The guiding syndrome of Taiyang disease is: the pulse is floating (Taiyang, a channel affected by exterior pathogens), accompanied by headache and stiffness in the head and neck, along with aversion to cold.

The twelve meridians of the human body are originally interconnected and continuous, yet each has its own boundaries. Therefore, when pathogenic factors invade, specific symptoms and corresponding pulses must manifest. Zhang Zhongjing first established the pulse and syndrome of Taiyang disease as floating pulse, headache with neck stiffness, and aversion to cold. This is because the Taiyang meridian resides at the most superficial level of the three Yang meridians; its pathway ascends to the forehead, intersects at the vertex, enters to connect with the brain, emerges again, descends separately to the nape. Thus, in the initial stage of illness, whether it is Wind Strike (Zhongfeng) or Cold Damage (Shanghan), the pulse and syndrome present in this manner. Later, in the Yangming chapter, it states: "Yangming disease manifests as excess in the stomach and intestines." In the Shaoyang chapter: "Shaoyang disease manifests as bitter taste in the mouth, dry throat, and vertigo." In the Three Yin chapters: "Taiyin disease manifests as abdominal fullness and vomiting, inability to eat, worsening diarrhea, and spontaneous abdominal pain; Shaoyin disease manifests as a faint and thin pulse, and a desire to sleep; Jueyin disease manifests as excessive thirst, qi rushing upward to strike the heart, pain and heat sensation in the heart, hunger without desire to eat, and vomiting of roundworms upon eating."

Including this text, there are six clauses in total, successively listing the pulses and syndromes of diseases affecting the Six Meridians. Therefore, Ke Qin regarded them as the guidelines for the Six Meridians, and this clause specifically serves as the guideline for Taiyang. However, the Yangming clause lacks mentions of dry mouth and aversion to heat; the Shaoyang syndrome lacks the mention of alternating chills and fever; Shaoyin's "desire to sleep" cites only one aspect; Taiyin and Jueyin mostly discuss internal organ diseases. Students should refer to other clauses and not be rigidly attached to just this one.

In Taiyang disease, if there is fever, sweating, aversion to wind, and a slow pulse, it is named Wind Strike (Zhongfeng).

This describes the typical pulse and typical syndrome of Taiyang Wind Strike. In the Taiyang chapter, there were originally syndromes such as Cold Damage, Wind Strike, Wind-Warmth, Warm Disease, Dampness Strike, Wind-Dampness, Damp-Warmth, and Spasm. Zhang Zhongjing likely noted that all these diseases involve fever and can transmit/transform, similar to Cold Damage, but the actual pathogenic factors received differ. Hence, he specifically listed and differentiated them to clarify the origin of Cold Damage. Wang Shuhe separated Spasm, Dampness, and Heat Stroke (Yue), considering them similar to Cold Damage and worthy of separate discussion. The Wind Strike, Wind-Warmth, etc., were still compiled into the Taiyang chapter. In essence, although Wind Strike, Wind-Warmth, and Warm Disease can all be termed Cold Damage, their onset characteristics and treatment methods are actually different from Cold Damage. Wang Shuhe compiled them here to rectify the understanding of the origins of Wind Strike, Wind-Warmth, and Warm Disease. However, a detailed examination of Zhongjing's chapters reveals many instances where Wind and Cold are mentioned together, suggesting they might not be strictly separable. Is this not because Wind and Cold Qi often combine, and the principles of Yin and Yang pathology can be mutually referenced? Therefore, I list Wind Strike and Cold Damage side by side here, while classifying Wind-Warmth and Warm Disease under the method of similar diseases, adhering to the intent of the Sages. Regarding the logic of sweating and a slow pulse, the explanation by Cheng Wuji and other sages—that "Wind nature is relaxing, leading to the failure of Defensive Qi (Wei Qi) to secure the exterior"—is correct. This will not be elaborated further.

In Taiyang disease, whether fever has already appeared or not, there must be aversion to cold, body pain, retching/vomiting, and a tight pulse in all positions (Cun, Guan, Chi), which is named Cold Damage (Shanghan).

This describes the typical pulse and typical syndrome of Taiyang Cold Damage. Comparing it with the previous Wind Strike clause naturally distinguishes them. Wind is a Yang pathogen, Cold is a Yin pathogen; Yang Qi moves swiftly, Yin Qi moves slowly. Thus, Wind Strike involves immediate body heat, whereas Cold Damage does not immediately cause heat. Wind nature is relaxing, Cold nature is tense and cutting; thus, Wind Strike presents with sweating and a slow pulse, while Cold Damage presents with no sweating and a tight pulse. Aversion to cold occurs because injury by Cold causes aversion to cold, just as injury by Wind causes aversion to wind, and injury by food causes aversion to food. Body pain and retching occur because Cold injuring the form causes pain, and Stomach Qi injured by Cold becomes rebellious. However, I have privately examined various clauses: Dampness Strike and Wind-Dampness both accompany body pain; Wind Strike and Heat Stroke both feature aversion to cold; Wind pathogen obstructing upwards often causes dry retching; patients with Dampness who undergo premature purgation also develop hiccups. Therefore, when discussing Taiyang Cold Damage, the primary focus should be on a tight pulse, absence of sweating, and lack of immediate fever, just as Wind Strike focuses on a slow pulse, profuse sweating, and body heat. As for aversion to cold, body pain, and retching, these serve to corroborate the syndrome collectively. The absence of sweating is not explicitly stated because the tight pulse implies it. These two clauses constitute the introductory guidelines for Taiyang disease.