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The *Zangqi Fashi Lun* (Treatise on the Viscera and Their Correspondence to Time) states: When pathogenic factors invade the body, they interact according to the principle of mutual overcoming. (By "pathogenic factors" is meant improper influences, such as wind, cold, summer-heat, dampness, irregular diet, fatigue, and inactivity.) The condition improves when it reaches the phase generated by the affected organ (i.e., when the qi of the organ generated by the diseased viscus becomes prosperous). The condition worsens when it reaches the phase that overcomes the affected organ (i.e., when the qi that overcomes the diseased viscus becomes prosperous). The condition persists when it reaches the phase that generates the affected organ (i.e., when the qi that generates the diseased viscus becomes prosperous). The condition arises or exacerbates when it occupies its own dominant position (i.e., when the qi of the diseased viscus itself becomes prosperous).

In liver disease, there is pain in both hypochondriac regions radiating to the lower abdomen, causing irritability. (The Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian ascends from the foot, circles the external genitalia, reaches the lower abdomen, pierces through the diaphragm, and distributes along the hypochondriac and costal regions; hence, pain in the hypochondriac region radiates to the lower abdomen. Excess liver qi leads to irritability.) In liver deficiency, vision becomes blurred and unclear, hearing diminishes, and there is excessive fear, as if being pursued by someone. (The Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian runs from the hypochondriac region along the throat, enters the pharynx, and connects with the eye system. The Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian has a branch that enters the ear from behind, emerges anterior to the ear, and reaches the lateral canthus. Thus, these symptoms occur. Fear refers to fright and unsettled soul.)

In heart disease, there is pain in the chest, distending fullness in the hypochondriac region, pain below the ribs, pain in the chest, back, and between the shoulder blades, and pain in the medial aspect of both arms. (The Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian has a branch emerging from the chest to the hypochondriac region. Additionally, the Hand-Jueyin Pericardium Meridian originates in the chest; its branch also follows the chest to emerge at the hypochondriac region, descends three cun below the axilla, ascends to the axilla, descends along the medial upper arm, running between the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian and the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian, entering the elbow, and descending along the forearm between two tendons. Furthermore, the direct course of the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian returns from the heart connection to ascend into the lung, emerges from the axilla, descends along the posterior-medial aspect of the upper arm, running posterior to the Hand-Taiyin Lung and Hand-Jueyin Pericardium meridians, enters the elbow, and follows the posterior-medial aspect of the forearm to the tip of the styloid process of the ulna. Also, the Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian winds around the scapula from the arm and intersects above the shoulders. Thus, these symptoms arise.) In heart deficiency, there is abdominal and thoracic distension, and pain linking the hypochondriac region and the waist. (The Hand-Jueyin Pericardium Meridian emerges from the chest, belongs to the pericardium, descends through the diaphragm, and sequentially connects with the Triple Burner; its branch follows the chest to emerge at the hypochondriac region. The Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian descends from the heart connection through the diaphragm to connect with the small intestine. Thus, these symptoms occur.)

In spleen disease, the body feels heavy, muscles may atrophy or become weak, the feet cannot support walking, and there is frequent pain in the soles of the feet. (Refers to pediatric malnutrition syndrome. The spleen corresponds to earth and governs the muscles; hence, heaviness and muscle atrophy. The Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian originates at the tip of the great toe, ascends along the medial aspect of the toe to the anterior margin of the medial malleolus, and continues up the medial leg. The Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian originates below the little toe,斜趋 (diagonally approaches) the sole, ascends along the medial leg, and emerges at the anterior margin of the medial malleolus. Thus, these symptoms lead to inability to support the feet, susceptibility to malnutrition syndrome, and plantar pain.) In spleen deficiency, there is abdominal fullness, borborygmus, and diarrhea with undigested food. (The Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian enters the abdomen from the anterior medial thigh, belongs to the spleen, and connects with the stomach; thus, these symptoms occur. The *Ling Shu* states: Insufficiency of middle qi leads to frequent abdominal fullness and borborygmus.)

In lung disease, there is wheezing, coughing, and rebellious qi, shoulder and back pain, sweating, and pain in the sacrum, yin region, thighs, knees, thighs (hip), calves, and feet. (The lung stores qi and governs respiration; its movement manifests as coughing; thus, disease presents with wheezing, coughing, and rebellious qi. The back is the mansion of the chest, and the shoulder is close to it; hence, shoulder and back pain. The lung nourishes the skin and hair; when pathogens are excess, heart fluids leak externally as sweat; hence, sweating. The Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian ascends from the sole along the medial leg, emerges at the anterior margin of the medial malleolus, continues up the posterior-medial thigh, penetrates the spine, belongs to the kidney, and connects with the bladder. Now, lung disease causes the kidney meridian to be affected by pathogens; hence, pain in the sacrum, yin region, thighs, knees, hips, and feet.) In lung deficiency, there is shortness of breath with inability to complete inhalation, deafness, and dry throat. (Qi insufficiency means insufficient breath to complete inhalation. The collateral of the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian converges in the ear; hence, deafness. The Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian ascends from the kidney through the liver and diaphragm into the lung, following the throat alongside the root of the tongue. Now, lung deficiency leads to kidney qi insufficiency, which cannot moisten the throat upward; hence, dry throat.)

In kidney disease, there is abdominal distension, swelling of the calves, wheezing and coughing, heaviness of the body, night sweats, and aversion to wind. (The Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian originates on the dorsum of the foot, ascends along the leg, passes through the transverse bone, runs alongside the umbilicus within the abdomen, and ascends into the lung; hence, abdominal distension, calf swelling, wheezing, and coughing. Kidney disease impairs bone function, leading to bodily heaviness. Kidney pathogens attack the lung, weakening heart qi internally; heart fluid becomes sweat, hence night sweats. With calf swelling and sweat leaking fluids, yin congeals in the xuanku (pores), while yang scorches the upper jiao, creating internal heat and external cold; hence, sweating and aversion to wind.) In kidney deficiency, there is pain in the chest, pain in the greater and lesser abdomen, cold extremities with reversal (Jue), and low spirits/unhappiness. (The Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian emerges from the lung, connects with the heart, and pours into the chest. With kidney qi deficient, the heart lacks control; heart qi scorches the lung, causing pain to gather in the chest. The Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian descends from the nape to the feet; kidney deficiency prevents Taiyang qi from flourishing in the feet, leading to cold feet and rebellious qi. Qing refers to cold qi; Jue refers to rebellious qi. Due to cold rebellious qi, there is pain in the greater and lesser abdomen. Insufficiency of will leads to restless spirit and unhappiness.)