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During the four seasons and the late summer, the complexion presents green, yellow, red, white, and black colors respectively, which should be observed according to the appropriateness of the season. The left cheek corresponds to the Liver (Gan), and the right cheek corresponds to the Lung (Fei); the forehead corresponds to the Heart (Xin), the malar region (cheekbones) corresponds to the Kidney (Shen), and the nose corresponds to the Spleen (Pi). When observing facial locations, one must know that generating colors indicate auspiciousness, while encountering controlling colors at specific times is sorrowful. Furthermore, distinguish between new and old conditions by the dullness or luster of the color; a faint yellow hue indicates the period of recovery. (Note: The *Neijing* states that the malar bones belong to the Kidney, etc., which differs from this text. This excerpt is taken from pediatric facial charts. Although claimed to be simple, it should prioritize the *Neijing*, and Gao Shizong's theory on locations should be studied thoroughly.)

Beyond observing complexion, there is the method of distinguishing the tongue. A tongue without coating indicates the pathogen is in the Exterior (Biao); a bright red color indicates Fire (Heat); a pale white color indicates Cold (referring specifically to cases without coating). If there is a white coating, the condition is half-Exterior and half-Interior; a yellow coating indicates the pathogen is in the Interior; a black coating indicates the disease has entered the Shaoyin (Lesser Yin) channel, and death is often the outcome. A moist coating indicates Cold; a dry coating without fluid indicates Fire. A tongue without coating, resembling a defatted pork kidney, signifies the exhaustion of fluids and is named "Mirror-Surface Tongue" (Jingmian She), which is incurable. Additionally, this must be correlated with symptoms and signs; do not adhere rigidly to one standard.

A tongue without coating indicates a mild Exterior syndrome. White coating (half-Exterior, half-Interior) follows ancient principles. Red tongue color refers to Heat syndromes; pale tongue color refers to Cold syndromes; refer to their withered or moist state (Withered red due to fluid exhaustion is undoubtedly Heat. Otherwise, differentiate further; Pale and moist is undoubtedly Cold. Otherwise, differentiate further). Black tongue involves Shaoyin (Shaoyin Heat transformation with black tongue is suitable for Huanglian Jizi Tang [Coptis Egg Yolk Decoction] and Dachengqi Tang [Major Order the Qi Decoction]; Shaoyin Cold transformation with black tongue is suitable for Baitong Tang [White Pass Decoction] and Tongmai Sini Tang [Unblock the Pulse Sini Decoction]). Yellow tongue involves Yangming (Yangming syndrome with yellow and solid coating can be purged; if deficient and not solid, do not purge). Differentiate life and death: Completely smooth and glossy without coating indicates Yin exhaustion (Tongue without coating, like defatted pork kidney, named Mirror-Surface Tongue, incurable); slightly covering the original color indicates balanced Qi (Slightly covered with a little white coating among pale red indicates Stomach Qi is present, not a pathological tongue). Predecessors transmitted thirty-six types (*Jingxian Lu · Thirty-Six Tongues*), but the collection is diverse and language imprecise. Weak Qi and low voice indicate Deficiency (Xu); abundant Qi and harsh voice indicate Excess (Shi). Speech that does not correspond coherently indicates Shen Hun (Spirit Confusion/Coma); wild speech and cursing indicate Excess Heat; gurgling phlegm sounds indicate death. New onset of hiccups indicates rebellious Fire; long-standing hiccups indicate exhaustion of Stomach Qi. Generally, speech and voice unchanged from normal times are auspicious; contrary changes are ominous.