伤寒一日，太阳受病，太阳者，膀胱之经也，为三阳之首，故先受病。其脉络于腰脊，
主于头项。故得病一日，而头项背膊腰脊痛也。
伤寒二日，阳明受病。阳明者，胃之经也，主于肌肉，其脉络鼻入目。故得病二日，肉
热鼻干，不得眠也。诸阳在表，表始受病，在皮肤之间，可摩膏、火炙，发汗而愈。
伤寒三日，少阳受病。少阳者，胆之经也，其脉循于胁，上于颈耳。故得病三日，胸胁
热而耳聋也。三阳经络始相传，病未入于脏，故皆可汗而解。
伤寒四日，太阴受病。太阴者，脾之经也，为三阴之首。是故三日以前，阳受病讫，传
之于阴，而太阴受病焉。其脉络于脾，主于喉嗌。故得病四日，腹满而嗌干也。其病在胸膈
，故可吐而愈。
伤寒五日，少阴受病。少阴者，肾之经也，其脉贯肾络肺，系于舌。故得病五日，口热
舌干，渴而引饮也。其病在腹，故可下而愈。
伤寒六日，厥阴受病。厥阴者，肝之经也，其脉循阴器，络于肝。故得病六日，烦满而
囊缩也。此则阴阳俱受病，毒瓦斯在胃，故可下而愈。
On the first day of *Shanghan* (Cold Damage), the Taiyang channel is affected. The Taiyang channel is the meridian of the Bladder, and it is the head of the Three Yang channels; therefore, it is affected first. Its collaterals connect to the waist and spine, and it governs the head and neck. Thus, on the first day of illness, pain occurs in the head, neck, back, shoulders, waist, and spine.
On the second day, the Yangming channel is affected. The Yangming channel is the meridian of the Stomach, which governs the muscles; its collaterals enter the nose and reach the eyes. Thus, on the second day, there is heat in the muscles, dryness of the nose, and inability to sleep. Since the Yang channels are at the exterior, and the exterior has just been affected with the pathogen located between the skin and flesh, one may apply ointments or use moxibustion to induce sweating for recovery.
On the third day, the Shaoyang channel is affected. The Shaoyang channel is the meridian of the Gallbladder; its vessel runs along the hypochondrium and ascends to the neck and ears. Thus, on the third day, there is heat in the chest and hypochondrium, and deafness. The meridians of the Three Yang channels begin to transmit the disease sequentially, but the pathogen has not yet entered the Zang organs; therefore, all can be resolved by inducing sweating.
On the fourth day, the Taiyin channel is affected. The Taiyin channel is the meridian of the Spleen, and it is the head of the Three Yin channels. Thus, after the Yang channels have completed their cycle of receiving the pathogen in the previous three days, the transmission moves to the Yin channels, and the Taiyin channel is affected. Its collaterals connect to the Spleen and govern the throat. Thus, on the fourth day, there is abdominal fullness and dryness of the throat. Since the disease is located in the chest and diaphragm, it can be cured by emesis.
On the fifth day, the Shaoyin channel is affected. The Shaoyin channel is the meridian of the Kidney; its vessel passes through the Kidney, connects to the Lung, and is linked to the tongue. Thus, on the fifth day, there is heat in the mouth, dryness of the tongue, thirst, and a desire to drink. Since the disease is located in the abdomen, it can be cured by purgation.
On the sixth day, the Jueyin channel is affected. The Jueyin channel is the meridian of the Liver; its vessel runs along the genitalia and connects to the Liver. Thus, on the sixth day, there is vexation and fullness, and contraction of the scrotum. At this point, both Yin and Yang channels are affected, and toxic pathogens reside in the Stomach; therefore, it can be cured by purgation.
On the seventh day, the condition should improve slightly, because the transmission of disease through the Yin and Yang channels has concluded. If, after seven days, the condition worsens instead, it indicates the onset of "Re-Jing Bing" (disease re-entering a channel). "Re-Jing Bing" occurs when the meridians of the Yin and Yang channels are affected again.
On the eighth day, if the disease does not resolve, it may be because the meridians of the Yin and Yang channels have been affected repeatedly, or because the toxic pathogens were not fully cleared after treatment with sweating, emesis, or purgation; thus, symptoms persist.