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The *Shanfan Lun* (Treatise on Eliminating Redundancy) states: The Sanjiao (Triple Burner), also known as the Three Passes, has its Upper Jiao referred to as the "Three Tubes." Its qi reflects to the Middle Jiao, manifesting as Huoluan (Cholera-like syndrome with vomiting and diarrhea). The Lower Jiao is called "Zoubu" (Difficulty in feeding/digestion). Together they form one entity, having a name but no distinct form. They govern the往返 (intercourse/communication) of divine qi among the Five Zang and Six Fu organs, penetrating the entire body. Their function can be perceived but not seen. They harmonize essence and qi, unblock water passages, and regulate the qi between the Spleen and Stomach; these principles must not be ignored.

Regarding the reflection of the Upper Jiao's "Three Tubes," this collectively refers to the Sanjiao, which is the "Middle-Clear Organ" (a fu organ containing clear fluids, not directly transmitting food residues). It is also nicknamed "Yu Hai" (Jade Sea). The water passage originates here and connects to the Bladder. Although the Upper, Middle, and Lower Jiao share the same general designation, they are all termed the "Lone Organ" (the solitary Fu organ). Specifically, Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi) arises from the Middle Jiao, and Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) arises from the Upper Jiao. (Ying Qi is the qi circulating in the Luo Collaterals, while Wei Qi is the qi circulating in the main Jing Meridians.)

The function of the Upper Jiao is like mist or dew. (Mist refers to the fine vapor rising upwards.) The qi of the Upper Jiao originates from the upper part of the Stomach, ascends along the pharynx, penetrates the diaphragm, spreads in the chest, moves towards the axilla, follows the distribution of the Foot-Taiyin Splein Meridian, returns to inject into the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian, ascends to the tongue, and descends to inject into the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian. Ying Qi and Wei Qi typically circulate together twenty-five cycles in the Yang aspect and twenty-five cycles in the Yin aspect, completing one revolution. Throughout day and night, they circulate fifty times around the body, repeating endlessly, finally converging at the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian and the Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian.

The Upper Jiao primarily governs diseases of the Heart and Lungs. If pathogens remain internal without exteriorizing, and the body has heat, when food enters the Stomach, its qi has not yet stabilized, sweat will emerge. It may appear on the face, back, hands, or feet. These instances occur because the sweat does not follow the proper pathway of Wei Qi. This is generally due to external wind pathogen invading, causing the Couli (pores/skin texture) to open, internal heat steaming, and the Couli leaking. Wei Qi, being fierce, rapid, and slippery, exits upon seeing the opening, thus failing to follow its correct path. This condition is named "Lou Xie" (Leakage/Sweating disorder).

Symptoms include pain in the elbows and palms, vomiting followed by defecation after eating, shortness of breath, and oppression/stuffiness in the chest and diaphragm, explaining why food is vomited before passing down. In cold patterns, spirit fails to reside, leading to diarrhea and loose stools, and loss of voice. In excess patterns, qi cuts off upward affecting the Heart; in deficiency patterns, it draws qi into the Lungs. (Source: Volume 4 of *Qianjin Fang*, consistent with the text above.)

The *Qianjin Fang* discusses: When the Sanjiao is diseased, abdominal distension and fullness occur, with the lower abdomen particularly hard. There is difficulty urinating, urgency, overflow leading to edema, and retention leading to distension. The diagnostic sign is located outside the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian; the large collateral lies between the Taiyang and Shaoyang meridians, and this is also visible in the pulse. Treatment should select Weiyang (BL39). For lower abdominal disease with swelling, pain, and inability to urinate, where the pathogen is in the Sanjiao, one should select the large collateral of the Taiyang meridian, observing its knotted vessels. If there are knotted small collaterals of the Jueyin meridian with blood stasis, treat them accordingly.

In Sanjiao Distension, qi fills the skin/subcutaneous tissue, sounding hollow upon percussion but lacking firmness. When the Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian undergoes change, it causes deafness, throat swelling, and Hou Bi (obstruction of the throat). As the meridian governing Qi-related diseases, symptoms include sweating, pain at the outer canthus of the eye, cheek pain, and pain behind the ear, shoulder, elbow, and lateral arm, with dysfunction of the ring and little fingers. For these diseases, cold patterns require needle retention (Liuzhen); heat patterns require rapid insertion and withdrawal (Jizhi); sinking pulses require moxibustion; neither excess nor deficiency patterns are treated by selecting points from the affected meridian itself. Excess patterns present with the Renying (ST9) pulse beating twice as strong as the Cunkou (Radial) pulse; deficiency patterns present with the Renying pulse weaker than the Cunkou pulse. (Source: Volume 20 of *Qianjin Fang*.)