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The term "Jing" (Meridian/Channel) refers to a path, which runs within the skin and among the muscles. The term "Fu" (Hollow Organ) refers to a vessel, used to contain food and fluids. Various books on Shanghan (Cold Damage) often confuse Jing with Fu, treating meridians as hollow organs and vice versa, mixing them in their discussions, which greatly confuses people. I have specifically composed this "Treatise on Meridians and Hollow Organs" to clarify this distinction in detail.

When pathogens invade the Three Yang channels, there are the Taiyang channel, Yangming channel, and Shaoyang channel. For pathogens in the Three Yang channels that have not yet entered the Fu organs, treatment by sweating (diaphoresis) is sufficient. When pathogens invade the Three Yin channels, there are the Taiyin channel, Shaoyin channel, and Jueyin channel. For pathogens in the Three Yin channels that have already entered the Fu organs, treatment by purgation is sufficient. The "Fu organ" referred to here as the destination of entry specifically denotes the Stomach (Yangming Fu). Once pathogens from either the Three Yang or Three Yin channels enter the Stomach, they cease further transmission. The Stomach belongs to Earth, symbolizing the principle that all things return to the earth. The *Shanghan Lun* states: "There is Taiyang-Yangming, Zhengyang-Yangming, and Shaoyang-Yangming." Here, "Yangming" refers to the Stomach Fu organ, not the Yangming channel. If pathogens are in the Taiyang channel but bypass the Yangming channel to directly enter the Stomach Fu, it is called "Taiyang-Yangming." If pathogens are in the Yangming channel and do not transmit to Shaoyang but enter its own Fu organ spontaneously, it is called "Zhengyang-Yangming." If pathogens are in the Shaoyang channel and do not transmit to the Three Yin but directly enter the Stomach Fu, it is called "Shaoyang-Yangming." In all cases where Three Yang pathogens have entered the Stomach Fu, purgation should be employed without hesitation.

Although it is common knowledge that Three Yang pathogens enter the Fu organs, few can recognize when Three Yin pathogens enter the Fu organs. The Three Yang channels are relatively distant from the Fu organs, whereas the Three Yin channels are closer to them. However, since they are termed "channels," the pathogens remain within the pathways and have not yet coalesced into a specific location. The *Shanghan Lun* states: "In Taiyin disease, if the pulse is floating, sweating may be induced, preferably using Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction)." "In Shaoyin wind-strike, if the radial pulse is faint and the cun pulse is floating, recovery is imminent." "In Jueyin wind-strike, a faintly floating pulse indicates impending recovery; a non-floating pulse indicates no recovery." These statements indicate that pathogens remain in the channels, allowing for a return to the exterior via sweating. Once pathogens enter the Fu organs, there is no path for external exit; only through promoting bowel movements can pathogens be expelled internally. This explains the establishment of Dachengqi Tang (Major Order the Qi Decoction), Xiaochengqi Tang (Minor Order the Qi Decoction), and Tiaowei Chengqi Tang (Regulate the Stomach Order the Qi Decoction). Then, why is Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction) used to treat Fu organ diseases? Baihu Tang is used for Fu organ conditions when Three Yang pathogens have just entered the Stomach Fu, causing heat in both the interior and exterior, but the pathogens have not yet condensed, the heat is diffuse, and there are no symptoms of stomach excess with constipation. Thus, Baihu Tang clears heat from the Stomach Fu internally while venting heat through the skin externally, resolving both layers. If pathogens have condensed, such as in severe abdominal pain in Taiyin disease, dry throat and mouth with yellow-green diarrhea and epigastric hardness in Shaoyin disease, or irritability, fullness, and retraction of the scrotum in Jueyin disease, Baihu Tang is contraindicated, and purgation alone is required. There is no other reason; once the distinction between channels and Fu organs is clear, treatment will not err.

What then of Taiyang pathogens entering their own Fu organ? The Fu organ of Taiyang is the Bladder. The Bladder primarily stores urine. In severe Taiyang disease, pathogens may linger in the Fu organ, resulting in thirst and dark urine. When exterior Taiyang symptoms are accompanied by these signs, it is called "Taiyang transmitting to its root." Wuling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria) should be used, employing Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig) to resolve exterior pathogens, and Zhuling (Polyporus), Zexie (Alisma), etc., to promote urination, leading to recovery.

One might ask: Is it true that Yang pathogens entering Yin channels can still return to the surface for sweating? I reply: Would ancient sages deceive us? "Jing" means "path," like a road. Just as there is a path for Three Yang pathogens to reach the Three Yin, there is a path for Three Yin pathogens to return to the Three Yang. This is the principle of cyclical circulation, unlike pathogens entering Fu organs, which have no exit route. I have observed patients with strong constitutions who recovered after the completion of channel transmission, all resolved through sweating. The *Shanghan Lun* states: "If there is no further channel transmission and no mixed pathogens, on the seventh day, Taiyang disease declines, and headache improves slightly. On the eighth day, Yangming disease declines, and body heat subsides slightly. On the ninth day, Shaoyang disease declines, and deafness improves slightly. On the tenth day, Taiyin disease declines, the abdomen softens, and appetite returns. On the eleventh day, Shaoyin disease declines, thirst stops, dry tongue resolves, and sneezing occurs. On the twelfth day, Jueyin disease declines, the scrotum relaxes, the lower abdomen feels slightly heavy, the vital qi departs, and the patient's spirit becomes refreshed." Does this not constitute clear evidence that completion of channel transmission leads to recovery via return to the surface and sweating?

Someone asks: Yin channels should not have sweating syndromes. Now, Taiyin presents with a floating pulse, treated with Guizhi Tang. Can Three Yin channels also be resolved by sweating? Will Guizhi Tang become the primary medicine for Taiyin? I say: Not so. One must infer the whole from part when reading Zhang Zhongjing’s works and not argue rigidly. If pathogens have entered the interior but one again induces sweating at the exterior, it increases heat; hence, "Yin should not have sweating." However, if pathogens have entered the interior but return to the exterior, it signifies pathogens moving outward; hence, "returning to Yang towards sweating." Guizhi Tang is a formula for Taiyang wind-strike. Its use in Taiyin is actually because Taiyang wind-strike was mistakenly treated with purgation by a physician, causing transmission to Taiyin. The Taiyin pulse should be deep; the current floating pulse indicates the syndrome is in Taiyin but the pulse reflects Taiyang. This shows Taiyang pathogens have not fully entered the Yin, and Taiyin pathogens have a strong tendency to return to Yang and move towards sweating. Therefore, Guizhi Tang is used to disperse them, allowing what came from Taiyang to exit via Taiyang. By extension, if transmitted from Taiyang cold-injury presenting with a cold-injury pulse, Guizhi could be replaced by Mahuang (Ephedra), inferring the intent of Zhang Zhongjing’s Mahuang Shigao Tang. If from Yangming presenting with a Yangming pulse, Guizhi could be replaced by Gegen (Kudzu Root), inferring the intent of Gegen Huanglian Huangqin Tang. If from Shaoyang presenting with a Shaoyang pulse, Guizhi could be replaced by Chaihu (Bupleurum), making Daxiehu Tang (Major Bupleurum Decoction) the precise formula for Shaoyang transmitting to Taiyin. However, this requires solid abdominal pain, indicating Spleen pathogens interfering with the Stomach, warranting the use of Dahuang (Rhubarb) for purgation. Otherwise, only adding Shaoyao (Peony) to the base formula for harmonization is needed. The *Shanghan Lun* states: "For original Taiyang syndrome mistakenly purged, transmitting to Taiyin with abdominal pain, use Guizhi Tang plus Shaoyao; for severe solid pain, use Guizhi Tang plus Dahuang." This is the same principle. Taiyin is thus; how could Shaoyin and Jueyin be different? In the Shaoyin chapter, Zhang Zhongjing uses Sini San (Frigid Extremities Powder) for Yang cold-extremities, containing Chaihu, Huangqin (Scutellaria), Gancao (Licorice), and Zhishi (Immature Bitter Orange). People do not understand this; does Shaoyin also use Bupleurum dispersion? It is because heat pathogens have transmitted to the interior, wandering between Shaoyin channels and collaterals, not yet condensed into solidity, and sinking into the Stomach Fu. Huangqin and Ganqing clear the transmitted heat, Zhishi guides out old stagnation in the Stomach, preventing pathogens from combining internally to cause stomach excess and constipation. Chaihu unblocks the Three Yang pathways, allowing pathogens to exit as they entered, without disturbing the Middle Jiao (Spleen/Stomach), resolving the disease. This is the subtle flexibility of Zhang Zhongjing’s medication and his painstaking care. Presuming upon my limited ability, whenever I encounter Yang pathogens entering Yin without condensation, I imitate the ancient intent of Sanhuang Jiedu Tang (Three Yellows Detoxification Decoction) by adding Shigao (Gypsum), Chaihu, and Danpi (Moutan Cortex), often achieving efficacy. Sanhuang removes heat from the Three Yin; Shigao guards the central path of Yangming; Chaihu is added hoping to return the pathogens to their original path, returning to Yang towards sweating. Generally, Shanghan treatment prioritizes resolving the exterior over attacking the interior. Not only are Three Yang pathogens dispersed from the surface, but even Three Yin pathogens that have not condensed hesitate, hoping to return to Yang and the surface. Only when pathogens condense is Chengqi Tang used for purgation. He also warns: "To use Dachengqi Tang, first give Xiaochengqi Tang. If intestinal gas passes, then give Dachengqi Tang; if not, do not purge again." Such caution against indiscriminate purgation is profound. Zhang Zhongjing also said: "Disease arising from Yang, if wrongly purged, heat enters forming Jie Xiong (Chest Binding); disease arising from Yin, if wrongly purged, forms Pi (Glomus)." "Heat entering" refers to entering the Stomach. Premature purgation in the Three Yin, while not forming Jie Xiong, inevitably results in Pi. Alas! How can the distinction between channels and Fu organs be left unclarified!