[Formula Composition]
*Chi Fuling* (Polyporus with Hostwood), *Mu Zhuling* (Smilacis Rhizoma), *Baizhu* (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), *Guizhi* (Cinnamomi Ramulus) (each 0.5 liang), *Huashi* (Talcum) (1 liang), *Tongcao* (Tetrapanacis Medulla), *Baidoukou* (Amomi Fructus Rotundus) (each 2.5 qian), *Dingpi* (Syzygii Caryophyllati Cortex) (7.5 qian), *Chenpi* (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) (0.5 liang).

[Preparation and Administration]
Grind the above herbs into a fine powder. Take 3 qian per dose. Add one zhen of water, decoct until reduced to seven-tenths, strain the dregs, and take hot. If urination is not yet smooth, add 7.5 qian of *Qumai* (Dianthi Herba); if vomiting has not stopped, add 0.5 liang of *Banxia* (Pinelliae Tuber); if aversion to cold is severe, add three cun of *Congbai* (Allii Fistulosi Bulbus) to each dose.

[Hu's Commentary]
The above formula is an agent for treating cold-fluid retention accumulating in the chest and diaphragm. I consider *Huashi* (Talcum) to be too cold. This formula is originally an additive modification of Zhang Zhongjing’s *Wuling San* (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria), so it would be more appropriate to use *Zexie* (Alismatis Rhizoma).

[Pathogenesis Analysis and Ash Bag Moxibustion Method]
If after taking the previous medicine, the patient experiences no fullness or oppression in the chest and diaphragm, this indicates that there is Yang Qi in the Upper Jiao (Upper Burner). If the medicinal force is excessive, causing heat in the Upper Jiao, accompanied by abdominal fullness, hollow borborygmus, and frequent pain, this is because the Yin Qi from the Upper Jiao, driven away by Yang-warming medicines, has merged into the Lower Jiao (Lower Burner). Although there is accumulated cold in the Lower Jiao and abundant Yang in the Upper Jiao, it is difficult to administer medicines to warm the Lower Jiao at this time. One should instead use the "Ash Bag Moxibustion Method." Take charcoal ash or mulberry wood ash, approximately two to three sheng, mix well with good vinegar, adjusting to a suitable moisture level. Stir-fry in a yao (metal pot) until the ash becomes hot, wrap in cloth, and apply moxibustion to the area below the navel. Replace frequently to keep the ash bag constantly hot, continuing until abdominal fullness and pain cease. If the patient cannot tolerate the initial application, do not heed their objections; insist on rapid and continuous application without stopping the ash bag therapy. If after ash bag moxibustion the patient passes stool two or three times, urinates two or three sheng, or sweats slightly, this indicates the outward dispersion or downward discharge of Yin Qi. Do not doubt this; mild cases will recover as residual pathogenic factors are expelled and the disease resolves.

[Hu's Commentary]
Humans rely on warm Qi for life; if the intestines and stomach become too hot, illness occurs. Recovery requires the unblocking of bowel movements and urination, allowing heat pathogens to discharge downward, thus curing the disease. If the intestines and stomach are too cold, illness also occurs. Recovery requires the unblocking of bowel movements and urination, allowing cold pathogens to discharge downward, thus curing the disease. Just as when water freezes and the earth cracks, rivers cease to flow. The use of the Ash Bag Moxibustion Method likely embodies the principle of the east wind thawing the ice.

[Wang Haicang on Taohua Tang]
Wang Haicang stated that in the Materia Medica commentary, *Chishizhi* (Halloysit Rubrum) in *Taohua Tang* (Peach Kernel Decoction) should be listed under the Hand-Yangming channel section. I believe Zhang Zhongjing’s *Taohua Tang* was originally used to treat persistent diarrhea with pus and blood due to Cold Damage (*Shanghan*). Wang Haicang’s *Taohuan Wan* (Peach Kernel Pill) claims to treat chronic dysentery with purple blood. Since water color is black, mixing black with red yields purple—a dull, dark color indicating extreme cold in the Large Intestine causing stagnation and coagulation.