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In treating exogenous diseases, one must understand the transformations of pathogenic factors; in treating endogenous injuries, one must understand the physiological characteristics of the Zang-Fu organs. Treating diseases caused by the Six Excesses (Wind, Cold, Summerheat, Dampness, Dryness, Fire) is like driving away external invaders: attack the intruder without injuring the host; if the host's Qi is weak, the invader will not retreat. Treating diseases caused by the Seven Emotions (Joy, Anger, Worry, Pensiveness, Sorrow, Fear, Fright) is like pacifying rebellious subjects: when exposing their crimes, one must also show compassion for their circumstances; if human emotions are neglected, disorder cannot be rectified.

Those who cultivate the Dao know the masculine but abide by the feminine; those who formulate prescriptions know the odd numbers but abide by the even numbers.

Medicines that attack and eliminate chronic accumulations may be potent but should not be overly harsh; they should be specific rather than broad. If too harsh, they rush past the disease site; if too broad, they rarely hit the target accurately. Consequently, the fortress of the disease remains intact while the body's healthy Qi is severely depleted. Is this merely a lack of benefit?

The Mother organ and the Child organ have inherently connected Qi. When the Mother is prosperous, its Qi extends to the Child; when the Child is prosperous, its Qi resonates with the Mother. Thus, *Shan Fan Lun* states: "For Liver exhaustion causing disease, tonify Heart Qi to benefit it." The same applies to other Zang organs. This goes beyond just the principle of "tonify the Mother when deficient."

Yang and Yin are opposite, yet without Yin, Yang cannot manifest; Pathogen and Healthy Qi are opposing, yet without Healthy Qi, the Pathogen cannot become apparent. Therefore, in heat diseases, some drink boiling water without feeling the heat; in flaccidity and numbness, hands and feet feel no pain. These occur because Yin is excessive and does not conflict with Yang, or Healthy Qi is weak and does not contend with the Pathogen. Such cases are often incurable.

Wood and Fire have the subtlety of mutual connection; Metal and Water have the benefit of mutual containment. Thus, not only does Wood generate Fire, but Fire also generates Wood; not only does Metal generate Water, but Water also generates Metal. Water generating Metal is like pearls in an abyss; Fire generating Wood is like flowers holding the sun.

Spleen and Stomach combine, Liver and Gallbladder combine, Kidney and Bladder combine; these all belong to the Foot meridians. Since these Zang-Fu pairs are closely attached, their pulse diagnoses should correspond to the same position. For example, the Left Guan position observes the Liver and Gallbladder, the Right Guan position observes the Spleen and Stomach, and the Left Chi position observes the Kidney and Bladder. Lung and Large Intestine combine, Heart and Small Intestine combine, Pericardium and Sanjiao combine; these all belong to the Hand meridians. Since these Zang-Fu pairs are not closely attached, their pulse diagnoses need not be at the same position. According to *Nei Jing*: "The outer part of the Chi position observes the Kidney, and the inner part observes the abdomen." It also says: "The anterior part observes anterior ailments, and the posterior part observes posterior ailments; the upper extreme corresponds to matters of the chest and throat." Therefore, the Large Intestine should be observed at the inner part of the Right Chi position, and the Small Intestine at the inner part of the Left Chi position, while Sanjiao is separately located in the Upper, Middle, and Lower sections. In this way, the fallacy of associating the Left Heart/Small Intestine and Right Lung/Large Intestine becomes self-evident without further debate.