脾象土，与胃合为腑（胃为水谷之腑）。其经足太阴（太阴，脾之脉也），与足阳明为表里（阳明胃脉）。其脉缓（缓，
脾脉之大形也），其相夏三月（火王土相），王季夏六月，废秋三月，囚冬三月，死春三月。其王日戊己，王时食时、日
；困日壬癸，困时人定、夜半；其死日甲乙，死时平旦、日出（并木时也）。其神意，其主味，其养肉，其候口，其声
歌，其色黄，其臭香，其液涎，其味甘，其宜辛，其恶酸。脾俞在背第十一椎，募在章门（季肋端是）。胃俞在背第十二
椎，募在太仓。上新撰。
脾者土也。敦而福，敦者，浓也，万物众色不同（脾主水谷，其气微弱，水谷不化。脾为土行，王于季夏，土性敦
浓，育养万物，当此之时，草木备具、枝叶茂盛，种类众多，或青、黄、赤、白、黑色，各不同矣），故名曰得福者广（土
生养万物，当此之时，脾则同禀诸脏，故其德为广大）。万物悬根住茎，其叶在巅， 蜚蠕动， 喘息，皆蒙土恩（悬
根住茎，草木之类也。其次则蛾蚋几微之虫，因阴阳气变化而生者也。喘息，有血脉之类也。言普天之下，草木昆虫，
无不被蒙土之恩福也）。德则为缓，恩则为迟，故令太阴脉缓而迟，尺寸不同（太阴脾也，言脾王之时脉缓而迟。尺寸不
同者，尺迟而寸缓也）。酸咸苦辛，大（一作太）沙（一作涉，又作妙）而生，互行其时，而以各行，皆不群行，尽可常
服（肝酸、肾咸、心苦、肺辛涩皆四脏之味也。脾主调和五味以禀四脏，四脏受味于脾，脾王之时，其脉沙一作涉，又
作妙，达于肌肉之中，互行人身躯，乃复各行，随其四肢使其气周匝，荣诸脏腑，以养皮毛，皆不群行至一处也。故
言尽可常服也）。土寒则温，土热则凉（冬阳气在下，土中温暖。夏阴气在下，土中清凉。脾气亦然）。土有一子，名之
曰金，怀挟抱之，不离其身，金乃畏火，恐热来熏，遂弃其母，逃归水中，水自金子，而藏火神，闭门塞户，内外不通，
此谓冬时也（阳气在中，阳为火行，金性畏火，故恐熏之，金归水中而避火也。母子相得益盛。闭塞不通者，言水气充
实，金在其中，此为强固，火无复得往克之者，神密之类也）。土亡其子，其气衰微，水为洋溢，浸渍为池（一作其地）。
走击皮肤，面目浮肿，归于四肢。（此为脾之衰损。土以防水，今土弱而水强，故水得陵之而妄行）。愚医见水，直往下
之，虚脾空胃，水遂居之，肺为喘浮（脾胃已病，宜扶养其气，通利水道。愚医不晓而往下之，此为重伤，水气遂更陵
之，上侵胸中，肺得水而浮，故言喘浮）。肝反畏肺，故下沉没（肺金肝木，此为相克，肺浮则实，必复克肝，故畏之沉
没于下）。下有荆棘，恐伤其身，避在一边，以为水流（荆棘，木之类。肝为木，今没在下则为荆棘。其身，脾也。脾为
土，土畏木，是以避在下一边，避木也。水流者，水之流路也。土本克水而今微弱，又复触木，无复制水，故水得流行）。
心衰则伏，肝微则沉，故令脉伏而沉（心火肝木，火则畏水而木畏金，金水相得，其气则实，克于肝心，故令二脏衰微，
脉为沉伏也）。工医来占，因转孔穴，利其溲便，遂通水道，甘液下流。亭其阴阳，喘息则微，汗出正流。肝着其根，心
气因起，阳行四肢，肺气亭亭，喘息则安（转孔穴者，诸脏之荣并转治其顺。甘液，脾之津液。亭其阴阳，得复其常所，
故荣卫开通，水气消除，肝得远着其根株。肝心为母子，肝着则心气得起，肺气平调，故言亭亭，此为端好之类）。肾为
安声，其味为咸（肺主声，肾为其子，助于肺，故言安声。咸，肾味也）。倚坐母败， 臭如腥（金为水母，而归水中，
此为母往从子，脾气反虚，五脏由此而相克贼，倚倒致败宅 臭而腥，故云然也）。土得其子，则成为山。金得其母，名
曰丘矣。上四时经。
黄帝曰∶四时之序，逆顺之变异也，然脾脉独何主？岐伯曰∶脾者土也，孤脏以灌四旁者也。曰∶然则脾善恶可得
见乎？曰∶善者不可得见，恶者可见。曰∶恶者何如？曰∶其来如水之流者，此谓太过，病在外；如鸟之喙，此谓不及，
病在中。太过则令人四肢沉重不举；其不及，则令人九窍壅塞不通，名曰重强。
脾脉来而和柔相离，如鸡足践地，曰平。长夏以胃气为本。脾脉来实而盈数，如鸡举足，曰脾病。脾脉来坚兑，如
鸟之喙，如鸟之距，如屋之漏，如水之溜，曰脾死。真脾脉至，弱而乍疏乍散（一作数），色青黄不泽，毛折，乃死。长
夏胃微濡弱，曰平。弱多胃少，曰脾病；但代无胃，曰死。濡弱有石，曰冬病；石甚，曰今病。
脾藏荣，荣舍意，愁忧不解则伤意，意伤则闷乱，四肢不举，毛悴色夭，死于春。六月季夏建未，坤未之间土之位，
脾王之时。其脉大阿阿而缓，名曰平脉。反得弦细而长者，是肝之乘脾，木之克土，为贼邪，大逆，十死不治。反得浮
（《千金》浮作微），涩而短者，是肺之乘脾，子之扶母，为实邪，虽病自愈。反得洪大而散者（《千金》作浮大而洪），
是心之乘脾，母之归子，为虚邪，虽病易治。反得沉濡而滑者，肾之乘脾，水之陵土，为微邪，虽病即瘥。
脾脉苌苌而弱（《千金》苌苌作长长），来疏去数，再至，曰平；三至，曰离经，病；四至，脱精；五至，死；六至
命尽，足太阴脉也。脾脉急甚，为螈 ；微急，为脾中满，食饮入而还出，后沃沫。缓甚，为痿厥；微缓，为风痿，四
肢不用，心慧然若无病。大甚，为击仆；微大，为痞气，裹大脓血，在肠胃之外；小甚，为寒热；微小，为消瘅。滑甚，
为颓癃；微滑，为虫毒蛔，肠鸣热。涩甚，为肠颓；微涩，为内溃，多下脓血也。足太阴气绝，则脉不营其口唇。口唇
者，肌肉之本也。脉不营则肌肉濡，肌肉濡则人中满，人中满则唇反，唇反者肉先死。甲笃乙死，木胜土也。脾死脏，
浮之脉大缓（一作坚），按之中如覆杯， ，状如摇者，死。（一云 状如炙肉）上《素问》《针经》、张仲景。
The image of the Spleen corresponds to Earth, and it combines with the Stomach to form a Fu organ (the Stomach is the Fu organ for water and grain). Its meridian is the Foot-Taiyin (Taiyin refers to the Spleen's meridian), which is exterior-interior related to the Foot-Yangming (Yangming refers to the Stomach's meridian). Its pulse is slow (slow, the major characteristic of the Spleen pulse), corresponding to the third month of Summer (when Fire is Wang, Earth is Xiang), ruling in the late summer sixth month, being fei (abandoned) in the three months of Autumn, qiu (imprisoned) in the three months of Winter, and si (dead) in the three months of Spring. It rules on Wu and Ji days, during the Shishi (meal time) and Riwu (noon); it is kun (trapped) on Ren and Gui days, during the Rending (human settlement) and Yeaban (midnight); it is si (dead) on Jia and Yi days, during Pingdan (daybreak) and Richu (sunrise) (all belonging to Wood time). Its spirit is Yi (Intent), it governs taste, nourishes flesh, reflects in the mouth, its sound is song, its color is yellow, its odor is fragrant, its fluid is saliva, its flavor is sweet, it favors pungent, and it dislikes sour. The Shu point of the Spleen is at the 11th thoracic vertebra on the back, and the Mu point is at Zhangmen (at the end of the costal margin). The Shu point of the Stomach is at the 12th thoracic vertebra, and the Mu point is at Taicang (Zhongwan). This is newly compiled.
The Spleen belongs to Earth. It is solid and brings fortune. "Solid" means dense; all things have diverse colors (the Spleen governs water and grain, its Qi is weak; if water and grain are not transformed, the Spleen belongs to the Earth phase, ruling in late summer. The nature of Earth is solid and dense, nurturing all things. At this time, grass and trees are complete, branches and leaves are lush, species are numerous, varying in green, yellow, red, white, and black colors). Hence it is named "those who obtain fortune are broad" (Earth nurtures all things; at this time, the Spleen shares the Qi of all Zang organs, so its virtue is vast). All things hang by roots and stems, with leaves at the top; flying insects and crawling creatures, as well as those that breathe, all receive the grace of Earth (hanging roots and stems refer to plants. Next are tiny insects like moths and gnats, born from the change of Yin and Yang Qi. Breathing refers to those with blood vessels. This means that under heaven, plants and insects are all covered by the grace of Earth). Virtue manifests as slow, grace manifests as delayed; thus making the Taiyin pulse slow and delayed, with differences between Cun and Chi positions (Taiyin refers to the Spleen, meaning when the Spleen rules, the pulse is slow and delayed. The difference between Cun and Chi means the Chi position is delayed and the Cun position is slow). Sour, salty, bitter, and pungent flavors arise grandly (one version reads "Tai"), sha (one version reads "She", another "Miao"), alternating in their respective times, each acting alone, never acting in groups, and can be taken regularly (Liver flavor is sour, Kidney is salty, Heart is bitter, Lung is pungent and astringent; these are the flavors of the four Zang organs. The Spleen harmonizes the five flavors to provide them to the four Zang organs. When the Spleen rules, its pulse sha (one version reads "She", another "Miao") reaches into the muscles, moves through the body, then acts separately, circulating Qi through the limbs to nourish the Zang organs and skin/hair, without gathering in one place. Thus it says they can all be taken regularly). If Earth is cold, it becomes warm; if Earth is hot, it becomes cool (in Winter, Yang Qi is below, so the Earth is warm. In Summer, Yin Qi is below, so the Earth is cool. The Spleen's Qi is the same). Earth has one son, named Metal, holding it close, never leaving its side. Metal fears Fire, fearing heat will scorch it, so it abandons its mother and flees to Water. Water is generated by Metal, hiding the Spirit of Fire, closing doors and sealing windows, blocking internal and external communication; this is called Winter (Yang Qi is in the middle, Yang is the Fire phase. Metal nature fears Fire, so it fears scorching. Metal returns to Water to avoid Fire. Mother and son benefit each other and grow strong. Blockage means Water Qi is full, Metal is within, making it strong and solid, so Fire cannot attack it anymore; this is a secret/mysterious type). If Earth loses its son, its Qi declines, Water overflows, soaking into pools (one version reads "its land"). Water strikes the skin, causing facial and bodily edema, returning to the four limbs (This is Spleen decline. Earth prevents Water; now Earth is weak and Water is strong, so Water invades and acts recklessly). Foolish doctors see water [edema] and directly use purgatives, emptying the Spleen and Stomach, allowing Water to occupy the space. The Lung becomes asthmatic and floating (When Spleen and Stomach are diseased, one should nurture Qi and promote urination. Foolish doctors do not understand and use purgatives, causing severe injury. Water Qi invades further, moving up to the chest. The Lung floats due to Water, hence "asthmatic and floating"). The Liver fears the Lung and sinks/submerges (Lung is Metal, Liver is Wood; this is mutual restriction. When Lung floats, it is excess and must restrict Liver again, so Liver fears sinking). Below there are thorns, fearing injury to oneself, avoiding to one side, thinking it is flowing water (Thorns are Wood. Liver is Wood; now submerged below, it becomes thorns. "Itself" refers to the Spleen. Spleen is Earth; Earth fears Wood, so it avoids to the lower side, avoiding Wood. "Flowing water" refers to the path of Water. Earth originally controls Water but is now weak, and touches Wood, unable to control Water, so Water flows freely). Heart decline causes pulse to hide (Fu); Liver micro-ness causes pulse to sink (Chen); thus making the pulse Fu and Chen (Heart is Fire, Liver is Wood. Fire fears Water, Wood fears Metal. Metal and Water combine, their Qi is excess, restricting Liver and Heart, thus making both organs weak, and the pulse Chen and Fu). A skilled doctor comes to diagnose, adjusting acupoints, promoting urination, thereby unblocking water passages, and sweet fluid flows down. Balancing Yin and Yang, asthma becomes slight, sweating normalizes. Liver anchors its root, Heart Qi rises, Yang Qi moves in the four limbs, Lung Qi is balanced, asthma is relieved (Adjusting acupoints means treating the prosperity of all Zang organs according to their flow. Sweet fluid is Spleen Jin-Ye. Balancing Yin and Yang allows recovery of normal function, so Ying and Wei open, Water Qi eliminates, Liver anchors far to its root. Liver and Heart are mother-son; when Liver anchors, Heart Qi rises, Lung Qi balances, hence "Tingting", meaning proper/good). Kidney produces the sound of peace, its flavor is salty (Lung governs sound, Kidney is its son, assisting Lung, hence "peaceful sound". Salty is Kidney flavor). Leaning against mother's decay, smelling like fishy (Metal is Water's mother, returning to Water; this is mother following son, Spleen Qi becoming deficient. Five Zang organs mutually restrict and harm each other. Leaning leads to decay, house smells fishy, hence so said). When Earth obtains its son, it becomes a mountain. When Metal obtains its mother, it is called a hill. From *Si Shi Jing*.
Huangdi said: The order of the four seasons, the variations of reversal and compliance, yet what does the Spleen pulse alone govern? Qibo said: The Spleen belongs to Earth, it is the solitary Zang organ that irrigates the four directions. Huangdi said: Then can the good or bad state of the Spleen be seen? Qibo said: The good cannot be seen, the bad can be seen. Huangdi said: What is the bad condition like? Qibo said: When it comes like flowing water, this is called Excess (Tai Guo), disease is external; like a bird's beak, this is Deficiency (Bu Ji), disease is internal. Excess causes heavy limbs unable to move; Deficiency causes blockage of the nine orifices, named Zhong Qiang (Heavy Rigidity).
When the Spleen pulse comes and goes softly and distinctly, like a chicken foot stepping on the ground, it is called Normal Pulse. Late Summer takes Stomach Qi as the root. When the Spleen pulse comes solid, full, and rapid, like a chicken lifting its foot, it is called Spleen Disease. When the Spleen pulse comes hard and sharp, like a bird's beak, like a bird's spur, like a leaking roof, like dripping water, it is called Spleen Death. The True Spleen pulse arrives, weak and occasionally sparse or frequent (one version reads frequent), color cyan-yellow without luster, hair breaks, then death occurs. In Late Summer, slight Ru and Ruo Stomach Qi indicates Normal. More Ruo than Stomach Qi indicates Spleen Disease; only Dai pulse without Stomach Qi indicates Death. Ru and Ruo with Shi pulse indicates Winter disease; excessive Shi pulse indicates current disease.
The Spleen stores Ying (Nutritive) Qi; Ying houses Yi (Intent). Unresolved sorrow injures Yi; injured Yi causes confusion and heaviness of limbs unable to lift, with withered hair and dull complexion, dying in Spring. The sixth month, Late Summer, builds Wei, the position of Earth between Kun and Wei, the time when Spleen rules. Its pulse is large, grand, and slow, named Normal Pulse. Reversely obtaining Xian (Wiry), thin, and long indicates Liver invading Spleen, Wood overcoming Earth, called Thief Evil (Ze Xie), great reversal, ten deaths untreatable. Reversely obtaining Fu (Floating) (Qian Jin Ci reads Fu as Wei), Se (Choppy), and Duan (Short) indicates Lung invading Spleen, Son supporting Mother, called Real Evil (Shi Xie), though diseased, it will self-heal. Reversely obtaining Hong (Surging) and Da (Large) and San (Scattered) (Qian Jin Ci reads Fu Da and Hong) indicates Heart invading Spleen, Mother returning to Son, called Empty Evil (Xu Xie), though diseased, easily treated. Reversely obtaining Chen (Deep), Ru (Soft), and Hua (Slippery) indicates Kidney invading Spleen, Water flooding Earth, called Minor Evil (Wei Xie), though diseased, it will heal immediately.
Spleen pulse Chang Chang and Ruo (Qian Jin Ci reads Chang Chang as Chang Chang/Long), coming sparse and going rapid, two beats per respiration, indicates Normal; three beats, Li Jing (Departing from the Canon), Disease; four beats, Jing depletion; five beats, Death; six beats, Life ends. This is the Foot-Taiyin pulse. Spleen pulse Ji (Urgent) excessively, causes convulsions; slightly urgent, causes fullness in Spleen interior, food/drink enters and returns out, posterior discharge of foam. Huan (Slow) excessively, causes Wei Jue (Flaccidity and Cold Extremities); slightly slow, causes Feng Wei (Wind Flaccidity), limbs unusable, mind clear as if healthy. Da (Large) excessively, causes striking and falling; slightly large, causes Pi Qi (Stagnant Qi), enclosing large pus and blood, outside intestines and stomach. Xiao (Small) excessively, causes Cold and Heat; slightly small, causes Xiao Dao (Consumption Diabetes). Hua (Slippery) excessively, causes Tui Long (Genital swelling and strangury); slightly slippery, causes insect poison roundworms, intestinal borborygmus and heat. Se (Choppy) excessively, causes Chang Tui (Intestinal prolapse); slightly choppy, causes internal ulceration, mostly discharging pus and blood. When Foot-Taiyin Qi perishes, the pulse does not nourish the lips. Lips are the root of muscle. Pulse not nourishing causes muscle dampness; muscle dampness causes fullness in the philtrum; philtrum fullness causes lip inversion; lip inversion means flesh dies first. Jia day severe, Yi day dead, because Wood overcomes Earth. Spleen Dead Organ: Floating pulse is large and slow (one version reads firm), pressing middle feels like an inverted cup, , shape like shaking, death. (One version reads shape like roasted meat). From *Su Wen*, *Zhen Jing*, Zhang Zhongjing.