this is externally-contracted wind-cold leading to an exterior cold deficient condition. the peculiarities of this condition are due to disharmony between the nutritive (ying) and protective (wei) qi.

under normal circumstances, the two regulate each other. the protective qi (associated with yang) guards the exterior, and the nutritive qi (associated with yin) nourishes and stabilizes the interior. here, however, the protective qi is slightly weak. when it rises to the surface to fight off wind-cold, fever and chills are produced. this takes all of its strength and it is unable to adequately perform its other functions, such as guarding the nutritive qi. the nutritive qi therefore becomes unstable and is unable to contain the fluids. the resulting sweating does not have the full force of the protective qi behind it, and thus does not lead to any improvement in the condition.

the opening of the interstices and pores (during sweating) makes the person more sensitive to the environment, which leads to an aversion or sensitivity to wind. when wind-cold invades the muscles and the exterior, it impedes the flow of qi in the channels (especialle the greater yang channels), which leads to headache and stiff neck.

the lungs control the qi and are associated with the skin, body hair, and nose. wind-cold, which constrians or bottles up the exterior, also impairs the qi mechanism of the lungs, which causes nasal congestion. the impaired qi mechanism of the lungs and the loss of mutual regulation between the nutritive and protective qi disrupts the stomach qi, which leads to dry heaves.

as is typical of fever due to exterior cold, there is no particular thirst. the thin, white tongue coating and floating pulse are also characteristic of exterior wind-cold. sweating opens up the superficial levels of the body, which is reflected in a relaxation of the pulse. the pulse is moderate in the sense that it is unlike the tight pulse associated with exterior cold excess, but this should not be confused with the moderate pulse that refers primarily to speed.

loss of mutual regulation between the nutritive and protective qi can also occur after a serious illness, childbirth, or in patients with a weak constitution. in such cases, even though there may be no externally-contracted wind-cold, there may still be fever, sweating, and an aversion to wind.

(bensky & barolet)

this is wind-cold attacking the exterior where it constrains or bottles up the protective qi (wei qi). this inhibits the flow of the yang qi in the exterior, which produces chills. the battle between the external pathogenic influence and the normal qi causes fever and makes the skin warm to the touch.

the head is the meeting place of the yang channels and an attack of wind-cold on the superficial (yang) aspects of the body results in headache. cold causes the interstices and pores to close and prevent sweating. it also interferes with the flow of nutritive qi (ying qi), which produces generalized body aches.

the bottling-up of the exterior leads to constraint of the lung, which results in rebellious lung qi manifested as wheezing. this is an exterior condition only, and the tongue is therefore not affected. the floating pulse indicates that the pathogenic influence is in the exterior, and the tight pulse indicates the presence of cold.