《诊要经终论》曰∶正月、二月，天气始方，地气始发，人气在肝。三月、四月，天气正方，地
气正发，人气在脾。五月、六月，天气盛，地气高，人气在头。七月、八月，阴气始杀，人气在肺。
九月、十月，阴气始冰，地气始闭，人气在心。十一月、十二月，冰复地气合，人气在肾。（此举天气、地
气、人气而言之，见人气所在，乃诊家之至要也。诊，视验也。诊之为义，所赅者广，有自诊脉言者，
有诊病言者。善诊者，察色按脉，不止于脉而已。方，正也。杀，肃也。正月、二月者，寅卯月也，
月建属木，木治东方，天气始正，地气始发，人气在肝，以肝属东方木也。三月、四月者，辰已月也，
月建属土与火，治东南方，天气正万，地气之发者已定，人气在脾，以脾属土而土又生火也。五月、六
月者，午未月也。月建属火，火治南方，天气已盛，地气已高，人气在头，头属南方火也。七月、八
月者，申酉月也，月建属金，金治西方，天地之阳气已下，阴气以上，始皆肃杀，人气在肺，以肺属西
方金也。九月、十月者，戌亥月也，月建属水，阴气始冰，地气始闭，人气在心，阳气入藏也。十一
月、十二月者，子丑月也，月建属水，水治北方，水已复凝，地气已合，人气在肾，以肾属北方水也。
善诊者，当以是为法矣。）
十二经脉之终 奈何？（终，谓尽也。）太阳之脉，其终也，戴眼反折螈 ，其色白，绝汗乃
出，出则死矣。（此先以太阳之终者言之也。足太阳之脉起于目内 ，上颧交颠，人络脑，还出别下项，
循肩膊内，侠脊抵腰中；其支别者，下循足至小指外侧。手太阳之脉，起于手小指之端，循臂上循入缺
盆；其支别者，从缺循颈上颊，至目外 ，故太阳之终也。戴眼，谓睛不转而仰视也。反折螈 ，谓手
足身体反张，而或急为螈，或缓力 。其色则白，足太阳之水主黑，手太阳之火主赤，其二色不见，而
色只白也。绝汗乃出，谓汗暴出如珠，而不复渗入也。盖至于绝汗出而死矣。）少阳终者，耳聋，百
节皆纵，目环绝系，绝系一日半死，其死也，色先青白，乃死矣。（此举少阳终者言之也。足少阳之脉，
起于目锐 ，上抵头角，下耳后，其支别者，从耳后入耳中，出走耳前。手少阳之脉，其支别者，从
耳后入耳中，出走耳前，故终则耳聋。少阳主筋，故终则百节皆纵。其目环之系则绝，盖至于绝系，
而一日半则死，且其死也。色必青白，以金木相薄也。）阳明终者，口目动作，善惊妄言，色黄，其
上下经盛，不仁则终矣。（此举阳明之终者言之也。足阳明之脉，起于鼻，交额中，下循鼻外，上入
齿中，夹口环唇，循颊车，上耳前，循发际至额颅；其支者，从人迎前下人迎，循喉咙，入缺盆，络肺其
支别者，从缺盆上颈贯颊，下入齿中口，环侠口，交人中，上侠鼻孔，故终则口目动作，胃病则恶人
与火，闻木音，则惕然而惊，詈骂不避亲疏，故善惊妄言也。黄者，土色也。上，谓手脉。下，谓足脉。
经盛，谓面、目、颈、颔、足、跗、腕、胫，皆躁盛而动也。不仁，谓不知痛痒也。此皆气竭之征，
故终也。）少阴终者，面黑齿长而垢，腹胀闭，上下不通而终也。（此与少阴之终者言之也。手少阴气
绝则血不流，血不流则皮毛死，故面色如漆而不赤，足少阴气绝则骨不软，骨不软则龈上宣，故
齿长而积垢。手少阴之脉起于心中，出属心系，下膈络小肠也。足少阴之脉，从肾上贯肝膈，入肺中，
故终则腹胀闭，而上下不通也。）太阴者，腹胀闭，不得息，善噫善呕，呕则逆，逆则面赤，不逆
则上下不通，不通则面黑，皮毛焦而终矣。（此举太阴之终者言之也。足太阴之脉，从股内前廉入腹，
属脾络胃，上膈。
手太阴之脉起于中焦，下络大肠，环循胃口，上膈属肺，惟其从脾络胃，故腹胀闭不得息，为噫为呕，
且呕则气逆而上行，故面色赤。不呕则不逆，不逆则上下通，下又复闭，则上下不通，心气外燔，
故皮毛焦而终矣。何者？足太阴脉支别者，从胃别上膈，注心中也。）厥阴终者，中热嗌干，善
溺心烦，甚则舌卷，卵上缩而终矣。此十二经之所败也。（此举厥阴之终者言之也。足厥阴之脉，
循胫上睾结于茎，其正经入毛中，过阴器，上抵少腹，挟胃，循喉咙之后，上入颃颡。手厥阴之
脉，起于胃中，出属心包，故终则中热嗌干，善溺心烦也。《灵枢》云∶肝者筋之合。筋者聚于阴器
而脉终于舌本，故甚则舌卷卵上缩而终矣。若此者十二经皆至于败，其死也宜矣。）
The *Zhenyao Jingzhong Lun* (Treatise on the Essentials of Diagnosing and the Termination of Meridians) states: In the first and second months, the Qi of Heaven begins to be upright, the Qi of Earth begins to emerge, and the Human Qi (the circulation of Qi and Blood in the human body) resides in the Liver. In the third and fourth months, the Qi of Heaven is fully vigorous, the Qi of Earth is actively growing, and the Human Qi resides in the Spleen. In the fifth and sixth months, the Qi of Heaven is abundant, the Qi of Earth is high, and the Human Qi resides in the Head. In the seventh and eighth months, Yin Qi begins to wither and kill, and the Human Qi resides in the Lungs. In the ninth and tenth months, Yin Qi begins to freeze, the Qi of Earth begins to close, and the Human Qi resides in the Heart. In the eleventh and twelfth months, ice covers the earth again, the Qi of Earth merges, and the Human Qi resides in the Kidneys. (This enumerates the Qi of Heaven, the Qi of Earth, and the Human Qi to illustrate that knowing where the Human Qi resides is of utmost importance for diagnosticians. "Zhen" (Diagnosis) refers to visual inspection and examination. The meaning of diagnosis is broad; it can refer to pulse diagnosis or disease diagnosis. A skilled diagnostician observes the complexion and palpates the pulse, going beyond merely the pulse itself. "Fang" means upright/regular; "Sha" means withering/killing. The first and second months correspond to the Yin and Mao months, where the monthly pillar belongs to Wood, governing the East. The Qi of Heaven begins to be upright, the Qi of Earth begins to emerge, and the Human Qi resides in the Liver, as the Liver belongs to Wood in the East. The third and fourth months correspond to the Chen and Si months, where the monthly pillar belongs to Earth and Fire, governing the Southeast. The Qi of Heaven is fully vigorous, the emergence of the Qi of Earth has stabilized, and the Human Qi resides in the Spleen, as the Spleen belongs to Earth, which generates Fire. The fifth and sixth months correspond to the Wu and Wei months. The monthly pillar belongs to Fire, governing the South. The Qi of Heaven is already abundant, the Qi of Earth is already high, and the Human Qi resides in the Head, as the Head corresponds to Fire in the South. The seventh and eighth months correspond to the Shen and You months, where the monthly pillar belongs to Metal, governing the West. The Yang Qi of Heaven and Earth descends, while Yin Qi ascends, beginning to exhibit a withering and killing nature, and the Human Qi resides in the Lungs, as the Lungs belong to Metal in the West. The ninth and tenth months correspond to the Xu and Hai months, where the monthly pillar belongs to Water. Yin Qi begins to freeze, the Qi of Earth begins to close, and the Human Qi resides in the Heart, as Yang Qi enters the Zang organs. The eleventh and twelfth months correspond to the Zi and Chou months, where the monthly pillar belongs to Water, governing the North. The water has refrozen, the Qi of Earth has merged, and the Human Qi resides in the Kidneys, as the Kidneys belong to Water in the North. A skilled diagnostician should take this as their standard.)
What happens when the Qi of the Twelve Primary Meridians terminates? (Termination here means exhaustion.) When the Qi of the Taiyang (Greater Yang) meridian terminates, the eyes are fixed upward and cannot move, the body arches backward in opisthotonos, there are convulsions, the complexion is white, and absolute sweat (sweat at the point of death) appears; once this sweat appears, death ensues. (This illustrates the termination of the Taiyang meridian. The Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian originates from the inner canthus, ascends to the cheekbone, intersects at the vertex, enters to connect with the brain, emerges again to descend separately along the nape, follows the medial aspect of the shoulder blade, runs alongside the spine to reach the middle of the waist; its branch descends along the leg to the lateral side of the little toe. The Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian originates from the tip of the little finger of the hand, ascends along the arm into the supraclavicular fossa; its branch goes from the supraclavicular fossa along the neck to the cheek, reaching the outer canthus. Thus, upon termination of the Taiyang meridians, these symptoms occur. "Daiyan" refers to the eyes being fixed and looking upward. "Fanze chong" refers to the body arching backward with limbs stiffening or flaccidity. The complexion becomes white; although Foot-Taiyang (Water) governs black and Hand-Taiyang (Fire) governs red, neither color is seen, only white. Absolute sweat appears suddenly like pearls and does not seep back in; death occurs with this sweat.) When the Qi of the Shaoyang (Lesser Yang) meridian terminates, there is deafness, all joints become flaccid, the ligaments around the eyes rupture, and after one and a half days following the rupture of these ligaments, death occurs. The complexion turns blue-white before death. (This illustrates the termination of the Shaoyang meridian. The Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian originates from the outer canthus, ascends to the corner of the head, descends behind the ear; its branch enters the ear from behind the ear and exits in front of the ear. The Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian's branch enters the ear from behind the ear and exits in front of the ear; thus, termination results in deafness. Shaoyang governs the sinews, so termination results in flaccidity of all joints. The ligaments around the eyes rupture; after one and a half days, death occurs, and the complexion must be blue-white due to the conflict between Metal and Wood.) When the Qi of the Yangming (Yang Brightness) meridian terminates, there are movements of the mouth and eyes, frequent fright and delirious speech, the complexion is yellow, the upper and lower meridians are hyperactive, and insensitivity (loss of sensation) marks the end. (This illustrates the termination of the Yangming meridian. The Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian originates at the nose, intersects at the forehead, descends along the lateral nose, enters the teeth, surrounds the lips, follows the Jiache point, ascends in front of the ear, follows the hairline to the frontal skull; its branch descends from the Renying point along the throat into the supraclavicular fossa, connecting with the Lungs. Another branch ascends from the supraclavicular fossa through the neck to the cheek, enters the teeth, surrounds the mouth, crosses the philtrum, and ascends alongside the nostrils. Thus, termination causes mouth and eye movements. Stomach disease leads to aversion to people and fire; hearing the sound of wood causes sudden fright; cursing without regard for intimacy or distance leads to fright and delirium. Yellow is the color of Earth. "Upper" refers to the Hand pulses; "lower" refers to the Foot pulses. "Meridian hyperactivity" refers to restlessness and movement in the face, eyes, neck, chin, feet, dorsum of feet, wrists, and calves. "Insensitivity" refers to lack of pain and itch sensation. These are signs of Qi exhaustion, hence termination.) When the Qi of the Shaoyin (Lesser Yin) meridian terminates, the face is black, the teeth appear long and dirty, abdominal distension and closure occur, and there is blockage of both upper and lower passages leading to death. (This illustrates the termination of the Shaoyin meridian. When the Qi of the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian ceases, blood flow stops, skin and hair die, resulting in a lacquer-black but not red complexion. When the Qi of the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian ceases, bones become rigid, gums recede, making the teeth appear long and accumulate dirt. The Hand-Shaoyin Meridian originates in the heart, connects to the heart system, descends through the diaphragm to connect with the Small Intestine. The Foot-Shaoyin Meridian ascends from the Kidney through the Liver and Diaphragm into the Lungs. Thus, termination causes abdominal distension and closure, blocking upper and lower passages.) When the Qi of the Taiyin (Greater Yin) meridian terminates, there is abdominal distension and closure, difficulty breathing, frequent belching and vomiting. Vomiting causes Qi rebellion, leading to a red face; if there is no rebellion, there is blockage of upper and lower passages, leading to a black face, dry skin and hair, and death. (This illustrates the termination of the Taiyin meridian. The Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian enters the abdomen from the anterior medial thigh, connects to the Spleen and links with the Stomach, ascending through the diaphragm. The Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian originates in the middle Jiao, descends to connect with the Large Intestine, circles the stomach opening, ascends through the diaphragm to connect with the Lungs. Because it connects to the Spleen and links with the Stomach, termination causes abdominal distension, blocked breathing, belching, and vomiting. Vomiting causes Qi to rebel upward, reddening the face. If there is no vomiting, there is no rebellion; if there is no rebellion, the upper and lower passages might open, but if the lower remains closed, there is total blockage. Heart Qi burns externally, drying the skin and hair, leading to death. Why? The branch of the Foot-Taiyin Meridian separates from the Stomach, ascends through the diaphragm, and pours into the Heart.) When the Qi of the Jueyin (Terminal Yin) meridian terminates, there is heat in the middle jiao, dry throat, frequent urination, and irritability. In severe cases, the tongue curls up, and the testicles retract, leading to death. This represents the failure of the Twelve Meridians. (This illustrates the termination of the Jueyin meridian. The Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian follows the shin, ascends to the scrotum, and knots at the penis; its main channel enters the pubic region, passes through the genitalia, ascends to the lower abdomen, clamps the Stomach, follows the posterior aspect of the throat, and enters the pharynx. The Hand-Jueyin Pericardium Meridian originates in the Stomach, emerges to connect with the Pericardium. Thus, termination causes middle heat, dry throat, frequent urination, and irritability. The *Ling Shu* states: "The Liver is the union of the sinews." Sinews gather at the genitalia, and the meridians terminate at the root of the tongue. Thus, in severe cases, the tongue curls and the testicles retract, leading to death. If this occurs, the Twelve Meridians have all failed, and death is inevitable.)