硫黄原本是火的精华，朴硝一遇到它就会相互争斗。水银千万不要与砒霜相见，野狼毒最害怕密陀僧。巴豆药性猛烈算是上品，偏偏与牵牛子性情不合。丁香不要与郁金相遇，芒硝很难与京三棱相合。川乌、草乌不与犀角顺气，人参又忌讳五灵脂。官桂善于调理冷气，与石脂相见就变得怪异难测。大凡调配药物要看逆顺关系，炮制、鉴别、炙烤、爆炒都要精细微妙。
关于大方的说法有两种：有君药一味、臣药三味、佐药九味的大方，有分量很大而一次性服用的大方。大概治疗肝脏疾病及在下部且距离较远的病证，适宜一次性服用少量药物的大方。如果病症有兼夹证候且邪气不专一，不能用一两味药治疗的，适宜用君一臣三佐九的大方。王太仆将人的身体分为三段，上部为近，下部为远。近处是心肺，远处是肝肾，中间是脾胃。以我的观察来看，身半以上其气分三，属于天的分野；身半以下其气分三，属于地的分野；中脘穴处，属于人的分野。另外手部的三阴三阳经，也属于天，其气位置高；足部的三阴三阳经，也属于地，其气位置低；戊己（脾胃）的阴阳经也属于人，其气犹如处于中州。所以肝的三服剂量，可以合并心的七服剂量；肾的二服剂量，可以合并肺的七服剂量。
关于小方的说法也有两种：有君药一味、臣药二味的小方，有分量轻微而平和服用的小方。大概治疗心肺及在上部且距离较近的病证，适宜分量轻微、少服而频服的小方，徐徐啜饮即是如此。如果病症没有兼夹证候且邪气专一，可以用一两味药治疗的，适宜用君一臣二的小方。所以肾的二服剂量，可以分为肺的九服剂量及肝的三服剂量。
关于缓方的说法有五种：有甘味以缓和病情的缓方，如糖、蜜、枣、葵菜、甘草之类。大概病在胸膈部位，取甘味能留恋药力。有丸药以缓和病情的缓方，大概丸剂相比汤剂和散剂，其药力宣行缓慢的缘故。有药味众多互相制约的缓方，大概药味多则各药不能充分发挥其偏性。如万病丸有七八十味药，互相拘束制约。有无毒治病以缓和病情的缓方，大概药气味淡薄则长于补益上部和治疗上部，等到到达下部时，药力已经衰弱，所以补上治上，用缓方来制约，缓方则药气味淡薄。所以王太仆说：治疗上部补益上部，方剂如果迅急，则上部承受不住而迫使药力走散到下部。制作缓方而药气味浓厚，则药势与急方相同。
关于急方的说法有五种：有病势急迫急攻的急方，如心腹突然剧痛，前后二阴小便大便闭塞不通，借用备急丹来攻逐。这种药用不宜长，因为病情不容等待。又如中风处于关紧急状态，浆粥无法入口，使用急风散之类的方剂。有汤剂和散剂荡涤邪气的急方，大概汤剂和散剂相比丸剂，下咽后容易分散且施用迅速。有药性有毒的急方，大概有毒的药物能上涌下泄，可以夺取病邪的大势。有气味浓烈的急方，药气味浓烈的，宜趋向下行且药力不衰。所以王太仆说：治疗下部补益下部，方剂如果用缓方，缓慢则会滋长道路且药力又微弱，制作急方而药气味淡薄，则药力与缓方相等。
关于奇方的说法有两种：有古方单味的奇方，单独使用一味药。病在上部且距离近的，适宜用奇方。有数量符合阳数之奇方的，所谓一三五七九，都是阳的数字，以药味的数量都是单数。君一臣三、君三臣五也符合阳数，所以奇方适宜攻下而不适宜发汗。
关于偶方的说法有三种：有两味药相配的偶方；有古方复方的偶方，大概方剂相互结合的就是。病在下部且距离远的，适宜用偶方。有数量符合阴数之偶方的，所谓二四六八十，都是阴的数字。君二臣四、君四臣六也符合阴数，所以偶方适宜发汗而不适宜攻下。
关于复方的说法，有一方、二方、三方相合的复方，如桂枝越脾一方，如调胃承气汤方，芒硝、甘草、大黄之外参入连翘、薄荷、黄芩、栀子，构成凉膈散就是。在本方之外，另外加入其余药味的都是。有分量均等的复方，如胃风汤各等分就是。根据《内经》考察，其奇偶四种，则反而以药味数为奇数的称为奇方，药味数为偶数的称为偶方。下面又说：发汗的，不可以用奇方；攻下的，不可以用偶方。以及观察张仲景的制方，桂枝汤是发汗药，反而以三味药为奇数；大承气汤是攻下药，反而以四味药为偶数，为什么呢？
难道是临事制宜，又有增减吗！考察其主要旨意，王太仆所谓发汗药如果不以偶方，则气不足以向外发散；攻下药如果不以奇方，则药毒攻伐而导致过度。必定像这样说，是奇方指单行，偶方指并行的意思。为什么？攻下本来容易通行，所以适宜单行；发汗或许难以发出，所以适宜并行。大概单行则药力孤单而微弱，并行则药力整齐而盛大，这是王太仆的意思。然而王太仆又将奇方视为古之单方，偶方视为复方，这又在七方之中已有偶方，又有复方，为什么呢？难道不是偶方是两方相合的类型，复方是二方、四方相合的方剂吗？不然的话，为什么在偶方之外，又有复方呢？这个“复”字不是重复的复，而是反复的复，为什么这么说？因为《内经》既然说了奇偶之方，没说又有重复之方，只说奇方不去除病邪，就用偶方，这就是重方，重方即复方。下面又说：偶方不去除病邪，就反佐以取之。所谓寒热温凉，反从其病性。由此而言，复作为方剂名意为反复，也不违背《内经》的本意。
Sulfur (Liu Huang) is originally the essence of fire; Mirabilite (Puxiao, 朴硝) contends with it upon contact. Mercury (Shuiyin, 水银) must never meet Arsenic Trioxide (Pi Jian, 砒霜); Wild Wolf Poison (Yelangdu, 野狼毒) fears most Metolochite (Miduoseng, 密陀僧). Croton Seed (Badou, 巴豆) has a fierce nature and is supreme, yet it clashes in temperament with Pholistoma Seed (Qianniu, 牵牛). Clove (Dingxiang, 丁香) must not meet Curcuma Root (Yujin, 郁金); Rhubarb (Mangxiao, 芒硝) hardly combines with Burreed Tuber (Jingsanleng, 京三棱). Aconite Root (Chuanwu, 川乌) and Aconite Root (Caowu, 草乌) do not harmonize with Rhinoceros Horn (Xi, 犀); Ginseng Root (Renshen, 人参) is taboo with Trogopterus Dung (Wulingzhi, 五灵脂). Cinnamon Twig (Guangui, 官桂) excels at regulating cold qi; when meeting Litharge (Shizhi, 石脂), it becomes strange and unpredictable. Generally, compounding drugs requires observing adverse and harmonious relationships; processing, identifying, roasting, and frying must be precise and subtle.
There are two theories regarding Large Formulas (Da Fang, 大方): one consists of one Sovereign herb, three Minister herbs, and nine Assistant herbs; the other involves large dosages taken in a single dose. Generally, for treating Liver disorders or diseases located lower down and distant from the center, a Large Formula taken in a single small dose is appropriate. If a disease presents with concurrent syndromes and pathogenic factors are not specific, and cannot be treated with one or two herbs, a Large Formula with one Sovereign, three Ministers, and nine Assistants is suitable. Wang Taipu divided the human body into three sections: the upper is near, the lower is distant. The near area comprises the Heart and Lung; the distant area comprises the Liver and Kidney; the middle comprises the Spleen and Stomach. From my observation, the upper half of the body corresponds to Heaven's division with its qi in three parts; the lower half corresponds to Earth's division with its qi in three parts; the Zhongwan point corresponds to Man's division. Furthermore, the Three Yin and Three Yang meridians of the hands also belong to Heaven, with high qi; the Three Yin and Three Yang meridians of the feet also belong to Earth, with low qi; the Yin-Yang of Wu-Ji (Spleen-Stomach) also belongs to Man, with qi situated in the Central Province. Thus, three doses for the Liver can be combined with seven doses for the Heart; two doses for the Kidney can be combined with seven doses for the Lung.
There are also two theories regarding Small Formulas (Xiao Fang, 小方): one consists of one Sovereign herb and two Minister herbs; the other involves slight dosages taken peacefully. Generally, for treating Heart and Lung disorders or diseases located upper and near, a Small Formula with slight dosages, taken infrequently but often, is appropriate, sipping slowly is the method. If a disease has no concurrent syndromes and pathogenic factors are specific, treatable with one or two herbs, a Small Formula with one Sovereign and two Ministers is suitable. Thus, two doses for the Kidney can be divided into nine doses for the Lung and three doses for the Liver.
There are five theories regarding Slow Formulas (Huan Fang, 缓方): there are Sweet-Slow Formulas using substances like sugar, honey, dates, okra, and Licorice Root (Gancao, 甘草). Generally, for diseases in the chest and diaphragm, sweetness retains the medicinal effect. There are Pill-Slow Formulas; generally, compared to Decoctions and Powders, Pills have slower dispersing and moving properties. There are Multi-Ingredient Slow Formulas where numerous herbs constrain each other's natures, such as Wanbing Wan containing seventy to eighty ingredients mutually restraining each other. There are Non-Toxic Slow Formulas; generally, herbs with thin flavors and qi are good for tonifying and treating the upper body, losing strength by the time they reach the lower body. Therefore, tonifying/treating the upper uses slow formulas to control this, resulting in thin flavors/qi. Wang Taipu said: "Treating/tonifying the upper, if the formula is rapid, the upper cannot bear it and forces the qi to rush downward." Making a Slow Formula with thick flavors/qi makes its momentum similar to a Rapid Formula.
There are five theories regarding Rapid Formulas (Ji Fang, 急方): there are Rapid Attack Formulas for acute conditions, such as sudden severe abdominal pain or blockage of urination and defecation, using Beiji Dan to attack. Such medicines should not be prolonged because the condition allows no waiting. For example, in critical stroke where food cannot enter, Jifeng San is used. There are Decoction/Powder Scouring Rapid Formulas; generally, compared to Pills, Decoctions and Powders disperse easily and act quickly after swallowing. There are Toxic-Rapid Formulas; generally, toxic herbs can induce vomiting or purging, capable of seizing the major trend of the disease. There are Thick-Flavor Rapid Formulas; herbs with thick flavors/qi tend to move downward without losing strength. Wang Taipu said: "Treating/tonifying the lower, if the formula is slow, it prolongs the journey and weakens the force; making a Rapid Formula with thin flavors/qi makes its force equal to a slow one."
There are two theories regarding Odd Formulas (Qi Fang, 奇方): there are Ancient Single-Herb Odd Formulas, using only one substance. For diseases upper and near, Odd Formulas are suitable. There are Numerically Odd Formulas conforming to Yang numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, 9); since the number of herbs is odd. One Sovereign/Three Ministers or Three Sovereigns/Five Ministers also fit Yang numbers. Thus, Odd Formulas are suitable for purging, not sweating.
There are three theories regarding Even Formulas (Ou Fang, 偶方): there are Two-Herb Paired Even Formulas; there are Ancient Compound Even Formulas formed by combining prescriptions. For diseases lower and distant, Even Formulas are suitable. There are Numerically Even Formulas conforming to Yin numbers (2, 4, 6, 8, 10). Two Sovereigns/Four Ministers or Four Sovereigns/Six Ministers also fit Yin numbers. Thus, Even Formulas are suitable for sweating, not purging.
Regarding Compound Formulas (Fu Fang, 复方), there are combinations of one, two, or three formulas, such as Guizhi Yuepi Tang, or adding Forsythia Fruit (Lianqiao, 连翘), Mint (Bohe, 薄荷), Scutellaria Root (Huangqin, 黄芩), and Gardenia Fruit (Zhizi, 栀子) to the base of Mangxiao, Gancao, and Rhubarb (Dahuang, 大黄) to form Liangge San. Adding extra herbs to a base formula constitutes a Compound Formula. There are Equal-Dosage Compound Formulas, such as Weifeng Tang with equal parts. Examining the *Neijing*, the four types of Qi/Ou suggest that formulas with an odd number of ingredients are Qi Formulas, and even numbers are Ou Formulas. It further states: "Sweating methods should not use Qi [Odd]; purging methods should not use Ou [Even]." Observing Zhang Zhongjing's formulas, Guizhi Tang is a sweating formula but uses three ingredients (Odd); Dachengqi Tang is a purging formula but uses four ingredients (Even). Why?
Is it due to adapting to circumstances with additions and subtractions? Examining the main gist, Wang Taipu stated: "If sweating herbs do not use Even formulas, Qi is insufficient to emit outward; if purging herbs do not use Odd formulas, drug toxicity attacks excessively." This implies Qi means single action, and Ou means combined action. Why? Purging is easy to execute, so single action is suitable; sweating is difficult to achieve, so combined action is suitable. Single action makes force isolated and weak; combined action makes force uniform and strong. This is Wang Taipu's intent. However, Wang Taipu also equated Qi Formulas with ancient single-herb formulas and Ou Formulas with compound formulas. Since Ou already exists among the Seven Categories, why is there also Fu? Is Ou merely the combination of two formulas, while Fu is the combination of two or four? Otherwise, why is there Fu outside of Ou? This "Fu" character does not mean repetition, but reversal/reiteration. Why? Because the *Neijing* mentions Qi and Ou but not repetitive formulas, stating only: "If Qi fails to remove the pathogen, use Ou; this is Chong Fang, which is Fu Fang." It further says: "If Ou fails to remove the pathogen, use reverse assistance to capture it," meaning Cold, Heat, Warm, Cool follow the disease's nature. Thus, Fu as a formula type implies reversal, aligning with the *Neijing*'s intent.