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True heat and false cold

真热假寒 〔真熱假寒〕zhēn rè jiǎ hán

Any disease presenting with signs of both heat and cold, in which the heat signs represent its essential nature, whereas the cold signs are deceptive. This follows the principle that extreme heat resembles cold. True heat and false cold signs such as generalized heat failing to surface, reversal cold of the limbs, and even aversion to wind are found in combination with dry mouth, dry throat, thirst with desire for cold fluids, short voidings of reddish urine, hard stool, red tongue with slimy, yellow fur, and a forceful rapid pulse. The latter signs govern; the reversal cold of the limbs and aversion to cold are due to depressed heat in the interior preventing yáng qì from reaching peripheral regions. The principle of treatment that applies in such cases is treating cold with cold.

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