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(The anus, also referred to as the lower extremity. The old texts' redundant records regarding defecation are incorrect.) It belongs to the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian (Sun Jingsi stated: "The anus is the lower outlet of the lung, internally connecting to the lung, hence called the 'Gate of Po' (Hun and Po). The Lung and Large Intestine are exterior-interiorly related; thus, when Lung Qi is excess, the Large Intestine becomes hot, leading to constipation; when Lung Qi is deficient, the Large Intestine becomes cold, leading to rectal prolapse." *Suwen* states: "If lung cough persists, the pathogen transmits to the Large Intestine. The manifestation of Large Intestine cough involves involuntary defecation during coughing." Wang Haicang stated: "The cardiac orifice (Bumen) governs the movement of Qi, while the Gate of Po governs retention; therefore, the Lung and Large Intestine form a channel." Note: Bumen refers to the gastric cardia.) It also belongs to the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian (*Suwen* states: "The Large Intestine is the official of transmission, responsible for transformation and excretion." Note: Transmission refers to conveying unclean matter; Transformation refers to altering the form of substances. Wang Haicang stated: "In elderly or deficient individuals with dry stool accumulation in the Large Intestone, excessive purgation should be avoided. If the pulse is floating indicating involvement of Qi, Apricot Seed (Xingren) and Tangerine Peel (Chenpi) are indicated; if the pulse is deep indicating involvement of Blood, Peach Kernel (Taoren) and Tangerine Peel (Chenpi) are indicated. Tangerine Peel is used in both cases because the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian and Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian are exterior-interiorly related. Zhu Danxi stated: "The sensation of heaviness from Large Intestine damp-heat sinking downward remains unchanged after defecation; whereas the heaviness from Large Intestine deficiency and slipping does not decrease after defecation. In such cases, astringent agents like Pericarpium Oryzae Sativae (Yumiqiao) can be used to secure slipping and gather Qi, which may also lead to recovery.") It also belongs to the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian (*Ling Shu* states: "The regular pathway of the Foot-Taiyang diverges into the chest cavity; one branch descends five cun below the sacrum and diverges into the anus." *Zhong Zang Jing* states: "Excess-heat in the Lower Jiao leads to urinary obstruction and difficult, painful, heavy defecation; Deficiency-cold leads to continuous incontinence of both urine and feces." Li Dongyuan stated: "Fangji (Stephania Root) is extremely bitter and cold, purely Yin in nature. It drains damp-heat from the blood and unblocks blood stasis, tonifying Yin and draining Yang, assisting Autumn/Winter energies, and draining Spring/Summer pathogens. It should only be used cautiously when damp-heat in the Lower Jiao flows into the Twelve Meridians causing obstruction of both yin openings; it is contraindicated if damp-heat is in the Upper Jiao. Chen Liangfu stated: "Excess Qi in the Zang-Fu organs often arises from damp-heat, manifesting as disease where it stagnates. Thus, heat binding in the Large Intestine causes constipation; heat binding in the Small Intestine causes urinary retention; if heat binds in both, it results in irritability, fullness, and obstruction of both urine and feces.") It is also associated with the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian (*Ling Shu* states: "When rebellious Qi rushes to the throat causing aphonia, accompanied by cold limbs and difficult defecation, points on the Foot-Shaoyin should be selected." *Suwen* states: "The color Black corresponds to the North and enters the Kidney, opening through the two yin openings, and fears dampness." Wang Tai stated: "When Kidney Qi transforms properly, the two yin openings are patent; when the two yin openings are patent, the Stomach is filled. The Kidney serves as the gatekeeper of the Stomach." Wang Haicang stated: "From the perspective of location below, both urination and defecation belong to Yin; from the perspective of anterior/posterior, the anterior governs Qi and the posterior governs Blood; from the perspective of the Kidney, it generally governs difficulties in both urination and defecation. Urinary blockage and retention are all due to insufficient fluids. The Classic states: 'For heat rampant within, treat with salty-cold herbs, assisted by bitter-pungent ones.' Therefore, Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas) and Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) are used synergistically. Dai Fu'an stated: "Morning diarrhea occurring at dawn indicates pathology in the Kidney division. Administer Ershen Wan with rice water, or combine with Wuweizi San, known as Sishen Wan, which is particularly effective.") It is also associated with the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian and Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian (*Ling Shu* states: "In cases of cold extremities with abdominal distension and difficulty in defecation and urination, select points on the Foot-Taiyin." *Suwen* states: "The granaries cannot store because the gates fail to restrain." Note: Granaries refer to the Spleen and Stomach; Gates refer to the Gate of Po; Restrain means to control. Wang Haicang stated: "Profuse sweating, Stomach heat, and difficult defecation are all caused by dry-heat consuming body fluids, known as the Pi Yue Syndrome (Spleen Constraint). The Classic states: 'For dryness, moisten.' Therefore, Zhang Zhongjing used Huomaren (Cannabis Fructus) to enter the Foot-Taiyin and Hand-Yangming meridians to moisten their dryness, allowing intestinal constriction to resolve. Zhang Jiegu stated: "Constipation of the Zang-Fu organs cannot be treated uniformly. For Stomach excess constipation, characterized by ability to eat and dark urine, Maziren Wan is indicated. For Stomach deficiency constipation, characterized by inability to eat and clear urine, Houpo Tang is indicated. Excess constipation involves tangible material retention; deficiency constipation involves intangible Qi stagnation." Dai Fu'an stated: "Dysentery, anciently named 'Zhi Xia' (Stagnant Downward), arises from Qi stagnation forming accumulation, which turns into dysentery. Treatment should prioritize regulating Qi and opening the stomach; thus, one never dies of dysentery from overeating.") It is also associated with the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian (*Ling Shu* states: "Diseases generated by the Foot-Jueyin include chest fullness, vomiting and rebellious Qi, and undigested food diarrhea." It also states: "Injury to the Yin collaterals causes internal bleeding; internal bleeding results in hematochezia." Liu Hejian stated: "Astringent and sluggish defecation occurs because Fire excess suppresses Metal (Lung), failing to control Wood (Liver). Liver Wood generates Wind, Wind overcomes Dampness, and Heat consumes fluids.")