病之有标本，犹草之有根苗。拔茅须连其茹，治病必求其本。标本不明，处方何据？所谓瞑目
夜行，无途路而可见矣。原夫六气为本，三阴三阳经为标。病气为本，脏腑经络受病为标。先受病
为本，次受病为标。且如尺寸俱浮者，太阳受病也。其经标本，膀胱、小肠也。膀胱寒水为本，其
脉循脊上连风府，故头疼脊强。小肠为标，主发热。其正冬月时，在本者麻黄汤，在标者桂枝汤，
余月改用冲和汤也。尺寸俱长者，阳明受病也。其经标本，大肠与胃也。大肠为标，燥金为本，大
肠与
肺为表里。但发热，解肌汤。本脉络鼻循目，故目痛鼻干，不眠，虚则汗解，实则大柴胡、承气选
用。尺寸俱弦者，少阳受病也。其经标本，三焦与胆也。三焦相火，本也，游行乎一身，故微热。
足胆，标也，其脉循胁络耳，故耳聋胁痛，寒热，呕而口苦。缘胆无出入之路，故从中治证，用小
柴胡和解散而愈。其经有三禁，汗、下、吐是也。尺寸俱沉者，太阴受病也。其经标本，肺与脾也。
肺标，脉循咽。脾本，湿土。故腹满咽干，当得本治，宜泄，大柴胡、承气也。尺寸俱微沉者，少
阴受病也。其经标本，心与肾。君火为本，心苗舌，故舌燥。标肾，脉循肺，主口干，故口干舌燥。
故在标者，因身冷，治主姜附也。在本者，宜下，三乙承气，看微甚而用之。尺寸俱微缓，厥阴受
病也。其经标本，肝与心包络也。风木为本，下循阴器，故囊缩；标心包络，系舌，故舌卷。大抵
温之，四逆辈。其四经并前三经中，若有阳分传来者，下之，庶不误也。
The disease having root and branch is like grass having root and shoot. When pulling reeds, one must pull up the roots along with them; when treating a disease, one must seek its root. If root and branch are not understood, what is the basis for prescribing? It is like walking blindfolded at night, seeing no path yet trying to see clearly.
The Six Qi (Six Atmospheric Influences) constitute the root, while the Three Yin and Three Yang meridians constitute the branch. The pathogenic qi is the root, while the organs and meridians suffering from the disease are the branch. The initially affected condition is the root, and the subsequently affected condition is the branch.
For instance, if both the Cun (inch) and Chi (cubit) pulses are floating, it indicates that the Taiyang Meridian (Greater Yang Meridian) is affected. The root and branch of this meridian correspond to the Bladder and Small Intestine. The Bladder, belonging to Cold Water, is the root; its meridian runs along the spine and connects to the Fengfu point (GV16), thus causing headache and stiffness of the spine. The Small Intestine is the branch, governing fever. In winter season, if the disease is in the root (Bladder), Mahuang Tang (Ephedra Decoction) is used; if in the branch (Small Intestine), Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) is used; in other months, Chonghe Tang (Harmonizing Decoction) is substituted.
If both pulses are long, it indicates that the Yangming Meridian (Yang Brightness Meridian) is affected. The root and branch correspond to the Large Intestine and Stomach. The Large Intestine is the branch, Dry Metal is the root, and the Large Intestine and Lung are exterior-interior partners. The main symptom is fever, treated with Jieji Tang (Muscle-Releasing Decoction). The meridian network passes through the nose and eyes, thus causing eye pain, dry nose, and insomnia. If deficiency, sweating resolves the pathogen; if excess, Dazhaihu Tang (Major Bupleurum Decoction) or Chengqi Tang (Purgative Decoction) are selected.
If both pulses are wiry, it indicates that the Shaoyang Meridian (Lesser Yang Meridian) is affected. The root and branch correspond to the Sanjiao (Triple Burner) and Gallbladder. The Sanjiao, belonging to Ministerial Fire, is the root, circulating throughout the body, thus causing slight fever. The Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian is the branch; its vessel runs along the hypochondrium and links to the ear, thus causing deafness, hypochondriac pain, alternating chills and fever, vomiting, and bitter taste in the mouth. Since the Gallbladder has no direct exit or entry path, treatment is conducted from the middle jiao, using Xiaochaihu Hejie San (Minor Bupleurum Harmonizing Powder) for recovery. This meridian has three prohibitions: sweating, purging, and emesis.
If both pulses are deep, it indicates that the Taiyin Meridian (Greater Yin Meridian) is affected. The root and branch correspond to the Lung and Spleen. The Lung is the branch, its vessel running along the pharynx; the Spleen is the root, belonging to Damp Earth. Thus, abdominal fullness and dry throat occur. One should treat the root, employing draining methods, such as Dazhaihu Tang or Chengqi Tang.
If both pulses are slightly deep, it indicates that the Shaoyin Meridian (Lesser Yin Meridian) is affected. The root and branch correspond to the Heart and Kidney. Sovereign Fire is the root, the Heart opens into the tongue, thus causing dry tongue. The branch is the Kidney, its vessel running along the Lung, governing dry mouth, thus causing dry mouth and tongue. Therefore, for disease in the branch, due to cold body, treatment primarily uses Ginger and Aconite. For disease in the root, purging is appropriate, using Sanyi Chengqi Tang (Three Yi Purgative Decoction), applied according to severity.
If both pulses are slightly slow, it indicates that the Jueyin Meridian (Terminal Yin Meridian) is affected. The root and branch correspond to the Liver and Pericardium. Wind-Wood is the root, the vessel descends to the genitalia, thus causing contraction of the scrotum; the branch is the Pericardium, linked to the tongue, thus causing tongue curling. Generally, warming is employed, using Sini Tang (Recovery from Collapse Decoction) and similar formulas. Among these six meridians, if there is transmission from the Yang aspect, purging should be used to avoid error.