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The *Suwen* (Basic Questions) states: "When Yin qi is excessive in the upper part, the lower part becomes deficient; when the lower part is deficient, abdominal distension and fullness occur." It also states: "When Yang qi is excessive in the upper part, the Qi from below repeatedly ascends and pathogenic Qi rebels upward; rebellion causes Yang qi to become chaotic, and chaotic Yang qi leads to loss of consciousness." These two passages are Qibo's separate answers to Huangdi's inquiries regarding Jue syndrome (reversal syndrome), specifically addressing why it sometimes causes abdominal fullness and sometimes causes coma with loss of consciousness. The so-called "Yin qi" refers to the righteous Qi in the lower part. When the righteous Qi from below rebels and becomes excessive in the upper part, the lower part is left without Qi; without Qi, transformation fails, thus causing abdominal distension and fullness. The so-called "lower Qi" is indeed Yin qi. When Yang qi is excessive in the upper part, Yin qi rushes upward, following the principle that Yin follows Yang. Pathogenic Qi is also Yin qi; because it loses its proper course and rushes upward, it is termed pathogenic Qi. Since the pathogenic Qi rebels, Yang qi becomes chaotic. When Qi is regulated, clarity prevails; when chaotic, dizziness and confusion occur, hence the loss of consciousness. The *Jiayi Jing* (Classical Canon of the Yellow Emperor) deleted the five characters "Yang qi is excessive in the upper part" and added the two characters "abdominal fullness" after "lower part is deficient then abdominal distension and fullness occurs" and before "then lower Qi repeatedly ascends." Lin Shi said: One should follow the *Jiayi Jing*, arguing that there cannot be a situation where Yin qi is excessive in the upper part while simultaneously Yang qi is excessive in the upper part. These two scholars failed to recognize that these were separate responses, hence their remarks. This is likely what is meant by being accustomed to something without careful examination!

If the Heart pulse is firm, long, and forceful, one should expect disease manifesting as tongue retraction and inability to speak; if the pulse is soft and scattered, one should expect Xiao Ke (wasting-thirst syndrome), which will resolve itself after one cycle. By "firm, long, and forceful," it refers to an Excess pulse. The Heart corresponds to Fire, and its vessels surround the tongue; excess Heart Fire therefore causes tongue retraction and inability to speak. "Soft and scattered" refers to a Deficient pulse. The Heart is the root of life and the residence of Shen (Spirit); Heart deficiency leads to the consumption of spirit, similar to manifestations of timidity, loss, or fear. "Huan zi ji" (cycle returns to self) means that the Jing Qi (Channel Qi) transmits sequentially, circulating like a ring for one complete cycle, returning to its original position, allowing Qi to recover naturally and the disease to heal. The *Zhenyao Jingzhong Lun* (Treatise on the Essentials of Needling and the Termination of Channels) states: "If needling accidentally pierces the Heart, death occurs after one cycle." The meaning here is identical. "Huan zi ji" means recovery through the completion of the channel cycle and restoration of Qi; "Huan si" means death due to the exhaustion of the channel cycle and cessation of Qi. The *Jiayi Jing* writes "Huan" as "Ke" (thirst), which is incorrect.

Pushing outward [to assess the exterior], if the Qi is internal but does not reach the exterior, there is accumulation in the Heart and abdomen; pushing inward [to assess the interior], if the Qi is external but does not penetrate inward, there is heat in the body; downward but not upward indicates headache and neck pain; pressing down to the bone with scanty Qi indicates lumbar and spinal pain accompanied by Bi syndrome (obstruction). The *Jiayi Jing* changed "upward but not downward" to "downward but not upward," and "downward but not upward" to "upward but not downward," which is incorrect. Generally, "upward but not downward" implies excess in the upper part and deficiency in the lower part; lower deficiency means lack of Qi in the lower part, resulting in cold waist and feet. "Downward but not upward" implies descending without ascending; failure to ascend means the upper part lacks nourishment, resulting in headache and neck pain. The first two paragraphs of the classic text describe Excess diseases, so the pulse at the affected site is naturally prominent; the latter two paragraphs describe Deficient diseases, so the pulse at the diseased site is correspondingly weak. Pressing to the bone with scanty Qi, diagnosing lumbar/spinal pain and Bi syndrome, is also a sign of Deficiency. The classic text juxtaposes Excess and Deficiency, deeply revealing the essentials of diagnosis, and thus naturally ought to follow the ancient texts.