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The sore initially appears like a millet grain, with the internal cavity capable of holding a grain; externally like hemp seeds, internally as large as a melon; externally like a copper coin, internally capable of holding a fist. Although the onset is vigorous, it ultimately causes no harm. Premature whitening of the sore top (indicating early pus formation or necrosis) without pus and with soft depression indicates a poor prognosis. Sores arising from nodules are treatable only when pus has formed. Swelling and ulceration accompanied by vigorous spirit indicate recovery even without treatment. High sore root and high sore top suggest longevity up to eighty years. Swelling prone to rotting, regardless of size, ultimately poses no life-threatening danger. Sores with high fever and pain, though painful, will surely survive. Soft sores lacking spirit require tonification for benefit. Muscle swelling without sore swelling causes doubt and fear. Turbid pus combined with anorexia and diarrhea indicates approaching death (guest of the Yellow Springs). Sore color resembling purple pig liver without pus indicates certain death. Chronic ulcers that do not rot may harbor grape-like embedded necrotic tissue inside. Supine position with insensitivity to pain in Yin syndromes makes survival difficult. Complete removal of腐肉 (necrotic tissue) accompanied by foul odor, or abnormal laughter amidst decline, indicates lifelong affliction. Scattered sore root and flat sore surface render even immortals unable to treat. Prolonged illness with exposed eye spirit indicates inevitable death. Sudden appearance of face like applied rouge predicts separation (death) within ten days. Red flesh appearing in decay offers a path to life. New flesh resembling rigid plates, if not nourished, will eventually deteriorate. Withered skin on hands and feet, blood corruption, makes preservation of life difficult. White lips and spiritless eyes, abdominal distension with impending diarrhea indicate critical condition. Abnormal local odor without stench, though severe, often retains vitality. Dense black qi around eye sockets is dreaded in carbuncles and ulcers. Fragrant aroma in the bedroom suggests this illness will ultimately be auspicious. Sore heat with slight body heat indicates mild disease, which needs no further explanation. Life and death are sought herein, decided by a few words.

In examining any patient's disease, one must first observe their form and color, then correlate them with pulse and disease manifestations. True understanding at the beginning ensures accurate judgment at the end, with little error. Why say this? Yin diseases presenting Yang colors, such as bright red cheeks and zygomatic arches, both indicate death. Yang diseases presenting Yin colors, such as cyanotic fingernails, also indicate death. Additionally, body heat with fine pulse, inverted cyanosis of lips and mouth corners, and fixed staring eyes indicate death. Face like applied rouge, color resembling earthy yellow, greasy texture, or smeared black qi indicate death. Dry and scorched lips and tongue, soot-like deposits in nose, and protruding eye spirit indicate death. Emaciated appearance, confused and short-spirited demeanor, and shrunken body shape indicate death. Rough breathing and shortness of breath, everted nostrils with exposed eyes, and delirious speech indicate death. Grasping at clothes and bed, urinary incontinence, and picking at empty air indicate death. Head drooping and neck weakness, spiritless gaze, and shallow rapid breathing indicate death. Broken skin without blood, ruptured and rotting flesh patches, numbness and insensitivity to pain or itching indicate death. Teeth yellow like boiled beans, white lips with reversed ridges and no lines, black and withered ears unresponsive to sound, sunken and flat philtrum, open mouth with non-returning breath, nasal flaring accompanying respiration, sweat like pearls not dispersing, phlegm like glue and solidifying, bleeding red like lung tissue, curved and stagnant cyanotic nails, confused and floating spirit, chaotic and detached spirit, black garments covering the face, and dismal black qi on the forehead—all these encountered mean loss of life. The method is evaluated herein.