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Membrane source (Moyuan, the space between the skin/muscle and internal organs) refers to the crevice areas. In the human body, outside the skin but inside the flesh, there is a gap where the skin and muscle interface; this is the "Yuan" (original space); the peritoneum supports the abdominal interior, and there is a gap where the membrane interfaces with the abdomen; this is also the "Yuan"; the structure of the intestines and stomach consists of double layers, and the middle of these double layers is the "Yuan"; the ligaments of the zang-fu organs are shaped like fatty membranes, hollow in the middle of the double layers, which is also the "Yuan"; the diaphragm and blind membrane span the middle jiao, hollow in the middle of the double layers, all of which are "Yuan"! "Yuan" refers to flat, vast plains. Therefore, pathogenic factors can lie dormant within it without obstructing the flow of vital qi (Zhengqi). Ancient texts mention: itching in the skin as if insects were crawling. As well as Xing Bi (Bi syndrome with wandering pain) and Zhou Bi (Bi syndrome with pain moving up and down), symptoms that shift left, right, up, and down, all occur in the crevices between skin and muscle. The power of medicine cannot directly reach this place either. Why? Because medicinal power merely stimulates Zhengqi to attack pathogens. Now, the Qi pathways are wide; although pathogens exist in the middle, Zhengqi still has ample room to move, so it need not necessarily confront the pathogens directly. Regarding Wu Keyi's statement: the pathogenic factors of plague fill and overflow the Membrane Source; this is when pathogens activate themselves and touch Zhengqi. It is like the outer skin being hard and the inner membrane being solid, with a wide central channel making drainage difficult. Thus, there are methods requiring repeated stagnation reaching the Stomach and repeated purging to exhaust the pathogens, and discussions stating one must wait for re-stagnation reaching the Stomach before purging again; this is draining from the interior. Ye Tianshi's treatment of warm diseases includes the theory of "draining from the interior to support the exterior," which is draining from the exterior. Therefore, those who practice health preservation should only keep the pores closed and dense, preventing pathogens from entering the Membrane Source. Even if pathogens enter the Membrane Source, they must wait until disease manifests, when pathogens expand, to be attacked and drained. When not yet manifested, pathogens and Zhengqi avoid each other, leaving no point of leverage. Thus, *Nan Jing* states: The pulse of warm diseases travels through various meridians; one does not know which meridian is active, so one treats according to its location. This implies treating after the pathogens have moved. Once moved, there is a specific meridian of activation, allowing for specific attacks. *Nei Jing* states that injuries from the four seasons, causing illness via latent Qi, all lie dormant in the Membrane Source. Wu Keyi knew of the Membrane Source but vehemently denied the concept of latent Qi, asking: Where in the human body could pathogens hide for long periods before manifesting? He had not thoroughly understood the condition of the Membrane Source. If indeed all pathogens cause immediate illness upon injury, then humans would only have diseases of pathogenic invasion of the skin surface; how could there be diseases of pathogens in the Membrane Source? Moreover, consider a person whose illness recurs repeatedly despite temporary remissions, lasting a year or years without root cure; during temporary remission, is this not clear evidence of internal dormancy? The dormant pathogens must not be in the main respiratory passages, nor in the fine collaterals of blood and Qi, but must be in empty, unconstrained spaces; this is the Membrane Source. However, why do pathogens quickly enter the Membrane Source? I say: Those entering via hair follicles initially invade the exterior, inevitably causing chills and fever; those entering via respiration initially invade the Lungs, inevitably causing coughing fits; those invading the Stomach inevitably cause vomiting and fullness. Some endure them due to weak intensity, or treatments fail to fully eliminate them. Coinciding with fatigue, sweating from exertion, or sexual activity, the vital Qi in the Membrane Source temporarily weakens, allowing pathogens to infiltrate unnoticed. There are also cases without chills, fever, cough, or vomiting, where pathogens infiltrate gradually and deeply. Upon entering the Membrane Source, the body feels constantly uneasy internally. Symptoms may include headache and dizziness, frequent sweating, aversion to cold and heat, sudden shortness of breath preventing labor, weakness in limbs, hot palms, red and scanty urine, frequent diarrhea, frequent constipation, indigestion, increased appetite, constant thirst, bland taste, thick tongue coating, insomnia, or vivid dreaming. When manifestation occurs, changes depend on the severity of pathogenic toxins and the strength of Zhengqi. Cold transforming into Warmth indicates Yang excess; Wind transforming into Diarrhea indicates Yin excess; Summerheat transforming into Malaria indicates exterior manifestation; Dampness transforming into Cough indicates interior manifestation. Others manifest as Bi pain with nodules like peach or plum stones persisting for a long time; or Urticaria recurring annually in specific limbs without root cure. I once treated such cases by releasing the exterior and clearing the interior, searching and eliminating pathogens repeatedly, achieving efficacy only after a long time. This is because pathogens are in the Membrane Source, not in the Couli (pores/skin texture), and manifest only in one limb, allowing them to evade medicinal force. After recovery, Middle Qi must be deficient. *Qianjin Fang* discusses treating swelling by purging until the patient becomes weak for cure; this illustrates the same principle. Initially dispersing via the exterior, then clearing via the interior; dispersing while pathogens emerge outward, purging while pathogens remain inward; alternating dispersion and purging cleanses the pathogens. Will the patient not become weak? This depends on proper regulation. Often, after regulation, residual fire reignites, symptoms recur mildly, requiring intermittent purging to completely eradicate. Indeed! Pathogens in the Membrane Source are extremely difficult to treat.