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The termination of the Twelve Meridians, (The Twelve Meridians correspond to the Qi of the Twelve Zang-Fu organs. "Termination" refers to the exhaustion of Qi.) The termination of the Taiyang Meridian manifests as eyes fixed upward unable to rotate, opisthotonos (body arched backward), spasms and flaccidity alternating, pale complexion, and the emergence of "Juehan" (desperate sweat). Once this sweat appears, death ensues. ("Dai" refers to upward fixation, meaning the eyeballs look up and cannot turn. "Fan zhe" refers to the arching of the waist and spine. "Chong" refers to tendon spasm. "Zong" refers to tendon relaxation. "Juehan" refers to profuse sweating like oil, which cannot be contained. The Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian originates at the inner canthus, ascends to the forehead, intersects at the vertex, enters to connect with the brain, descends along the neck flanking the spine, reaches the loins, and goes down to the little toe of the foot. The Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian originates at the ulnar end of the little finger, follows the arm up to the shoulder; its branch follows the neck up to the cheek and reaches the outer canthus. Hence its diseases present thus. However, Taiyang is the exterior of the Three Yang meridians, so it governs the color white. Sweat penetrating the skin is called Juehan; when Juehan appears, life terminates. This also reflects the concept of "Exterior." "Chong" is pronounced chì; "Zong" is pronounced zòng.) The termination of the Shaoyang Meridian manifests as deafness, flaccidity of all joints, and eyes staring straight as if in shock due to the severance of the eye connections. Death occurs one and a half days after the severance. The complexion first turns cyan, then white before death. (Both Hand and Foot Shaoyang Sanjiao and Gallbladder meridians enter the ear and reach the temporal region/outer canthus, hence deafness and staring eyes. "Qiong" describes a straight, startled gaze; because the Shaoyang connections are severed, rotation is impossible, leading to this state. The Gallbladder corresponds to tendons; Shaoyang Qi exhaustion causes all joints to become flaccid. Wood's color is cyan, Metal's color is white. When Metal overacts on Wood (Xiang Zei), cyan and white appear first. This is the death sign of Shaoyang. "Qiong" is pronounced qióng.) The termination of the Yangming Meridian manifests as twitching of the mouth and eyes, frequent fright, delirious speech, yellow complexion, hyperactivity of the upper and lower meridians, and anesthesia (loss of sensation), leading to termination. (Hand and Foot Yangming Large Intestine and Stomach meridians flank the mouth and enter the eyes, causing twitching and deviation. Fright upon hearing wooden sounds indicates Yangming's tendency toward fright. Cursing without regard for kinship indicates Yangming's delirium. Yellow is the color of Earth appearing externally. Hyperactivity of upper and lower meridians means the Qi of the Head, Neck, Hands, and Feet Yangming meridians is agitated and excessive, indicating the failure of Stomach Qi. Loss of pain sensation is called anesthesia, indicating muscle failure. These are signs of Yangming Qi exhaustion.) The termination of the Shaoyin Meridian manifests as a black complexion, teeth appearing long and dirty, abdominal distension and closure, and obstruction of upper and lower flow, leading to death. (When Hand-Shaoyin Heart Qi exhausts, blood fails; when Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Qi exhausts, the face becomes black like charcoal. The Kidney governs bones; Kidney failure leads to bone failure, so tooth roots become loose, making teeth appear long and dirty. The Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian passes through the diaphragm to connect with the Small Intestine; the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian connects with the Bladder, penetrates the Liver and Diaphragm. Thus, abdominal distension and closure occur, blocking upper and lower flow, separating Heart and Kidney. This is the termination of Shaoyin.) The termination of the Taiyin Meridian manifests as abdominal distension and closure, dyspnea (difficulty breathing), frequent belching and vomiting. Vomiting causes Qi rebellion, leading to a red face; if there is no rebellion, stagnation occurs in the middle, causing upper and lower obstruction. Obstruction leads to a black face, dry and scorched skin and hair, resulting in death. (Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian enters the abdomen and belongs to the Spleen, causing abdominal distension and closure; Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian ascends through the diaphragm to belong to the Lung, governing respiration, causing dyspnea. Distension and closure hinder ascending and descending; dyspnea obstructs the airway, causing belching and vomiting. Vomiting causes Qi to rebel upward, turning the face red; if not rebelling, stagnation blocks the middle, causing upper and lower obstruction. Spleen Qi failure cannot control Water, so black appears on the face; Lung Qi failure disrupts regulation, so skin and hair become scorched and terminate.) The termination of the Jueyin Meridian manifests as heat in the center, dry throat, frequent urination, vexation, and in severe cases, tongue retraction and testicular retraction, leading to death. (Hand-Jueyin Pericardium Meridian originates in the chest, emerges to belong to the Pericardium, descends through the diaphragm to sequentially connect with the Sanjiao; Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian follows behind the throat, enters the epiglottis area; its descending branch follows the medial thigh, enters the pubic region, passes the genitalia. Hence symptoms include central heat, dry throat, polyuria, and vexation. The tongue is the organ of the Heart; the Liver combines with tendons; tendons gather at the genitalia and connect to the tongue. Thus, in severe cases, tongue retraction and testicular retraction occur, and Jueyin Qi terminates.) This describes the failure of the Twelve Meridians. (Hand and Foot Six Meridians each have interior-exterior pairs, forming the Twelve Meridians.)