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In children under three years of age who are ill, one must examine the left hand for boys and the right hand for girls. The Three Passes (San Guan) at the Tiger's Mouth (Hu Kou) are observed by pushing from the lateral side of the second finger inward. The first segment is named the Wind Pass (Feng Guan), the second segment the Qi Pass (Qi Guan), and the third segment the Life Pass (Ming Guan). By distinguishing the color of the veins: purple indicates Heat (Re); red indicates Cold (Han); green/blue indicates Convulsive Disease (Jing Feng); white indicates Infantile Malnutrition (Gan Bing); black indicates Evil Invasion (Zhong E); yellow indicates Spleen Deficiency and Fatigue (Pi Zhi Kun). If the vein appears only in the Wind Pass, the condition is mild; in the Qi Pass, it is severe; if it extends beyond the Life Pass, it is difficult to treat.

When observing facial features and colors, one must first distinguish the locations: the left cheek corresponds to the Azure Dragon (Qing Long) and belongs to the Liver (Gan); the right cheek corresponds to the White Tiger (Bai Hu) and belongs to the Lung (Fei); the high forehead (Tian Ting) corresponds to the Li Trigram Yang Fire, relating to Heart Fire (Xin Huo); the low chin corners (Di Jiao) correspond to the Kan Trigram Yin Water, relating to Kidney Water (Shen Shui). The nose is in the center of the face, and the Spleen (Pi) reflects on the lips. The appearance of red indicates Phlegm-Heat obstruction (Re Tan Yong Sheng); the appearance of green/blue indicates Liver Wind stirring with palpitations (Gan Feng Zheng Chong). Black like coal signifies pain and evil invasion with counter-flow transmission (Tong Zhong E Ni Chuan); yellow like an orange peel signifies food injury and Spleen deficiency with vomiting and diarrhea (Shi Shang Pi Xu Tu Li). White indicates Gan consumption (Gan Lao); purple indicates blazing Heat (Re Chi). Green covering the Sun Angle (Ri Jiao) is hard to cure; black covering the Taiyang point is untreatable. Red luster at the Nian Shou (area below the nose tip) often generates pus and blood. Blue-black at the Shan Gen (root of the nose between eyes) often portends disaster or abnormal disease. Zhuque (Vermilion Bird) color penetrating both pupils indicates Fire entering the Water region (Huo Ru Shui Xiang); Qinglong (Azure Dragon) color reaching the Si Bai area indicates Liver overacting on the Lung position (Gan Cheng Fei Wei). In cases of dysentery with Dai Yang syndrome (floating Yang/false heat), one must guard against collapse; in coughs with a blue tint, prognosis is poor. Severe pain presents with a cyanotic face and puckered lips/mouth; impending Liver Wind presents with a red face and fixed gaze. A fiery red complexion suggests external contraction of Wind-Cold (Wai Gan Feng Han); a floating metallic complexion suggests internal accumulation and stagnation (Zhong Cang Ji Zhi). Fluctuating yellow and white complexions indicate continuous Gan accumulation (Gan Ji Lian Mian); mixed red and green indicate wind pathogen causing convulsions (Feng Xie Rong). Qi deficiency causes the fontanelle to sink into a pit; Blood deficiency causes hair to become brittle and tufted. Excess Liver Qi causes eye discharge and tearing; Spleen cold causes drooling and retention at the chin (Liu Xian Zhi Yi). Puffy face and eyes indicate abdominal distension with upward panting; frequent frowning indicates abdominal pain and excessive crying. Cyan-like cheeks on both sides suggest Guest Wu (Ke Wu) pathogenic influence; earthy-yellow color in the two wind pools (outer canthi) suggests Spleen injury. Black at the Wind Gate (Feng Men) indicates Hernia (Shan); green indicates Wind pathogen (Feng). Smooth and broad shapes are auspicious; dim and obscure shapes are critical. Fingers moving as if counting objects indicates impending Liver Wind; a face reddened like vermilion indicates Heart Fire burning at the eyebrows (Xin Huo Ran Mei). Preference for sitting/lying in warmth indicates Wind-Cold invasion; seeking coolness through movement indicates restlessness without doubt. A large belly with small legs indicates Spleen deficiency leading to Gan malnutrition; staring eyes with open mouth indicates a critical state likely leading to death. Alas! Among the five body parts, the head is supreme; among the face, only the Spirit (Shen) can be relied upon. Furthermore, the pitch of voice differs, and the wetness/dryness of crying varies distinctly. Continuous yawning indicates the onset of illness; sudden startled cries identify the flourishing of Fire pathogen. These are the standards for syndrome differentiation; may practitioners earnestly follow them without deviation.