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The theory that "Shanghan (Cold Damage) transmits only through the Foot meridians and not the Hand meridians" is a fallacy of mediocre physicians; how could such a thing exist! Humans are born by inheriting the Qi of Heaven and Earth. Let me illustrate this using phenomena observable in the world.

Nothing is more vast and operational within Heaven and Earth than Yuan Qi (Primal Qi) and Water. Speaking from the perspective of有形 (tangible forms), rivers, lakes, seas, streams, and ditches serve as channels for water flow and accumulation. Similarly, the human body is filled with Blood and Qi, possessing twelve primary meridians, large and small collaterals, and the Sea of Blood, which act as tunnels for blood circulation and storage. When wind moves, water moves; when Qi circulates, Blood flows. This is the natural principle. Human Qi converges at Danzhong (CV17, Chest Center) at dawn, then sequentially enters the Lung Meridian of Hand-Taiyin, distributing to other meridians in turn. It completes a cycle of 365 degrees (corresponding to the 365 acupoints or bone joints in the body), and reconverges at the Lung Meridian of Hand-Taiyin at Yin hour (3-5 AM) the next day. Blood also circulates continuously following Qi, nourishing and protecting the Couli (interstices of skin and muscles), managing opening and closing, maintaining order, and serving as the master of bodily movement and stillness. Therefore, if one meridian becomes disharmonious, all meridians become diseased; this is logical and inevitable. On what basis do those who claim "transmission occurs only in Foot meridians and not Hand meridians" speak? Let us examine their reasoning in detail.

Generally speaking, "Shanghan" refers to illness occurring immediately after contracting cold during winter. Winter is governed by Kan Water, characterized by severe cold where water freezes and earth hardens. In terms of seasonal correspondence, the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian and Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian are in command. Those exposed to these cold pathogens will suffer disease in these two meridians. Next, the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian and Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian succeed winter in governing spring, and they too can be injured. Why? Because the Wind-Wood influence begins at the Da Han (Great Cold) solar term, which falls in the twelfth lunar month, and does not transition to warm influences until after the Spring Equinox. Thus, wind-cold can also injure them. The Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian and Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian belong to Central Earth. Although seemingly unrelated to winter, they can also be injured. Why? Zhu Xi (Ziyang) stated: "Earth has no fixed position, no specific name, and no exclusive Qi; it thrives寄旺 (is parasitically prosperous) in the four seasons, capable of concluding and initiating all things. Therefore, the cold, heat, warmth, and coolness of all four seasons can injure it." Moreover, when exterior pathogens transmit inward, they must return to the Spleen and Stomach to form dry feces, which are cleared using Chengqi Tang (Gut-Clearing Decoction), thereby harmonizing Stomach Qi. The six Hand meridians primarily govern summer and autumn, so they are not injured by winter cold. The six Foot meridians represent the primary domains of injury. It is acceptable to say that the Feet are injured while the Hands are not, but unacceptable to claim that transmission occurs only in Foot meridians and not Hand meridians. Furthermore, when wind-cold invades humans, it first enters Ying (Nutritive) and Wei (Defensive) Qi, circulating day and night without exception. How could it stop at the Hand meridians? The Classics state: "Those suffering from Lianggan (Simultaneous Invasion of Exterior and Interior) due to cold die within six days." If the Three Yin and Three Yang, Five Zang and Six Fu organs are all diseased, and Ying-Wei circulation and Zang-Fu communication cease, death ensues. Is this merely empty talk?

I once read in *Ci Shi Nan Zhi* (Difficulties of This Matter): "During the fifth or sixth day of Shanghan, the patient gradually develops confusion and muteness, or speaks alone for one or two sentences while sleeping. The eyes are red, lips are scorched, the tongue is dry, yet there is no desire to drink. Given thin porridge, they swallow; without it, they have no appetite. The six pulses are deep and rapid but not surging. There is no epigastric fullness or abdominal distension, and urination and defecation are normal. Or, upon reaching the tenth day, the patient appears intoxicated. This indicates Heat transmitting into the Heart Meridian of Hand-Shaoyin. However, it is unknown which meridian it originated from." The answer given was: "Originally, this was Taiyang Wind Strike. Wind is a Yang pathogen. Yang pathogens injure Wei Qi, causing Yin Blood to naturally dry out. Heat accumulates in the Bladder. Ren (Kan/Water) pathology rebels against Bing (Yang Fire). Since Bing and Ding (Heart/Lung Fire) are like siblings, the pathogen transmits to the Heart. Heart Fire presses down on the Lung from above, causing confusion. Treat with Zhizi Huangqin Huanglian Tang (Gardenia, Scutellaria, and Coptis Decoction). If the pathology is in Bing, use Daochi San (Guide Out Red Powder). If in Ding, use Xiexin Tang (Drain the Epigastrium Decoction). If both floating and deep pulses are forceful, it indicates heat in both Bing and Ding; taking half doses of Daochi San and Xiexin Tang together would be appropriate. This represents Bladder transmitting to Bing, i.e., Foot meridian transmitting to Hand meridian. It is also called Fu organ transmitting to Zang organ, lower transmitting to upper, and exterior transmitting to interior. Ren transmitting to Ding is Kan transmitting to Li, named Jing Chuan (Meridian Transmission). Gas rebellion causing wheezing—does this not involve the Lung Meridian? If you argue otherwise, why are Zhang Zhongjing's Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) and Mahuang Tang (Ephedra Decoction) medicines for the Heart and Lung? Please ponder this."