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Xue Lizhai stated: Generally, diseases have depths of involvement, and therapeutic effects vary in speed. There are also cases of Yin deficiency with Yang excess, where the condition shifts rapidly through respiration and qi movement. Physicians must possess both boldness and caution. "Boldness" refers to having the talent for decision-making and the ability of insight; when acupuncture is indicated, one should puncture; when aggressive treatment (such as purging or breaking stasis) is indicated, one should attack; when such treatments are not suitable, one should stop. This allows one to understand the root and branch of the disease. "Caution" refers to having a heart dedicated to saving lives and righteousness, without thoughts of opportunistic gain. Refusing to treat the wealthy might harm one's integrity, while charging the poor might harm one's benevolence. One must consider righteousness when facing profit, thus fulfilling the physician's duty.

Gu Shicheng stated: By "boldness," it does not mean failing to differentiate between deficiency and excess, Yin and Yang, or examining whether acupoints are deficient or weak, yet recklessly applying knives and needles, indiscriminately administering aggressive drugs, acting recklessly without regard for the patient's life. When treating clinically, one must first observe whether the patient's primordial qi was deficient or strong at the onset; then examine whether the sore is Yin or Yang, and whether it is dangerous. Only then should medication be used for regulation. If aggression is needed, aggress; if tonification is needed, tonify. Do not delay due to hesitation, causing unexpected changes in the condition. Only when the diagnosis is accurate and clear can one dare to act boldly. If clinical experience is lacking and one recklessly uses knives and needles, randomly applying aggressive or tonifying methods, the resulting errors will be profound.

Wang Kentang stated: The human body has meridians, just as geography has boundaries. Treating disease without knowing the meridians is like catching thieves without knowing the jurisdictional boundaries; how can one avoid the fault of punishing the innocent (damaging healthy tissue or Zheng Qi)? Moreover, the twelve meridities of the hands and feet differ in the abundance of qi and blood. For instance, the Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian, Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, and Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian have abundant qi and scarce blood; the Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian, Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian, and Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian have abundant blood and scarce qi; the Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian and Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian have abundant qi and scarce blood. This is the general rule. Diseases in meridians with abundant blood and scarce qi are easier to cure; those with abundant qi and scarce blood are harder to treat. In meridians with abundant qi, one may regulate qi; in meridians with abundant blood, one may break blood stasis. One must not adhere rigidly to a single method.

Zhu Danxi stated: The buttocks are located behind and below the lower abdomen; this is a yin within yin area. Its pathway is distant, and its location is remote. Although it is said that the Taiyin Meridian has abundant blood and scarce qi, the transport of abundant blood and scarce qi does not reach there easily. Since qi does not reach, blood rarely arrives. After middle age, one should not develop carbuncles. If pain and swelling occur, one must combine pulse and symptom analysis. If weakness is observed, one should immediately provide tonification. As long as qi and blood are not depleted, auspicious outcomes can be ensured. If common heat-clearing, toxin-purging, and qi-regulating herbs are used, the disaster of exacerbating deficiency will be obvious, like objects placed on a palm. Can one not be cautious? (From *Danxi Xinfa*)

He also stated: Among all meridians, sores and ulcers occurring in the Shaoyang and Jueyin meridians require particular preventive measures because they have abundant qi and scarce blood. Blood is inherently scarce, making muscle growth difficult. The Shaoyang meridian also contains Ministerial Fire. If toxic-breaking agents are rashly used to damage Yin blood, disaster will follow immediately.

Liu Nongzong stated: All sores and ulcers, unless caused by rich food, miasma toxins, or fire-heat transformations, are often due to deficiency labor and qi stagnation. It is appropriate only to tonify the form and qi, and regulate the meridians, so that the sores will naturally dissipate, without needing sweating or purging methods. Failing to detail pulse and symptoms, and ignoring differences in meridian pathology, leads to using purging methods that first violate contraindications of disease and meridians, resulting in such mishandling.

He also stated: Fire-heat pathologies vary in severity, known as Sovereign Fire and Ministerial Fire. Sores and ulcers manifest as carbuncles, gangrenes, or boils, differing in lightness, severity, shallowness, and depth. Some occur in a single meridian, others involve two. One should focus responsibility on one or two meridians and not interfere with others, as Li Dongyuan did in his prescriptions.

Shen Douyuan stated: When prescribing based on meridians and locations, one must know the abundance or scarcity of qi and blood. Abundance leads to easy recovery; scarcity makes healing difficult. Surgeons who understand this principle avoid taboos and prevent failures such as necrosis and reversal. For example, the Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian, Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian, Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian, Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian, Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, and Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian—these six meridians have abundant qi and scarce blood. Sores here are hardest to heal. The Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian, Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian, Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian, and Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian—these four have abundant blood and scarce qi. Sores here benefit from interior-supporting methods. The Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian and Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian have abundant qi and blood; early stages benefit from internal resolution, making recovery easy. Thus, these are highlighted, and treatment cannot be generalized. (From *Waike Qixuan*)

The concluding rhyme states: Remember abundant blood and qi: Hand meridian is Large Intestine, Foot meridian is Stomach. Six meridians have abundant qi and scarce blood: Sanjiao, Gallbladder, Kidney, Heart, Spleen, Lung. Abundant blood and scarce qi: Pericardium, Bladder, Small Intestine, Liver are no different. Memorizing this reveals the differences in qi and blood abundance.

Head
Vertex (Dian): Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian, Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian, Du Mai (Governor Vessel). Head angle directly above ear: Middle is Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian. Midline: From front nose up to vertex back, straight to top of head, belongs to Du Mai. Second line: Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian, 1.5 cun from midline, opening two cun laterally for head sides. Third line: Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian.

Face
Forehead: Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian, Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian. Nose: Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian, Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian, Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian, Du Mai. Renzhong (Philtrum): Du Mai, Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian, Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian. Lips: Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian, Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian. Inside lips: Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian. Chengjiang Acupoint: Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian, Ren Mai (Conception Vessel). Upper teeth: Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian. Lower teeth: Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian. Tongue: Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian, Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian. Inner canthus: Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian, Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian, Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian, Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian (Note: Text implies multiple meridians). Outer canthus: Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian, Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian, Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian. Eyebrows to forehead: Straight up from nose belongs to Du Mai; straight up from inner canthus belongs to Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian; straight up from pupil belongs to Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian; straight up from outer canthus belongs to Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian, Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian. Cheeks: Straight down from inner canthus belongs to Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian; straight down from pupil belongs to Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian. Jiache Acupoint: Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian, Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian. Ears: Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian, Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian. Eye system (connections to brain): Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian, Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian.

Neck and Throat
Middle of neck: Du Mai. Center of large tendon at nape: Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian. Below Wangu bone: Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian, anterior to large neck tendon, behind ear. Below ear: Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian. Below curved jaw: Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian. One cun anterior to curved jaw: Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian. Arteries flanking throat: Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian, Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian. Clavicular fossa (Quepen): Ren Mai. Pharynx: Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian, Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian, Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian. Larynx: Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian. Behind larynx: Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian.

Shoulder
Anterior margin: Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian. Posterior margin: Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian. Superior margin: Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian, Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian.

Back
Midline: Du Mai. Second line: Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian. Third line: Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian. Fourth line: Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian.

Chest (Ying)
Midline: Ren Mai. Second line: Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian. Third line: Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian. Fourth line: Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian.

Abdomen
Middle row: Ren Mai. Second row: Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian. Third row: Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian. Fourth row: Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian.

Axilla
Center: Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian. Anterior: Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian. Posterior: Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian.

Hypochondrium
Directly below axilla to hip pivot: Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian.
(From shoulder to elbow is called 'Nao'.)
Anterior margin: Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian. Posterior margin: Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian. Lateral margin: Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian. Medial margin: Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian. Anterior-medial margin: Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian. Posterior-medial margin: Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian.

Arm
Superior margin: Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian. Inferior margin: Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian. Lateral margin: Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian. Medial margin: Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian. Anterior-superior medial margin: Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian. Posterior-inferior medial margin: Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian.

Thigh and Leg (Gu Jing)
Anterior margin: Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian. Posterior margin: Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian. Lateral margin: Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian. Medial margin: Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian. Anterior-medial margin: Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian.

Jiang Shiji stated: The head is the summit of all Yang meridians; the face is the intersection of the three Yang meridians.
Center of brain: Du Mai. Center of back: Du Mai. Center of neck: Du Mai. Center of tailbone (Weilu): Du Mai. Both sides of brain and back: Belong to Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian. Top of head: Belongs to Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian. Face: Belongs to Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian. Neck: Belongs to Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian. Temples: Belong to Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian, Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian. Eyebrows: Belong to Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian, Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian, Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian, Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian. Chin and beard: Belong to Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian, Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian. Cheeks and jaw: Belong to Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian. Zygoma: Belong to Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian.
Ears are orifices of Kidney: Belong to Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian. Around ears: Belong to Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian. Lips are orifices of Spleen: Belong to Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian. Tongue is sprout of Heart: Belong to Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian. Nose is orifice of Lung: Belong to Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian.
Inner and outer canthi belong to Heart, also known as Fire Wheel.
Black part (iris/pupil area) belongs to Liver, also known as Blood Wheel, Wind Wheel.
Upper and lower eyelids belong to Spleen, also known as Flesh Wheel.
White part (sclera) belongs to Lung, also known as Qi Wheel.
Pupil belongs to Kidney, also known as Water Wheel.
Stomach connects to breasts; breasts belong to Stomach.
Outer breast: Belongs to Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian.
Nipple: Governed by Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian.
Side of breast: Origin of Hand Three Yin Meridians.
Throat abscess, umbilical eruption, perineal infection: Belong to Ren Mai.
Straddle horse, scrotal abscess: Belong to Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian.
From red flesh on back of hand to arm to face: Belong to Hand Three Yang Meridians.
From chest to white flesh on palm: Belong to Hand Three Yin Meridians.
Back of hand is Yang.
Palm is Yin.
Dorsum of foot is Yang; Foot Three Yang Meridians go from foot to head.
Medial aspect of foot is Yin; Foot Three Yin Meridians go from foot to abdomen.
Du Mai connects to spine; center is the path of the extraordinary vessel Du Mai.
Spine divided into five lines: Center is extraordinary vessel Du Mai; two sides, four lines, are parts of Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian.
Abdomen divided into seven lines: From anterior genitalia through umbilicus, up throat to Chengjiang, is governed by extraordinary vessel Ren Mai. One row left and right of umbilicus, each 1 cun wide: Belongs to Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian. One row left and right of umbilicus, each 3 cun wide: Belongs to Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian, Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian. One row left and right of umbilicus, each 2 cun wide: Belongs to Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian.
Hypochondriac region: Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian, running along side of body.
Palms and soles: Internally correspond to Heart Meridian.
Back is all Yang.
Abdomen is all Yin.
Head, face, back, spine: Yang Wei Mai (Yang Linking Vessel).
Chin, neck, chest, abdomen, medial limbs and thighs: Yin Wei Mai (Yin Linking Vessel).