Huangqi (Honey-fried Astragali Radix) 1.5 liang, Danggui (Washed, de-lumened, thinly sliced, dried by baking, weighed) 1.5 liang, Baishao (White Peony Root) 3 liang, Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig) 1.1 liang (remove the rough bark, do not roast over fire), Gancao (Licorice Root) 1 liang (roasted).

Crush the above herbs into coarse powder. For each dose, take 5 qian, add 3 slices of Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger), 1 Zao (Jujube), and 1.5 zhang of water. Decoct together until reduced to 0.8 zhang. Strain the dregs, and take 1/7 of the clear liquid. Take three times during the day and twice at night. If the Chi pulse (pulse felt at the wrist position corresponding to the kidney/lower jiao) remains slow, prepare another dose.

In the past, a fellow villager named Qiu Sheng suffered from Shanghan (Cold Damage disease). I examined his pulse; he had fever, headache, irritability, and thirst. Although his pulse was floating and rapid, it was forceless. The Chi portion below was slow and weak. I said, "Although this belongs to the Mahuang Tang (Ephedra Decoction) pattern, the Chi pulse is slow and weak. Zhang Zhongjing stated: 'If the Chi pulse is slow, Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi) is insufficient, and Qi and Blood are slightly deficient; sweating therapy should not be used.' Therefore, I modified Jianzhong Tang (Middle-Buildering Decoction) by only adding Danggui (Angelica Sinensis). Shortly after, he sweated."

Take 4 liang of Femi (Bee Honey). Simmer in a copper vessel alternating between Wenhuo (Mild Fire) and Wuhuo (Strong Fire) until it slightly coagulates like maltose syrup. Stir constantly to prevent burning. When it can be molded, remove it and roll it into sticks, about two cun long and as thick as a finger. While hot, shape them quickly so that one end is sharp. Insert into the anal canal and hold firmly with hands. Remove when defecation is desired. If no evacuation occurs, prepare another one.

There were two patients in a scholar's household who had been ill for ten days.

One patient had body heat, had already undergone sweating therapy, had constipation, normal urination, coma, and excessive sleepiness. His pulse was large and empty. I treated him with Chengqi Tang (Purgative Decoction) to purge the bowels, and he recovered.

The other patient had Yangming syndrome with spontaneous sweating, constipation, free urination, scanty body fluids, dry mouth, and a pulse that was also large and empty. I treated him with Midui Method (Honey Suppository), changing it three times. He passed dry feces and achieved relief through loose stools. The family asked, "Both have Yangming constipation; why are the treatments different?" I replied, "Although these two conditions appear similar, those with spontaneous sweating and free urination cannot undergo harsh purgation to scour the five zang organs, because there are no body fluids left. Thus, although the major patterns of Shanghan are similar, slight differences in other symptoms require flexible adaptation and careful deliberation. One must not be careless."