膀胱者,津液之府也,与肾为表里,号水曹椽,名玉海也。足太阳是其经也。总通于五
腑,所以五腑有疾,即应膀胱,膀胱有疾,即应胞囊。小便不利,热入膀胱则甚,气急而小
便黄涩也。膀胱寒则小便数而清白。又石水发则根在膀胱,腹胀大者是也。又膀胱咳而不已,
则传之三焦,肠满而不饮食也。然上焦主心肺之病。人有热则食不入,寒则精神不守,泄利
不止,语声不出也。实则上绝于气不行也,虚则引气入肺。其三焦之气和,则五脏六腑皆和,
逆则皆逆。膀胱中有厥阴气,则梦行不快,满胀则小便不下,脐下重闷。或有痛绝,则三日
死,死鸡鸣也。
三焦者,人之三元之气也,号曰中清之腑,总领五脏六腑,营卫经络,内外左右上下之
气也。三焦通则内外左右上下皆通,其于用身灌体,和内调外,荣左养右,导上宣下,莫大
于此也。又名玉海,水道上则曰三管,中则曰霍乱,下则曰走哺,名虽三而归一,有其名而
无其形也。亦号曰孤独之腑,而卫出于上,营出于下。上者络脉之系,中者经脉之系,下者
人气之系也。亦又属膀胱之宗,始主通阴阳,调虚实呼吸,有病则苦腹胀气满,小腹坚,溺
不得便而窘迫也。溢则作水,留则为胀,手少阳是其经也。又上焦实热,则额汗出,能食而
气不利,舌干口焦,咽闭之类,腹胀胁肋痛。寒则不入食,吐酸水,胸背引痛,噎干,津不
纳也。实则食已虚,虚则还出,膨胀而不纳。虚则不能制下,遗便溺头面肿也。中焦实热则
上下不通,腹胀喘咳,下气不上,上气不下,关格而不通也。寒则下痢不止,食欲不消。中
满虚则肠鸣膨胀也。下焦实热,则小便不通,大便难,若重痛也。虚寒则大小便泄下不止。
三焦之气,和则内外和,逆则内外逆,故以三焦为人之三元气,不亦宜乎。
The Bladder is the mansion of fluids, exteriorly-interiorly related to the Kidney, known as "Shuicao Chuan" (Water Clerk), and also named "Yuhai" (Jade Sea). The Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian is its channel. It generally connects with the Five Zang and Six Fu organs; therefore, when diseases occur in the Five Zang and Six Fu organs, they manifest in the Bladder, and when the Bladder is diseased, it responds to the Bao囊 (Bao Palace, referring to the uterus or seminal vesicle). If urination is difficult, heat entering the Bladder exacerbates the condition, causing急促 breathing (Qi urgency) and yellow, astringent urine. Cold in the Bladder causes frequent urination with clear and white urine. Furthermore, Shi Shui (Stone Water) originates from the Bladder, characterized by abdominal distension and enlargement. Also, if coughing persists and transmits to the Sanjiao (Triple Burner), it leads to intestinal fullness and inability to eat.
The Upper Jiao primarily governs diseases of the Heart and Lungs. When there is heat, food does not enter smoothly; when there is cold, the spirit fails to remain settled, resulting in incessant diarrhea/dysentery and inability to speak. In excess conditions, Qi stagnates and cannot move downward; in deficiency conditions, Qi is drawn into the Lung. When the Qi of the Sanjiao is harmonious, all Five Zang and Six Fu organs are harmonious; when it is rebellious, all are rebellious. If Jueyin Qi interferes within the Bladder, one dreams of slow or obstructed walking; if the Bladder is full and distended, urination is blocked, and there is a heavy, stifling sensation below the umbilicus. If severe pain and syncope occur, death follows in three days, typically at dawn (Ji Ming time).
The Sanjiao (Triple Burner) is the gathering place of the Three Primal Qi of humans, designated as the "Zhongqing Zang" (Middle Clear Organ). It commands the Five Zang and Six Fu organs, Ying and Wei (Nutritive and Defensive) Qi, meridians, and the Qi of the interior, exterior, left, right, upper, and lower. When the Sanjiao is unobstructed, the interior, exterior, left, right, upper, and lower are all unobstructed. Its role in nourishing the body, harmonizing the interior and exterior, nurturing the left and protecting the right, guiding the upper and venting the lower is unparalleled. It is also called "Yuhai" (Jade Sea). In the water pathways, the upper part is called "San Guan" (Three Tubes), the middle part is referred to in the context of Huoluan (Cholera-like disorder), and the lower part is called "Zou Bu" (Walking Meal/Regurgitation). Although named three, they return to one; it has a name but no distinct form. It is also called the "Gudu Zang" (Solitary Organ). Wei Qi arises from the Upper Jiao, and Ying Qi arises from the Lower Jiao. The Upper Jiao connects with the Luo-connecting vessels system, the Middle Jiao with the Jing-main vessels system, and the Lower Jiao with the system of human Qi. It also belongs to the master of the Bladder, initially governing the flow of Yin and Yang, adjusting deficiency and excess, and regulating respiration. When diseased, it suffers from abdominal distension and fullness, hardness of the lower abdomen, and difficulty in urination accompanied by urgency. Overflow leads to edema (Water); retention leads to distension (Fullness). The Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian is its channel.
Furthermore, Excess-Heat in the Upper Jiao causes sweating on the forehead, ability to eat but obstructed Qi, dry tongue and scorched mouth, throat closure, abdominal distension, and hypochondriac pain. Cold causes inability to eat, vomiting of sour fluid, radiating pain in the chest and back, dysphagia and dryness, and failure to accept fluids. Excess conditions cause emptiness after eating; deficiency conditions cause regurgitation, abdominal distension, and inability to receive food. Deficiency conditions fail to control the lower, leading to incontinence of stool and urine, and swelling of the head and face. Excess-Heat in the Middle Jiao causes obstruction of upper and lower Qi, abdominal distension, wheezing, and coughing; lower Qi does not ascend, upper Qi does not descend, resulting in Guan Ge (Obstruction and Reversal) syndrome where Qi is blocked. Cold causes incessant diarrhea and indigestion. Fullness with deficiency in the Middle Jiao causes borborygmus and abdominal distension. Excess-Heat in the Lower Jiao causes urinary obstruction and difficult defecation, possibly with heavy pain. Deficiency-Cold causes incessant leakage of stool and urine. When the Qi of the Sanjiao is harmonious, the interior and exterior are harmonious; when it is rebellious, the interior and exterior are rebellious. Thus, calling the Sanjiao the Three Primal Qi of humans is indeed appropriate.