劳极诸虚，浮软微弱（虚症宜见虚脉为顺）。土败双弦，（两手俱弦，木克土败。若左手
脉细
若六至以上必死。）骨蒸发热，脉数为虚，（虚数二脉，是其本象。）热而涩小，必殒其躯，（
发热脉静，不可救药。）气结或代，亦死何疑！失血诸症，脉必见芤，缓小可喜，（身凉脉静
易治。）数大堪忧，（身热脉大者，为难治。）
虚劳不能服参、 ，不受补者死。劳嗽声哑者死。一边不能睡者死。（皆肺败之征。）
久泻及
、白涎、白液、涎沫虽白，实血所化。一谓白血浅红色，而似肉，似肺者。）劳嗽久而咽痛
无声，此为下传上；不嗽不疼，久而溺浊脱精，此为上传下，皆死。吐血若咳逆上气，脉数
有热，不得卧者死。
虚劳所宜饮食药物。及养生之法。
白花百合汤、麦冬汤，取其清肺止嗽。真玉露霜，取其消痰解热，人乳为补阴神品。
童便乃
精泄泻最宜求。扁豆枣汤，专补脾胃。圆眼肉汤，兼养心脾。猪脊髓、鳇鱼胶，填精益髓。
（同鸡鸭诸物中煮烂尤佳，燕窝亦好。）凤头白鸭乌骨白鸡，补阴除蒸。猪肺煎白芨末，保肺
止血。丸如回生六味、左归、乳金、四圣、固本之属。膏如清金、清宁、白凤、坤髓、集灵
、卫生、琼玉之属。或间用汤液以治之。如内热甚，或发寒热，则用保阴六味，妇女或间用
逍遥散。咳甚用清金，或间用噙化。吐血用仲淳验方。心跳善惊，虚烦无寐，则用天王补心
丹，或脾胃虚弱，兼用归脾。食少便泻，量用资生。果系干血劳症，审之的确，可用大黄
虫之属。传尸劳，獭肝无疑也。
虚劳所忌饮食诸物，及却病之方。
烟为辛热之魁，酒为湿热之最。凡姜、椒、芥、蒜，及一切辛热之品，热能伤阴，断
不可用
∶肾主闭藏，肝主疏泄。二脏皆有相火，而其系上属于心，故欲心一动，相火翕起，虽不交
会，精已暗耗，况近色乎？又曰∶怒则气逆，甚则呕血及飧泄。又曰∶忧愁则气闭不行。又
曰∶思则气结。又曰∶烦劳太过，则气张于外，精绝于内，阳扰阴亏之故也。切忌火灸。仲
景曰∶微数之脉，慎不可灸。火气虽微，内攻有力，焦骨伤筋，血难复也。
极度虚损的各种虚弱证候，脉象表现为浮、软、微弱（虚证见到虚脉为顺证）。脾土败坏出现双弦脉（两手脉皆弦，乃肝木克伐脾土所致。若左手脉细……若脉搏每息六次以上必死）。骨蒸潮热，脉数而属虚（虚脉和数脉，是阴虚发热的本然脉象）。发热且脉象涩小，必然导致死亡（发热而脉象平静者，不可救药）。气机郁结或出现代脉，也毫无疑问会死亡。失血的各种病症，脉象必定见芤脉，脉缓小可喜（身体凉爽、脉象平静者易治）。脉数大则令人担忧（身体发热、脉象洪大者，为难治）。
虚劳患者不能服用人参、[此处原文缺字，通常指黄芪等补气药]，不耐受补益治疗的会死亡。患劳嗽且声音嘶哑的会死亡。只能侧卧一边睡觉的会死亡。（这些都是肺脏败坏的征象。）长期腹泻及[此处原文缺字，可能指痢疾或某种排泄异常]、白涎、白液、涎沫，虽然颜色是白色的，但实际上是由血液化生而来的。（一说为白血，呈浅红色，状似肉，状似肺组织。）患劳嗽日久且咽喉疼痛、无声，这是病邪由下传于上；不咳嗽也不疼痛，但日久小便浑浊、精气脱失，这是病邪由上传于下，这两种情况都会死亡。吐血如果伴有咳逆上气、脉数且有热、无法安卧的会死亡。
虚劳患者适宜的饮食药物及养生方法。
白花百合汤、麦冬汤，取其清肺止咳的功效。真玉露霜，取其消痰解热的功效，人乳是滋补阴液的极品。童便对于精泄、腹泻最为适宜。扁豆枣汤，专门补益脾胃。桂圆肉汤，兼养心脾。猪脊髓、鳇鱼胶，能填精益髓。（同鸡鸭等肉类一起煮烂食用更佳，燕窝也很好。）凤头白鸭、乌骨白鸡，能补阴除蒸。猪肺煎服白及末，能保肺止血。丸剂如回生六味、左归丸、乳金丸、四圣丸、固本丸之类。膏剂如清金膏、清宁膏、白凤膏、坤髓膏、集灵膏、卫生膏、琼玉膏之类。或者间歇使用汤剂来治疗。如果内热严重，或出现寒热往来，则使用保阴六味地黄丸，妇女有时使用逍遥散。咳嗽严重时使用清金化痰汤，或间歇使用含化药物。吐血使用陈实功（仲淳）的经验方。心跳且容易惊恐，虚烦失眠，则使用天王补心丹，或者脾胃虚弱，兼用归脾汤。食少便溏，酌情使用资生丸。如果是干血劳症，诊断确凿，可以使用大黄䗪虫丸之类。传尸劳（肺结核），獭肝无疑是最有效的药物。
虚劳患者忌食的食物及祛病的方剂。
烟草是辛热之品中的魁首，酒类是湿热之品中的极致。凡是生姜、花椒、芥末、大蒜，以及一切辛热性质的物品，热能伤阴，绝对不可使用。肾主闭藏，肝主疏泄。这两脏都有相火，而其联系上属于心，所以欲望之心一动，相火就会随之兴起，即使不发生性行为，精气也在暗中消耗，何况是亲近女色呢？又说：愤怒会导致气机上逆，严重时会导致呕血及完谷不化的腹泻。又说：忧愁会导致气机闭塞不通。又说：思虑过度会导致气机郁结。又说：烦劳太过，会导致气张于外，精气枯竭于内，这是阳气扰动、阴液亏损的缘故。切忌使用火灸疗法。张仲景说：脉象微数的，千万不要施以灸法。火气虽然轻微，但内攻的力量很大，会焦骨伤筋，血液难以恢复。
In cases of extreme consumptive disease (Xulao) and various deficiencies, the pulse appears floating, soft, and weak (seeing a deficient pulse in a deficiency syndrome is a favorable sign). Spleen Earth failure presents with double wiry pulses (both hands show a wiry pulse, indicating Liver Wood overacting on Spleen Earth. If the left hand pulse is fine... if the pulse beats more than six times per respiration, death is certain). Bone-steaming fever with a rapid pulse indicates deficiency (the combination of deficient and rapid pulses is the intrinsic manifestation of this condition). Fever accompanied by a choppy and small pulse inevitably leads to death (fever with a quiet pulse is incurable). Qi stagnation or the appearance of intermittent pulses also undoubtedly leads to death. In all syndromes of blood loss, the pulse must appear hollow (Kou); a slow and small pulse is auspicious (cool body and quiet pulse indicate easy treatment); a rapid and large pulse is worrisome (fever with a large pulse indicates difficult treatment).
Patients with consumptive disease who cannot tolerate Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma [text missing, likely Astragali Radix] and other tonics, or those who cannot accept tonifying treatments, will die. Those with consumptive cough and hoarseness will die. Those who can only sleep on one side will die. (These are all signs of Lung failure.) Chronic diarrhea and [text missing], white saliva, white fluid, and frothy sputum, although white in color, are actually transformed from blood. (One theory states it is "white blood," light red in color, resembling flesh or lung tissue.) Consumptive cough lasting long with sore throat and loss of voice indicates transmission from lower to upper; non-coughing and non-painful but with turbid urine and essence depletion over time indicates transmission from upper to lower; both conditions lead to death. Hemoptysis accompanied by coughing against upward flow of Qi, rapid pulse, heat, and inability to lie down leads to death.
Dietary and medicinal recommendations for consumptive disease, along with health preservation methods.
Baihua Baihe Tang (White Flower Lily Bulb Decoction) and Maidong Tang (Ophiopogon Decoction) are used for their ability to clear the Lungs and stop coughing. Zhen Yulu Shuang (True Dew Frost) is used to resolve phlegm and clear heat; human milk is a supreme substance for nourishing Yin. Tongbian (Child's Urine) is most suitable for seminal emission and diarrhea. Bidou Zao Tang (Lablab Bean and Jujube Decoction) specifically tonifies the Spleen and Stomach. Yuanyan Rou Tang (Longan Flesh Decoction) nourishes both Heart and Spleen. Zhu Jingsui (Porcine Spinal Cord) and Huangjiao (Sturgeon Swim Bladder Gel) fill essence and marrow (boiled until tender with chicken or duck is especially good; swallow's nest is also excellent). Fengtou Baiya (Fenghead White Duck) and Wugu Baiji (Black-boned White Chicken) nourish Yin and eliminate steaming bone disorder. Zhu Fei Jian Baiji Mo (Pig Lung Decoction with Bletillae Rhizoma Powder) protects the Lungs and stops bleeding. Pill preparations include Huisheng Liuwei (Regeneration Six-Ingredient Pill), Zuogui Wan (Left Restoring Pill), Rujin Wan (Milky Gold Pill), Sisheng Wan (Four Saints Pill), Guben Wan (Root-Firming Pill), etc. Paste preparations include Qingjin Gao (Clear Metal Paste), Qingning Gao (Clear Tranquility Paste), Baifeng Gao (White Phoenix Paste), Kun sui Gao (Earth Marrow Paste), Jiling Gao (Gathering Spirit Paste), Weisheng Gao (Health Preservation Paste), Qiongyu Gao (Jade Nectar Paste), etc. Alternatively, liquid decoctions may be used intermittently. If internal heat is severe or chills and fever alternate, Baoyin Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Yin-Nourishing Six-Ingredient Pill) is used; women may occasionally use Xiaoyao San (Free and Easy Wanderer Powder). For severe coughing, Qingjin Hua Tan Tang (Clear Metal Resolve Phlegm Decoction) is used, or lozenges may be used intermittently. For hemoptysis, Zhongchun's Verified Formula (attributed to Chen Shigong) is used. Palpitations with fright, empty irritability, and insomnia are treated with Tianwang Buxin Dan (Emperor of Heaven's Heart-Nourishing Pill); if Spleen and Stomach weakness coexists, Guipi Tang (Restore the Spleen Decoction) is added. For poor appetite and loose stools, Zisheng Wan (Nourishing Life Pill) is used appropriately. If dry blood consumption (Ganxue Lao) is confirmed after careful diagnosis, Dahuang Zhechong Wan (Rhubarb and Ground Beetle Pill) may be used. For Chuanshi Lao (Infectious Consumption/Tuberculosis), Tatan Gan (Wild Dog Liver) is undoubtedly effective.
Dietary taboos for consumptive disease and formulas for dispelling illness.
Tobacco is the chief among acrid-hot substances; alcohol is the utmost among damp-heat substances. All acrid-hot items such as ginger, pepper, mustard, and garlic must absolutely not be used, as heat damages Yin. The Kidney governs closure and storage; the Liver governs dispersion and excretion. Both organs contain Ministerial Fire (Xianghuo), which connects upward to the Heart. Thus, when desire arises, Ministerial Fire flares up; even without sexual intercourse, essence is secretly consumed, let alone engaging in sexual activity. It is said: Anger causes Qi to rebel upward, leading to vomiting of blood and undigested food diarrhea in severe cases. It is said: Worry causes Qi to become obstructed and cease to flow. It is said: Overthinking causes Qi to knot. It is said: Excessive mental labor causes Qi to disperse outward and essence to exhaust inward, resulting from Yang disturbance and Yin deficiency. Moxibustion must be strictly avoided. Zhang Zhongjing stated: With a slightly rapid pulse, moxibustion must be慎 (avoided/cautiously handled). Although the fire energy is slight, its internal attacking power is strong; it can scorch bones and injure sinews, making blood restoration difficult.