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The *Treatise on Water and Heat Acupoints* states: Why does the Shaoyin meridian govern the Kidney? Why does the Kidney govern water metabolism? The Kidney is the organ of extreme Yin (Zhiyin, an organ characterized by extreme yin nature); the organ of extreme Yin accumulates water. The Lung belongs to the Taiyin meridian, and the Shaoyin meridian corresponds to the winter pulse. Therefore, the root of edema lies in the Kidney, while its branch manifests in the Lung; both involve the accumulation of fluid. (By "Yin," cold is meant. At the Winter Solstice, cold is at its peak, and Kidney Qi resonates with it, hence the Kidney is called the organ of extreme Yin. Water qi flourishes in winter, hence the organ of extreme Yin accumulates water. The Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian ascends from the Kidney, pierces through the Liver and Diaphragm, and enters the Lung; thus, the root is in the Kidney, and the branch is in the Lung. If Kidney Qi rebels upward, water qi invades the Lung, hence both lead to fluid accumulation.) How can the Kidney gather water and cause disease? The Kidney is the gate of the Stomach. If this gate fails to open and close properly, water gathers and attracts similar elements. ("Gate" refers to the function of controlling entry and exit. The Kidney governs the Lower Jiao, and the Bladder is its Fu organ, responsible for the distribution and excretion of fluids via the two orifices of the lower body. Thus, when Kidney Qi transforms normally, the two orifices are patent; if they are closed, the Stomach becomes full. Hence, the Kidney is said to be the gate of the Stomach. If the gate closes, water accumulates; if water accumulates, Qi stagnates. With water accumulation and Qi overflow, Qi and water are of the same nature, hence improper closure leads to water gathering and following its kind.) When water overflows up and down into the skin, edema results. Edema is disease caused by the accumulation of water. ("Up" refers to the Lung, "down" to the Kidney. When both Lung and Kidney have overflowing water, fluid gathers in the abdomen, causing disease.) The Yellow Emperor asked: Do all water diseases originate from the Kidney? Bo (Qibo) answered: The Kidney is a Pin Zang (female/ Yin organ). ("Pin" means Yin. As it governs the Yin position, it is called a Pin Zang.) Earthly Qi ascending belongs to the Kidney and generates fluid liquids. Hence it is called the organ of extreme Yin. If one exerts oneself vigorously and works excessively, Kidney sweat emerges. If this Kidney sweat encounters wind, it cannot enter the Zang-Fu organs internally, nor can it vent onto the skin externally. It lodges in the Xuanfu (pores), travels within the subcutaneous tissue, and transmits into edema. Its root is in the Kidney, and the disease is named Fengshui (Wind Edema). ("Vigorous exertion and excessive labor" refers to sexual intercourse or strenuous physical effort. Vigorous labor causes sweating, opening the Xuanfu; sweating followed by wind exposure causes the Xuanfu to close again. Closure prevents remaining sweat from exiting, causing it to hide within the skin and transform specifically into water. Following wind and combining with water, it is named Fengshui.) What is referred to as Xuanfu are the sweat pores. (Sweat has a dark hue and exits through the pores; because sweat gathers internally, it is called Xuanfu. This describes Fengshui disease, rooted in the Kidney and transmitting to the Lung.) There are fifty-seven Shu points for treating water diseases. What do they primarily govern? These fifty-seven Kidney Shu points are where Yin Qi gathers and where water enters and exits. Above the sacrum, there are five rows of acupoints, each row containing five points; these are the Kidney Shu points. (The Shu points on the back total five rows. The middle row is where the Qi of the Du Mai (Governing Vessel) emerges, and the four adjacent rows are where the Qi of the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian emerges.) Therefore, in water diseases, the lower part presents with swelling of the dorsum of the foot and abdominal distension, while the upper part presents with panting and loud calling. (When water evil resides below in the Kidney, swelling occurs from the abdomen to the dorsum of the foot. If water evil moves up into the Lung, panting becomes rapid and loud calls occur.) Inability to lie flat indicates that both the root and branch are diseased. (Regarding root and branch, the Lung is the branch, and the Kidney is the root. This indicates that both Lung and Kidney are diseased by water.) They are divided into mutual transmission and reception; simultaneous involvement is due to the retention of water Qi. (Naming based on the location of water accumulation implies mutual transmission of Qi. Tracing the cause of simultaneous disease reveals it is due to retained water Qi.) Above the Futu point, there are two rows on each side, each with five points; these constitute the "streets" (channels) of the Kidney. ("Street" means pathway. The central Shu points on the abdomen total five rows. Flanking the navel are the emergence points of the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian and Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel). Further lateral are the emergence points of the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian. These four rows of points are located above Futu.) This is where the three Yin meridians intersect at the feet. Above each ankle, there is one row of six points; this is the downward path of the Kidney Meridian, named Taichong. All fifty-seven points are the Yin collaterals of the Zang organs and places where water Qi lodges. (The scripture mentions fifty-seven points: counting above the sacrum, there are five rows, each with five points, which are the Kidney Shu points. The middle row belongs to the Du Mai, and the four side rows belong to the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian, as the Kidney and Bladder are exterior-interior pairs. Above Futu, two rows on each side with five points each represent the streets through which the Kidney Meridian passes, referring to the Chong Mai flanking the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) in the center. Furthermore, the intersection of the Foot Three Yin meridians must converge three cun above the medial malleolus, at a point named Sanyinjiao (Three Yin Intersection), which is the convergence of the Liver, Spleen, and Kidney meridians. The single row above each ankle with six points represents the path of the Kidney Meridian, named Taichong, because both the Kidney Meridian and Chong Mai descend to the foot, merging and becoming vigorous, hence "Taichong." These points are above the medial malleolus. All these fifty-seven points are the Yin collaterals of the Yin Zang organs and places where water Qi lodges. Therefore, to treat water diseases, one treats these various points.)