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Blood is a Yin substance, resembling the springs and streams of the earth, with a nature that is fundamentally still. Movement is its dynamic manifestation. Movement belongs to Yang; thus, it is the Yang within Yin, symbolizing fire contained within Kan (☵).
Because it is Yin on the outside and Yang on the inside, it moves. If it were pure Yin, it would not move. If it does not move, it coagulates; if it coagulates, the meridians become obstructed. The classics state: "The Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian is typically abundant in both Qi and Blood." It also states: "The Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian constantly generates Qi and Blood." The Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian slants and connects to the eyes. The Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian originates from the inner canthus. Both these meridians are abundant in Blood but deficient in Qi. When Blood disease causes stagnation, the abundance of Blood makes it prone to coagulation. *Ling Shu: Mi Dian Lun* says: "The Spleen and Stomach are the officials of the granary, where the Five Flavors emerge." Excessive intake of the Five Flavors damages the Stomach; when the Stomach is damaged, Blood becomes diseased. This is the pathogenic factor of the Five Flavors, arising from the root (the Zang-Fu organs). It also states: "The Small Intestine is the official of reception and transformation, processing substances and eliminating waste." Encountering Cold obstructs this transformation. It further states: "The Bladder is the official of the capital, storing body fluids." Encountering Wind scatters its storage. One obstruction and one scattering cause Blood pathology as well. This is the pathogenic factor of Wind and Cold, arising from the branches (the meridians). Whenever pathogenic factors prevail, Blood pathology leads to immobility; immobility gradually leads to stasis; stasis easily leads to coagulation; once coagulated, the disease manifests externally. Since the meridians slant to connect to the eyes or originate at the inner canthus, the disease presents as bluish-black discoloration around the eyes, resembling trauma from an object. In severe cases, the sclera also changes color; in mild cases, spots may form. However, there is no pain, itching, tearing, excessive discharge, or photophobia/asthenopia. This is called "Blood Disease due to Pathogenic Prevalence, Coagulating and Failing to Flow." At the onset, this condition largely resembles a wind-cold exterior syndrome, manifesting distinctly after one or two days. It is primarily treated with *Chuanxiong Xingjing San* (Sichuan Lovage Powder for Promoting Circulation) or *Xiaoning Da Wan Zi* (Great Pill for Dissolving Coagulation). If eye pain occurs, *Danggui Yangrong Tang* (Angelica Decoction for Nourishing the Ying) is added. Thus, coagulation resolves into non-stagnation, stasis resumes flow, and immobility returns to movement. Pathogens are eliminated, the disease is cured, and Blood returns to normal. Remembering this ensures cure; forgetting it ensures failure.

Qi is a Yang substance, resembling the clouds and mist of the sky, with a nature that is fundamentally active. Aggregation is its substantial form. Aggregation belongs to Yin; thus, it is the Yin within Yang, symbolizing water contained within Li (☲).
Because it is Yang on the outside and Yin on the inside, it aggregates. If it were pure Yang, it would not aggregate. If it does not aggregate, it disperses; if it disperses, the meridians fail to contain. The classics state: "The Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian is typically abundant in both Qi and Blood." It also states: "The Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian constantly generates Qi and Blood." Internal injury by the Seven Emotions first damages the Spleen and Stomach. Anger is one of the Seven Emotions. When the Stomach and Spleen are diseased, Qi also becomes pathological. *Yin Yang Ying Xiang Da Lun* states: "The Foot-Jueyin Liver governs the eyes and corresponds to Anger in emotions." Severe anger damages the Liver. Damage to the Spleen and Stomach prevents Qi from aggregating; damage to the Liver causes the Shen Water (aqueous humor) to disperse. Why? Because Shen Water is formed by the aggregation of Qi. This condition lacks symptoms such as discharge, tearing, pain, itching, photophobia, or tightness/asthenopia. Initially, vision is blurred as if walking in fog or dew; gradually, black spots appear in the visual field; then, diplopia (double vision) develops; over time, light fails to converge, leading to permanent disability. This is because Shen Water gradually disperses and continues to disperse until completely exhausted. In the initial gradual stage, *Ci Zhu Wan* (Magnetite and Cinnabar Pill) from *Qian Jin Fang* should be used, which is a sedative/heavy-settling formula; *Shihu Yeguang Wan* (Dendrobium Night-Illuminating Pill) should be used, which is a tonic/nourishing formula; *Yiyin Shenqi Wan* (Nourishing Yin Kidney-Energizing Pill) should be used, which is a formula for strengthening Water (Kidney Yin). If heat signs are present, *Ziyin Dihuang Wan* (Nourishing Yin Rehmannia Pill) should be used. This disease is extremely difficult to treat. Taking the above medicines requires accumulation over years, avoidance of irregular eating and physical exhaustion, expulsion of the Seven Emotions and Five Thieves (excessive desires), and cultivation of pure moral character. Only then will efficacy be achieved; otherwise, disability is inevitable. Once disabled, it cannot be cured again. For long-standing diseases where light fails to converge, treatment is also abandoned. One specific case arises from sudden rage, causing immediate dispersion of Shen Water and immediate loss of light convergence, without any gradual onset. This is a case that never recovers. Another case results from blunt trauma, causing dispersion of Shen Water similar to sudden rage, which also does not recover. This is commonly known as Qing Mang (Green Blindness). Patients often fail to examine carefully, dismissing eye blurriness as harmless, ignoring it initially. By the time it forms, common physicians do not recognize it, attributing it directly to Heat and prescribing cooling medicines. Unaware that cooling medicines damage the Stomach, and further unaware that Cooling corresponds to Autumn/Metal, while the Liver corresponds to Spring/Wood, cooling medicines additionally damage the Liver. This often leads to disability before cessation. Patients blame fate rather than questioning the medication; physicians fail to realize their error, blaming poor skill instead. Alas! Both parties are culpable. Who bears the responsibility? I have witnessed this repeatedly. Therefore, I elaborate on the errors of using cooling medicines.