始得阴毒候 阴毒本因肾气虚寒，因欲事或食冷物，而后伤风，内既伏阴，外又
伤寒，或先感外寒而后伏阴，内外皆阴，则阳气不守，遂发头痛腰重，眼睛疼，身体倦怠而甚热
，四肢厥逆冷，额上及手背冷汗不止，或多烦渴，精神恍惚，如有所失，三二日间或可起行
，不甚觉重。诊之六脉沉细而疾，尺部短小，寸口或大（六脉俱浮大，或沉取之大而不甚
疾者，非阴证也。）若服凉药，则渴转甚，躁转急。有此病证者，急服还阳退阴之药即安。
惟补虚和气而已，宜服正元散、退阴散、五胜散。阴证不宜发汗，如气正脉大身热而未瘥
，用药发汗无妨。
阴毒渐深候 或寸口小而尺脉微大，亦同积阴感于下则微阳消于上，故其候沉
重，四肢逆冷，腹痛转甚，或咽喉不利，或心下胀满，结硬躁渴，虚汗不止，或时狂言，爪甲面
色青黑，六脉沉细而一息七至以来。有此证者，速宜于气海或关元二穴灸三二百壮，以手足
和暖为效，仍服金液丹、来复丹、玉女散、还阳散、退阴散之类，随证选用之。
阴毒沉困候 沉困之候与前渐深之候皆同，而更加困重。六脉附骨取之方有
，按之
即无，一息八至以上，或不可数，至此则药饵难为攻矣！但于脐中灼艾半枣大，三二百壮以
来，手足不和暖不可治也。偶复和暖，则以硫黄及热药助之。若阴气散，阳气来，渐减热药
而和治之以取瘥也。
【始得阴毒候】
阴毒原本是因为肾气虚寒，由于房事过度或食用生冷食物，之后又感受风邪。体内既已潜伏阴寒，体外又遭受伤寒，或者先感受外寒而后体内潜伏阴寒，内外皆为阴邪，导致阳气不能固守，于是出现头痛、腰部沉重、眼睛疼痛、身体倦怠且感觉非常发热、四肢厥冷逆乱、额头及手背冷汗不止、或多烦渴、精神恍惚、如有所失等症状。发病两三天间或许还能起身行走，并不觉得特别沉重。诊察时六脉沉细而快速，尺部脉短小，寸口脉可能偏大（如果六脉都浮大，或者重按之下脉大但不过于快速的，就不是阴证）。如果服用凉性药物，口渴会加重，烦躁会更急迫。有此病证的人，应立即服用回阳退阴的药物即可安宁。治疗只需补虚和气罢了，适宜服用正元散、退阴散、五胜散。阴证不宜发汗，如果正气尚存、脉象宏大、身体发热但病未痊愈，用药发汗也无妨。
【阴毒渐深候】
或者寸口脉小而尺脉微大，这也如同积滞的阴寒感于下部，则微弱的阳气消损于上部，所以症状表现为沉重、四肢逆冷、腹痛加剧，或者咽喉不利，或者心下胀满、结硬、烦躁口渴、虚汗不止，或者时而胡言乱语、指甲和面色青黑，六脉沉细且一息跳动七次以上。有此证候的人，应迅速在气海穴或关元穴艾灸三二百壮，以手足回暖为见效标准，同时服用金液丹、来复丹、玉女散、还阳散、退阴散等药物，根据具体证候选用。
【阴毒沉困候】
沉困的症状与前述逐渐加深的症状基本相同，但更加困重。六脉只有在紧贴骨骼处取脉才能触及，轻按即无，一息跳动八次以上，或者难以计数。到了这个阶段，药物治疗就难以奏效了！只能在脐中用艾炷灸如半颗枣大小，三二百壮以上，如果手足不能回暖，就无法治愈了。偶然再次回暖，则用硫黄及热性药物辅助治疗。如果阴气消散，阳气回归，逐渐减少热性药物，并用平和的方法调理以求痊愈。
[Initial Stage of Yin Toxin]
Yin toxin originates from deficiency-cold of the Kidney Qi, caused by excessive sexual activity or consumption of cold foods, followed by wind invasion. Internally, yin-cold is latent; externally, cold damage has occurred. Alternatively, external cold is contracted first, followed by internal latent yin. With both interior and exterior dominated by yin pathogens, Yang Qi fails to maintain its post, leading to symptoms such as headache, heaviness in the waist, eye pain, bodily fatigue with a sensation of intense heat, cold reversal of the four limbs, continuous cold sweat on the forehead and back of hands, frequent thirst and irritability, mental confusion and distraction (as if having lost something). Within two or three days, the patient may still be able to rise and walk, without feeling excessively heavy. Pulse diagnosis reveals six pulses that are deep, fine, and rapid; the Chi position pulse is short and small, while the Cun position pulse may be large (If all six pulses are floating and large, or if they appear large upon deep pressure but are not overly rapid, this is not a Yin syndrome). If cooling medicines are administered, thirst will worsen, and restlessness will become more urgent. For those presenting these symptoms, immediate administration of medicines that restore Yang and retreat Yin will bring relief. The treatment principle is solely to tonify deficiency and harmonize Qi. Suitable formulas include Zhengyuan San, Tuiyin San, and Wusheng San. Yin syndromes are generally unsuitable for diaphoresis (sweating therapy); however, if the healthy Qi is intact, the pulse is large, the body is hot, yet the disease has not resolved, using medicine to induce sweating is permissible.
[Progressive Stage of Yin Toxin]
Alternatively, the Cun position pulse is small while the Chi position pulse is slightly large. This is similar to accumulated yin-cold affecting the lower part, causing slight Yang to diminish in the upper part. Consequently, symptoms manifest as heaviness, cold reversal of the four limbs, worsening abdominal pain, throat obstruction, epigastric distension and hardness, irritability and thirst, continuous spontaneous sweating, occasional delirium, cyanosis of the fingernails and complexion, and six pulses that are deep, fine, and rapid (seven beats per respiration or more). For patients with these signs, moxibustion should be rapidly applied to the Qihai (CV 6) or Guanyuan (CV 4) acupoints, three to two hundred moxa cones, taking the warming of the hands and feet as the sign of efficacy. Simultaneously, administer medicines such as Jin Ye Dan, Laifu Dan, Yunu San, Huan Yang San, or Tuiyin San, selecting according to the specific syndrome.
[Severe and Debilitated Stage of Yin Toxin]
The symptoms of severe debilitation are identical to those of the progressive stage described above, but even more severe. The six pulses can only be felt when pressed deeply against the bone; they disappear upon light pressure. The rate exceeds eight beats per respiration, or is too rapid to count. At this stage, medicinal treatment becomes difficult to effect! Only moxibustion applied directly to the umbilicus, with an moxa cone the size of half a jujube, totaling three to two hundred cones, is indicated. If the hands and feet do not warm up, the condition is incurable. If warmth occasionally returns, assist it with Sulfur and other heating medicines. Once Yin pathogenic factors dissipate and Yang Qi returns, gradually reduce the heating medicines and treat with mild methods to achieve recovery.