一,凡诸病之作,皆由血气壅滞,不得宣通,针以开导之,灸以温暖之,治毕须好将护,
忌生冷醋滑等物,若不知慎,必反生他疾。
一,凡灸头与四肢,必火足气到,方能愈病;然头巅四肢肉薄,若并灸之,则血气绝于
下,宜时为歇火,或隔日再报,使血脉通达,火气流行,积数充足,自然除疾。又如本经针法
多云刺入三分、灸三壮之类,乃概举大纲,未尽心法;且手足皮薄,宜炷小数少,腹背肉浓,
宜炷大壮多,皆当以意推测。若灸背者,宜熟斯佳也。凡灸察生熟之候,当以人之盛衰老
少肥瘦为则。凡灸脐下久冷、疝瘕 癖、气块伏梁积气,宜艾炷大。又短剧诸方云∶腹背宜
灸五百壮。四肢则但去风邪,不宜多灸,七壮至七七壮止,不得过,随年数。如巨阙、鸠尾,
虽是胸腹之穴,灸不过七七壮。艾炷不须大,以竹筋头作炷,正当脉上灸之。若灸此处而
炷大灸多,令人永无心力。如头顶穴若灸多,令人失精神;臂脚穴灸多,令人血脉枯竭,四
肢细瘦无力。既复失精神,又加于细瘦,即脱人真气也。
一,凡微数之脉,及新得汗后,并忌灸。
一,凡人年三十以上,若灸头不灸三里,令人气上眼暗,以三里穴能下气也。凡一切
病,皆灸三里三壮,每日常灸,气下乃止。
一,凡灸法,须先发于上,后发于下;先发于阳,后发于阴。凡针刺大法,多宜在午时之
后,不欲在午时之前。
1. The onset of all diseases is due to the stagnation and obstruction of Qi and Blood, preventing their free circulation. Acupuncture is used to guide and unblock them, while moxibustion is used to warm the meridians. After treatment, proper care must be taken, avoiding raw, cold, sour, and slippery foods. If one fails to exercise caution, other diseases will inevitably arise.
2. When applying moxibustion to the head and limbs, sufficient heat and the arrival of Qi at the affected area are required for cure. However, since the tissues on the vertex of the head and the limbs are thin, simultaneous extensive moxibustion may deplete Qi and Blood in the lower body. It is advisable to pause intermittently or resume on alternate days, allowing the blood vessels to remain patent and the moxa heat to circulate freely. Accumulating an adequate total dose will naturally eliminate the disease. For instance, classical texts often mention inserting needles three *cun* or applying three moxa cones (*zhuang*) as general guidelines, not exhaustive methods. Since the skin on the hands and feet is thin, small cones with fewer *zhuang* are appropriate; whereas the abdomen and back have thicker flesh, larger cones with more *zhuang* are suitable. These should be judged by careful consideration. When moxibusting the back, familiarity with these principles is essential. The assessment of the "degree" of moxibustion (intensity/dose) should be based on the patient's constitution, age, and body type (emaciated or obese). For conditions such as chronic cold below the umbilicus, hernia, abdominal masses (*jia pi*), qi lumps, *fuliang* (a type of abdominal mass), and accumulated qi, large moxa cones should be used. Other medical texts state that the abdomen and back may tolerate up to five hundred *zhuang*. Limbs require only enough moxibustion to dispel wind pathogens and should not be excessive; the number ranges from seven to forty-nine *zhuang*, not exceeding this limit, and can be adjusted according to the patient's age. Points such as Juque (CV14) and Jiawei (CV15), although located on the chest and abdomen, should not exceed forty-nine *zhuang*. The moxa cone need not be large; a bamboo splinter tip can serve as a cone, applied directly over the vessel. Excessive size or number of cones at these points may cause permanent loss of heart power. Moxibustion on head points in excess may lead to mental depletion; excessive moxibustion on arm and leg points may deplete blood vessels, causing emaciation and weakness of the four limbs. Such depletion of spirit combined with physical wasting constitutes the exhaustion of true Qi.
3. Moxibustion is contraindicated in cases of fine and rapid pulses, and immediately after profuse sweating.
4. For individuals over thirty years of age, if moxibustion is applied to the head without also applying it to Zusanli (ST36), it may cause Qi to rebel upward and result in blurred vision, because Zusanli (ST36) has the function of descending Qi. For any disease, three *zhuang* should be applied to Zusanli (ST36) daily until the Qi descends properly.
5. Regarding moxibustion technique, one should generally start from upper parts and proceed to lower parts; treat Yang meridians first, then Yin meridians. Regarding acupuncture, it is generally preferred to perform procedures after noon rather than before noon.