Library

(From *Suwen: Fuzhong Lun*)

The Yellow Emperor asked, "There is a disease characterized by fullness and hardness in the lower abdomen, with roots extending up, down, left, and right. What is this disease? Is it treatable?" (The character 'Bu' here means 'No'.) Qibo replied, "This disease is named Fuliang (Hidden Beam)." ('Fu' means hidden or latent; 'Liang' refers to being hard and rigid.)

The Yellow Emperor asked again, "What causes Fuliang?" Qibo said, "It consists of large amounts of pus and blood wrapped within, located outside the intestines and stomach. It is untreatable. If treated, every time pressure is applied, it leads to death." ('An' means pressing. The statement that pressing causes death refers to overly aggressive attack methods, which inevitably lead to death.)

The Yellow Emperor asked, "Why is this so?" Qibo said, "If it is located lower, it affects the Yin meridians, inevitably causing pus and blood to discharge from below. If it is located upper, it presses against the epigastrium, causing diaphragmatic obstruction and internal abscesses in the epigastrium." (This disease connects between the Three Yin meridians and the Chong and Dai vessels, wrapping large amounts of pus and blood while lying latent outside the intestines and stomach. Its roots extend up, down, left, and right. Therefore, downward extension causes discharge of pus and blood, while upward extension presses against the epigastrium. 'Wan' has pronunciations similar to 'Guan' and 'Wan'.) This is a chronic disease and difficult to treat. (It is not caused overnight; after prolonged accumulation, the root becomes deeply established, making it hard to cure.) Lesions above the umbilicus are considered adverse (Ni), while those below the umbilicus are considered favorable (Cong). (Lesions above the umbilicus gradually approach the heart and lungs, hence termed adverse. Those below have a slower progression, hence termed favorable. Note: In *Ling Shu: Xieqi Zangfu Bingxing Pian*, it states: A slightly slow pulse at the Heart indicates Fuliang, located below the heart, moving up and down, with occasional hemoptysis. Also, in *Ling Shu: Jingjin Pian*, it says: Disease of the sinews of the Hand-Shaoyin meridian involves internal tension, with the Heart supporting Fuliang. Thus, *Nanjing: Chapter 56* states: The accumulation of the Heart is named Fuliang, starting above the umbilicus, as large as an arm, extending up to below the heart. This meaning originates from these two chapters. However, observing this section stating 'above umbilicus is adverse, below is favorable,' and the next section stating 'pain around the umbilicus, disease name Fuliang,' it is clear that Fuliang is not limited to Heart accumulation. Generally, any accumulation that is internally latent and hard can be named thus. Therefore, this chapter's specific discussion on Fuliang implies a general reference to all accumulations.) Do not move or aggressively deplete [the Qi]. ('Dong' refers to inducing bowel movements; 'Duo' refers to depleting Spleen Qi stagnation. Both refer to purgative methods. It means one must not recklessly use purgatives to repeatedly damage Stomach Qi without treating the disease, causing only harm. 'Ji' has pronunciations similar to 'Ji' and 'Qi'.) Relevant discussions are found in the acupuncture chapters. (Meaning needle treatment is appropriate, but the original meaning is now lost. Note: The syndrome of Fuliang corresponds to what is now called a palpable mass. For treatment, moxibustion is best; detailed methods are in Volume 11 of *Zhenjiu Dacheng: Tuyu*.)

The Yellow Emperor asked, "Some people have swelling in their thighs and legs, and pain around the umbilicus. What disease is this?" Qibo said, "This disease is named Fuliang." (This also occurs in the distribution area of the Chong vessel, knotting at the umbilical and abdominal region. The Chong vessel, when upper, emerges from the pharynx and runs along the spine; when middle, it flanks the umbilical abdomen; when lower, it runs hidden between the thighs and feet. Hence its symptoms manifest this way. These three sections repeat content from *Qibing Lun* and are omitted here.) This is the root of Wind pathogen. Its Qi overflows into the large intestine and attaches to the Huang (Tripler/Bladder) membrane. The source of the Huang membrane is below the umbilicus, hence the pain around the umbilicus. ('Fenggen', wind root, refers to Cold pathogen. As stated in *Ling Shu: Baiqi Shisheng Pian*: Accumulations begin to form when Cold is acquired, and Qi rebellion forms the accumulation. This refers to that concept. The source of the Huang membrane is below the umbilicus, i.e., the Xiaguhai acupoint, also known as Xiahuang. In *Ling Shu: Jiuzhen Shieryuan Pian*, it is called Bo Yang. Now, since the disease is in the Chong vessel, it adheres to the large and small intestines and lies between the Qi Hai, hence its symptoms manifest this way.) Do not manipulate or purge. If manipulated, it will cause difficulty in urination. (One should not recklessly purge when inappropriate. Doing so damages Yin fluids. When Yin is damaged, the accumulated Qi becomes more obstructed below, leading to dysfunction of the water passages.)