Library

*Ling Shu · Lun Ji Zhen Chi Pian* states: In cases of *sun xie* (diarrhea with undigested food) where stool contains red,瓣-like fragments, if the pulse is small and the hands and feet are cold, the disease is difficult to cure; if it is *sun xie*, the pulse is small but the hands and feet are warm, the disease is easy to cure.

Lower bowel discharge with complete lack of digestion of food is called *sun xie*, mostly caused by deficiency-cold. The mention of "red fragments" here indicates that dampness pathogen has injured the blood level. A small pulse is originally a favorable sign; however, if the hands and feet are cold, it means the middle Jiao Yang Qi (Middle Burner Defensive Warmth) is declining, leading to injury of both Qi and Blood, thus the disease is hard to heal; if the hands and feet are warm, it indicates that the Middle Earth (Spleen/Stomach) is not injured and pathogens can be easily expelled, so recovery is possible.

In *Ling Shu · Yin Xie Fa Meng Pian*, the Emperor asked: I wish to hear about how excessive pathogens spread and overflow. Qibo replied: Regular pathogens invade from outside into the interior, without a fixed abode, instead invading the Zang organs, having no fixed location, moving together with Ying (Nutritive) and Wei (Defensive) Qi, and flying with the Hun and Po spirits, causing restless sleep and frequent dreaming. If Qi overflows in the Fu organs, there is excess on the exterior and deficiency on the interior; if Qi overflows in the Zang organs, there is excess on the interior and deficiency on the exterior. The Emperor asked: Do excess and deficiency have tangible manifestations? Qibo said: When Yin Qi is excessive, one dreams of wading through large waters and feeling fear; when Yang Qi is excessive, one dreams of great fire burning; when both Yin and Yang Qi are excessive, one dreams of mutual killing; when upper body Qi is excessive, one dreams of flying; when lower body Qi is excessive, one dreams of falling; when extremely hungry, one dreams of taking; when extremely full, one dreams of giving; when Liver Qi is excessive, one dreams of anger; when Lung Qi is excessive, one dreams of fear, crying, or flying; when Heart Qi is excessive, one dreams of laughing or being terrified; when Spleen Qi is excessive, one dreams of singing and joy, with a heavy body unable to lift; when Kidney Qi is excessive, one dreams of the waist and spine separating and disconnecting. For these twelve types of Qi excess, applying draining methods upon their arrival will lead to immediate cure.

"Panyan" refers to overflowing and spreading continuously. "Regular pathogens" refer to common wind-cold, not as fierce as deficient pathogens or thieving winds, so infection is not strongly felt. These pathogens invade from outside to inside without a fixed abode, mixing with Ying and Wei Qi. Wei Qi travels in Yang during the day and in Yin at night; pathogenic chaos mixes with the flying Hun and Po spirits, causing unrestful sleep and dreams. Areas where pathogens overflow are considered excess, while areas without pathogens are considered deficiency. Zang organs belong to Yin and interior, Fu organs belong to Yang and exterior. Pathogens in Yin or Yang cause Yin-Yang imbalance and hyperactivity, inevitably disturbing the Shen (Spirit). Generally, Shen is formless, while Qi has form; Shen is the substance of Qi, and Qi is the function of Shen. Therefore, harmonious Qi leads to stable and peaceful Shen, while agitated Shen leads to chaotic Qi. Thus, when pathogens disturb Qi, Shen transforms into dreams; when desires move Shen, Qi is consumed and disease arises, because Shen and Qi are essentially one entity, divided into substance and function.

When Jue (rebellious/cold) Qi lodges in the Heart, one dreams of hills and smoke/fire; lodging in the Lung, one dreams of flying and seeing strange objects like gold, iron, or metal; lodging in the Liver, one dreams of mountains, forests, and trees; lodging in the Spleen, one dreams of hills, large marshes, ruined houses, wind, and rain; lodging in the Kidney, one dreams of approaching abysses and being submerged in water; lodging in the Bladder, one dreams of crowded cities and busy streets; lodging in the Gallbladder, one dreams of fighting, lawsuits, or self-mutilation; lodging in the genitalia, one dreams of sexual intercourse; lodging in the neck, one dreams of decapitation; lodging in the shins, one dreams of walking but unable to advance, or residing in deep underground gardens; lodging in the thighs and arms, one dreams of performing ritual bows and rises; lodging in the Bao (uterus/lower jiao), one dreams of defecation and urination. For these fifteen types of Qi deficiency, applying tonifying methods upon their arrival will lead to immediate cure.

The previously mentioned diseases caused by exogenous pathogens can be cured by draining. The "Jue Qi" mentioned here refers to self-injury of the Yuan (Source) Qi, causing Yin-Yang rebellion and disharmony. Therefore, all fifteen types of dreams described above are deficiency conditions, requiring tonification of deficiency and regulation of Yin-Yang to achieve harmony and immediate cure.

*Sù Wèn · Mai Yao Jing Wei Lun* states: With many short parasites, one dreams of gathering crowds; with many long parasites, one dreams of mutual striking and destruction.

Short and long parasites refer to Ascaris lumbricoides (roundworms) in the abdomen. This aligns with *Ling Shu*.

*Sù Wèn · Fang Sheng Shuai Lun* states: When Lung Qi is deficient, one dreams of white objects, seeing people being slaughtered with abundant blood; if obtaining the prosperous time of the season, one dreams of military battles; when Kidney Qi is deficient, one dreams of boats capsizing and people drowning; if obtaining the prosperous time, one dreams of lying underwater, feeling fear; when Liver Qi is deficient, one dreams of mushrooms and fragrant grass growing; if obtaining the prosperous time, one dreams of lying under trees afraid to rise; when Heart Qi is deficient, one dreams of saving fires or yang objects; if obtaining the prosperous time, one dreams of burning and scorching; when Spleen Qi is deficient, one dreams of insufficient food and drink; if obtaining the prosperous time, one dreams of building walls and roofs. These are all cases of Five Zang Qi deficiency, with excess Yang Qi and deficient Yin Qi. Combined with the five diagnostic methods, regulating Yin and Yang according to the *Jing Mai* (Meridians) chapter.

The previous *Ling Shu* chapter discussed Five Zang Qi excess, which is pathogenic excess. Here, discussing deficiency refers to the deficiency of the organ's own Yin Qi; deficiency of Yin leads to excess of Yang, and Yang, being active, transforms into dreams. Since the Five Zang organs inherit the nature of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth, their dreams vary according to these natures. One must follow the principles of Five Elements generation and transformation, consult physicians for regulation, so that Yin and Yang become harmonious. The key lies in ensuring the smooth flow, ascent, and descent of Jing Mai (Meridian) Qi, following proper measures without deviation. "Obtaining the prosperous time" means acquiring the旺盛 (prosperous) Qi of the seasonal timing. For example, Lung Metal is prosperous in Autumn, or on Geng/Xin days/times; even if not Autumn, it is considered obtaining the time. The same applies to other organs. Both *Ling Shu* and *Su Wen* discuss dream induction due to illness, largely similar but with minor differences, all stemming from the imbalance and hyperactivity of Yin-Yang and Five Elements Qi. Etiologies include exogenous pathogens, internal injuries, or variations of deficiency and excess. Therefore, clinicians can identify diseases based on dream imagery, hence compiling these contents to broaden diagnostic methods.