一、五脏之属,皆见于于面,故但察部位,可知吉凶。盖人之面部,左颊为肝,右颊为肺,额
上为心,颏下为肾,鼻为脾土。又目为肝之窍,鼻为肺之窍,口为脾之窍,耳为肾之窍,舌为心之
苗。若痘疹未出之先,但得面中诸部明润者吉,燥暗者凶。又山根为命宫,年寿为疾厄宫,此二宫
红黄光明者吉,青黑昏暗者凶。
三阳之脉皆会于面,正额为太阳脉之所会,唇颏为阳明脉之所居,两耳前后为少阳脉之所过。
痘为阳毒,
故随阳气而先见于面。惟阳明经乃胃与大肠,积陈受腐,血气俱多之处,故痘疹初发,但于本经口
鼻两旁,人中上下,腮颏年寿之间先出现者为吉。如太阳经则水火交战之处,少阳经则木火相并之
乡,若于其位先现者凶。凡起浆收靥亦皆如是。
一、遍身部位皆有所辨,如头为诸阳聚会之处,两颐两颊为五脏精华之腑,咽为水谷之道路,
喉为呼吸之关门,胸腹乃诸阳受气之海,为心肺之所居,脊背乃诸阳之统会,为十二经藏气之所系,
儿此五处稀少者吉。若头额多者,谓之蒙头。颈项多者,谓之锁项。胸前多者,谓之瞒胸。蒙头则
阳毒亢,真阴竭。锁项则出入废,气化绝。瞒胸则心腹近,神失守。两颊两颐多至成片,或如涂朱
,则肝盛克脾。凡此者,至八九日间,多见滑泄泻青,或不能食,最为险候,故皆不宜多也。惟四
肢虽诸阳之本,然乃身所役使,卒伍卑贱之属,故虽多亦不至害。凡起发成浆收靥俱如此也。又心
窝手足心,谓之五心,痘俱多者必重。若头面、胸项、手足细碎稠密一样者,恐气血衰微,脾胃虚
弱,不能周流灌注,则无不危矣。
1. The manifestations of the Five Zang organs are all reflected on the face; therefore, by observing the specific areas of the face, one can determine the auspiciousness or inauspiciousness (prognosis) of the condition. Generally speaking, on the human face, the left cheek corresponds to the Liver, the right cheek to the Lung, the forehead to the Heart, the chin to the Kidney, and the nose to the Spleen (Earth element). Furthermore, the eyes are the orifices of the Liver, the nose is the orifice of the Lung, the mouth is the orifice of the Spleen, the ears are the orifices of the Kidney, and the tongue is the sprout (manifestation) of the Heart. If, before the eruption of smallpox or chickenpox, the various parts of the central face appear bright and moist, it is a good omen; if they appear dry and dull, it is a bad omen. Additionally, the Shan Gen (root of the nose) is called the Palace of Life (Ming Gong), and the Nian Shou (middle part of the nasal bridge) is called the Palace of Illness and Disaster (Ji E Gong). If these two palaces exhibit red-yellow brightness, it is a good omen; if they exhibit blue-black darkness, it is a bad omen.
The meridians of the Three Yang (Taiyang, Yangming, Shaoyang) all converge on the face. The center of the forehead is where the Taiyang meridian converges; the lips and chin are where the Yangming meridian resides; and the areas in front of and behind the ears are where the Shaoyang meridian passes. Smallpox/chickenpox toxin is considered Yang toxicity, so it manifests first on the face following the movement of Yang Qi. The Yangming meridian connects to the Stomach and Large Intestine, which are places where old substances accumulate, decay is accepted, and both blood and Qi are abundant. Therefore, when smallpox/chickenpox first erupts, if the lesions appear first only on both sides of the mouth and nose, above and below the Philtrum (Ren Zhong), and between the cheeks, chin, and Nian Shou (areas governed by the Yangming meridian), it is a favorable sign. In contrast, the Taiyang meridian is a place where Water and Fire contend, and the Shaoyang meridian is a region where Wood and Fire combine. If lesions appear first in these respective locations, it is an unfavorable sign. This principle applies equally to the stages of pustule formation and scabbing.
1. Various parts of the body also have their own diagnostic criteria. For instance, the head is the gathering place of all Yang meridians; the lateral cheeks and jaw angles are the repositories of the essence of the Five Zang organs; the pharynx is the pathway for food and drink; the larynx is the gatekeeper for respiration; the chest and abdomen are the sea where Yang Qi receives its nourishment and the residence of the Heart and Lung; the back and spine are the unification of all Yang meridians and the connection point for the Qi of the twelve meridians and Zang organs. If eruptions are sparse in these five areas, it is auspicious. However, if there are many eruptions on the forehead, it is called "Meng Tou" (Covering the Head). If there are many on the neck, it is called "Suo Xiang" (Locking the Neck). If there are many on the chest, it is called "Man Xiong" (Deceiving the Chest). Meng Tou indicates hyperactive Yang toxicity and exhaustion of True Yin. Suo Xiang indicates the cessation of Qi entry and exit, and the extinction of Qi transformation. Man Xiong implies proximity to the Heart and Abdomen, leading to loss of Shen (Spirit) guardianship. If eruptions on the lateral cheeks and jaw angles become dense patches or resemble applied cinnabar, it signifies Liver excess overacting on the Spleen. In such cases, around the eighth or ninth day, symptoms such as slippery diarrhea with green stools or inability to eat often appear, representing critical conditions. Thus, excessive eruptions in these areas are undesirable. Although the four limbs are the roots of Yang, they are served by the body like low-ranking soldiers; therefore, even numerous eruptions there do not cause harm. This holds true for the stages of rising, filling with pus, and scabbing. Furthermore, the Xin Wo (pit of the stomach) and the centers of the hands and feet are collectively called the "Five Hearts." If eruptions are abundant here, the condition must be severe. If eruptions on the head, face, chest, neck, hands, and feet are fine, fragmented, dense, and uniform throughout, it suggests depletion of Qi and Blood, weakness of the Spleen and Stomach, and failure of circulation and infusion throughout the body, leading inevitably to danger.