四维,四肢也。相代,相继为肿也。四肢为诸阳所实之处,相继为肿者,气馁而行不齐
也,故曰“阳气乃竭”。
玉机真脏论云∶脾脉太过,则令人四肢不举;其不及,则令人九窍不通。《灵枢》本神
篇云
∶脾气虚则四肢不用;实则腹胀、泾溲不利。盖脾虚则营卫涸竭,不能行其气于四肢,而为
之不举;脾实则营卫遏绝,亦不能行其气于四肢,而为之不举。九窍亦然。两经互言之者,
所以穷其变也。
胃脉搏坚而长,其色赤,当病折髀。胃土太过,而火复益之,腑阳独盛,脏阴受伤,则
髀痛如折也。
水液混浊,有脾经谷气不化,湿热下流;亦有因肺金气衰,而便液停凝。盖肺司州都之
气化,中气不足,则溲便为之变。未可执其“皆属于热”之一语而施治也。
巨阳主气,故先受邪;少阴与其为表里也,得热则上从之,从之则厥也。故有风热小恙
,而
亦面赤、足冷者。如是则解外之邪,必靖内之气,设徒与表药,真阳随越,故曰表里刺之,
饮之服汤。
煎厥,即热厥也。火迫于下,气逆于上,为厥逆而热烦也。溃溃乎若坏都, 乎不可
止者,言其精神散败,若土之崩,若水之放,而不可复收之、掩之也。
The "Four Dimensions" (Siwei) refer to the four limbs. "Xiangdai" (mutual succession/replacement) refers to swelling occurring successively in these areas. The four limbs are where the Qi of all Yang meridians is abundant. Successive swelling indicates that the Qi is deficient and its movement is irregular, hence it is said that "Yang Qi is exhausted."
The *Suwen: Yuji Zhenzang Lun* states: If the Spleen pulse is excessive, it causes inability to move the four limbs; if it is deficient, it causes obstruction of the nine orifices. The *Lingshu: Benshen* chapter states: When Spleen Qi is deficient, the four limbs cannot be used; when Spleen Qi is excess, abdominal distension and difficulty in urination and defecation occur. Generally, when Spleen Qi is deficient, Ying and Wei Qi are depleted and cannot transport Qi to the four limbs, resulting in immobility; when Spleen Qi is excess, Ying and Wei Qi are obstructed and also fail to transport Qi to the four limbs, resulting in immobility. The same applies to the nine orifices. These two classics discuss this from complementary perspectives to exhaustively explain pathological variations.
If the Stomach pulse is firm and long, and the complexion is red, one should suffer from pain in the thigh as if broken. This occurs when Stomach Earth Qi is excessive, and Fire further exacerbates it, causing solitary flourishing of Fu Yang and injury to Zang Yin, leading to thigh pain resembling a fracture.
Turbid body fluids may result from the failure to transform grain Qi in the Spleen meridian, with damp-heat flowing downward; or they may result from the decline of Lung Metal Qi, causing stagnation and coagulation of urine. The Lung governs the Qi transformation of the "Zhou Du" (bladder/urinary reservoir). When Middle Qi is insufficient, urination and defecation become abnormal. One must not rigidly apply treatment based solely on the phrase "all belong to heat."
Juyang (Greater Yang/Taiyang) governs Qi and thus is the first to receive pathogenic factors. Shaoyin (Lesser Yin) is interior-exterior paired with it. When heat enters, it follows upward, leading to Jue (reversal/cold extremities). Thus, even minor wind-heat ailments can present with a red face and cold feet. In such cases, resolving exterior pathogens requires calming internal Qi. If only exterior-releasing medicines are used, True Yang will escape outwardly. Hence, it is stated that both exterior and interior points should be needled, and decoctions should be administered.
Jian Jue (Decoction Jue) is synonymous with Re Jue (Heat Jue). Fire forces downward while Qi rebels upward, causing reversal with irritability and heat. The condition deteriorates rapidly like a breached dam, vast and unstoppable, indicating that spirit and essence are scattered and ruined, akin to collapsing earth or overflowing water, irretrievable and uncontainable.
If the Heart pulse is deficient, it causes mental restlessness, upper symptoms of coughing and expectoration, and lower symptoms of Qi leakage. "Qi leakage" means Qi escapes with stool. Diseases of the Spleen and intestines, known as Qi Li (Qi diarrhea), arise from insufficient Fire affecting Earth.