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Qiao Yue's "Song of the Extinction of the Five Zang Organs"

[Heart] Vomiting and diarrhea transform into dysentery, with black blood excreted and unbearable thirst. (The Heart governs blood vessels. When Heart Qi fails, the blood color turns black; deficiency and dryness trigger thirst.) Muscles emaciate, making walking and sitting difficult. The tongue is flaccid and weak, unable to retract or hide within the mouth. (The Heart opens into the tongue. When Heart Qi fails, the tongue cannot be controlled.) Both cheeks appear reddish like applied rouge. (In prolonged dysentery, the complexion should be pale and devoid of luster; if it appears reddish like rouge, it indicates Heart Qi failure causing floating deficient Yang to rise.) Silence prevails, and sores form in the mouth. (The Heart opens into the tongue; when Heart Qi fails, speech is impossible.) If this occurs in mid-summer, there is no need for further deliberation (implying inevitable death).

[Liver] Eyes feel constantly dry; the whole body feels as if intoxicated. Frequent desire to sleep, irritability, and excessive anger. (The Liver opens into the eyes; when Liver Qi fails, the eyes cannot open, causing dryness and a desire to sleep. The Liver governs sinews and strength; when Liver Qi fails, the limbs are weak as if drunk and unable to lift. The Liver governs anger; when Liver Qi fails, anger persists uncontrollably.) Lips turn white, eyelids swell, restlessness ensues, and crying sounds from the feet. This sign corresponds to the East and Wood element; if contracted in spring, survival is unlikely.

[Spleen] A yellowish complexion may seem like improvement, but do not mistake it for the cessation of disease progression. The body is weak, with severe aversion to cold, and sensations of insects crawling seeking food. (The Spleen governs the limbs and body; when Spleen Qi fails, the body becomes weak. Furthermore, when Spleen Earth fails, Kidney Water counteracts and overcomes it, causing fever and aversion to cold. Spleen failure leads to Stomach heat, causing parasites to become restless and vomit upward.) Weak lips while nursing; teeth exposed, with gums receding and difficulty covering them. (The Spleen opens into the mouth, its brilliance manifesting in the lips; when Spleen Qi fails, it cannot cover the teeth, nor can it suckle milk.) Sunken eye sockets; cease medication. (Eye sockets belong to the Spleen; when Spleen Qi fails, they sink.) To avoid remaining in the human realm [to suffer].

[Lung] Lung signs should correspond to white; do not observe the form of Lung Qi extinction. Nasal tip is cyanotic, nostrils dry and black, abdominal distension, and sunken eyelids. (The Lung opens into the nose; when Lung Qi fails, Liver Wood counteracts and overcomes it, presenting cyanosis. Lung failure results in absence of nasal discharge, hence black and dry nostrils. The Lung governs eyelids; when Lung Qi fails, they collapse.) Neck stiffness, rapid breathing, convex chest, and breath without echo. (The Lung governs Qi; when Lung Qi fails, panting is rapid and neck stiffens to draw air. Qi exhaustion causes chest fullness and convexity, with only exhalation and no inhalation.) Encountering this sign in autumn implies rebirth elsewhere after death.

[Kidney] Cold sweat frequently occurs; frequent urination and night terrors. (Kidney Qi failure leads to separation of Yin and Yang, causing cold sweat and urinary incontinence. Essence is the residence of Spirit; when Kidney Qi fails, Spirit scatters, causing night terrors. The Kidney belongs to Yin, and night also belongs to Yin.) Generalized pruritic papules or scabies; hands and feet cold as ice. (Yang energy is exhausted and cannot warm the limbs.) Head tilted backward, difficult to lift; facial darkness and lack of spirit. (Kidney Qi failure causes the Tianzhu bone [spine] to collapse; face and eyes turn dark, lacking spirit.) This sign corresponds to Ren and Gui [Water]; encountering it in winter leads to demise.

Wang Shuhe's "Song of Death Signs"
Red meridians on the upper eyelids extending downward through the pupil. Fontanelle swelling protruding, or sinking into a pit. Dry, black, and scorched nose; large abdomen with visible blue veins. Eyes staring straight ahead, completely immobile. Black fingernails; sudden crow-like cries. Tongue weakly retracting to the back of the throat; grinding teeth or biting. Fish-mouth breathing, rapid respiration, crying without sound. Extrusion of roundworms indicates certain death. Medication must be administered urgently; ten cases yield no survivors.

Qian Yi's "Death Signs"
Uncontrollable diarrhea despite good spirit. Uncontrollable extreme thirst; thirst returns immediately after quenching. No sneezing response to nasal insufflation. Severe illness with dry mouth and insomnia. In seasonal epidemics, cyanotic-black spots on lips; deep red cheeks like rouge. Open nostrils; irregular, rapid panting. Complexion showing five colors mixed, neither constant nor lustrous.

Various Death Signs
Profuse sweating in critical illness, droplets like pearls but not flowing. Hair standing erect and reversed; dry and cracked lips and mouth. Cold air from mouth and nose; head touching feet. Lying rigidly as if bound. Limbs hanging limp; cold palms and soles.

Tong Zhenzi's "Song of Death Prognoses"
Sunken fontanelle, dry lips, fixed gaze. Cold air from mouth, lying like an idiot. Rigid body, soft limbs. Cold palms, low head; all these are incurable.