Library

(The *Yaohan* names this syndrome "Gao Feng Zhang" (High Wind Obstruction), the meaning of which is incomprehensible.)

If the Great Way cannot be traveled, one knows the world becomes narrow; before dusk, the thatched cottage grows dim, almost making one suspect heaven and earth are black. The heart's traces are not without their original purity, yet both eyes are cut off from worldly darkness. Why do they obscure the faint light, leaving one drowsy and uneasy?

The ancient people of Suichuan suffer from illness; if primordial qi can be cultivated, among acquaintances half are blind, spending long mornings together. Autumn winds are too mournful for crying, but loud songs echo against the rocks.

This syndrome is called "Chicken Blindness" by the world, also known as "Sparrow Eye". The Classic calls it Yin Wind Obstruction. One cannot see at night, but vision returns in the morning; this is a disease of insufficient Primordial Yang. Some say: Since Yang is insufficient, and the period after noon belongs to Yin, why can one still see during Shen and You hours? Although the period after Zi belongs to Yang, why is vision unclear during Chou and Yin hours? After noon, although Yin prevails, the Sun attaches to Heaven; it is Day-Yang and Hour-Yin, representing Yin within Yang. After Zi, although Yang begins, the Moon (Taiyin) brings darkness; it is Night-Yin and Hour-Yang, representing Yang within Yin. The eyes belong to this category, so darkness and brightness share this influence. However, even with lamps or moonlight, the situation is similar. The moon is Taiyin, and lamp light is also Yin; how can they assist Yang internally to ensure illumination? Moreover, the numbers five and six combine in heaven and earth, and the human body has dozens of zang-fu organs. Since humans correspond to heaven and earth, the qi of yin and yang is never out of balance nor out of harmony. At dawn, Yang qi arises; at midday, Yang qi is abundant; at sunset, Yang qi recedes, and the pores close. If a person's Yang cannot overcome Yin, qi must sink. When Yang qi sinks, Yin qi rises. Even with moonlight, one ultimately cannot see. It is urgent to administer one dose each of Chunyang Huiling Wan (Spring Yang Reviving Command Pill) and Sishen Wan (Four Spirits Pill), taken in the morning and evening according to capacity. Then, gather superior herbs that raise Yang and benefit Yin, decoct one dose during the day, so that essence and qi become harmonious, leading to natural recovery. Otherwise, it may transform into Internal Obstruction or Qing Mang (Green Blindness). If one is arrogant and disobedient to precautions, or if food and clothing do not suit the body, causing Yin and Yang to blockage, resulting in death from Zhong Man (Middle Fullness) or Zhong Xiao (Middle Wasting-Thirst), the patient should not ignore this.

Without cause, both eyes turn white as silver; having been blind for a long time, the body perishes. Immortals do not reveal the mystery of Tianji (Heavenly Secret); casually passing on the golden needle to others. Occasionally falling from a height, or unintentionally being struck, the Shen Shui (Divine Water) is disturbed and turbid. Over years, an opacity condenses. Do not fear, there is indeed a golden needle ready.

This syndrome is essentially blindness where the eye itself has no pathology. Within the Jing Jing (Golden Well), an obstruction exists above the Shen Shui, called Internal Obstruction. Only profound medical skill can recognize its nature, and it is often suspected as feigned. How could one know the obstruction is inside the eyeball, like a cloth curtain hung on a paper window, preventing outsiders from seeing why it is obscured and unclear? Initially, vision dims, then becomes confused, followed by hallucinations, eventually forming an opacity. The color may be white, slightly yellow, or powder-blue, resembling stars, jujube flowers, half-moons, sword spines, flowing mercury, solidified fat, oil drops in water, or frozen water in a cup. Names include Yuan (Round), Heng (Horizontal), Hua (Slippery), Se (Rough), Fu (Floating), Chen (Sinking), Po San (Broken/Scattered), Nong Nong (Thick/Dense). The master affected one eye first, then the other. The etiology and progression have been detailed previously, so no further repetition is needed. Now, we specifically investigate acupuncture treatment as follows: If the eye is not red or painful, there is no headache on either side, the pupil is not deviated, pupils constrict in bright light and dilate in dim light, age is under sixty (or over sixty but vigorous), consciousness of day and night is intact, and shadow movement is visible, needling and dislocation can be performed. Conversely, it cannot be done. If these conditions are met, but the opacity is yellow like orange, red like cinnabar, clear like crystal, dim like a sheep's eye, or green like a cat's eye, needling is contraindicated. There are also cases where external appearance shows no contraindications, but upon needling, the opacity is hard as stone; or sunk in the Huang Jing (Yellow Essence); or tough like a membrane, unable to be pierced even with a hole; or the eyeball wrinkles and lacks strength upon needle insertion; or strabismus with sinking makes rotation difficult. In such cases, stop and do not force the needling. Subsequently, if there is headache, use scallion and moxibustion warming method; if pain is severe, moxa acupoints; if vomiting, warm the stomach; if sclera is red, clear fire and move blood; if strabismus with acute pain, calm spirit and nourish essence, assisted by harmonizing Liver. Beyond these, if the pupil has an oily aura and vision is blurred, greatly benefiting Ying and Wei. To constrict, add pungent herbs to open; to dilate, double sour herbs to astringe. However, avoid Xiong (Ligusticum), Gui (Cinnamon Twig), Jiang (Ginger), and Fu (Aconite) due to their drying nature, lest they promote bleeding at the needle site. Beyond these, if the opacity falls but there is no light, it indicates Yin and Yang do not intersect. If the opacity returns after a long time, needling again is possible. If one can nourish spirit and mind, healing can occur without medicine. If one thinks cured and neglects caution,日夜 thinking of destroying life force, causing primordial essence to wither like burning, it will inevitably transform into Wind Variations. By then, even if Hua Tuo returns, nothing can be done.

If the head is struck by an object or bumped/fallen, blood stasis flows into the eye socket, infiltrating the Shen Shui. This may not be felt immediately, but gradually forms a syndrome. Mild cases affect only the injured eye; severe cases affect both. The Classic calls this Jing Zhen Yi (Shock-Induced Opacity). Although the pathology differs from others, the treatment principle is the same. However, right-side injury damages the right first and affects the left; left-side injury damages the left first and affects the right. Affected-but-not-primary eyes can be needled; primary-injured eyes are contraindicated for needling. Mild damage can be needled; severe damage is contraindicated.

Verse says:
Blindness arises without cause, gradually dimming, specifically connecting the realm of color and obscurity. Hallucinations of flying flowers falling, or like lightning striking and fire flowing red. This disease karma does not injure nature; when water is not cool, wood has wind. At that time, medicine missed the root and branch, evil and righteous qi mixed. Initially, one eye covered like smoke, later both affected similarly. Years pass like firewood, completely unseen, hence named Internal Obstruction blocking both pupils. Long nights, when will dawn come? One golden needle stroke brings the sun to the sky. There are many types of generated internal obstructions, perhaps ten kinds treatable. Clearly knowing shapes and colors allows safe needling. Duck-tongue ancient needles are rare now, three-edged ones are irrelevant. For weak, old, or pregnant patients, regulating medicine beforehand is difficult. Coughing and shaking are not permitted; if unavoidable, take Buhe Wan (Harmonizing Pill) in advance. On fine days without rain or wind, fast and worship, waiting to complete needling. Eight methods connect to spirit, do not fear; bystanders just watch quietly. If blood appears, stop immediately; mistakenly harming Huang Jing is no small matter. Dry廓 (Kuang) benefits Li and Zhen, Xun position is good. Inspect Shen Shui, quiet without traces. Three days after opening seal, objects are seen, but if water moves like flowers, speak little. If temper opposes rest, though life is spared, opacity may flip back. After internal obstruction golden needle treatment, needle marks wet and slightly painful. Wrap head with soft silk, paste gold paper. Sleep supine, stability is key. If sudden pain outside eye, do not doubt headache traction. Use cupping or medicine to return to meridians, otherwise apply warming method. If wanting to vomit, swallow salted plum; sit upright after vomiting. Warm porridge for three days, avoid jaw movement. Light urination and defecation, avoid sexual intercourse. With patience for thirty days, walk slowly, meet relatives. All worldly affairs of sentient beings, separate from disease demons forever.

Bu Chen Zi said: The causes of internal obstructions are four: Zang organs have excess dominance, all zang organs lose harmony, weak Yin is hard to strengthen, deficient Yang has no tonification method. Heart, Liver, Spleen, Lung, Kidney each follow their origin, enjoying peaceful harmony. If one organ is excessive, four are deficient; this is Zang excess dominance. Stomach, Gallbladder, Small/Large Intestine, Bladder perform duties; slight deviation leads to dryness or dampness; this is Fu disharmony. Heavenly water does not descend, earthly water does not ascend; urgently trying to nourish causes Dragon-Lei (Thunder) to appear; this is weak Yin hard to strengthen. Vigorous fire consumes Qi, Qi feeds mild fire; this is Yang without root. Toning it to make it solid results in inability to control; this is deficient Yang no tonification method. The Classic says: Heart is the master of five zang, Eye is its orifice. Also Liver's orifice. Kidney governs bone, bone essence is Shen Shui. Liver Wood uneven, internally carrying Heart Fire, Shen Shui uncontrolled, acting recklessly, rising internally as obstruction; this is Zang disease. Fu meridians connect to Zang, circulate to eye, essence ascends to eye essence, essence's nest is Pupil. Pupil injured, meridians fail, evil fire attacks, rising as internal obstruction; this is Fu disease. Black Water Divine Pearl follows Yin, White Eye Red Veins follow Yang. Yin accompanies Yang equally, thus vision occurs. Yin weak cannot stand, Yang excessive also lonely, rising as internal obstruction; this is Weak Yin disease. Overwork, mental fatigue, Ministerial Fire acts on behalf, once Ministerial Fire declines, hundred vessels boil, rising as internal obstruction; this is Deficient Yang disease. Thus, Zang disease: Qi deficit, Blood loss, Evil enters, Shen Guang (Spiritual Light) appears, Essence scatters, Essence scatters causes diplopia, so one becomes two. Fu disease: Phlegm stagnation, Fire disturbance, Evil enters, follows eye system to Brain, Brain dizzy and turning, so fixed vision becomes moving. Weak Yin: Vision slightly dim, often seeing black flowers in air, long-term myopia/nearsightedness, Shen Shui pale green/white, finally pure white means blindness. Yang disease: Vision confused, various states, even like fireflies/lightning, intermittent, Shen Shui changes color as before. Although divided by Zang/Fu/Yin/Yang, once obstruction forms, it is one. Investigating origin, all caused by lack of moderation in Five Flavors, Four Qi, Seven Emotions, Six Desires. From subtle to obvious, people do not wake up, relying on robust blood/qi, still damaging; or accepting fate, letting nature take course. Or calculating petty profits, using fake medicines, trusting mediocre doctors. Starts light, ends heavy, noble body becomes like wooden puppet. Rich and noble, like dream/illusion. Alas! Whose fault is it? Saying: Heaven has no two suns, nothing born without one; Human has no two eyes, nothing accomplished without them. Must be cautious. Therefore, at disease onset, besides medicine, rectify heart, reduce desires, cherish vision, seal light. Rectified heart, evil does not enter; reduced desires, water generates naturally; cherishing vision, spirit not tired; sealing light, essence moist. Eye is commanded by Heart; rectified heart, sees not what is improper, how can it be dragged by thoughts? Men's ambition presses, often frustrated by women, where is energy? Reduced desires not only prolong life, but prevent hen crowing at dawn. Heart seduced by eyes, things interact with things, drawing in. Not seeing desirable things keeps heart不乱 (not chaotic), so vision should be cherished. Eye not attached to evil things, heart no妄用 (wasted use), old should seal. If acting thus, Zang diseases, Fu diseases, Weak Yin diseases, Deficient Yang diseases, deficient can be tonified, weak can be strengthened, regulated and harmonized, not biased or dominant, how would internal obstruction arise? Those still ill, it is Heaven's disaster. Heaven's disaster can be avoided, I will hold golden needle to save them. Needles use gold, not for value. Taking Gold combining with Gold, not injuring Lung Qi. Like magnet attracting iron. Must use high-quality red gold, length 6-7 fen, width same as sewing needle, tip slightly blunt, not too sharp. Below use silver clamp tube, length 5 fen. Ivory handle file approx 3.5 cun, tightly inserted, whole body water-polished round and straight, perfectly usable. Store carefully, sacrifice with spiritual liquid before use, nothing fails. Named Divine Needle, is it not appropriate?
Ancient needles used three-edged, duck-tongue, horse-mouth iron. Though recorded in bamboo slips, without instruction, doing arbitrarily rarely succeeds. None as flexible and stable as mine. A scholar middle-aged failed, sought doctor career, self-sufficient, ashamed to ask predecessors. Heard someone had unique skills, deliberately despised. One day read my eye-opening technique, secretly memorized style, suddenly treated people, pupil hurt and broke. Visible golden needle dare not be used rashly. Can three-edged, duck-tongue be casually tried? Self-reliant people, let this life be a warning.
All needling, measure age, form, hardship/happiness, pre-regulate zang-fu. Two-three days prior, take mild clearing/dispersing agents to calm qi/blood. Take fresh well water basin, place on shelf. Patient sits facing basin, doctor stands side. Hand smooth water, frequently pour on eye inside/outside. Feel cold qi seep into brain gate, then lipid opacity condenses more, dislocation without blood. Makes muscle texture numb, unaware of pain/fear. Then insert needle, wield axe like wind, eye not sticky. Winter or old/weak, this method not applied is fine. Dislocating eye requires precision in Eight Methods. Six methods easy to transmit, two methods clever, depend on student's agile mind/hand, long practice yields gain. Eight methods: 1. Shen Ji (Examine Mechanism). Patient washes eye with cold spring, sit upright, lean head, do not move. Hands grasp pearl, mind no delusion. For left eye, doctor uses left thumb/index to separate eyelids, press white eye. Right hand thumb/index/middle hold needle, tight and straight. Ring finger press orbit, allow movement to observe wheel, stillness to observe frame. 2. Dian Jing (Dot Spirit). Needle tip approaches Jin position, halfway between Feng Lun (Wind Wheel) and Rui Zi (Sharp Corner), insert center, no deviation. Follow with rapid counter-clockwise draining Ying, slow clockwise tonifying Wei. 3. She Fu (Shoot Cover). Needle tip deepens without obstacle, near Huang Jing, slowly tilt back handle, advance without error, retreat to proper place. 4. Tan Li (Explore Dragon). Needle anchored in Huang Jing, operate as wished, no dizziness/palpitation, search directly inside, horizontally outside. 5. Rao Hai (Disturb Sea). Divine dragon seen, fog/rain rises. Close eyes moment, wind/thunder rests. Then heavily cut cloud head, lightly collect rainbow foot. 6. Juan Lian (Roll Curtain). Obstruction dislodged, hand release lets it rise, must add force to drop, then lift. Aim high but not too high, low but to bottom. 7. Yuan Jing (Round Mirror). Opacity clean, use needle dry in center of Jin Jing, wash surroundings. Carefully look inside eye, Shen Shui clear, colors reflect finger movement, far identify people, near inspect objects. 8. Wan Bi (Perfect Jade). Return needle send obstruction to end of Hu Jing Shui (Protect Eye Water), slowly withdraw half needle, rest briefly, withdraw again, fear obstruction returns. Do not delay half day, rush one moment. These are general Eight Methods, secrets not transmitted, those who deepen gain, especially in methods 3 and 4. Exploring dragon get pearl, who can dive sea? Shooting cover know name, just accidental guess. Considering name meaning, makes one sweat. Who says bamboo in chest relies on fearlessness? Other six methods, only Rao Hai needle. Antelope hangs horn, no trace. Finally know it is sheep, can catch wind/shadow, not as subtle/dangerous as previous methods, so six methods easy to transmit. Although golden needle treats eye, power turns heaven, Sage/Spirit/Work/Clever, Eight Methods prepared. Some think easy and ignore, some think hard and boast/cautious, even agile mind/hand, cannot speak of my Way. For right eye, use left hand, follow left eye eight methods. Left eye use right hand, right eye use left hand, fixed rule. So learning needle, start with left hand. Zhang Shi Shiwan *YiTong* says left hand inconvenient, only right hand inserts from large corner, called Guo Liang Needle, this forces explanation. Straight insert enters, horizontal lie how rotate? Doctor not understanding, heart truly stubborn as stone.
Day of needling, fast/clean grand dress, sweep courtyard. Table across hall, incense burner, tea/fruits. Doctor front, host back, bow twice, kneel, say: Year/Month, humble scholar XX, dare announce to upper/lower gods: Heaven/Earth parents of all things, people sick, hurt hearts, not medicine can cure. XX empty belly unlearned, cannot change formulas, strive study needle classic, aid deficiency. Now XX stand/self-behave, no evil to state. Once blind then sightless, day becomes night, five colors confused. If indulging lust, maybe fault, punishment light. Disabled physiological barrier, great pity. Know repentance enough, open self-new. Fear technique number balance useless, only you god help me, let disease heal, do not leave sorrow, forever enjoy heaven blessing. Thus piously announce, silently judge heart. Ritual finish, remove coat, shake spirit, hold needle over incense, fumigate/pray: Borrow your needle spirit spirit, help my eight methods, open those two eyes, sun return essence, moon contain brightness, I not disgrace mission, they joy remaining life, borrow your needle spirit spirit.
Open woman's blindness, use full red bamboo slip, write letter following format. Words: Humble jade candle adjust light, inner palace mirror benevolence longevity; copper crow offer auspiciousness, southern path supplement Baihua poem. Place Ling Su in belly basket, manage cultivate primordial qi; cook Jiang Lead palm dew, inspire pupil spirit. Thinking of XX clan, prominent family daughter, famous family model. Elegant demeanor, like forest breeze; gentle strict nature, truly maiden beauty. One lamp five nights, embroidery needle stops not; cold rain dark window, shuttle weave often. However talent exceeds fate, enjoyment less neighbor; moreover female wise than male, education不如 that woman. Wen Yan (Literary Goose), spread wings fly high, Qian Lian (Green Lotus), heads break early. All these kalpas, who arranged? Mostly habits not removed, or good karma lacking. East land not without Rakshasa, vulgar violate vows; North hall worship Guanyin, rarely encourage kindness teaching. Yellow skirt hide blood, once rejoice Buddha altar; Palm leaf write scripture, often mistake cutting lotus shoe style. People say Chang'e immortal, Cassia Palace rabbit pestle, night night pound medicine why; Ancient say fairy understand mortal, Qixi Magpie Bridge, year year cross river why. You ask I answer, involve humor, since laugh record words, know add sin. But reward heavy, life every thing grind; punishment light, not old two eyes success blindness. Spring flower red like brocade, not peek garden three years; Autumn moon white frost, hard move step five chi. Truly soul not down world, soul early leave shape. Ting Jing young study Confucian books, grow understand medicine, face wealth no greed, cold household compare elegance. See righteousness brave act, near merit supplement new fault, thus walk path, show plan seek. Humble look heaven not remember past fault, can self-new strongly protect, master teach firewood, can law point pivot machine. Silver sea contain void, sun middle instant dissolve clouds/glass; Golden needle declare transformation, finger below clearly have ghost/spirit. After remaining life, from now recreate. No limit preserve sincerity, main respect excited panic. Respectfully open.
This I formerly treated a woman wrote. Woman beautiful/virtuous, only one son smallpox died. Husband son death worry become illness, soon also die. Woman day/night cry, get Round Opacity Internal Obstruction. Pray divine needle, two eyes like alive, thus record as example. If son healthy, Wen Yan/Qian Lian sentences not use. Or other feelings, modify add, with XX names, must fill real.
Round Opacity, not mean round square, but two layers stick, center sandwich turbid water, like bun wall coin image. All needle dislocate shake, cannot fall off is. Must needle tip aim Xun Kuang (Southeast Frame) air one stab, turbid water roll down, or overflow Jin Jing outside. Again vertical needle, inward circle press, then pupil [clear]矣.
Slippery Opacity, not mean smooth slip. But Round Opacity not formed, needle enter can scatter/gather, scatter then big pearl small pearl up/down exchange, gather, still combine one. So-called like