Library

The principles of acupuncture are far inferior to those in chapters such as *Ci Yao* (Needling Essentials), *Ci Jin* (Needling Taboos), and *Ba Zheng Shen Ming* (Eight Regularities and Divine Illumination); this chapter is retained merely for the sake of completeness in the collection. The term "Chang" (Long) indicates that the entire chapter focuses specifically on needling techniques. The term "Jie" (Section/Summary) refers to the summarized or abbreviated nature of these needling methods.

Practitioners of acupuncture may not rely on pulse diagnosis but instead listen to the patient's complaints. (Note: Acupuncturists take acupoints as their standard and skillful manipulation as their subtlety; through divine understanding, they achieve infinite variations, relying not merely on the limited practice of pulse diagnosis. Generally, one who is skilled in pulse diagnosis but unskilled in needling is considered imperfect. Thus, when the Classic says "no diagnosis," it does not mean diagnosis is unnecessary, but rather that the emphasis is not solely on diagnosis. However, later practitioners used this phrase "no diagnosis" as an excuse to be careless with acupoints and techniques, failing to know which meridian a disease belongs to or which points should be selected, leaving outcomes to chance. This seems to be a misunderstanding caused by the phrase "no diagnosis." Therefore, while the subtlety of needling indeed lies not in the pulse, it is true that no master acupuncturist exists who does not understand the pulse.)

For pain and疾 (disease/pain) in the head, perform needling. Needle deeply until reaching the bone; once the disease is cured, ensure not to damage the flesh and skin. The skin is the pathway for the needle; thus, when needling the bone, avoid damaging the flesh and skin. Yin Needling involves inserting one needle centrally and four needles laterally, used to treat alternating cold and heat. (Note: The New Correction states: "*Jia Yi Jing* records: Yang Needling involves inserting one needle centrally and four laterally. Yin Needling involves rapid alternating needling on left and right sides. It is suspected that 'Yin Needling' here is a typo for 'Yang Needling.' Furthermore, regarding the three paragraphs starting from 'head disease,' Wang Bing's commentary incorrectly interprets them all as methods for treating the head. Each paragraph has its own distinct meaning and is unrelated to the others; careful reading reveals the truth. These have now been corrected.) For deep and severe conditions, needle the major Zang organs. (Note: Generally, Fu organ diseases are mild, while Zang organ diseases are severe. Thus, for deep and severe illnesses, one must needle the major Zang organs to achieve recovery. Wang Bing's note interpreting this as treating head cold/heat is erroneous.) When pathogenic factors press against the Zang organs, needle the back, specifically the Back-Shu points of the five Zang organs. ("Press" means approaching gradually; as the pathogen nears the Zang, needle the Back-Shu points of the five Zang organs on the back.) When needling near the Zang organs, target the Hui-Meeting points of the Zang. (Note: The annotation for "Zang Hui" is inaccurate; there may be textual corruption. Retained as is.) The alternating cold and heat in the abdomen will cease, and needling should stop. This relates to the essentials of needling: withdraw the needle allowing slight bleeding. (Note: There are textual lacunae in these three sections; forced interpretation is avoided.) To treat carbuncles and swellings, needle the site of the swelling, adjusting depth based on the size and depth of the lesion. (Note: Older editions use "Fu" (rotten), while Quan Yuanqi's edition and *Jia Yi Jing* use "Yong" (carbuncle). Corrected to follow the latter.) For large swellings, drain much blood; for small ones, needle deeply. Insert the needle straightly and stop when pus/blood is discharged. (Note: *Jia Yi Jing* states: "For large lesions, needle deeply and frequently, ensuring straight insertion to expel pathogens." The text here saying "small ones needle deeply" is suspected to be an error; *Jia Yi Jing* is likely correct. "Nei" is interchangeable with "Na".)

For diseases in the lower abdomen involving accumulations, needle from the subcutaneous layer down to the lower abdomen and stop. Needle the spaces between the fourth vertebrae flanking the spine, and the spaces between the two iliac bones and the costal margin, to guide Qi in the abdomen downward; the condition resolves when heat descends. (Accumulation in the lower abdomen refers to the knotting of Qi there. "Pi HT" refers to the horizontal crease five cun below the navel; needle carefully without going too deep. *Ci Jin Lun* warns: "If needling the lower abdomen hits the bladder, urine leakage causes lower abdominal fullness." Hence, deep needling is contraindicated. Regarding the space between the fourth vertebrae flanking the spine, there are no Shu points recorded in the meridians; it is likely the fifth intervertebral space. Below the fifth vertebra, on both sides, lie the Xin Shu points, corresponding to the lower abdomen, so "fifth vertebra" is probable. "Qia" refers to the lumbar bone. "Yi" is a graphic error for "Bi" (thigh), referring to a point on the side of the waist near the thigh. The space between the hypochondrium and ribs likely refers to the Jingmen point. Note: New Correction states: "Pronunciation notes write 'Pi HT' as 'Pi [character]', pronounced 'Ku Mo Fan', indicating '[character]' was miswritten as 'HT'. Searching the rhymes, 'HT' does not exist, only '[character]', meaning bone end. 'Pi [character]' likely refers to the end of the transverse bone below the navel. Quan Yuanqi reads 'Pi Sui', noting protrusions beside the navel, which is also inadequate.")

For diseases in the lower abdomen with abdominal pain and inability to urinate or defecate, the disease is named Shan (Hernia), caused by cold. Needle between the lower abdomen and the inner thighs, and between the sacroiliac joints. Perform multiple needle insertions until the area feels thoroughly warm, then the disease is cured. (The Jueyin meridian circles the genitalia and reaches the lower abdomen. The Chong Mai and Luo vessels of Shaoyin originate below the kidney, emerge at Qichuang, and follow the medial thigh. Posteriorly, from the lower abdomen to the central bone, in women, it enters the Ting Kong. Its Luo vessel circulates the genitalia, meets at the perineum, winds around the anus, passes the buttocks, joins the Shaoyin and Juyang mid-Luo vessels, merges with Shaoyin, ascends along the posterior-medial thigh, pierces the spine, and connects to the Kidney. In men, it follows the penis to the perineum, identical to women. Hence, needling the lower abdomen, inner thighs, and sacroiliac region is indicated. The sacroiliac bone refers to the depression flanking the spine when standing flat, where bone can be felt. Since Shan is caused by cold, frequent needling is required until the lower abdomen is entirely hot before withdrawing. "Jiong" means heat. Note: The text mentions "caused by cold" initially but "thoroughly hot" at the end, seeming contradictory. Commentary offers no explanation. Analysis: The lower abdomen is the domain of the Kidney and the pathway of the Bladder. Internal heat exists, but external cold closes it, causing constipation and pain. Because the cause is cold, it is called "caused by cold." However, cold trapping internal heat requires thorough warming (Jiong) for resolution. "Jiong" is pronounced Jing. "Cuan" is pronounced Chu Han.)

For diseases affecting the sinews, with sinew spasms and joint pain preventing walking, the disease is named Jin Bi (Sinew Bi). Needle the sinews as the target, inserting into the intermuscular spaces, avoiding the bone. (Muscle layers contain sinew connections. Needling sinews must not hit bone.) If the disease originates with heat in the sinews, stop when cured. (Note: Textual lacuna here.)

For diseases affecting the skin and muscle, with generalized pain, the disease is named Ji Bi (Muscle Bi), caused by cold-dampness. Needle the major and minor muscle divisions, using many needles inserted deeply, aiming for local heat. (Major division refers to large muscle masses; minor division to smaller muscle groups.) Do not injure tendons and bones; injury leads to carbuncles or other changes. *Zhen Jing* states: "Shallow disease with deep needling damages healthy flesh, causing skin carbuncles." And: "Excessively deep needling drives pathogens deeper, worsening the illness." Injury to tendons/bones results from excessive depth, leading to carbuncles. Stop when all divisions feel hot. (Heat dispels cold; stop when cured. Note: "Division" refers to anatomical parts; "all divisions" means major and minor.)

For diseases affecting the bones, with heavy limbs unable to lift, soreness in the marrow, and invasion by cold qi, the disease is named Gu Bi (Bone Bi). Deep needling should avoid damaging vessels and flesh, passing through major and minor muscle divisions, stopping when the bone feels hot. (Note: Lacuna present, retained.)

For diseases affecting the Yang meridians, characterized by alternating cold and heat in the meridians and various body parts, the disease is named Kuang (Mania). (Note: Dian-Kuang disorders typically lack alternating chills/fever. Here, "alternating cold and heat" suggests chaotic Qi due to conflicting cold/heat, similar to mania induced by Cold Damage.) Reduce the pulse via needling; stop when all divisions feel hot. (Note: Lacuna present.)

If the disease starts with annual attacks, untreated becomes monthly attacks, and further untreated becomes 4-5 attacks per month, it is named Dian Bing (Epilepsy/Mental Disorder). Needle various divisions and vessels; for those without cold, regulate with needles. Stop when cured. (Note: Not necessarily a lacuna, but lacks profound interpretive value.)

For Wind disease with alternating cold and heat and frequent sweating (multiple times a day), first needle the interstitial collaterals. If sweating persists with chills/fever, needle every three days for 100 days to cure. (Note: Wind is Yang pathogen, causing chills/fever. Wind entering hair follicles opens Xuan Fu pores, causing sweat. Deep penetration means sweat alone doesn't resolve chills/fever; repeated needling over 100 days is needed to clear it completely.)

For severe Wind disease (Leprosy/Pian Feng) with heavy joints and loss of eyebrows/beards, named Da Feng. Needle muscles until sweating occurs for 100 days (to vent Wei Qi stagnation), then needle the marrow until sweating occurs for another 100 days (to vent Ying Qi stagnation). Total 200 days; stop needling when eyebrows and beard regrow. (Stagnant heat clears, Yin Qi restores internally, causing sweat and regrowth. Note: This describes Leprosy (Pian Feng). Acupuncture can treat it, but unfortunately, the method is lost.)