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The symptoms include chest fullness, vomiting and rebellious qi, undigested food diarrhea, fox hernia, urinary incontinence, and strangury. For these diseases, excess conditions are treated with draining methods, deficiency conditions with tonifying methods, heat conditions with rapid needling (quick insertion and withdrawal), cold conditions with retained needling, sinking qi with moxibustion, and neither-excess-nor-deficiency conditions by selecting points from the affected meridian itself. In excess conditions, the Cun Kou pulse is one times larger than the Ren Ying pulse. In deficiency conditions, the Cun Kou pulse is smaller than the Ren Ying pulse.

When the Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian undergoes pathological changes, it causes deafness, swollen throat, and throat bi-syndrome. This meridian primarily governs diseases generated by Qi, manifesting as sweating, pain at the outer canthus of the eye, cheek pain, pain in the posterior ear, shoulder, elbow, and lateral arm, and dysfunction of the fourth finger. For these diseases, excess conditions are treated with draining methods, deficiency conditions with tonifying methods, heat conditions with rapid needling, cold conditions with retained needling, sinking qi with moxibustion, and neither-excess-nor-deficiency conditions by selecting points from the affected meridian itself. In excess conditions, the Ren Ying pulse is one times larger than the Cun Kou pulse. In deficiency conditions, the Ren Ying pulse is smaller than the Cun Kou pulse.

When the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian undergoes pathological changes, it causes bitter taste in the mouth, frequent sighing, pain in the heart and hypochondrium, inability to turn the body, and in severe cases, a dusty complexion, lack of luster in the body, and heat on the lateral foot, known as Yang Jue. This meridian primarily governs diseases generated by bones, manifesting as headache, mandible pain, pain at the outer canthus, swelling in the supraclavicular fossa and axilla, "horse knife" and "crossing goiter" (cervical lymphadenopathy), sweating with chills, malaria, pain in the chest, hypochondrium, ribs, lateral thigh, knee, below the Juegu point, anterior to the lateral malleolus, and all joints, and dysfunction of the fourth finger. For these diseases, excess conditions are treated with draining methods, deficiency conditions with tonifying methods, heat conditions with rapid needling, cold conditions with retained needling, sinking qi with moxibustion, and neither-excess-nor-deficiency conditions by selecting points from the affected meridian itself. In excess conditions, the Ren Ying pulse is one times larger than the Cun Kou pulse. In deficiency conditions, the Ren Ying pulse is smaller than the Cun Kou pulse. (All recorded in the *Meridians Chapter*).

The *Nan Jing* states: There are "Shi Dong" (Moving) diseases and "Suo Sheng Bing" (Generated) diseases in pulses; how does one meridian become two types of disease? The answer is: The text says "Shi Dong" refers to Qi diseases. "Suo Sheng Bing" refers to Blood diseases. When pathogenic factors are in Qi, Qi becomes "Shi Dong". When pathogenic factors are in Blood, Blood becomes "Suo Sheng Bing". Qi provides warming, and Blood provides moistening. When Qi stagnates and fails to circulate, it is the Qi that is diseased first. When Blood stagnates and fails to nourish, it is the Blood that is diseased later. Therefore, "Shi Dong" appears first, followed by "Suo Sheng". (From *Nan Jing, Chapter 22*)

The above twelve meridians' diseases are discussed in terms of exterior-interior relationships. If symptoms appear on the exterior, or involve pain, or carbuncles and sores, one should locate the painful area, determine which meridian it belongs to, and apply acupuncture and moxibustion accordingly. A diagram of meridian territories is listed on the left.

Head:
Vertex (Foot-Taiyang, Foot-Jueyin, Du Mai) Lateral head above ears (Foot-Shaoyang) Midline (Front straight nose to vertex, back straight hairline to vertex, Du Mai) Second row (Foot-Taiyang, 1.5 cun from midline, bilateral rows constitute the third row of the head) Third row (Foot-Shaoyang)

Face:
Forehead (Foot-Shaoyang, Foot-Yangming) Nose (Hand-Yangming, Foot-Taiyang, Foot-Yangming, Du Mai) Philtrum (Du Mai, Hand-Yangming, Foot-Yangming) Lips (Foot-Yangming) Inside lips (Foot-Jueyin) Chengjiang (Foot-Yangming, Ren Mai) Upper teeth (Foot-Yangming) Lower teeth (Hand-Yangming) Tongue (Foot-Taiyin, Foot-Shaoyin) Inner canthus (Hand-Yangming, Foot-Yangming, Hand-Taiyang, Foot-Taiyang) Outer canthus (Hand-Taiyang, Hand-Shaoyang, Foot-Shaoyang) Brows to forehead (Straight nose up is Du Mai, straight inner canthus up is Foot-Taiyang, straight pupil up is Foot-Shaoyang, straight outer canthus up is Hand-Shaoyang, Foot-Shaoyang) Cheeks (Straight inner canthus down is Foot-Yangming, straight pupil down is Foot-Yangming) Jiache (Foot-Shaoyang, Foot-Yangming) Ears (Hand-Shaoyang, Foot-Shaoyang, Hand-Taiyang) Eye system (Hand-Shaoyin, Foot-Taiyang)

Neck:
Middle of neck Large tendon in neck (Foot-Taiyang) Below Wangu (Hand-Shaoyang, anterior to large tendon, posterior to ear) Below ear (Foot-Shaoyang) Below Qujia (Hand-Taiyang) One cun anterior to Qujia (Hand-Yangming)
Arteries beside throat (Foot-Taiyang, Foot-Yangming) Supraclavicular fossa (Ren Mai) Pharynx (Hand-Taiyin, Hand-Shaoyin, Foot-Taiyin) Throat (Foot-Shaoyang, Foot-Yangming) Posterior throat (Foot-Jueyin)

Shoulder:
Anterior border (Hand-Yangming) Posterior border (Hand-Taiyang) Superior border (Hand-Shaoyang, Foot-Shaoyang)

Back:
Midline (Du Mai) Second row (Foot-Taiyang) Third row (Foot-Taiyang)

Chest:
Midline (Ren Mai) Second row (Foot-Shaoyin) Third row (Foot-Yangming) Fourth row (Foot-Taiyin)

Abdomen:
Middle row (Ren Mai) Second row (Foot-Shaoyin) Third row (Foot-Yangming) Fourth row (Foot-Taiyin)

Axilla:
Middle (Hand-Jueyin) Anterior (Hand-Taiyang) Posterior (Hand-Taiyin)

Hypochondrium:
Directly below axilla to hip pivot (Foot-Shaoyang)

Upper Arm (from shoulder to elbow):
Anterior border (Hand-Yangming) Posterior border (Hand-Taiyang) Lateral border (Hand-Taiyang) Medial border (Hand-Shaoyin) Anterior-medial border (Hand-Taiyin) Posterior-medial border (Hand-Shaoyin)

Forearm:
Superior border (Hand-Yangming) Inferior border (Hand-Taiyin) Lateral border (Hand-Shaoyang) Medial border (Hand-Jueyin) Anterior-superior medial border (Hand-Taiyin) Posterior-inferior medial border (Hand-Shaoyin)

Thigh and Leg:
Anterior border (Foot-Yangming) Posterior border (Foot-Taiyang) Lateral border (Foot-Shaoyang) Medial border (Foot-Jueyin) Anterior-medial border (Foot-Taiyin)

*Ling Shu* states: The Luo-Connecting vessel of Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian is named Lieque. It originates above the wrist, runs parallel to the Hand-Taiyin meridian, enters the palm directly, and disperses into the thenar eminence. Its diseases: Excess causes heat in the radial side of the wrist and palm; deficiency causes yawning and frequent urination. Treat at the point half a cun from the wrist, where it connects to Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian. The Luo-Connecting vessel of Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian is named Gongsun. One cun posterior to the base of the first metatarsal bone, it connects to Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian. Its branch enters and connects to the intestines and stomach; rebellious Qi causes cholera. Excess causes cutting pain in the intestines; deficiency causes abdominal distension. Treat at its branching point. The Luo-Connecting vessel of Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian is named Tongli. One and a half cun from the wrist, it branches upward, follows the meridian into the heart, connects to the root of the tongue, and belongs to the eye system. Excess causes chest oppression; deficiency causes inability to speak. Treat one cun behind the palm, connecting to Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian. The Luo-Connecting vessel of Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian is named Dazhong. Behind the ankle, wrapping around the heel, it connects to Taiyang Bladder Meridian. Its branch ascends along the meridian to the lower pericardium, passes through the waist and spine externally. Diseases: Rebellious Qi causes irritability; excess causes strangury; deficiency causes lower back pain. Treat at its branching point. The Luo-Connecting vessel of Hand-Jueyin Pericardium Meridian is named Neiguan. Two cun from the wrist, emerging between two tendons, it ascends along the meridian, connecting to the Pericardium Collateral. Heart system excess causes heart pain; deficiency causes stiffness of the head and neck. Treat between the two tendons. The Luo-Connecting vessel of Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian is named Ligou. Five cun from the medial malleolus, it connects to Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian. Its branch ascends through the tibia to the scrotum, knotting at the penis. Diseases: Rebellious Qi causes sudden testicular swelling and hernia; excess causes priapism; deficiency causes sudden itching. Treat at its branching point. The Luo-Connecting vessel of Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian is named Zhizheng. Five cun above the wrist, it enters and connects to Shaoyin Heart Meridian. Its branch ascends to the elbow, connecting to Jianyu. Excess causes joint flaccidity and elbow dysfunction; deficiency causes warts, small ones like scabies. Treat at its branching point. The Luo-Connecting vessel of Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian is named Feiyang. Seven cun from the ankle, it connects to Shaoyin Kidney Meridian. Excess causes nasal congestion, headache, and back pain; deficiency causes nasal bleeding. Treat at its branching point. The Luo-Connecting vessel of Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian is named Pianli. Three cun from the wrist, it enters Foot-Taiyin Lung Meridian. Its branch ascends the arm, crosses the shoulder, goes to Qujia and teeth. Another branch enters the ear, combining with Zong Mai. Excess causes toothache and deafness; deficiency causes cold teeth and bi-obstruction. Treat at its branching point. The Luo-Connecting vessel of Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian is named Fenglong. Eight cun from the ankle, it connects to Taiyin Spleen Meridian. Its branch follows the lateral tibia, connects to the head and neck, combines Qi of various meridians, and connects to the throat internally. Diseases: Rebellious Qi causes sore throat and hoarseness. Excess causes mania and epilepsy; deficiency causes foot paralysis and emaciated shins. Treat at its branching point. The Luo-Connecting vessel of Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian is named Waiguan. Two cun from the wrist, wrapping the arm externally, it pours into the chest, combining with Xin Zhu (Pericardium). Diseases: Excess causes elbow spasm; deficiency causes inability to flex. Treat at its branching point. The Luo-Connecting vessel of Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian is named Guangming. Five cun from the ankle, it connects to Jueyin Liver Meridian, connecting to the dorsum of the foot. Excess causes Jue cold; deficiency causes Wei Bi (atrophy) and inability to rise from sitting. Treat at its branching point. The Luo-Connecting vessel of Ren Mai is named Wei Yi (Jiuwei). Below Jiuwei, it disperses in the abdomen. Excess causes abdominal skin pain; deficiency causes itching. Treat at its branching point. The Luo-Connecting vessel of Du Mai is named Changqiang. Flanking the spine to the neck, dispersing on the head, below at the shoulders bilaterally, it connects to Taiyang Bladder Meridian, entering the spine. Excess causes neck stiffness; deficiency causes heavy head. Treat at its branching point. The Great Luo of the Spleen is named Dabao. Emerging three cun below Yuanxia, it spreads over the chest and hypochondrium. Excess causes whole-body pain; deficiency causes laxity of all joints. These vessels, like a net of blood, are all treated via the Great Luo of the Spleen. All fifteen Luo vessels: Excess is visible; deficiency sinks. If not seen, seek above and below. Human meridians differ, and Luo vessels branch at different locations. (All from *Meridians Chapter*)

*Sù Wèn* states: Huangdi said: I have heard of Miao Ci (Mirroring Acupuncture) but do not understand its meaning. May I ask what it is? Qibo replied: When pathogens enter the body, they first lodge in the skin and hair. If they remain, they enter Sun Mai (Sun Vessels). If they remain, they enter Luo Mai (Luo Vessels). If they remain, they enter Jing Mai (Main Meridians), internally connecting to the five Zang organs and scattering in the stomach and intestines. When Yin and Yang are both affected, the five Zang organs are injured. This is the sequence of pathogens entering from the skin to the extreme of the five Zang organs. In such cases, treat the main meridians. Now, if pathogens lodge in the skin and enter Sun Mai, remaining there, causing blockage without entering the meridians, overflowing into the great Luo vessels to produce strange diseases. When pathogens lodge in the great Luo vessels, they flow from left to right and right to left, moving up and down, interfering with the meridians, and distributing to the four extremities. Their Qi has no fixed location and does not enter the meridian acupoints; this is called Miao Ci. The Emperor said: I wish to hear about Miao Ci, taking the left to treat the right, and the right to treat the left. How does it differ from Ju Ci (Giant Acupuncture)? Qibo said: When pathogens lodge in the meridians, excess on the left causes disease on the right, and excess on the right causes disease on the left. There may also be migration; if pain on the left persists while the right pulse becomes diseased, one must use Ju Ci, targeting the meridians, not the Luo vessels. Therefore, for Luo vessel diseases, the pain is displaced relative to the meridians, hence called Miao Ci.

The *Tiao Jing Pian* (Regulating Meridians Chapter) states: If the body has pain but the nine pulse positions show no abnormality, use Miao Ci. If pain is on the left and the right pulse is diseased, use Ju Ci. Generally, body pain indicates pathogens in the Luo vessels, so Miao Ci targets the Luo vessels at the Jing-Well points. If disease is on the left and the right pulse is diseased, it indicates pathogens have entered half of the meridians, causing excess in that half and referring pain to the healthy half. Thus, one should puncture the Ying-Spring and Shu points of the excess side of the meridian.

The Emperor said: I wish to hear how to perform Miao Ci and how to select points. Qibo said: When pathogens lodge in the Luo vessel of Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, it causes sudden heart pain, acute distension, and chest/hypochondriac fullness. Without accumulation, bleed before Ran Gu. Recovery takes about the time of a meal. If not cured, take left to treat right, right to treat left. For new onset, cure within five days. When pathogens lodge in the Luo vessel of Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian, it causes sore throat, curled tongue, dry mouth, irritability, lateral arm pain, and inability to raise hands to the head. Puncture one depth at the nail corner of the fourth finger, one cun from the tip like a leek leaf. Vigorous patients recover immediately; elderly patients recover shortly. Left to right, right to left. New diseases cure within several days. When pathogens lodge in the Luo vessel of Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian, it causes sudden hernia and acute pain. Puncture one depth at the junction of the nail and flesh of the big toe. Men recover immediately; women shortly. Left to right, right to left. When pathogens lodge in the Luo vessel of Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian, it causes head, neck, and shoulder pain. Puncture one depth at the junction of the nail and flesh of the big toe. Recover immediately. If not, puncture three depths below the lateral malleolus. Left to right, right to left. Recovery takes about the time of a meal. When pathogens lodge in the Luo vessel of Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian, it causes chest fullness, wheezing, chest oppression, and heat. Puncture one depth at the nail corner of the index finger, one cun from the tip. Left to right, right to left. Recovery takes about the time of a meal. When pathogens lodge between the palm and arm, causing inability to flex, puncture behind the ankle after pressing until pain is felt. Use the number of depths based on the moon's waxing/waning: Day 1 of waxing, one depth; Day 2, two depths; Day 15, fifteen depths; Day 16, fourteen depths. When pathogens lodge in the Foot-Yangqiao Mai, it causes eye pain starting from the inner canthus. Puncture two depths below the lateral malleolus. Left to right, right to left. Recovery takes the time to walk ten li. For trauma with retained evil blood causing abdominal fullness and constipation/incontinence, first administer purgatives. This injures the Jueyin pulse above and Shaoyin Luo below. Bleed the vessels before Ran Gu under the medial malleolus, and the artery on the dorsum of the foot. If not cured, puncture one depth at Sanmao (hair follicle). See blood, recover immediately. Left to right, right to left. When pathogens lodge in the Luo vessel of Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian, it causes deafness and intermittent hearing loss. Puncture one depth at the nail corner of the index finger. Hear immediately. If not, puncture the junction of the nail and flesh of the middle finger. Hear immediately. If hearing does not return, do not puncture. For wind in the ears, puncture similarly. Left to right, right to left. For Bi syndrome wandering without fixed location, puncture where pain is felt in the muscle spaces, using the moon's phase for the number of depths. The number of depths should follow the Qi's excess/deficiency. Over-puncturing depletes Qi; under-puncturing fails to drain Qi. Left to right, right to left. Stop when cured. If not, repeat. Waxing: Day 1 one depth, Day 2 two depths, increasing to Day 15 fifteen depths; Waning: Day 16 fourteen depths, decreasing. When pathogens lodge in the Luo vessel of Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian, it causes rhinitis, epistaxis, and cold upper teeth. Puncture one depth at the junction of the nail and flesh of the third toe. Left to right, right to left. When pathogens lodge in the Luo vessel of Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian, it causes hypochondriac pain, dyspnea, cough, and sweating. Puncture one depth at the junction of the nail and flesh of the fourth toe. Dyspnea resolves immediately, sweating stops immediately. For cough, keep warm and eat well; cure within one day. Left to right, right to left. Cured immediately. If not, repeat. When pathogens lodge in the Luo vessel of Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, it causes sore throat, difficulty swallowing, unprovoked anger, and Qi rising to Ben Shang. Puncture three depths at the central pulse of the sole. Six punctures total, cured immediately. Left to right, right to left. For swollen throat unable to swallow saliva, bleed before Ran Gu. Cured immediately. Left to right, right to left. When pathogens lodge in the Luo vessel of Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian, it causes lower back pain radiating to the lower abdomen and flank, inability to breathe lying supine. Puncture Yaoshu at the sacral hiatus and superior gluteal region. Use moon phase for depth count. Cured upon needle withdrawal. Left to right, right to left. When pathogens lodge in the Luo vessel of Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian, it causes back rigidity, pulling pain in the sides. Start from the neck, count vertebrae, press firmly along the spine where pain is elicited. Puncture three depths beside the site. Cured immediately. When pathogens lodge in the Luo vessel of Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian, it causes pain in the pivot (hip) and inability to lift the thigh. Puncture the pivot with a filiform needle. For cold, retain needle long. Use moon phase for depth count. Cured immediately. For treating various meridians, if the pathway is not diseased, use Miao Ci. For deafness, puncture Hand-Yangming. If not cured, puncture the channel exiting before the ear. For toothache, puncture Hand-Yangming. If not cured, puncture the channel entering the teeth. Cured immediately. When pathogens lodge between the five Zang organs, causing referred pain that comes and goes, examine the condition and use Miao Ci on the nail corners of hands and feet. Observe the vessels, bleed them. Puncture every other day. If one puncture fails, five punctures cure. For transmitted pain to upper teeth with cold lip pain, observe blood vessels on the dorsum of the hand, bleed them. Puncture one depth at the third toe nail corner of Foot-Yangming, and one depth each at the index finger nail corner of Hand-Yangming. Cured immediately. Left to right, right to left. When pathogens lodge in the Luo vessels of Hand/Foot-Shaoyin, Hand/Foot-Taiyin, and Foot-Yangming, these five Luo vessels converge in the ear, connect to the left corner of the head. If all five are exhausted, the body's pulses move but consciousness is lost. The state resembles a corpse, called Shi Jue (Corpse Fainting). Puncture one depth at the medial nail corner of the big toe, then the Yongquan point, then the middle toe nail corner, each one depth. Then one depth at the medial nail corner of the thumb, then one depth each at the radial end of Hand-Jueyin and Shaoyin sharp bone. Cured immediately. If not, blow air into both ears with a bamboo tube. Burn one square cun of hair from the left corner of the head and drink with fine wine. If unable to drink, force-feed. Cured immediately. The general principle of puncturing: First observe the meridians, palpate and follow them, assess excess/deficiency and regulate. If meridians are not regulated, use Jing Ci (Meridian Acupuncture). If there is pain but meridians are not diseased, use Miao Ci. Also observe skin areas for blood vessels and drain them all. This is the method of Miao Ci. (All from *Miao Ci Lun*)

*Ling Shu* states: Huangdi said: I wish to hear about strange pathogens not in the meridians. Qibo said: They are in the blood vessels (Xue Luo). The Emperor said: Why does one faint after puncturing blood vessels? Why does blood shoot out? Why is blood dark and turbid? Why is blood clear and mixed with fluid? Why does swelling occur after needle withdrawal? Why does the face turn pale regardless of blood volume? Why does one feel irritable with unchanged facial color after withdrawal? Why does excessive bleeding not cause movement/fainting? Please explain. Qibo said: If Qi is abundant but Blood is deficient, puncturing depletes Qi, leading to fainting. If Qi and Blood are both abundant with excess Yin, the blood is slippery, causing shooting blood upon puncture. If Yang Qi accumulates and remains un-drained for a long time, the blood becomes black and turbid, thus unable to shoot. If one has recently drunk, fluids seep into the Luo vessels but have not yet harmonized with Blood, so blood and fluid separate upon extraction. If not recent drinking, water retention in the body causes swelling over time. If Yin Qi accumulates in the Yang aspect, affecting the Luo vessels, Qi moves before blood upon puncture, causing swelling. If Yin and Yang Qi newly interact but are not harmonized, draining them causes simultaneous depletion of Yin and Yang, separating interior and exterior, leading to pallor. If excessive bleeding occurs with unchanged color but irritability, it indicates puncturing the Luo has emptied the Meridian. If the empty Meridian belongs to Yin, Yin depletion causes irritability. If Yin and Yang combine to form Bi, overflowing internally into meridians and externally into Luo vessels, both Yin and Yang are in excess; even with massive bleeding, deficiency cannot be achieved. The Emperor asked: How to diagnose? Qibo said: Blood vessels that are full, hard, horizontal, and red, with no fixed location, small like needles or large like tendons, are safe to drain. Do not lose the correct method; errors will result in corresponding harm.

Huangdi said: Why does flesh adhere to the needle upon insertion? Qibo said: Heat attaches to the needle, making it hot; heat causes flesh to adhere, making it firm. (*Blood Vessel Chapter*, *Meridian Chapter* states: When puncturing Luo vessels, always select those with knotted, congested blood. Even without knots, urgently drain to expel pathogens; retaining them leads to Bi. Also: Those that are small and short indicate deficient Qi; draining severely causes dizziness, severe dizziness leads to fainting and inability to speak; sit urgently if dizzy.)

The above treatments for Zang-Fu and Meridian diseases differ. Fifteen Luo vessel diseases are most superficial/exterior; Twelve Meridian diseases are next; Six Fu organ diseases are further; Five Zang organ diseases are deepest/interior. Therefore, treatment methods...