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The "Treatise on the Transmission of Diseases Based on Root and Branch" states: For diseases manifesting at the branch (symptoms/secondary manifestations), treatment may be sought at the branch; for diseases rooted in the origin (etiology/primary condition), treatment may be sought at the root; for diseases rooted in the origin, treatment may be sought at the branch; for diseases manifesting at the branch, treatment may be sought at the root. Thus, some are cured by treating the branch, some by treating the root, some by employing contrary treatment (treating symptoms opposite to their nature), and some by employing following treatment (treating symptoms consistent with their nature). (Understanding the nature of the disease and grasping the general principles of treatment allows for the use of both contrary and following methods, ensuring accurate application.) Therefore, knowing contrary and following treatments, one proceeds correctly without doubt; understanding root and branch, every action will be appropriate. (With no doubts about the principles and profound understanding, there is no need to ask others, and all actions will be fitting.) Not understanding root and branch is called reckless conduct. (Understanding is still biased and shallow, and the Dao is not yet profound; actions often go against reason, hence conduct is mostly reckless.) The Dao of Yin-Yang, contrary/following, and root/branch appears small but is great; stating one principle allows one to know the harm of a hundred diseases. (Distinguishing Yin-Yang, knowing conformity and deviation, the laws are clear and evident; seeing the essence makes it "small," seeking its benefit makes it "great," thereby becoming clear and evident, so stating one principle allows one to know the harm of a hundred diseases.) It appears small yet numerous, shallow yet extensive; one can know a hundred things from one. (Few words can cover many cases; citing shallow examples can predict major issues; thus, one can know a hundred diseases from one instance.) Knowing the deep through the shallow, observing the near to know the far; discussing root and branch is easy to speak of, yet difficult to attain. (Although matters are extremely profound and people cannot communicate instantly, using shallow and proximate reasoning can fully encompass them. However, although the Dao of root and branch is easy to discuss, the insight of the world fails to reach it.) When a disease manifests as excess (Shi syndrome), treat the root first, then the branch; when a disease manifests as deficiency (Xu syndrome), treat the branch first, then the root. (Treating root then branch refers to having a prior disease followed by a subsequent disease. Because it is an excess condition, the root is treated first, then the branch. Treating branch then root refers to a prior mild/slow disease followed by a subsequent severe/urgent disease. Because it is a deficient condition, the branch is treated first, then the root.) Carefully observe the severity and mildness, and adjust accordingly with intention. ("Jian" [mild] refers to frequent occurrences; "Shen" [severe] refers to rare occurrences. Frequent means many symptom patterns but light difficulty; rare means few symptom patterns but heavy difficulty. Assess the sufficiency or insufficiency of root and branch, and adjust with intention.) In mild cases, treat root and branch together; in severe cases, treat only one. If constipation/diarrhea (difficulty in urination/defecation) occurs first, followed by other diseases, treat the root. ("Bing" [together] refers to multiple meridians receiving pathogenic factors simultaneously, resulting in combined disease. "Du" [alone] refers to one meridian being diseased without interference from other pathogens. When combined diseases become severe, they transmit; rapid transmission leads to death. This discusses that diseases have root and branch, and acupuncture has contrary and following approaches.)