Library

The spleen earth corresponds to heaven in the upper part of the body and also belongs to the transformation of dampness. Therefore, if the fluids from water and grain (Shui Gu) and body fluids (Jin Ye) do not circulate properly, they stagnate and accumulate to form phlegm-fluids (Tan Yin). Eight or nine out of ten people suffer from phlegm-fire diseases; however, for the elderly, fire should not be reduced rapidly, and for those with deficiency, phlegm should not be completely eliminated. If the attack is too severe, the disease will worsen and lead to danger; one must take consolidating the original Qi (Yuan Qi) as the fundamental principle. For any disease, if one treats it by inferring its nature and category, one has grasped more than half of the treatment method. (From *Kongtongzi*)

The "Five Exhaustions" refer to the exhaustion of the five Zang organs, all caused by forced movement and excessive effort, which is termed "exhaustion" (Lao). The *Suoduan Xin Shu* states: "Receiving Qi through greed and desire constitutes exhaustion." The true Yuan root of the human body consists of Qi and Blood (Qi Xue) and Jin Ye. Among worldly conditions, the syndrome of Lao La (consumptive disease, similar to tuberculosis) is the most difficult to treat. This is generally because in their prime years, people indulge in alcohol and sexual activity, causing the dispersion of their true Yuan Qi and failure to generate Jin Ye. Consequently, they develop symptoms such as vomiting blood and phlegm, bone-steaming tidal fever, kidney deficiency with mental and physical fatigue, pale complexion with red malar flush, white turbidity and nocturnal emission, as well as phlegm-drool and phlegm-cough. This is called the "Fire Overacting on Metal" pattern (Xiang Huo Kang Sheng Fei Jin). In severe cases, death occurs within six months; in mild cases, critical condition is inevitable within a year. Quack doctors, failing to investigate the source, recklessly administer drugs that are extremely cold or extremely hot. They fail to realize that extreme cold further depletes Qi, while extreme heat further exhausts Blood. Thus, most patients suffering from this disease cannot avoid death, due to the incompetence of their physicians, which is truly pitiable! (From *Xu Yi Shuo*)

In the four seasons, there are cold, heat, dryness, and dampness, and when wind and Qi contend, various diseases arise, which must be observed and prevented in advance. Slight negligence in prevention allows these pathogens to invade the person. Additionally, there are epidemic plagues, miasmic malaria, and other infectious diseases that transmit among people. The five Zang organs vary in size, height, depth, firmness, and fragility, and are positioned either upright or tilted; the six Fu organs also differ in length, thickness, and tension. These constitutional differences are as unique as facial features. Some people have few illnesses, while others suffer from a chronic illness throughout their lives; some have dietary preferences for the five flavors, poultry, fish, insects, vegetables, or fruits; some have a history of taking minerals, herbs, animal flesh, or bitter and pungent medicines. There are also those whose status changes from noble to humble, wealth from rich to poor; those who are consistently wealthy, those who suddenly become wealthy, those who experience sudden hardship or sudden joy, those who start happy but end in misery, and those who suffer from separation, frustration, worry, fear, anger, or excessive joy. Therefore, the wealthy dislike labor, are proud and lazy, and have depressed spirits; excessive affairs tire the Shen (Spirit); excessive speech causes Qi contention; excessive laughter injures the Fu organs; excessive fear subdues the Zhi (Will); excessive joy leads to mental dissipation; excessive delight causes erratic behavior; excessive fear makes the hundred vessels unstable; excessive aversion leads to haggardness and lack of joy; excessive desire results in confusion and instability. These are not caused by external pathogens but arise from internal factors. A skilled physician must carefully examine the cause, first identifying which Zang-Fu and meridians are diseased, and distinguishing whether the etiology is external contraction or internal injury, thereby ensuring a comprehensive and safe treatment. (From *Yi Shuo*)