唇者,肌肉之本,脾之华也。故视其唇之色泽,可以知病之深浅,干而焦者,为邪在肌
肉。焦而红者吉,焦而黑者凶。唇口俱赤肿者,肌肉热甚也。唇口俱青黑者,冷极也。口苦
者,胆热也。口甜者,脾热也。口燥咽干者,肾热也。口噤难言者,或为痉,为痰厥,为中
寒,不相等也。又狐惑症,上唇有疮,为狐,虫食其脏;下唇有疮,为惑,虫食其肛也。
若病中见唇舌卷,唇吻反青,环口黧黑,口张气直,或如鱼口,或气出不返,或口唇颤摇不
止。皆难治也。
耳者,肾之窍。察耳之枯润,知肾之强弱。故耳叶红润者生,枯槁者难治。薄而白,薄
而黑,薄而青,或焦如炭色者,皆为肾败。若耳聋及耳中痛,皆属少阳,此邪在半表半里,
当和解之。若耳聋、舌卷、唇青,此属厥阴,为最重也。
目者,五脏精华之所注,能照物者,肾水之精也。热则昏暗,水足则明察秋毫。如常而
了然者,邪未传里也。若赤、若黄,邪已入里矣。若昏暗不明,乃邪热在内,消灼肾水,肾
水枯竭,故目不能朗照,急用大承气汤下之。盖寒则目清,未有寒甚而目不见者也。凡开目
欲见人者,阳证也。闭目不欲见人者,阴症也。目瞑者,将衄血也。目睛黄者,将发黄也。
至于目反上视,横目斜视,瞪目直视,及眼胞忽然陷下者,为五脏已绝之证也。凡杂病,忽
然双目不明者,此气脱也。经云∶气脱者目不明。此气虚也,丹溪用人参膏主之。经又云∶
脱阴者目瞀。此血脱也。邪热则下之,血虚则补之,以救肾水也,然此证已为危险之候。
The lips are the root of the muscles and the floral manifestation (external reflection) of the Spleen. Therefore, observing the color and luster of the lips can reveal the depth of the disease. Dryness and scorching indicate that the pathogenic factor is in the muscle layer. Scorching with redness is a favorable sign; scorching with blackness is an ominous sign. Redness and swelling of both the lips and the perioral area indicate severe heat in the muscles. Cyanosis and blackness of both the lips and the perioral area indicate extreme cold. Bitter taste in the mouth indicates Gallbladder Heat. Sweet taste in the mouth indicates Spleen Heat. Dry mouth and throat indicate Kidney Heat. Lockjaw and difficulty in speaking may be due to Wind-Stroke (Jing Bing, characterized by rigidity and spasms), Phlegm-Jue (sudden collapse due to phlegm obstruction), or Cold Strike (direct invasion of cold into the Zang-Fu organs), varying in nature. Additionally, in Hu-Huo Syndrome (a condition characterized by ulceration of the oral cavity, pharynx, and genital/anal regions), sores on the upper lip are called "Hu," indicating worms eating the internal organs; sores on the lower lip are called "Huo," indicating worms eating the anus. If, during illness, one observes tongue retraction, cyanosis of the lips and corners of the mouth, blackening around the mouth, gaping mouth with straight breath, mouth opening like a fish's gills, breath exiting but not returning, or incessant trembling of the lips, these are all difficult-to-treat conditions.
The ears are the apertures of the Kidneys. Observing whether the ears are dry or moist reveals the strength or weakness of the Kidney essence. Red and moist earlobes indicate life and recovery; dry and withered ears are difficult to treat. Thin and white, thin and black, thin and cyanotic, or scorched like charcoal colors all indicate Kidney failure. Deafness and ear pain belong to Shaoyang Disease (pathogen between the exterior and interior); this involves pathogen in the half-exterior, half-interior stage, requiring Harmonizing treatment. Deafness combined with tongue retraction and cyanotic lips belongs to Jueyin Disease (pathogen deeply affecting the Liver), which is the most severe.
The eyes are where the essence of the Five Zang Organs converges. The ability to see objects depends on the essence of Kidney Water. Heat causes dim vision; sufficient Kidney Water allows for acute clarity. Clear and normal vision indicates that the pathogen has not transmitted to the Interior. Redness or yellowing of the eyes indicates that the pathogen has entered the Interior. Dim and unclear vision indicates internal pathogenic heat consuming and burning Kidney Water, leading to exhaustion of Kidney Water, thus preventing clear vision. In such cases, Da Cheng Qi Tang (Major Order the Qi Decoction) should be urgently used to purge downward. Generally, cold results in clear eyes; there is no case where extreme cold causes blindness. Those who open their eyes wishing to see people present Yang Syndromes (hyperactive, heat-excess conditions). Those who close their eyes avoiding people present Yin Syndromes (inhibited, deficiency-cold conditions). Eyes closed tightly indicate impending epistaxis (nosebleed). Yellowish eyeballs indicate impending jaundice. Upward gaze, horizontal or oblique gaze, staring fixedly, and sudden sinking of the eyelids are signs of the extinction of the Five Zang Organs. In miscellaneous diseases, sudden loss of vision in both eyes indicates Qi Collapse (extreme depletion of Yuan Qi). The Classics state: "Those with Qi Collapse have unclear vision." This is Qi Deficiency, treated by Zhu Danxi using Renshen Gao (Ginseng Paste). The Classics also state: "Those with Yin Collapse have blurred vision." This is Blood Collapse (extreme depletion of Blood). For pathogenic heat, use purgation; for Blood Deficiency, use tonification, to rescue Kidney Water. However, this condition is already critical.