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The *Taiyin Yangming Lun* (Treatise on Taiyin and Yangming) states: Taiyin and Yangming are exterior-interior counterparts, corresponding to the pulses of the Spleen Zang and Stomach Fu. Why do diseases manifest differently in them? Qibo replied: This is because Yin and Yang occupy different positions, their deficiency and excess alternate, their Qi movement is either contrary or compliant, and pathogens may originate from within or invade from without. Since the pathways differ, the disease names vary accordingly. (The Spleen Zang is Yin, the Stomach Fu is Yang; Yang pulses descend, Yin pulses ascend; Yang pulses govern the exterior, Yin pulses govern the interior. Hence the difference in disease names. In spring and summer, Yangming is Excess and Taiyin is Deficient; in autumn and winter, Taiyin is Excess and Yangming is Deficient—this is the alternation of Excess and Deficiency. In spring and summer, Taiyin Qi is Contrary and Yangming Qi is Compliant; in autumn and winter, Yangming Qi is Contrary and Taiyin Qi is Compliant—this is the alternation of Contrary and Compliant.) Yang represents Heaven Qi and governs the exterior; Yin represents Earth Qi and governs the interior. (This is what is meant by Yin and Yang occupying different positions.) Therefore, the path of Yang is Excess, and the path of Yin is Deficient. (This is the alternation of Excess and Deficiency.) Those who contract thieving winds and empty pathogens receive them in Yang; those whose diet is irregular and daily routine unregulated receive them in Yin. (This is receiving from outside or inside.) When Yang receives it, the pathogen enters the Six Fu Organs; when Yin receives it, the pathogen enters the Five Zang Organs. Entering the Six Fu Organs results in fever, inability to lie down at proper times, and upward manifestations such as panting and calling out; entering the Five Zang Organs results in abdominal fullness and obstruction, downward manifestations such as undigested food diarrhea (Sunxie), and over time, intestinal dysentery (Changpi). (This is why different pathways lead to different disease names.) Thus, the throat governs Heaven Qi, and the pharynx generates Earth Qi. Therefore, Yang is susceptible to Wind Pathogens, and Yin is susceptible to Dampness Pathogens. (This is due to the attraction of similar energies.) Thus, Yin Qi ascends from the feet to the head, then descends along the arms to the fingertips; Yang Qi ascends from the hands to the head, then descends to the feet. (This is the alternation of Contrary and Compliant. The *Ling Shu* states: Hand Three Yin meridians go from the Zang organs to the hands; Hand Three Yang meridians go from the hands to the head. Foot Three Yang meridians go from the head to the feet; Foot Three Yin meridians go from the feet to the abdomen. Because their courses differ, there is an alternation of Contrary and Compliant.) Therefore, it is said that Yang diseases tend to move upward to the extreme and then downward, while Yin diseases tend to move downward to the extreme and then upward. Consequently, those injured by Wind suffer first in the upper part; those injured by Dampness suffer first in the lower part.

Why does the Spleen not govern a specific season? (The Liver governs Spring, the Heart governs Summer, the Lung governs Autumn, and the Kidney governs Winter; the Four Zang organs each have a primary correspondence, but the Spleen has no single governing season.) The Spleen belongs to Earth, governs the Central direction, and nourishes the other four Zang organs throughout the four seasons. It presides for eighteen days during each season, hence it cannot exclusively govern one season. The Spleen Zang constantly retains the essence of the Stomach's Earth. Earth generates all things and models Heaven and Earth; thus, its Qi extends up to the head and down to the feet. The Foot Taiyin is one of the Three Yin meridians; therefore, Taiyin circulates Qi among the Three Yin meridians. Yangming is the Exterior and the Sea of the Five Zang and Six Fu organs; it also circulates Qi among the Three Yang meridians. The Zang and Fu organs each receive Qi from Yangming through their respective meridians.