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Within the human body, Yin and Yang serve as the root and foundation. If a physician clearly understands these two concepts, the auspicious or inauspicious nature of any disease can be readily discerned. Therefore, when treating severe cases of Shanghan (Cold Damage) where the pulse at the wrist is difficult to clarify, it is necessary to examine the pulses at the feet. Those who are ignorant often mock this practice. Furthermore, for patients confined to inner chambers (referring to women), they may prefer death over allowing such an examination, considering it shameful; this is truly lamentable. I would like to expound on this theory. The Classic states: "In treating diseases, one must seek the root." The term "root" implies origin and source. There are no streams without sources, nor trees without roots. Clearing the source makes the stream flow clear naturally; watering the root causes the branches and leaves to flourish naturally. Thus, skilled physicians always investigate the root. However, the root has distinctions between Xiantian (Pre-heaven/Innate) and Hou Tian (Post-heaven/Acquired). What constitutes the Pre-heaven root? It is the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian. The Kidney corresponds to Water in the North, which is the source of Heavenly One. What constitutes the Post-heaven root? It is the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian. The Stomach corresponds to Earth in the Central Palace, which is the mother of all things. Why is the Kidney the Pre-heaven root? When an embryo has not yet formed, the placenta first coalesces; its form is hollow in the center with a stalk protruding, resembling the pistil of a lotus. This stalk is the umbilical cord, and the lotus pistil represents the two kidneys, where the Mingmen (Gate of Life) resides. Water generates Wood, then the Liver forms; Wood generates Fire, then the Heart forms; Fire generates Earth, then the Spleen forms; Earth generates Metal, then the Lungs form. Once the Five Zang Organs are generated, the Six Fu Organs follow, the four limbs are equipped, and the entire skeleton is complete. The Daoist Canon says: "Ask what is the Xuanpin (Mysterious Female); it is the two kidneys present when the infant is first born." Therefore, the Kidney is the root of the Zang-Fu organs, the root of the Twelve Meridians, the root of respiration, and the source of the Sanjiao (Triple Burner), serving as the beginning of human endowment. Hence, it is said that the Pre-heaven root lies in the Kidney. The Taixi Acupoint (Taixi, KI3) is located five fen behind the medial malleolus, in the depression of the arterial pulse on the calcaneus. This is where the Foot Shaoyin Meridian pours into its Shu-Stream point. Why are the Spleen and Stomach the Post-heaven root? After birth, if an infant does not eat for one day, hunger ensues; if they do not eat for seven days, the intestines and stomach dry up and death occurs. The Classic states: "Abundance of grain leads to prosperity; absence of grain leads to demise." This is akin to the supply lines in military strategy. If the supply line is cut, the army scatters instantly; if the Stomach Qi fails, even myriad medicines become useless. Upon having a body, one first relies on Gu Qi (Grain Qi). Grain enters the Stomach, spreads through the Six Fu Organs so that Qi arrives, and harmonizes within the Five Zang Organs so that Blood is generated. Humans rely on this for life. Hence, it is said that the Post-heaven root lies in the Spleen and Stomach. The Chongyang Acupoint (Chongyang, ST42) is located five cun above the dorsum of the foot, between the high bones, in the arterial pulse, two cun away from the Xiangu Acupoint (Xiangu, ST43). This is where the Foot Yangming Meridian passes through its Yuan-Source point. (The Spleen and Stomach are mutually related like husband and wife; thus, listing the Stomach's artery implies the Spleen is included therein.) Ancient masters observed that the Kidney is the Pre-heaven root, hence recording in pulse diagnosis: "A person's Chi position pulse is like the root of a tree; although the branches and leaves may wither, the root will regenerate." Observing that the Spleen and Stomach are the Post-heaven root, they recorded: "With Stomach Qi, there is life; without Stomach Qi, there is death." Therefore, in Shanghan, one must palpate Taixi to observe the flourishing or decline of Kidney Qi, and Chongyang to observe the presence or absence of Stomach Qi. If these two pulses are present, other pulses need not be questioned. For women, however, particular emphasis is placed on the Taichong pulse. Taichong corresponds to the Liver and is located two cun posterior to the metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe, in the depression. The Liver belongs to Wood in the East, representing the beginning of biological generation. Moreover, women govern Blood, and the Liver is the Sea of Blood. As long as this pulse remains vigorous, the mechanism of continuous life generation can still be hoped for. I have seen many instances where practitioners palpate the hand but neglect the feet. To save people from danger, is it not because they rarely explore the learning of seeking the root?