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The *Abdominal Discussion* (Fuzhong Lun) states: How can one know that a pregnant woman is about to give birth? Qibo replied: The body exhibits signs of pregnancy, yet the pulse shows no pathology. (This means that for a pregnant woman near delivery, although amenorrhea—a sign of "disease"—is present, the pulse remains healthy and free of pathological indicators. "Body with disease" refers to amenorrhea; "no pathological pulse" refers to a harmonious and even pulse at the Chi position. Generally, during the first three months of pregnancy, the essence and qi of yin and yang have not yet undergone significant transformation. By the third month, the essence and qi begin to transform, causing qi to steam upward and harass the stomach, leading to nausea and vomiting (morning sickness). During the fourth month, morning sickness subsides slightly, and the pulse becomes very slippery and rapid, as the male or female fetus is forming its structure, and its qi has not yet stabilized. After the fifth and sixth months, the fetal structure is established, and sexes are distinguished. By the eighth, ninth, and tenth months, the pulse becomes peaceful and calm, resembling that of a non-pregnant person. Unless it is a physician skilled in medical principles and pulse diagnosis, and a patient willing to speak frankly, even through examination, this might not be known. The *Pulse Classic* (Maijue) says: A slippery and rapid pulse that does not scatter indicates three months of pregnancy; a rapid and scattered pulse indicates five to six months; after this, the rapidity disappears. However, there are cases where the pulse remains surging and rapid throughout due to abundant qi, so one cannot apply a rigid rule.)

The *Bi Syndrome Discussion* (Bilun) states: In Bi syndrome (Arthralgia), some cases result in death, some involve prolonged pain, and some are easily cured. What is the reason? Qibo replied: If the pathogen enters the Zang organs, death occurs. If it lingers between the sinews and bones, the pain persists. If it flows among the skin, it is easily cured. (Entering the Zang organs leads to death because the Shen [Spirit] departs. Pain in the sinews and bones persists because the location is fixed. Ease of cure in the skin is because the location is superficial. Due to these differences in depth, the outcomes differ.) Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi) is the refined essence derived from food and water. It harmonizes within the Five Zang organs and spreads throughout the Six Fu organs, thereby entering the vessels. (According to the *Zhengli Lun*: When grain enters the stomach, the vessel pathways become active; when water enters the meridians, blood is formed.) Thus, Ying Qi circulates up and down along the vessels, penetrating the Five Zang organs and connecting the Six Fu organs. (Ying Qi travels within the vessels, reaching everywhere.) Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) is the fierce qi derived from food and water. Its nature is swift, slippery, and agile, and it cannot enter the vessels. ("Fierce qi" refers to floating and vigorous Yang Qi. Because it is vigorous and floating, it moves swiftly and smoothly, unable to enter the vessels.) Therefore, Wei Qi circulates within the skin and between the muscle layers, steaming the blind membranes (Mangmo), and dispersing in the chest and abdomen. (Within the skin and between muscle layers refers to outside the vessels. Blind membranes refer to the membranes between the Zang organs and in the diaphragm. Because it is vigorous, it can spread into the empty spaces of the chest and abdomen, steaming the blind membranes to promote the free flow of Qi.) If one disrupts this Qi, illness arises; if one follows it, health is restored. If it does not combine with Wind, Cold, and Dampness, it does not form Bi syndrome. (Since Ying and Wei Qi move as described, if they are disrupted, they cause disease; if they follow their natural course, recovery occurs. Here, Ying and Wei refer to Qi, not the tangible forms like sinews, bones, muscles, skin, vessels, or the Zang and Fu organs. Since they do not combine with the three pathogens of Wind, Cold, and Dampness, Ying and Wei within the human body do not constitute Bi syndrome.) Bi syndrome may present with pain, without pain, numbness, cold, heat, dryness, or dampness. What is the reason? Pain is caused by an excess of Cold; the presence of Cold leads to pain. Cases with neither pain nor numbness occur because the disease has been long-standing and deep-seated, causing Ying and Wei Qi to flow sluggishly, and the collaterals to be occasionally sparse and deficient, thus resulting in no pain. The skin lacks nourishment from Ying Qi, leading to numbness. (Numbness refers to the skin being insensate, unaware of touch or pain.) Cold sensations arise because Yang Qi is scarce and Yin Qi is abundant; the Yin Qi exacerbates the pathological condition, leading to cold. (The disease originates from Wind, Cold, and Dampness, so Yin Qi aids it.) Heat sensations arise because Yang Qi is abundant and Yin Qi is scarce; the pathogenic Qi is strong, and Yang encounters Yin, resulting in Bi-Heat. (Yin Qi fails to overcome Yang, leading to heat.) Profuse sweating and wetness occur because of severe exposure to Dampness. With scarce Yang Qi and abundant Yin Qi, the two Qi interact, causing sweating and wetness. This explains why Bi syndrome causes pain: it is due to excessive Cold. Hence, it is said that when Cold is predominant, it is called Painful Bi (Tongbi). Bi syndrome does not cause pain because, over time, the pathogenic Qi deepens, Ying and Wei Qi flow sluggishly, and the collaterals become sparse, thus preventing pain. Numbness occurs because there is insufficient Qi and Blood in the skin to circulate, making the skin insensate and immobile. Body coldness results from scarce Wei Qi and abundant Ying Qi; abundant Ying Qi combines with pathogenic Qi, leading to cold. Body heat results from abundant Wei Qi and scarce Ying Qi; thus, pathogenic Qi is strong. Wind is Yang, and when Yang encounters Ying Qi, Yin Qi cannot overcome it, resulting in Bi-Heat. Wetness occurs because of severe interaction with Dampness. Scarce Wei Qi and abundant Ying Qi interact, causing sweating and dampness. Dryness, though not explicitly stated, can be inferred inversely from dampness: if Wei Qi is abundant and Ying Qi is scarce, and heat is extreme, the interaction of two Yangs indicates dryness. Why does Bi syndrome sometimes not hurt? If Bi is in the bone, the body feels heavy; if in the vessels, blood coagulates and stagnates; if in the sinews, flexion and extension are impaired; if in the flesh, there is numbness; if in the skin, there is cold. Possessing any of these five conditions results in no pain. Generally, Bi syndromes contract or feel like insects crawling upon exposure to Cold, and relax or become flaccid upon exposure to Heat. (Crawling sensation refers to feeling like insects moving under the skin. Flaccidity refers to relaxation and lack of tension.)