（《素问·咳论》全 附∶咳证治法）
黄帝问曰∶肺之令人咳何也？岐伯对曰∶五脏六腑皆令人咳，非独肺也。（令，平声。咳，康盖切。）帝曰∶愿闻其
状。岐伯曰∶皮毛者肺之合也，皮毛先受邪气，邪气以从其合也。（邪气，风寒也。皮毛先受之则入于肺，所以从其合也。）
其寒饮食入胃，从肺脉上至于肺则肺寒，肺寒则外内合邪因而客之，则为肺咳。（肺脉起于中焦，循胃口上膈属肺，故胃
中饮食之寒，从肺脉上于肺也。所谓形寒寒饮则伤肺，正此节之谓。）五脏各以其时受病，非其时各传以与之。（如肝当
受病于春，以其时也；然有非木令之时而肝亦病者，正以肺先受邪，而能传以与之也。凡诸脏腑之非时受邪者，其义皆
然。所以五脏六腑虽皆有咳，然无不由于肺者。）人与天地相参，故五脏各以治时感于寒则受病，微则为咳，甚者为泄为
痛。（治时，治令之时也。上文言外内合邪，此即其证。邪微者浅而在表，故为咳。甚者深而入里，故为泄为痛。）乘秋
则肺先受邪，乘春则肝先受之，乘夏则心先受之，乘至阴则脾先受之，乘冬则肾先受之。（此即治时受病也。故当其时者，
必先受之。）
帝曰∶何以异之？（此下辨五脏之咳不同也。）岐伯曰∶肺咳之状，咳而喘息有音，甚则唾血。（肺主气而司呼吸，
故喘息有音。唾血者，随咳而出，其病在肺，与呕血者不同。）心咳之状，咳则心痛，喉仲介介如梗状，甚则咽肿喉痹。
（心脉起于心中，出属心系，上挟于咽，故病喉中梗介、咽肿喉痹也。介介如有所梗，妨碍之意。）肝咳之状，咳则两胁
下痛，甚则不可以转，转则两 下满，（肝脉布胁肋，故病如是。 ，腋下胁也。 ，区、去二音。）脾咳之状，咳则右
下痛，阴阴引肩背，甚则不可以动，动则咳剧。（脾脉上膈挟咽，其支者复从胃别上膈，故为 下痛而阴阴然痛引肩背。
脾应土，其性静，故甚者不可以动，动则增剧也。按∶脾咳则右 下痛者，盖阴土之气应于坤，出西南也。观《平人气
象论》曰∶胃之大络，名曰虚里，贯膈络肺，出于左乳下。岂非阳土之气应于艮而出东北乎？人与天地相参，理有无往
不合者。剧音极。）肾咳之状，咳则腰背相引而痛，甚则咳涎。（肾脉贯脊系于腰背，故相引而痛。其直者入肺中，循喉
咙，故甚则咳涎。盖肾为水脏，主涎饮也。）
帝曰∶六腑之咳奈何？安所受病？（此下辨六腑之咳不同也。）岐伯曰∶五脏之久咳，乃移于六腑。（五脏之久咳不
已，则病及于腑，皆各因其合而表里相移也。）脾咳不已，则胃受之，胃咳之状，咳而呕，呕甚则长虫出。（脾与胃合，
故脾咳不已，胃必受之。胃不能容，则气逆为呕。长虫，蛔虫也，居肠胃之中，呕甚则随气而上出。蛔音回。）肝咳不已，
则胆受之，胆咳之状，咳呕胆汁。（胆汁，苦汗也。）肺咳不已，则大肠受之，大肠咳状，咳而遗失。（遗失，《甲乙经》
作遗矢，大肠病也。矢，屎同。）心咳不已，则小肠受之，小肠咳状，咳而失气，气与咳俱失。（小肠之下，则大肠也。
大肠之气，由于小肠之化，故小肠受邪而咳，则下奔失气也。）肾咳不已，则膀胱受之，膀胱咳状，咳而遗溺，（膀胱为
津液之府，故邪气居之，则咳而遗溺。）久咳不已，则三焦受之，三焦咳状，咳而腹满，不欲食饮。（久咳不已，则上中
下三焦俱病，出纳升降皆失其和，故腹满不能食饮。）此皆聚于胃，关于肺，使人多涕唾而面浮肿气逆也。（此下总结诸
咳之证而并及其治也。诸咳皆聚于胃，关于肺者，以胃为五脏六腑之本，肺为皮毛之合，如上文所云皮毛先受邪气及寒
饮食入胃者，皆肺胃之候也，阳明之脉起于鼻，会于面，出于口，故使人多涕唾而面浮肿。肺为脏腑之盖而主气，故令
人咳而气逆。）帝曰∶治之奈何？岐伯曰∶治脏者治其俞，治腑者治其合，浮肿者治其经。帝曰∶善。（脉之所注者为俞，
所入者为合，所行者为经，诸脏腑皆然也。详经络类十四、十六。愚按∶咳证必由于肺，而本篇曰五脏六腑皆令人咳，
又曰五脏各以其时受病，非其时各传以与之，则不独在肺矣。盖咳有内伤外感之分，故自肺而传及五脏者有之，自五脏
而传于肺者亦有之。如风寒暑湿伤于外，则必先中于皮毛，皮毛为肺之合而受邪不解，此则自肺而后传于诸脏也；劳欲
情志伤于内，则藏气受伤，先由阴分而病及上焦，此则自诸脏而后传于肺也。但自表而入者，其病在阳，故必自表而出
之，治法宜辛宜温，求其属而散去外邪，则肺气清而咳自愈矣；自内而生者，伤其阴也，阴虚于下则阳浮于上，水涸金
枯则肺苦于燥，肺燥则痒，痒则咳不能已，治此者宜甘以养阴，润以养肺，使水壮气复而肺则宁也。大法治表邪者，药
不宜静，静则留连不解，久必变生他病，故最忌寒凉收敛之剂，如《五脏生成篇》所谓肺欲辛者此也。治里证者，药不
宜动，动则虚火不宁，真阴不复，燥痒愈增，病必日甚，故最忌辛香助阳等剂，如《宣明五气篇》所谓辛走气，气病无
多食辛者此也。然治表者虽宜从散，若形气病气俱虚者，又当补其中气而佐以温解之药，若专于解散，恐肺气益弱，腠
理益疏，外邪乘虚易入，而病益甚也。治里者虽宜静以养阴，若命门阳虚，不能纳气，则参姜桂附之类亦所必用，否则
气不化水，终无济于阴也。至若因于火者宜清，因于湿者宜利，因痰者降其痰，因气者理其气。虽方书所载，条目极多，
求其病本，则惟风寒劳损二者居其八九。风寒者责在阳实，劳损者责在阴虚。此咳证之纲领，其他治标之法，亦不过随
其所见之证，而兼以调之则可，原非求本之法也。至于老人之久嗽者，元气既虚，本难全愈，多宜温养脾肺，或兼治标，
但保其不致羸困则善矣；若求奇效而必欲攻之，则非计之得也。夫治病本难，而治嗽者为尤难，在不得其要耳，故余陈
其大略如此，观者勿谓治法不详而忽之也。）
《素问·咳论》全文（附：咳证治法）
黄帝问道：肺为什么会让人咳嗽呢？岐伯回答说：五脏六腑都能使人咳嗽，不仅仅是肺。（“令”读平声。“咳”音康盖切。）黄帝说：我想听听它的症状表现。岐伯说：皮毛是肺的外合，皮毛首先受到邪气侵袭，邪气就会顺着这种联系传入肺脏。（所谓邪气，是指风寒。皮毛先受邪则病入于肺，这就是顺着其外合的关系。）如果寒冷的饮食进入胃中，寒气会沿着肺脉上行至肺，导致肺寒；肺寒则外部邪气与内部寒气相合，从而客居在肺，这就形成了肺咳。（肺脉起始于中焦，循行胃口向上穿过膈肌归属于肺，所以胃中饮食的寒气，会顺着肺脉上行到肺。所说的“形寒寒饮则伤肺”，正是指这一节的内容。）五脏各自在其所主的季节感受病邪，如果不是该主令的季节发病，则是其他脏腑的病邪传给它。（比如肝脏应当在春季受病，因为那是肝木当令之时；然而如果在非木令之时肝病，正是因为肺先受了邪气，而能将病邪传给肝。凡是各脏腑在非当令之时受邪的道理都是如此。所以虽然五脏六腑都有咳嗽，但没有不是由于肺引起的。）人与天地相应，所以五脏各自在当令之时感受寒邪就会生病，病邪轻微就表现为咳嗽，病邪严重则表现为泄泻或疼痛。（“治时”即当令之时。上文说的内外合邪，这里就是相应的证候。邪气轻微的在表浅部位，所以表现为咳嗽；邪气严重的深入体内，所以表现为泄泻或疼痛。）遇到秋季则肺先受邪，遇到春季则肝先受之，遇到夏季则心先受之，遇到长夏（至阴之时）则脾先受之，遇到冬季则肾先受之。（这就是在当令之时受病。所以在其当令之时，必然最先受邪。）
黄帝说：如何区分它们呢？（以下辨别五脏咳嗽的不同。）岐伯说：肺咳的症状，是咳嗽伴有喘息且有声，严重时唾血。（肺主气而司呼吸，所以喘息有声。唾血是随咳嗽而出，病位在肺，与呕血不同。）心咳的症状，是咳嗽时心痛，咽喉中有异物感像被梗塞一样，严重时咽喉肿痛、喉痹。（心脉起于心中，出来属于心系，向上挟持咽喉，所以病见喉中梗介、咽肿喉痹。介介如有所梗，是妨碍的意思。）肝咳的症状，是咳嗽时两侧胁下疼痛，严重时身体不能转动，一转动两侧胁下就胀满。（肝脉布散于胁肋，所以病见如上情况。 指腋下胁部。 读音为区、去二音。）脾咳的症状，是咳嗽时右下腹疼痛，隐隐作痛牵引肩背，严重时不能活动，一动则咳嗽加剧。（脾脉上膈挟持咽喉，其分支又从胃别出上膈，所以出现 下疼痛且隐隐然痛引肩背。脾属土，性质安静，所以严重时不能活动，活动则病情加重。按：脾咳出现右 下痛，是因为阴土之气对应坤位，出于西南方。看《平人气象论》说：胃的大络名叫虚里，贯穿膈肌联络肺，出于左乳下。这难道不是阳土之气对应艮位而出东北方吗？人与天地相应，道理没有不相符合的。剧音极。）肾咳的症状，是咳嗽时腰背相互牵引而痛，严重时咳嗽吐涎沫。（肾脉贯穿脊柱系于腰背，所以相互牵引而痛。其直行者入肺中，循喉咙，所以严重时咳涎。因为肾为水脏，主管涎饮。）
黄帝说：六腑的咳嗽怎么样？是从哪里受病的？（以下辨别六腑咳嗽的不同。）岐伯说：五脏久咳不愈，就会转移影响到六腑。（五脏久咳不已，则病及于腑，都是根据其表里配合关系而相互转移的。）脾咳不愈，则胃受之，胃咳的症状，是咳嗽伴呕吐，呕吐严重时蛔虫吐出。（脾与胃相合，所以脾咳不愈，胃必定受病。胃不能容纳，则气逆而为呕吐。长虫即蛔虫，居住在肠胃之中，呕吐剧烈则随气而上出。蛔音回。）肝咳不愈，则胆受之，胆咳的症状，是咳嗽并呕吐胆汁。（胆汁即苦汗。）肺咳不愈，则大肠受之，大肠咳的症状，是咳嗽并大便失禁。（“遗失”，《甲乙经》作“遗矢”，是大肠的病。矢，同屎。）心咳不愈，则小肠受之，小肠咳的症状，是咳嗽并排气，气体随着咳嗽一起排出。（小肠之下是大肠。大肠的气，源于小肠的化生，所以小肠受邪而咳，则气向下奔逸失禁。）肾咳不愈，则膀胱受之，膀胱咳的症状，是咳嗽并遗尿。（膀胱是津液之府，所以邪气居于其中，则咳嗽并遗尿。）久咳不愈，则三焦受之，三焦咳的症状，是咳嗽伴腹部胀满，不想饮食。（久咳不愈，则上中下三焦都生病，出纳升降都失去和谐，所以腹胀不能进食饮水。）这些咳嗽都是病邪聚集在胃，关联于肺，使人多涕唾且面部浮肿、气逆。（以下总结各种咳嗽的证候并涉及治疗。各种咳嗽都聚于胃、关乎肺，是因为胃是五脏六腑的根本，肺是皮毛的外合，如上文所说皮毛先受邪气及寒饮食入胃，都是肺胃的征候。阳明脉起于鼻，会于面，出于口，所以使人多涕唾且面部浮肿。肺为脏腑之盖而主气，所以使人咳嗽且气逆。）黄帝说：怎么治疗呢？岐伯说：治疗脏病取俞穴，治疗腑病取合穴，有浮肿者取经穴。黄帝说：好。（脉气所注的是俞穴，所入的是合穴，所行的是经穴，各脏腑都是这样。详见经络类十四、十六条。我按：咳嗽证必然由于肺，但本篇说五脏六腑皆令人咳，又说五脏各以其时受病，非其时各传以与之，则说明不仅仅在肺。大概咳嗽有内伤和外感之分，所以从肺传到五脏的有之，从五脏传到肺的也有之。如风寒暑湿伤于外，则必先中于皮毛，皮毛是肺的外合而受邪不解，这是从肺而后传于诸脏；劳欲情志伤于内，则藏气受伤，先由阴分而病及上焦，这是从诸脏而后传于肺。但从表而入的，病在阳，所以必须从表而出，治法宜辛宜温，寻求其所属而散去外邪，则肺气清而咳自愈；从内而生的，损伤其阴，阴虚于下则阳浮于上，水涸金枯则肺苦于燥，肺燥则痒，痒则咳不能止，治疗此症宜甘以养阴，润以养肺，使水壮气复而肺则安宁。大凡治疗表邪，药物不宜静守，静守则留连不解，久必变生他病，所以最忌寒凉收敛之剂，如《五脏生成篇》所谓肺欲辛就是这个意思。治疗里证，药物不宜动散，动散则虚火不宁，真阴不复，燥痒更增，病必日益加重，所以最忌辛香助阳等剂，如《宣明五气篇》所谓辛走气，气病不要多吃辛味就是这个意思。然而治疗表邪虽宜疏散，若形体正气和病气都虚的人，又应当补其中气而辅以温解的药物，若专于解散，恐怕肺气更弱，腠理更疏，外邪乘虚易入，而病更重。治疗里证虽宜静以养阴，若命门阳虚，不能纳气，则人参、干姜、肉桂、附子之类也是必须使用的，否则气不化水，终究无助于滋阴。至于因火邪的宜清热，因湿邪的宜利湿，因痰的降其痰，因气的理其气。虽然方书所载条目极多，探求病本，则只有风寒和劳损二者占八九成。风寒责在阳实，劳损责在阴虚。这是咳嗽证的纲领，其他治标的方法，也不过根据所见之证兼以调理即可，原本不是求本的方法。至于老人久嗽，元气既已虚弱，本来难以全愈，多宜温养脾肺，或兼治标，只要保证不致消瘦困顿就好了；若追求奇效而一定要攻伐，那就不是得计了。治病本来很难，而治咳嗽尤为难，在于不得要领罢了，所以我陈述其大略如此，读者不要认为治法不详细而忽视它。）
The full text of *Suwen: Treatise on Cough* (Appendix: Treatment Methods for Cough Syndromes)
Huangdi asked, "Why does the Lung cause coughing?" Qibo replied, "All five Zang organs and six Fu organs can cause coughing; it is not exclusive to the Lung." ("Ling" is pronounced with a level tone. "Ke" is pronounced 'Kang-gai'.) Huangdi said, "I wish to hear about its manifestations." Qibo said, "The skin and hair are the exterior correspondence of the Lung. When the skin and hair are first invaded by pathogenic factors, these pathogens follow this correspondence to enter the Lung." (By "pathogenic factors," we mean wind-cold. If the skin and hair are first affected, the disease enters the Lung, thus following its exterior correspondence.) If cold food and drink enter the stomach, the coldness ascends along the Lung meridian to the Lung, causing Lung cold. With Lung cold, external and internal pathogens combine and lodge in the Lung, resulting in Lung cough. (The Lung meridian originates in the middle Jiao, follows the stomach opening, ascends through the diaphragm, and connects to the Lung. Therefore, the coldness from dietary intake in the stomach ascends to the Lung via the Lung meridian. The statement "external cold and cold drinks injure the Lung" precisely refers to this section.) Each of the five Zang organs receives pathogenic influence during its respective season. If illness occurs outside these seasons, it is transmitted from other organs. (For example, the Liver should receive pathology in spring, as that is its ruling season; however, if Liver disease occurs outside the Wood season, it is because the Lung was first invaded by pathogens and subsequently transmitted the disease to the Liver. This principle applies to all Zang and Fu organs receiving pathology out of season. Thus, although all Zang and Fu organs can produce cough, none occur without involvement of the Lung.) Humans correspond with Heaven and Earth; therefore, each Zang organ becomes diseased when exposed to cold during its ruling season. Mild exposure results in cough, while severe exposure leads to diarrhea or pain. ("Zhi shi" refers to the time of the ruling season. The aforementioned combination of external and internal pathogens corresponds to these symptoms. Mild pathogens remain superficial, hence cough; severe pathogens penetrate deeply, hence diarrhea or pain.) In autumn, the Lung is first invaded; in spring, the Liver; in summer, the Heart; during the late summer (extreme Yin period), the Spleen; and in winter, the Kidney. (This refers to receiving pathology during the ruling season. Thus, during its specific season, an organ is inevitably the first to be affected.)
Huangdi asked, "How can they be distinguished?" (Hereinafter, the differences among the five Zang coughs are differentiated.) Qibo said, "The manifestation of Lung cough includes coughing with wheezing and audible sounds; in severe cases, blood is expectorated. (The Lung governs Qi and respiration, hence wheezing with sounds. Expectorating blood differs from vomiting blood as the pathology resides in the Lung.) The manifestation of Heart cough includes cough accompanied by heart pain, a sensation of obstruction in the throat as if something were stuck, and in severe cases, sore throat and throat bi-syndrome. (The Heart meridian originates in the heart, emerges to connect with the heart system, and ascends to flank the throat; thus, pathology manifests as throat obstruction, swelling, and bi-syndrome. 'Jie jie' describes a feeling of obstruction or hindrance.) The manifestation of Liver cough includes pain in both hypochondriac regions upon coughing; in severe cases, turning the body is impossible, and doing so causes fullness in the hypochondriac areas. (The Liver meridian spreads over the costal and hypochondriac regions, hence such pathology. [Character] refers to the area below the armpit and hypochondrium. [Character] is pronounced 'qu' or 'qu'.) The manifestation of Spleen cough includes pain in the lower right abdomen upon coughing, dull pain radiating to the shoulder and back; in severe cases, movement is restricted, and any movement exacerbates the cough. (The Spleen meridian ascends through the diaphragm to flank the throat; its branch diverges from the stomach, ascends through the diaphragm, hence pain in the [area] radiating to the shoulder and back. The Spleen corresponds to Earth, whose nature is static; thus, in severe cases, movement is restricted, and activity aggravates the condition. Note: Spleen cough causing pain in the lower right abdomen occurs because Yin Earth energy corresponds to Kun, emerging from the southwest. As stated in *Ping Ren Qi Xiang Lun*: 'The great collateral of the Stomach is named Xuli, piercing the diaphragm and connecting to the Lung, emerging below the left breast.' Does this not indicate that Yang Earth energy corresponds to Gen, emerging from the northeast? Humans correspond with Heaven and Earth; principles are universally consistent. 'Ju' means extreme.) The manifestation of Kidney cough includes pain in the waist and back that pulls together upon coughing; in severe cases, saliva is coughed up. (The Kidney meridian pierces the spine and ties to the waist and back, hence pulling pain. Its straight branch enters the Lung, follows the throat, hence expectoration of saliva in severe cases. Since the Kidney is the Water organ, it governs saliva and fluids.)
Huangdi asked, "What about coughs of the six Fu organs? From where do they receive pathology?" (Hereinafter, the differences among the six Fu coughs are differentiated.) Qibo said, "Prolonged cough of the five Zang organs shifts to the six Fu organs. (If prolonged cough of the five Zang organs persists, the disease extends to the Fu organs, transferring between interior and exterior based on their pairings.) If Spleen cough persists, the Stomach is affected; the manifestation of Stomach cough includes coughing with vomiting; in severe cases, roundworms are expelled. (The Spleen and Stomach are paired; thus, persistent Spleen cough inevitably affects the Stomach. If the Stomach cannot accommodate, Qi rebels upward causing vomiting. Chang chong refers to roundworms, residing in the intestines and stomach; severe vomiting expels them upward. 'Hui' is the pronunciation.) If Liver cough persists, the Gallbladder is affected; the manifestation of Gallbladder cough includes coughing with vomiting of bile. (Bile is bitter sweat.) If Lung cough persists, the Large Intestine is affected; the manifestation of Large Intestine cough includes coughing with fecal incontinence. ('Yi shi', written as 'yi shi' in *Jia Yi Jing*, refers to Large Intestine pathology. 'Shi' is synonymous with stool.) If Heart cough persists, the Small Intestine is affected; the manifestation of Small Intestine cough includes coughing with flatus, where gas is expelled simultaneously with coughing. (Below the Small Intestine lies the Large Intestine. Qi of the Large Intestine derives from transformation by the Small Intestine; thus, when the Small Intestine is invaded and causes cough, Qi rushes downward causing incontinence.) If Kidney cough persists, the Bladder is affected; the manifestation of Bladder cough includes coughing with urinary incontinence. (The Bladder is the reservoir of fluids; thus, when pathogens reside there, coughing accompanies incontinence.) If prolonged cough persists, the San Jiao is affected; the manifestation of San Jiao cough includes coughing with abdominal fullness and loss of appetite. (Persistent cough affects the Upper, Middle, and Lower San Jiao; excretion, intake, ascending, and descending functions lose harmony, causing abdominal fullness and inability to eat or drink.) All these coughs gather in the Stomach and relate to the Lung, causing excessive phlegm and saliva, facial edema, and rebellious Qi. (Hereinafter, various cough syndromes are summarized, touching upon treatment. All coughs gather in the Stomach and relate to the Lung because the Stomach is the root of the Zang and Fu organs, and the Lung is the exterior correspondence of the skin and hair. As mentioned earlier, external invasion of skin/hair and cold drinks entering the Stomach are signs of Lung and Stomach pathology. The Yangming meridian originates at the nose, meets at the face, and emerges at the mouth, hence causing excessive phlegm/saliva and facial edema. The Lung covers the Zang and Fu organs and governs Qi, hence causing cough and rebellious Qi.) Huangdi asked, "How should they be treated?" Qibo said, "To treat Zang disorders, select Shu (Stream) points; to treat Fu disorders, select He (Sea) points; for edema, select Jing (River) points." Huangdi said, "Excellent." (Points where Qi flows are Shu points; points where Qi enters are He points; points where Qi travels are Jing points; this applies to all Zang and Fu organs. See Meridians Class, chapters 14 and 16. My commentary: Cough syndromes necessarily involve the Lung, yet this chapter states 'all Zang and Fu organs cause cough,' and 'each Zang receives pathology in its season, transmitting to others if not in season,' indicating pathology is not limited to the Lung. Generally, cough has distinctions between internal injury and external contraction. Pathology may transmit from the Lung to the five Zang organs, or from the five Zang organs to the Lung. For instance, wind, cold, summer-heat, and dampness invading externally first affect the skin and hair. Since skin and hair are the Lung's exterior correspondence, unresolved pathogens transmit from the Lung to other Zang organs. Conversely, labor, desire, and emotional injuries internally damage Zang Qi, starting from the Yin aspect affecting the Upper Jiao, transmitting from other Zang organs to the Lung. External invasions affect Yang; thus, treatment must release from the exterior using acrid and warm methods to disperse pathogens, clearing Lung Qi and resolving cough. Internal injuries damage Yin; deficiency of Yin below causes floating Yang above, drying Water and Withering Metal, making the Lung dry and itchy, leading to persistent cough. Treatment requires sweet flavors to nourish Yin and moistening agents to nourish the Lung, restoring Water and Qi to calm the Lung. Generally, treating exterior pathogens requires herbs that do not stagnate; stagnation prevents resolution and may generate further pathology, hence cold and astringent formulas are contraindicated, as stated in *Wu Zang Sheng Cheng Pian*: 'The Lung desires acridity.' Treating interior syndromes requires herbs that do not scatter excessively; scattering unsettles deficient fire and fails to restore True Yin, worsening dryness and itching, aggravating the disease. Hence, acrid and aromatic Yang-assisting formulas are contraindicated, as stated in *Xuan Ming Wu Qi Pian*: 'Acridity moves Qi; avoid excessive acrid consumption in Qi disorders.' However, while exterior treatments favor dispersion, if both constitutional Qi and pathogenic Qi are deficient, one must tonify Middle Qi and assist with warm-releasing herbs. Exclusive dispersion may weaken Lung Qi further, loosen interstices, allow easier pathogen entry, and worsen the condition. While interior treatments favor stillness to nourish Yin, if Mingmen Yang is deficient and fails to grasp Qi, herbs like Ginseng, Dried Ginger, Cinnamon Twig, and Aconite Root are necessary; otherwise, Qi fails to transform fluids, failing to aid Yin nourishment. For heat pathogens, clear heat; for damp pathogens, promote diuresis; for phlegm, resolve phlegm; for Qi stagnation, regulate Qi. Although medical texts list many categories, seeking the root reveals that wind-cold and exhaustion account for eight or nine out of ten cases. Wind-cold is attributed to excess Yang; exhaustion is attributed to Yin deficiency. This is the guideline for cough syndromes. Other symptomatic treatments merely adjust based on observed signs and are not root-treating methods. For elderly patients with chronic cough, since Yuan Qi is already deficient, complete cure is difficult. Warm-tonification of Spleen and Lung, possibly combined with symptomatic treatment, is preferred, aiming only to prevent emaciation and debility. Seeking miraculous effects through aggressive attack is inadvisable. Treating disease is inherently difficult, and treating cough is particularly challenging due to lack of key principles. I have outlined the general approach here; readers should not dismiss it as insufficiently detailed.)