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According to *Yimen Fang* (Medical Gate Formulas): The discussion states that human diseases all originate from the Zang-Fu organs (viscera and bowels); the signs of life and death manifest in the complexion and physical appearance. This is like a shadow following an object or an echo responding to a sound, inevitably accurate without error. One must carefully examine these signs to ensure no mistakes are made. The specific physical manifestations and syndromes are listed in the following sections. Whether a person is healthy or ill, if one frequently looks upward by rolling back the eyelids, and red vessels are seen extending from above towards the pupil, the presence of one vessel indicates death within one year, and two vessels indicate death within two years. If the vessels have not yet reached below the pupil, treatment is still possible. Sudden rapid obesity accompanied by confusion; sudden appearance of redness on the cheekbones (zygomatic arch) as large as a finger leads to sudden death; redness extending to the tip of the nose also leads to sudden death; sudden appearance of blackness starting from the forehead and extending to the nose tip leads to sudden death. Sudden appearance of blackness on the forehead, as large as a finger, leads to sudden death even in those without apparent illness. Sudden horizontal blackness across the nose bridge, or extending below the eyebrows, leads to sudden death within a month. Sudden appearance of blue-green coloration on the face resembling a hanging broom leads to death in a moment. Color on the nose bridge up to the eyebrows and forehead suddenly resembling horse liver; appearing blue-green from afar but black up close, leads to sudden death within a hundred days. Sudden facial puffiness with pale white color lacking blood texture indicates death is near. White patches on the pupils resembling half a grain of rice indicate death. Sudden blue-green face with black eyes, or red face with cloudy/white eyes or blue-green pupils, indicates immediate death. Sudden fixed gaze with inability to see indicates death. Patients emitting abnormal foul odor from the body indicate death. Patients suddenly weeping bitterly (often associated with spirit disturbance) indicate death. Patients suddenly breaking out in cold sweat indicate death. Patients with blue-white complexion, wide-open eyes with loss of vision; or red face with retracted lips; or lack of contour in face, eyes, nose, or ears; or tongue curled and short unable to extend—these are fatal signs.

If the patient has back pain, heaviness in the waist, and inability to turn over, it indicates exhaustion of Stomach Qi (Wei Qi), leading to death in five days.
If the patient suffers from diarrhea with involuntary leakage, it indicates exhaustion of Spleen Qi (Pi Qi), leading to death in twelve days.
If the patient's fingernails and toenails turn blue-green and they shout and curse incessantly, it indicates exhaustion of Tendon Qi (Jin Qi), leading to death in nine days.
If the patient's hair stands straight like dry hemp, or they suffer from continuous profuse sweating of "white sweat" (cold sweat), it indicates exhaustion of Intestine Qi (Chang Qi), leading to death in six days.
If the patient's face is blue-green, desires to keep eyes closed but cannot see people, and cries continuously, it indicates exhaustion of Liver Qi (Gan Qi), leading to death in eight days.
If the patient experiences sudden severe toothache, face is distinctly black, the philtrum area is yellow, waist feels as if broken, and "white sweat" flows like water, it indicates exhaustion of Kidney Qi (Shen Qi), leading to death in four days.
If there is yellowish discoloration inside both eyes, recovery will take some time. If black qi appears around the ears, eyes, and nose and enters the mouth, it indicates death, though one in thirteen may survive. [Text fragment missing]. If the patient's eyes lack luster and teeth are black, the condition is untreatable. Swelling on the dorsum of the foot and knees swollen as large as a measuring cup indicate death in ten days. Foul body odor indicates untreatability. Blue-green face with yellow eyes indicates death in one hundred days. Open mouth indicates death in three days. Swelling of the scrotum and penis indicates death. Delirious speech, mental confusion, and inability to [swallow/speak]...

According to *Ge Shi Fang*: There are five types of edema that are untreatable: Facial swelling with sudden dark/blackish hue indicates Liver failure and is untreatable; Palm swelling without visible texture and full/bulging indicates Heart failure and is untreatable; Umbilical swelling protruding outward...

According to *Bi Que Zhuan*: There are six types of disease that are untreatable: Arrogance and irrationality constitute the first untreatable condition; Valuing wealth over health constitutes the second untreatable condition; Inability to adapt diet and clothing to seasonal changes... [Text truncated]

According to *Ben Cao Jing*: Cang Gong stated: Refusing to take medicine for illness is the first cause of death; Trusting shamans instead of doctors is the second cause of death.