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[External Shencong Four Acupoints. Mingtang One Acupoint]

Shenting (Spirit Court) [Shen-ting, GV24]: One acupoint. Located five cun above the tip of the nose, entering the hairline. Moxibustion: fourteen moxa cones (seven Zhuang), up to forty-nine Zhuang (seven times seven). Qibo stated: When treating wind diseases, one should avoid foods that induce facial movement or generate wind. The *Mingtang Classic* records: During ignition for moxibustion, hot food is contraindicated, and wearing hot clothing is inadvisable. Another view suggests three Zhuang. The *Cuiren Jing* (Illustrated Manual of Acupoints and Meridians from the Bronze Man) records: Located directly above the nose at the hairline. It belongs to the Du Meridian (Governing Vessel). Entering the hairline five fen. Moxibustion: fourteen Zhuang, up to one hundred Zhuang. Indications: Swelling qi, wind epilepsy, mania, eyes rolling upward with loss of recognition, bleating like a sheep with tongue protrusion, opisthotonos, running naked or with disheveled hair, alternating singing and crying, mimicking others' speech, palpitations with insomnia, headache, panting and thirst, inability to see, excessive tearing, persistent clear nasal discharge. Furthermore, it is the intersection of the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian and the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian. Main indications: Head wind, vertigo.

Shangxing (Upper Star) [Shang-xing, GV23]: One acupoint. Located one cun above the hairline, directly above the tip of the nose, in the depression (the *Mingtang Classic* states it can hold a bean). Puncture with a fine three-edged needle to vent heat from all Yang meridians and prevent it from rushing upward to the head and eyes. Moxibustion: seven Zhuang; do not overdo it. Frequent moxibustion may cause Qi to ascend abnormally, leading to blurred vision. Contraindications are the same as above. The *Jia Yi Jing* and annotations to the *Re Xue Lun* record puncturing three fen. The *Cuiren Jing* records: Located on the forehead and skull, directly above the center of the nose, one cun into the hairline. It is where the Qi of the Du Meridian emerges. Indications: Head wind, facial redness and swelling, cutaneous edema, nasal congestion with anosmia, headache and vertigo, phlegm-malaria, chills, febrile disease with anhidrosis, ocular pain, inability to look far. Another view states: Puncture two fen, retain the needle for ten breaths, apply reducing method during five inhalations. After the Qi sensation subsides under the needle, pause and guide the needle; upon obtaining Deqi, apply reducing method. Moxibustion is also permissible but less effective than needling. Daily moxibustion from three to one hundred five Zhuang, then stop; wait more than ten days before resuming. Therefore, continuous addition to fifty Zhuang is not recommended. A fine three-edged needle may be used to prick the head to vent heat. Contraindications: Alcohol, wheat products, buckwheat.

Xinhui (Fontanel Meeting) [Xin-hui, GV22]: One acupoint. Located one cun posterior to Shangxing (the *Mingtang Classic* says superior to Shangxing), in the depression. Moxibustion: fourteen Zhuang, up to forty-nine Zhuang. Initially, moxibustion causes no pain; pain occurs only after the disease is expelled. Another view suggests fifty Zhuang; stop if pain arises. Needling: insert two fen, retain for three breaths, apply reducing method upon obtaining Deqi. For children under eight years old, needling is prohibited because the fontanelle has not closed; pricking it may unfortunately lead to premature death. Annotations to the *Su Wen* record: puncture four fen. The *Cuiren Jing* records: Located one cun posterior to Shangxing in the depression, capable of holding a bean. It is where the Qi of the Du Meridian emerges. Indications: Vertigo and facial swelling, nasal congestion with anosmia, convulsive epilepsy, eyes rolling upward with loss of recognition. For nasal congestion, moxibustion reduces symptoms gradually over four days and cures within seven days. For head wind with dandruff and hypersomnia, needling is optimal. After needling, mix salt powder with cold-pressed sesame oil and rub it under the hair roots at the scalp to permanently eliminate head wind. Contraindications: Hot noodles, pork, fish, buckwheat. The *Mingtang Classic* records: Main indications include scalp swelling and facial redness. Wang Shi in the *Zisheng Jing* stated: "In my youth, I studied hard; as I aged, my brain felt cold. Excessive drinking caused severe headaches. Later, I moxibusted this acupoint. Not only did my brain cease feeling cold, but even when drunk, my head did not hurt thereafter." This acupoint is suitable for those suffering from cold headaches.

Qian Ding (Anterior Vertex) [Qian-ding, GV21]: One acupoint. Located one and a half cun posterior to Xinhui, in the bony depression. Another view places it superior to Xinhui; Zhen Quan stated one cun. Currently, based on the *Su Wen*, one and a half cun is definitive. Needling: one fen. Moxibustion: three Zhuang, up to forty-nine Zhuang. Annotations to the *Su Wen* record: puncture four fen. The *Cuiren Jing* records: It is where the Du Meridian emerges. Indications: Heat-pain from head wind, vertigo, redness and swelling of the head and face, pediatric convulsive epilepsy, wind epilepsy, dementia with irregular onset, profuse clear nasal discharge, swelling and pain of the vertex. Another view states: Puncture three fen, retain for seven breaths, apply reducing method during five inhalations. In cases of extreme swelling, use a three-edged needle to prick around the square area within one cun; headache and swelling will subside immediately. Rub salt powder mixed with cold-pressed sesame oil under the hairline. Moxibustion is also acceptable; contraindications are the same. The *Mingtang Classic* records: Located one cun posterior to Xinhui, in the depression directly above the center of the nose. Indication: Scalp swelling.

Baihui (Hundred Convergences) [Bai-hui, GV20]: Also known as San Yang Wu Hui (Five Meetings of Three Yangs). Located one and a half cun posterior to Qian Ding, in the center of the vertex within the whorl of hair, capable of holding a bean. Moxibustion: seven Zhuang, up to forty-nine Zhuang. When moxibusting the vertex, do not exceed seven Zhuang because the skin is thin and unsuitable for excessive moxibustion. Needling: insert two fen, apply reducing method upon obtaining Deqi. Annotations to the *Su Wen* record: puncture four fen. The *Cuiren Jing* records: Intersection of the Du Meridian and the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian at the vertex. Indications: Prolapsed rectum in adults and children that persists despite treatment, wind epilepsy, stroke, opisthotonos, bleating or excessive crying, inappropriate speech, irregular onset of attacks (which may be fatal), frothing at the mouth, irritability, palpitations, amnesia, mental confusion, malaria, tinnitus, deafness, nasal congestion with anosmia. Another view states: Treatment for head wind and headache, vertigo, hypersomnia, lack of vitality, loss of taste, heavy head, facial redness after drinking. If moxibustion reaches one hundred five Zhuang, stop; after three to five days, prick the surrounding area with a three-edged needle to induce bleeding, and wash with well water to promote Qi circulation. Do not direct fire toward the head during moxibustion, as it may draw Qi upward and cause blindness. Contraindications: Alcohol, wheat products, pork, fish, buckwheat, garlic, pickled vegetables. The *Zisheng Jing* records: In the Tang Dynasty, Qin Minghe needled the Emperor Gaozong for head wind. Empress Wu said, "How can one allow blood to flow from the Supreme Ruler's head?" Subsequently, he pricked it, causing slight bleeding, and the headache ceased immediately. The Emperor rewarded him generously. This demonstrates this acupoint's efficacy for head wind. The *Mingtang* records treatment for stroke with slurred speech and hemiplegia. When moxibusting seven points, start with Baihui. In northern regions, infants are moxibusted here to prevent future convulsive epilepsy. Wang Shi stated: "I previously suffered from Heart Qi disorder. Upon reading Yin-Yang texts, I learned there are four acupoints that respond urgently and treat all four hundred four diseases. Baihui is one of them. After moxibusting it, my Heart Qi disorder healed. Later consulting moxibustion classics, this point indeed treats irritability, palpitations, amnesia, and weakness. Since then, I occasionally moxibust it, claiming it treats all diseases, not just these few ailments." (Also known as Tian Pu).

Shencong Four Acupoints [Shen-cong, EX-HN9]: Four acupoints. Located on the four sides of Baihui, each separated by one body-inch. Indications: Head wind, vertigo, manic epilepsy. Left side governs like flowers; right side governs like fruits. Needling: three fen. These four acupoints appear in the *Mingtang Classic* but not in the *Cuiren Jing*. Since they treat head wind, vertigo, and manic epilepsy, they should not be discarded; thus, they are appended here.

Mingtang One Acupoint [Ming-tang, EX-HN10]: One acupoint. Located one cun above the hairline, directly above the tip of the nose. Indications: Head wind, excessive nasal discharge, nasal congestion. Efficacy reported every three days. Needling: two fen (the *Cuiren Jing* states three fen). According to the *Cuiren Jing*, *Mingtang Classic*, and various acupuncture classics, one cun above the hairline directly above the nose refers to the Shangxing acupoint. The *Mingtang Classic* mentions Mingtang separately here, the basis of which is unknown. It is appended here as "transmitting doubt with doubt" (current collation confirms Shangxing is correct).

Hou Ding (Posterior Vertex) [Hou-ding, GV19]: Also known as Jiao Chong. Located one and a half cun posterior to Baihui, in the depression above the Yuzhen bone. Moxibustion: five Zhuang. Needling: two fen. The *Mingtang Classic* records four fen. The *Cuiren Jing* records needling four fen and moxibustion five Zhuang. Indications: Wind-induced vertigo and unclear vision, pain on the forehead and skull. Another view states: Puncture three fen. It is where the Qi of the Du Meridian emerges. Indications: Neck and vertex aversion to wind and cold, unilateral headache. The *Mingtang Classic* records: Moxibustion three Zhuang. Indications: Poor vision, heavy vertigo. Western Zi stated: Main indications include heat of all Yang meridians, vomiting, and epilepsy.

Qiang Jian (Strong Interspace) [Qiang-jian, GV18]: Also known as Da Yu. Located one and a half cun posterior to Hou Ding. Moxibustion: seven Zhuang. Needling: two fen. Another view suggests five Zhuang. The *Cuiren Jing* records: It is where the Qi of the Du Meridian emerges. Indications: Head pain like needle pricks, immobility, neck stiffness preventing turning the head. Another view states: Treatment for cerebral spinning and vertigo, unbearable headache, irritability, vomiting of saliva, irregular onset, neck stiffness. The *Mingtang Classic* records: Moxibustion three Zhuang. Qibo stated: Also treats wind epilepsy. Western Zi stated: Main indications include epilepsy, manic running, and inability to lie down.

Naohu (Brain Door) [Naohu, GV17]: Also known as He Lu. Located on the occipital bone, one and a half cun posterior to Qiang Jian. Needling is prohibited; it causes aphasia. Moxibustion: seven Zhuang. Do not moxibust indiscriminately, as it may cause premature death. The *Mingtang Classic* records: Moxibustion causes loss of voice. Needling: three fen. Annotations to the *Su Wen* record: puncture four fen. The *Jia Yi Jing* records: Moxibustion is prohibited. The *Cuiren Jing* records: Also known as Yang Feng and Hui Lu. It is the intersection of the Du Meridian and the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian. Indications: Ocular pain, inability to look far, facial redness and head swelling, yellow eyes. The *Cuiren Jing* again prohibits needling. However, the *Su Wen* and *Mingtang Classic* mention needling three or four fen, which is doubtful. It is safer not to needle. The *Su Wen* likely warns: Puncturing Naohu leads to immediate death if the needle enters the brain.

Fengfu (Wind Palace) [Feng-fu, GV16]: Also known as She Ben (Root of the Tongue). Located one cun above the nape hairline, in the depression between the large tendons. Muscles rise instantly upon rapid speech and flatten when speech stops. Moxibustion is prohibited; it causes aphasia. Needling: three fen. The *Cuiren Jing* records: Also known as She Ben. It is the intersection of the Du Meridian and the Yang Wei Vessel. Indications: Headache, neck stiffness preventing looking back, vertigo, epistaxis, throat pain, manic running, abnormal eye movements. Another view states: Main indications include acute neck stiffness preventing tilting, nasal obstruction, sore throat, and foot numbness. The *Mingtang Classic* records: Main indications include sudden aphonia, inability to speak, excessive fear and palpitations, suicidal ideation, retroversion of the eyes. Another view states: Puncture four fen, retain for three breaths. Another view states: For flaccid tongue, needle Fengfu. The *Zisheng Jing* records: Qibo answered Huangdi's inquiry about cold damage: "The Great Yang Meridian is the affiliation of all Yang meridians. Its vessels connect to the Fengfu acupoints, serving as the master Qi of all Yang. Thus, Fengfu is the origin of cold damage." People in the north wrap their necks with fur; weak people in the south protect their necks with cloth, commonly known as a triangular scarf. Wang Shi stated: "In my youth, I was weak and frequently caught wind in spring and winter. After protecting my neck with personal items, this problem ceased." Those who are weak must protect their necks.

Yamen (Silent Gate) [Ya-men, GV15] (also written as Yin Men): Also known as She Heng and She Yan. Located five fen into the hairline from the center of the vertex, in the depression. It is the intersection of the Du Meridian and the Yang Wei Vessel. It connects to the root of the tongue. Locate with the head extended. Moxibustion is prohibited; it causes aphasia. Needling: three fen. Annotations to the *Su Wen* record: Located in the depression at the nape hairline, one cun away from Fengfu. The *Mingtang Classic* asks: How to treat stiff tongue and inability to speak? Answer: Needle Yamen for stiff tongue, Fengfu for flaccid tongue. Apply reducing method upon obtaining Deqi. Can circle the needle slightly to a depth of eight fen, retain for three breaths, apply reducing method during five inhalations. After exhausting reduction, retain the needle again; apply reducing method upon obtaining Deqi. The *Cuiren Jing* records: Indications include neck stiffness, flaccid tongue with inability to speak, excess heat of all Yang meridians, epistaxis, uncontrolled bleeding, headache, head wind with anhidrosis, cold-wind wind-spasm, spinal rigidity with opisthotonos, twitching, epilepsy, heavy head. Needling: two fen.