Library

*Shanghan Xulun* (Introduction to Cold Damage) states: At the initial onset of the disease, if there is pain in the head and neck, stiffness in the waist and spine, and aversion to cold, it is a syndrome of the Foot-Taiyang Meridian (Foot-Taiyang Channel); if there is fever, redness of the face, and aversion to wind, it is a syndrome of the Hand-Taiyang Meridian (Hand-Taiyang Channel); if there is eye pain, nasal dryness, and inability to lie down comfortably, it is a syndrome of the Foot-Yangming Meridian (Foot-Yangming Channel); if there is steaming heat and thirst, it is a syndrome of the Hand-Yangming Meridian (Hand-Yangming Channel); if there is fullness and pain in the chest and hypochondrium, and bitter taste in the mouth, it is a syndrome of the Foot-Shaoyang Meridian (Foot-Shaoyang Channel); if there is deafness and alternating chills and fever, it is a syndrome of the Hand-Shaoyang Meridian (Hand-Shaoyang Channel); if there is abdominal fullness, spontaneous diarrhea, and vomiting, it is a syndrome of the Foot-Taiyin Meridian (Foot-Taiyin Channel); if there is dry mouth but saliva cannot reach the throat, it is a syndrome of the Hand-Taiyin Meridian (Hand-Taiyin Channel). If the pulse is deep and fine, with dry mouth and thirst, it is a syndrome of the Foot-Shaoyin Meridian (Foot-Shaoyin Channel). If the tongue is dry and there is an inability to lie down comfortably, it is a syndrome of the Hand-Shaoyin Meridian (Hand-Shaoyin Channel); if there is deafness, retraction of the testicles, and loss of consciousness, it is a syndrome of the Foot-Jueyin Meridian (Foot-Jueyin Channel); if there is vexation and fullness, and reversal cold of the limbs, it is a syndrome of the Hand-Jueyin Meridian (Hand-Jueyin Channel).

*Yilüe* (Medical Briefs) states: The Taiyang meridian connects upward to Fengfu (GV16), runs along the waist and spine; therefore, there is pain in the head and neck, and stiffness in the waist and spine. The Yangming meridian flanks the nose and connects to the eyes; therefore, there is body heat, eye pain, nasal dryness, and inability to lie down comfortably. The Shaoyang meridian runs along the costal region and connects to the ears; therefore, there is pain in the chest and hypochondrium, and deafness. The Taiyin meridian spreads within the stomach and connects to the pharynx; therefore, there is abdominal fullness and dryness of the pharynx. The Shaoyin meridian passes through the kidneys, connects to the lungs, and ties to the root of the tongue; therefore, there is dry mouth, dry tongue, and thirst. The Jueyin meridian circulates around the genitalia and connects to the liver; therefore, there is vexation, fullness, and retraction of the testicles.

In all exogenous diseases, whether they are acute infections (Bao Gan) or latent pathogens emerging from storage (Fu Qi), if the pathogen enters from the exterior into the interior, it transmits from the Three Yang meridians to the Three Yin meridians; if it moves from the interior to the exterior, it emerges from the Three Yin meridians to the Three Yang meridians. Each of the Six Meridians has its specific manifestations, and thus each has boundaries that can be relied upon. A practitioner treating disease, by pointing out these manifestations, can know the depth and superficiality of the disease; by asking what symptoms appeared previously and what appear now, one can know the transmission and transformation of the disease. This applies to Shanghan (Cold Damage); why should Wenbing (Warm Diseases) be any different? Both *Suwen: Re Bing Pian* (Plain Questions: Chapter on Hot Diseases) and Zhang Zhongjing’s *Shanghan Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage Disorders) establish their laws based on this principle. Even if sages were to rise again, nothing would be simpler than this.

Recently, the learned Ye Tianshi proposed the theory that "Shanghan is differentiated by Six Meridians, while Wenbing is differentiated by Triple Burner," claiming it originated from Liu Hejian. In fact, the methods for treating Warm-Heat diseases were detailed starting from Liu Hejian, but Liu Hejian did not have the theory of "differentiating Wenbing by Triple Burner"; his works exist and can be verified. Later, Wu Jutong wrote *Wenbing Tiaobian* (Systematic Differentiation of Warm Diseases), exclusively advocating the Triple Burner differentiation and abandoning the Six Meridians without discussion. Little does he realize that the meridians of the human body have distinctions of interior/exterior and superficial/deep, but do not wish for the upper and lower parts to be completely disconnected. His outline in the *Shangjiao Pian* (Upper Burner Chapter) states: "All warm diseases begin in the Upper Burner, involving the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian." Let us observe: when warm pathogens first emerge, do they invariably present only with the manifestations of the Upper Burner Lung Meridian? Even if Upper Burner symptoms are seen, can it be said that the Middle and Lower Burners are entirely free of disease? If Jutong had examined patients with an open mind, he would likely have realized his theory was untenable. Moreover, although the pathogenesis of Shanghan and Warm-Heat diseases differs, the manifestations of the Six Meridians are the same; although the medications used differ, the legislative principles of the Six Meridians are the same. How can practitioners of Wenbing abandon the Six Meridians and neglect them?