再论其热传营，舌色必绛。绛，深红色也。初传，绛色中兼黄白色，此气分之邪未尽也
，泄
卫透营，两和可也。纯绛鲜色者，胞络受病也，宜犀角、生地黄、连翘、郁金、石菖蒲等。
延之数日，或平素心虚有痰，外热一陷，里络就闭，非菖蒲、郁金所能开，须用牛黄丸、至
宝丹之类，以开其闭，恐其昏厥为痉也。
再色绛而舌中心干者，乃心胃火燔，劫烁津液，即黄连、石膏，亦可加入。若烦热烦渴
，舌
心干四边色红，中心或黄或白者，此非血分也，乃上焦气热烁津，急用凉膈散，以散其无形
之热，再看其后转变可也，慎勿用血药以滋腻难散，至舌绛望之若干，手扪之原有津液，此
津亏湿热熏蒸，将成浊痰蒙闭心包也。
再有热搏营血，其人素有瘀伤，宿血在胸膈中，挟热而搏，其舌色必紫而暗，当加入散
血之
品，如琥珀、丹参、桃仁、丹皮等。不尔，瘀血与热为伍，阻遏正气，遂变如狂发狂之症。
若紫而肿大者，乃酒毒冲心，若紫而干晦者，肾肝色泛也，难治。舌色绛而上有粘腻，似苔
非苔者，中夹秽浊之气，急加芳香逐之。舌绛若伸退场门而抵齿难骤伸者，痰阻舌根有内风也
。舌绛而光亮，胃阴亡也，急用甘凉濡润之品。若舌绛而干燥者，火邪劫营，凉血清火为要
。舌绛而有碎点白黄者，当生疳也。大红点者，热毒乘心也，用黄连、金汁。其有虽绛而不
鲜，干枯而痿者，此肾阴涸，急以阿胶、鸡子黄、生地、天冬等救之，缓则恐涸极而无救也
。其有舌独中心绛干者，此胃热心营受灼也，当于清胃方中，加入清心之品，否则延及于尖
，为津干火盛，舌尖绛独干，此心火上炎，用导赤散泻其火。
再舌苔白浓而干燥者，此胃燥气伤也，滋润药中加甘草，令甘守津还之意。舌白而薄者
，此
外感风寒也，当疏散之。若白干薄者，肺津伤也。加麦冬、花露、芦根汁等轻清之品，为上
者上之也。若白苔绛底者，湿遏热伏也，当先泄湿透热，防其就干也。勿忧之，再从里透于
外，则变润矣。初病舌干，神不昏者，急养正，微加透邪之品。若神已昏，其内陷矣，不可
救药。又不拘何舌色，上生芒刺者，皆是上焦热极也。当用青布拭冷薄荷水揩之，即去者轻
，旋即生者险矣。舌苔不燥，自觉闷极者，属脾湿盛也。或有伤痕血迹者，必问曾经搔挖否
，不可以有血而便为枯症，仍从湿治可也。再有神情清爽，舌胀大不能退场门者，此脾湿胃热，
郁极化风而毒延口也。用大黄磨入当用剂内，则舌胀自消矣。
再舌上白苔粘腻，吐出浊浓涎沫者，口必甜味也，为脾瘅病，乃湿热气聚与谷气相搏，
土有
余也。盈满则上泛，当用省头草芳香辛散以逐之则退。若舌上苔如咸者，胃中宿滞，挟浊秽
郁伏，当急急开泄，否则闭结中焦，不能从幕原达出矣。
再论述热邪传入营分的情况，舌色必定呈现绛色。绛，即深红色。初传阶段，绛色中夹杂黄白色，这是气分的邪气尚未清除的表现，应当采用泄卫透营的方法，使卫分和营分调和即可。如果是纯绛且色泽鲜亮的，说明心包络受病，适宜使用犀角、生地黄、连翘、郁金、石菖蒲等药物。如果拖延数日，或者患者平素心虚且有痰湿，外热一旦内陷，里络就会闭塞，这就不是菖蒲、郁金所能开通的了，必须使用牛黄丸、至宝丹之类的方剂，以开其闭窍，防止出现昏厥进而发展为痉证。
再次，如果舌色绛而舌中心干燥，这是心胃火盛，灼伤津液，此时黄连、石膏也可以加入方中。如果出现烦热烦渴，舌心干燥而四边色红，舌中心或黄或白的，这不属于血分病变，而是上焦气分热盛灼伤津液，急需使用凉膈散，以疏散无形的热邪，再观察后续的病情转变即可，千万不要用滋腻难散的补血药。至于舌色绛，看起来干燥，但用手触摸却发现原有津液的，这是津液亏损兼湿热熏蒸，将要形成浊痰蒙蔽心包。
再有，如果热邪搏结于营血，患者平素有瘀伤，宿血停留在胸膈中，挟带热邪搏结，其舌色必定紫暗，应当在方中加入活血散血的药物，如琥珀、丹参、桃仁、牡丹皮等。如果不这样做，瘀血与热邪勾结，阻碍正气，就会变成如狂、发狂的症状。如果舌色紫而肿大，这是酒毒冲心的表现；如果舌色紫而干枯晦暗，这是肾肝之色外露，难以治疗。舌色绛而上有粘腻、似苔非苔的，是中间夹杂秽浊之气，急需加入芳香药物驱逐它。舌绛且伸出口外时抵齿难以迅速伸出的，是痰阻舌根并有内风。舌色绛而光亮的，是胃阴亡失，急需使用甘凉濡润的药物。如果舌色绛而干燥的，是火邪劫夺营阴，以凉血清火为关键。舌色绛而有白黄色碎点的，应当会生疳疮。有大红点的，是热毒乘袭心脏，使用黄连、金汁治疗。有的虽然绛色但不鲜亮，干枯萎缩的，这是肾阴枯竭，急需以阿胶、鸡蛋黄、生地黄、天冬等药物救治，迟缓则恐怕枯竭至极无法挽救。有的只有舌中心绛干，这是胃热导致心营受灼，应当在清胃方中加入清心药物，否则延及舌尖，造成津干火盛，舌尖独干绛，这是心火上炎，使用导赤散泻其火。
再论舌苔白厚而干燥的，这是胃燥气伤，在滋润药中加入甘草，取“甘守津还”之意。舌苔白而薄的，这是外感风寒，应当疏散。如果是白而干薄的，是肺津受伤。加入麦冬、花露、芦根汁等轻清的药物，这是“上者上之”的治疗方法。如果是白苔底见绛色的，是湿遏热伏，应当先泄湿透热，防止其变得干燥。不要担忧，再从里透达于外，就会变湿润了。初病舌干，神志不昏迷的，急需扶助正气，微加透邪药物。如果神志已经昏迷，说明邪气内陷，不可救药。又不拘泥于何种舌色，上面生出芒刺的，都是上焦热极。应当用青布蘸冷薄荷水擦拭，擦掉后不再生的较轻，旋即又生的则危险。舌苔不燥，自觉胸闷至极的，属于脾湿盛。或者有伤痕血迹的，必须询问是否曾经搔挖过，不能因为有血就认为是枯症，仍然从湿治即可。再有神情清爽，舌体胀大不能缩回口腔的，这是脾湿胃热，郁极化风而毒邪蔓延至口部。使用大黄磨入当用的药剂内，舌胀自然消除。
再论舌上白苔粘腻，吐出浊浓涎沫的，口中必定有甜味，这是脾瘅病，乃湿热气聚与谷气相搏，土气有余。盈满则向上泛溢，应当使用省头草（佩兰）芳香辛散以驱逐它则会消退。如果舌上苔像咸味一样（注：此处原文可能有误或指特定形态，通常指苔滑或腻），胃中有宿滞，挟带浊秽郁伏，应当急急开泄，否则闭结在中焦，不能从膜原透达出来。
Furthermore, regarding the transmission of heat to the Ying (Nutrient) level, the tongue color must be crimson (Jiang). Crimson refers to a deep red. In the initial stage of transmission, if the crimson color is mixed with yellowish-white, this indicates that the pathogenic factors in the Qi (Energy) level have not yet been cleared. One should employ methods to vent the Wei (Defensive) level and reveal the Ying level, harmonizing both can suffice. If the tongue is purely crimson and bright, it signifies disease of the Pericardium Collateral (Baoluo); one should use Rhinoceros Horn (Xijiao), Rehmanniae Radix Preparata (Sheng Dihuang), Forsythiae Fructus (Lianqiao), Curcumae Aromatae Rhizoma (Yujin), and Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma (Shichangpu). If delayed for several days, or if the patient has inherent Heart deficiency with phlegm, once external heat sinks inward, the interior collaterals become blocked. This cannot be opened by Shichangpu and Yujin alone; one must use Niuhuang Wan (Calculus Bovis Pill) or Zhibao Dan (Precious Treasure Pill) to open the blockage, fearing coma leading to convulsions (Jing syndrome).
Again, if the tongue is crimson with dryness in the center, this is due to blazing fire in the Heart and Stomach consuming body fluids. In such cases, Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian) and Gypsum Fibrosum (Shigao) may also be added. If there is vexatious heat and thirst, with a dry tongue center but red edges, and the center is either yellow or white, this does not belong to the Blood level, but rather to excessive heat in the Upper Jiao burning fluids. One should urgently use Liangge San (Cool the Diaphragm Powder) to dissipate formless heat, and then observe subsequent changes. Be careful not to use blood-nourishing herbs that are cloying and difficult to disperse. Regarding a tongue that appears dry when viewed but retains moisture when touched, this indicates fluid deficiency with damp-heat steaming, which is about to form turbid phlegm clouding the Pericardium.
Furthermore, if heat combats the Ying and Blood levels, and the patient has a history of trauma with residual blood in the chest and diaphragm, clashing with heat, the tongue color will necessarily be purple and dark. One should add blood-dispersing agents such as Succinum (Hupo), Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Danshen), Persicae Semen (Taoren), and Moutan Cortex (Danpi). Otherwise, stasis and heat combine, obstructing righteous Qi, leading to symptoms resembling mania or actual mania. If the tongue is purple and swollen, it indicates alcohol toxin rushing to the Heart. If purple and dry/dull, it reflects the colors of the Kidney and Liver emerging, which is difficult to treat. If the crimson tongue has a greasy coating that looks like moss but is not, it indicates turbid miasma trapped inside; urgently add aromatic drugs to expel it. If the crimson tongue extends out but hits the teeth and cannot retract quickly, it indicates phlegm blocking the tongue root with internal wind. A bright crimson tongue indicates the loss of Stomach Yin; urgently use sweet-cool moistening agents. If the crimson tongue is dry, fire pathogens have seized the Ying level; cooling the blood and clearing fire is essential. If the crimson tongue has small white/yellow spots, gan sores (ulcers) will likely develop. Large red dots indicate heat-toxin attacking the Heart; use Huanglian and Jinzhi (Gold Juice). If the tongue is crimson but not bright, dry, and atrophic, this is exhaustion of Kidney Yin; urgently rescue with Cornu Bubali (Ejiao - actually Donkey-hide gelatin, usually Ejiao), Egg Yolk (Jizihuang), Rehmanniae Radix Preparata (Shengdi), and Asparagi Radix (Tian Dong). Delay risks irreversible exhaustion. If only the center of the tongue is crimson and dry, this is Stomach heat scorching the Heart Ying; add heart-clearing agents to stomach-clearing formulas. Otherwise, it spreads to the tip, causing dryness and excess fire; a dry crimson tip indicates flaming-up Heart fire; use Daochi San to drain the fire.
Regarding a thick white coating that is dry, this is Stomach dryness injuring Qi; add Licorice Root (Gancao) to moistening prescriptions, intending to retain sweetness and restore fluids. A thin white coating indicates exterior Wind-Cold; disperse it. A dry thin white coating indicates injury to Lung fluids; add light and clear agents like Ophiopogonis Radix (Maidong), Flower Dew, and Reed Rhizome Juice (Lugen Zhi), following the principle of "treating the upper with upper-acting methods." A white coating with a crimson base indicates dampness suppressing heat; first vent dampness and reveal heat to prevent dryness. Do not worry; if revealed from the interior to the exterior, it will become moist. Initial dry tongue without unconsciousness requires urgent support of Zheng Qi with slight pathogen-revealing agents. If unconsciousness occurs, the pathogen has sunk inward, and it is incurable. Regardless of tongue color, prickles on the surface indicate extreme heat in the Upper Jiao. Wipe with blue cloth soaked in cold mint water; if pricles disappear easily, it is mild; if they return immediately, it is dangerous. A non-dry coating with extreme stuffiness belongs to Spleen dampness. If there are scratch marks or blood, ask if scratched; do not assume dryness just because of blood, still treat dampness. If the spirit is clear but the tongue is swollen and cannot retract, this is Spleen dampness and Stomach heat, stagnation transforming into wind and toxin spreading to the mouth. Add Rhubarb (Dahuang) to the prescription to reduce swelling.
Regarding a sticky white coating with expulsion of turbid thick saliva, accompanied by a sweet taste in the mouth, this is Pi Dan (Spleen Heat/Dampness), where damp-heat gathers and combats grain Qi, indicating excess Earth. Fullness causes upward flooding; use Euphorbiae Humifusae Herba (Shentoucao/Polan) aromatic and pungent dispersants to expel it. If the coating tastes salty (or resembles salt/specific texture), it indicates old stagnation in the Stomach with turbid miasma lying dormant; urgently open and drain, otherwise it will close in the Middle Jiao and cannot reach the Membrane Source (Moyuan).