According to the course of the disease
According to the length and duration of the disease, the corresponding medication method is established, which is called according to the course of the disease.
For diseases that can be cured in a short period of time, there is no need for long-term medication unless it is a recurrent disease. In that case, medication should be taken regularly to prevent it. On the other hand, for diseases with a long course, it is difficult to recover without consistent medication. In terms of dosage, for diseases with a short course, the dosage can be slightly higher, while for diseases with a long course, the dosage should be lighter. This is because new diseases are easier to eliminate, while chronic diseases are more difficult to eradicate. Accumulation diseases fall into this category. The accumulation of diseases is not achieved overnight, but is the result of accumulation over months or even years. The course of the disease is also long in this case. The "Jin Kui Wing · Theory of Accumulation" states: "Accumulation refers to the meaning of gradual accumulation, which becomes heavier and does not move." Therefore, the treatment of such diseases is not easy and quick. Therefore, when taking medication, it is not advisable to increase the dosage abruptly to avoid self-misunderstanding. It is necessary to start with a small dosage to achieve the desired effect. The treatment of edema also follows this principle. "Shen's Zunsheng Book · Treatment of Distension and Fullness" states: "Do not seek immediate effect, but strive for complete recovery."
According to the onset time of the disease
Establishing the corresponding medication method according to the onset time of the disease is called according to the onset time of the disease.
For some diseases that have intermittent or recurrent attacks, medication is often given before the onset of the disease. For example, as described in "Treatise on Febrile Diseases", "when the disease often has spontaneous sweating, this indicates harmony of the Ying Qi... If sweating is induced before this time, the disease can be cured. Gui Zhi Tang is suitable for this situation." This emphasizes the importance of taking medication before sweating occurs. "Shu Qi San" for the treatment of malaria in "Jin Kui Yao Lue" is also taken "one qian bi (a unit of weight measurement) before the onset of the disease". This is because before the onset of malaria, the Qi and blood are not disturbed, and the pathogenic factors have not yet conflicted with the body. At this time, taking medicated gruel is easier to be absorbed. This medication method fully embodies the treatment principle of Chinese medicine of "seizing the opportunity before it arrives". For some diseases that occur at specific times or are most intolerable at a certain time, there are also specific medication times. For example, medication for insomnia is often taken before going to bed.
"Shi Yi De Xiao Fang" mentions Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan, which is taken "after a meal before going to bed". "Shen's Zunsheng Book" records Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan and instructs to take "Zhu Ye Deng Xin Tang before going to bed" (Note: Although both are named Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan, the composition of the prescription is different). This medication method is also in line with the view of pharmacology on the relationship between time and effect. After taking medication, the concentration of the drug in the blood changes over time, and the drug has the greatest effect when the concentration in the blood is highest.