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The *Jin Zhen Fu* (Golden Needle Ode) states: When the pathogenic trend has receded, the qi sensation around the needle becomes slightly loose. If the pathogenic trend has not receded, the qi sensation is like a root; pushing it does not move it, turning it does not shift it. This is because the pathogenic qi is sucking and pulling the needle, indicating that the healthy qi has not yet arrived, and the needle should not be withdrawn at this time. Withdrawing it now will cause the disease to recur, requiring re-application of the tonification method. One should wait and pause until the sensation becomes slightly loose, then withdraw the needle slightly, shake it, and pause. For tonification, withdraw the needle during the patient's inhalation, act quickly, and immediately press the acupoint upon removal. For sedation, withdraw the needle during exhalation, act slowly, leave the acupoint open without closing it, aiming to make the couli (skin pores and interstices) dense, and only then allow the patient to inhale. Therefore, it is said: Inserting the needle values slowness; being too urgent damages blood. Withdrawing the needle values gentleness; being too urgent damages qi. Liu Zongnong said: The needle must not be pulled out violently; it must be done in three or four stages, slowly rotated and withdrawn to avoid bleeding; if pulled out violently, bleeding will certainly occur.

Ancient sayings state: "Golden needle" implies nobility. "Jin" (Metal/Gold) is the general term for the five metals; steel, iron, gold, and silver all belong to this category. The *Bencao* records: Iron from horse bits is non-toxic and can be made into needles. Since horses correspond to Wu (noon) and the element Fire, and Fire overcomes Metal, this resolves the toxicity of iron, hence its use for making needles.

The method of boiling needles was originally absent in the *Suwen*. It is used by people today to make the needles warm and lustrous. As this is beneficial and harmless, it is adopted. Wei Shi's book prescribes using 1 liang each of Aconitum carmichaelii radix preparata (Fuzi, 附子) and Crotonis Fructus (Baidu, 巴豆), 5 qian each of Sulfur and Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang, 麻黄), and 10 each of Momordicae Semen (Mubiezi, 木鳖子) and Mume Fructus (Wumei, 乌梅). These are boiled together in water in a clay pot or jar for one day, then washed and selected. Then, use 0.5 liang each of Myrrha (Moyao, 没药), Boswelliae Resina (Ruxiang, 乳香), Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui, 当归), and Flower Rhodostemonis (Huaruishi, 花蕊石) as pain-relieving agents, and boil them in water again for one day as before. Take them out, wash with Gleditsia sinensis fructus water (Zaojiao, 皂角), then boil in dog meat for one day. Finally, polish clean with tile fragments. The needle should be straight, coated with Pine Kernel Oil (Songziren You, 松子油). It is excellent to keep it close to human warmth regularly.

The classics state: To burn the needle, fill a cup with Sesame Oil (Mazhi, 麻油), and use a rush light thick as a thumb. Gather the lamp fire to burn the needle tip, frequently dipping the needle in sesame oil, burning it until red-hot before use. Otherwise, it will harm people rather than benefit them and cannot remove disease. When burning, keep the needle tip lowered to prevent hot oil from scalding the hand. Let others burn the needle first, and the practitioner uses it temporarily to avoid heating their own hands. As soon as the needle feels red, the practitioner takes it, places it on the acupoint naturally, lets it dry, and then needling is also good. Performing fire needling is similar to point-moxibustion; mark with ink so there is no deviation from the acupoints during needling. Deviation results in no effect. Fire needling is very difficult; one must have the heart of a general facing battle to perform it. First, press and fix the acupoint with the left hand, then needle. Avoid being too deep, as this damages meridians and collaterals; avoid being too shallow, as this fails to treat the disease. Only by deliberating and taking the middle ground is it appropriate. After heavy drunkenness, needling should not be performed. Improper depth brings harm but no benefit. Before performing fire needling, one must comfort the patient to prevent fright and movement. Comparing fire needling and moxibustion: moxibustion directly receives mugwort burning, which causes prolonged pain if excessive; fire needling, though feared, is swift under the needle, removed after one insertion, and not retained. After inserting a fire needle, replace it quickly; do not retain it long. Immediately press the needle hole with the left hand to stop pain; if not pressed, pain will be severe. Fire needling is unsuitable for treating Hong Kong Foot (podagra/foot disorders), as it may worsen swelling and pain, preventing walking. Fire needling is suitable for breaking abscesses and back carbuncles. If pus is internal with no head on the outer skin, press only the soft area on the toxin. For large areas of pus, mark the head, tail, and center, and insert three needles to rupture and drain the pus. Do not press after inserting one needle into the swelling; instead, press from both sides with fingers to let the pus flow out with the hand. If swollen and full of pus, avoid standing directly in front when needling to prevent spray contamination. The *Zhen Jiu Jie Yao* states: The function of fire needling is great. For masses, paralysis, abscesses, and hard tumors, fire needling is suitable.