Library

[Kidney Wind] Patients with Kidney Wind who cannot eat and are prone to fright, whose Heart Qi becomes flaccid after the fright subsides, will die. (This is because Kidney Water is affected by Wind, causing Heart Fire to become weak; both Water and Fire are in distress, leading to death. From *Suwen: Qibing Lun*)

[Corpse Jue] Pathogenic factors lodge in the collateral vessels of the Hand Shaoyin, Foot Shaoyin, Hand Taiyang, Foot Taiyang, and Foot Yangming meridians. These five collaterals all converge in the ear and ascend to connect with the left frontal angle. If the Qi of these five collaterals exhausts, it causes the body's pulses to move while the form remains insensible. The appearance resembles a corpse, hence it is called "Corpse Jue". (The patient suddenly faints as if dead, yet the body pulses continue to beat like those of a normal person. However, if Yin Qi is excessive at the upper part, Qi from below reverses upward; this reversal causes Yang Qi to become chaotic. Chaotic Yang Qi leads to the blockage and obstruction of the five collaterals, resulting in a corpse-like state. Treatment involves needling Yinbai [SP1], Lidui [ST45], Yongquan [KI1], Shaoshang [LU11], Zhongchong [PC9], and Shenmen [HT7], one needle each. From *Suwen: Miaoci Lun*)

[Deafness at Nine Months] There is a condition characterized by heavy body and loss of voice. Why? Qibo stated: This is due to the interruption of the collateral vessels of the Bao (uterus). ("Interruption" here means blockage without flow, not the severance of innate Qi.) The Bao vessels are connected to the Shaoyin meridian, penetrate the Kidney, and link to the root of the tongue; therefore, speech is impossible. (Because the Qi of the Shaoyin Kidney meridian fails to nourish the tongue root, speech is lost.) No specific treatment is required; it will recover in the tenth month. (After the fetus is delivered in the tenth month, the Bao collaterals reconnect, and the Kidney meridian ascends to nourish, restoring speech. From *Suwen: Qibing Lun*) The *Needling Classic* states: Do not damage deficiency nor augment excess, lest you create a chronic disease ("Zhen" refers to a chronic, entrenched disease here). To "not damage deficiency" means that for a emaciated and weak body, sharp stones or aggressive therapies should not be used. To "not augment excess" means that if there is a palpable mass in the abdomen, using purgation will drain essence and leave the pathogen alone in the chest, thus forming a chronic disease. (From *Suwen: Qibing Lun*)

The human body has twelve Great Valleys (convergences of major meridians, corresponding to the twelve meridians) and 353 Small Streams (convergences of minor collaterals; 365 total collaterals minus the 12 Shu points' collaterals equals 353). These are sites where Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) stays and where pathogenic factors lodge. (When Wei Qi is full, pathogens cannot stay; when Wei Qi is deficient, pathogens lodge.) Acupuncture and moxibustion can guide pathogens away. (Meaning: When pathogens lodge where Wei Qi stays, needling the valleys allows pathogens to depart along with the pulse and Wei Qi.) Diagnosis begins by determining the Qi. (Determining life and death through the pulses of the Five Zang organs.) To know the beginning, first establish the "Mother". ("Mother" refers to the ruling Qi of the season; establish the seasonal ruling Qi first, then seek the pathogenic Qi.) The so-called "Five Determinations" refer to the pulses of the Five Zang organs. (From *Suwen: Wuzang Shengcheng Pian*)

Five flavors enter the mouth and store in the Stomach to nourish the Qi of the Five Zang organs. The Qi of the Five Zang enters the nose and stores in the Heart and Lungs. If the Heart and Lungs have disease, the nose becomes obstructed. In treating any disease, one must observe the lower parts (defecation/urination), adjust to the pulse conditions, observe the patient's will and intent, and assess the disease's depth and outcome, then treat according to the law. ("Lower" refers to visible signs like stool and urine. Adjust pulse fullness/emptiness, observe the righteousness of will/intent, and the depth/success/failure of the disease, then follow the method. From *Suwen: Wuzangielun*)

Various swellings, tendon spasms, and bone pain are caused by Cold and the changes of the Eight Winds. These are diseases of the four seasons and can be cured by treating according to the principle of overcoming (e.g., Metal overcoming Wood). (From *Suwen: Maiyao Jingwei*)

[The Ultimate Number of the Dao] The correspondence between the Five Colors and pulses is the ultimate number of the Dao. (From *Suwen: Yubai Yaolun*) The ultimate number of the world. (Changes in Five Colors and pulses reflect the ultimate numbers of the world. From *Suwen: Yuji Zhenzang Lun*) The ultimate number of Heaven and Earth starts with One and ends with Nine. One represents Heaven, Two represents Earth, Three represents Man. Three times three equals Nine, corresponding to the Nine Fields on Earth, forming the Nine Zang Organs. Thus, there are five Spirit Zang and four Form Zang, totaling nine. Therefore, humans have three Regions, each with three Prognostic Indicators (Hou), used to determine life and death. (The three Hou are Heaven, Earth, and Man. Three constitute Heaven, three constitute Earth, three constitute Man. Not only humans are born from these three Qi; the Way of Heaven and Earth is also like this. Hence, the hexagrams of Qian and Kun in the *I Ching* always have three lines. It is said the three Qi are Heavenly, Earthly, and Human Qi.) The Qi of the body, the Nine Orifices, and the Nine Provinces all communicate with Heavenly Qi. (Here, "Qi" refers to Innate Qi, which is constantly attached internally. As long as Heavenly Qi does not cease, Innate Spirit remains internal; movement and stillness all communicate with Heaven, hence "all communicate with Heavenly Qi." *Suwen: Yin-Yang Lihe Lun* says: The numbers of Yin and Yang can be multiplied to ten, hundred, thousand, ten thousand, incalculable, but the essence lies in "Separation and Union." Though incalculable, the mystery can be understood through separation and union.)

[Deficient Evil and Correct Evil] Deficient Evil refers to the deficient evil from the Eight Directions. (Pathogenic factors coming from empty directions, entering through deficiency to cause disease.) Correct Evil refers to situations where the body uses strength, sweat occurs, pores open, and it encounters deficient Qi. The invasion is slight, so people do not perceive its nature or see its shape. (Correct Evil does not come from empty directions; because the invasion is slight, its nature and shape are unknown.) Superior physicians treat at the萌芽 (sprout/early stage). They must first examine the Qi of the Three Regions and Nine Prognostic Indicators, ensure they are regulated and not defeated, and then treat. Hence called "Superior Physician". (Not allowing disease to reach defeat. From *Suwen: Bashi Shenming Lun*)

The Eight Zheng (Solar Terms) are used to observe the deficient evil of the Eight Winds arriving at the proper time. (Arriving on time is Zheng; off-time is Xu.) Divided by the four seasons, the Qi of Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter resides in different places; one must regulate according to time. (True Qi of four seasons: Spring in Collaterals, Summer in Sun-Collaterals, Autumn in Skin, Winter in Marrow.) Avoid the deficient Qi of the Eight Winds and do not offend it. (Offending deficient evil damages true Qi; avoiding it prevents disease.) If the body is deficient and meets Heavenly deficiency, two deficiencies interact; Qi reaches the bone and injures the Five Zang. Hence called "Heavenly Taboo", which must be known. (Zheng evil of Eight Winds injures slightly; Xu evil of Eight Winds injures deeply. This taboo regarding Heaven is called Heavenly Taboo. From *Suwen: Bashi Shenming Lun*)

[Treatment of Six Excesses]
When Qi is in the Fountain (Di-branch) and Wind excessively invades internally (Wind transformation becomes pathogenic and wins internally): Treat with Pungent-Cool, assist with Bitter-Sweet, use Sweet to relax tension, use Pungent to disperse. (Wind likes warmth and desires clarity, so treat with Cool to overcome its Qi. Assist with Bitter according to benefit. Liver Wood suffers from urgency, so use Sweet to relax; Liver desires dispersion, so if suppressed, use Pungent to disperse. E.g., Zhang Zhongjing's Guizhi Tang. Dispersing Wind evil relies mainly on Pungent, so Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig) 3 liang is Sovereign; Shaoyao (Peony Root) bitter-sour slightly cold 3 liang is Minister; Gancao (Licorice Root) sweet-ping 2 liang is Assistant. This matches Neijing: "Level with Pungent, assist with Pungent, relax with Sweet, gather with Sour". Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger) pungent-warm 3 liang, Dazao (Jujube) sweet-warm 12 pieces are Envoys. This matches Neijing: "Wind excessively invading internally, relax with Sweet, disperse with Pungent".)

If Heat excessively invades internally: Treat with Acid-Cold, assist with Sweet-Bitter, use Acid to gather, use Bitter to vent. (Heat dislikes Cold, so treat with Cold. If Heat is extremely abundant and superficial, use Bitter to vent; if not resolved, use Cold to control; if still not resolved, use Bitter to vent again, finally use Acid to gather. Severe cases use another formula, mild cases one formula. Intermittent cases also use Acid to gather. E.g., Mahuang Tang. Materia Medica says: Light agents can remove solidity. Also: For dense pores and pathogen victory causing exterior solidity, light agents are used to扬 (raise/discharge). So Mahuang (Ephedra) 3 liang, sweet-bitter, is Sovereign. For Wind evil on the exterior with loose pores, Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig) 2 liang resolves muscle layer as Minister. Neijing says: Cold excessively invading internally, treat with Sweet-Hot, assist with Pungent-Bitter. Gancao (Licorice) 1 liang is Assistant; Xingren (Apricot Seed) sweet-bitter-warm 70 pieces is Envoy. Classic says: Eat Bitter urgently to relax. Liver is master of Ying (Nutritive) Blood. Shanghan (Cold Damage) injures Ying, making Ying blood unfavorable, so Gancao and Xingren are used as Assistant/Envoy. Also: Qi accumulation causes Blood deficiency; Blood accumulation causes Qi deficiency. So Mahuang assists with Xingren to promote Qi flow.)

If Dampness excessively invades internally: Treat with Bitter-Hot, assist with Acid-Light, use Bitter to dry, use Light to leach/drain. (Dampness opposes Dryness; Dryness removes Warmth, so use Bitter to dry its color. Light benefits orifices, so use Light to leach/drain.)

If Fire excessively invades internally: Treat with Salty-Cold, assist with Bitter-Pungent, use Acid to gather, use Bitter to vent. (Fire expands greatly, generated by Heart anger. Heart desires softening, so treat with Salty. Since Pungent-Bitter can relax, use Acid to treat. General method requires sweating, so assist with Pungent to induce sweat; Bitter is not necessary.)

If Dryness excessively invades internally: Treat with Bitter-Warm, assist with Sweet-Pungent, use Bitter to purge downward. (Lung suffers from Qi rebellion; eat Bitter urgently to purge; use Pungent to purge, Acid to tonify. Here Sweet-Pungent should be Acid-Pungent.)

If Cold excessively invades internally: Treat with Sweet-Hot, assist with Bitter-Pungent, use Salty to purge, use Pungent to moisten, use Bitter to firm. (Use Hot to treat Cold, using overcoming Qi to resolve its Qi. Kidney suffers from Dryness/Urgency, eat Pungent to moisten; Kidney desires firmness, eat Bitter to firm; use Bitter to tonify, Salty to purge.)

Also: When Qi is in the Sky (Tian-branch) and Wind excessively wins (Wind transformation becomes pathogenic and wins): Level with Pungent-Cool, assist with Bitter-Sweet, use Sweet to relax, use Acid to purge. (In Fountain, external invasion internally, treat the winner; in Sky, invasion from above to below, level the winner.)

If Heat excessively wins: Level with Cold-Salty, assist with Bitter-Sweet, use Acid to gather.
If Dampness excessively wins: Level with Bitter-Hot, assist with Acid-Pungent, use Bitter to dry, use Light to drain. (Note: For Dampness excessively invading internally, assist with Acid-Light; here Acid-Pungent should likely be Light.)

If Dampness is excessive at the top with Heat: Treat with Bitter-Warm, assist with Sweet-Pungent, stop when sweating occurs.
If Fire excessively wins: Level with Salty-Cold, assist with Bitter-Sweet, use Acid to gather, use Bitter to vent, monitor with Acid.
Heat treatment is the same as above.
If Cold excessively wins: Level with Pungent-Hot, assist with Bitter-Sweet, use Salty to purge. (Note: For Cold excessively invading internally, treat with Sweet-Hot, assist with Bitter-Sweet; this text may contain an error.)

When Pathogenic Factors Reverse Win (Cannot excessively invade Di-Qi, but is won by the non-winning Qi):
Wind rules Di, Clearness (Metal) reverse wins: Treat with Acid-Warm, assist with Bitter-Sweet, level with Pungent. (Original Qi is strong, so purge with Acid; after pathogen retreats, Zheng is weak, so tonify with Pungent-Sweet to level.)
Heat rules Di, Cold reverse wins: Treat with Sweet-Hot, assist with Bitter-Pungent, level with Salty.
Dampness rules Di, Heat reverse wins: Treat with Bitter-Cold, assist with Salty-Sweet, level with Bitter.
Fire rules Di, Cold reverse wins: Treat with Sweet-Hot, assist with Bitter-Pungent, level with Salty.
Dryness rules Di, Heat reverse wins: Level with Ping-Cold, assist with Bitter-Sweet, level with Acid.
Cold rules Di, Heat reverse wins: Treat with Salty-Cold, assist with Sweet-Pungent, level with Bitter. (These six Qi prescriptions differ from previous "winning" methods. Treating methods purge the winning Qi of guest pathogens; assistants provide benefit; leveling tonifies already weak Zheng Qi.)

[Treatment of Six Wins]
Jueyin Win: Treat with Sweet-Clear, assist with Bitter-Pungent, purge with Acid.
Shaoyin Win: Treat with Pungent-Cold, assist with Bitter-Salty, purge with Sweet.
Taiyin Win: Treat with Salty-Hot, assist with Pungent-Sweet, purge with Bitter.
Shaoyang Win: Treat with Pungent-Cold, assist with Sweet-Salty, purge with Sweet.
Yangming Win: Treat with Acid-Warm, assist with Pungent-Sweet, purge with Bitter.
Taiyang Win: Treat with Sweet (should be Bitter)-Hot, assist with Pungent-Acid, purge with Salty. (When Six Wins arrive, first return to the non-winning self; thus, the non-winning should be purged first to open the pathway; purge the winning Qi to make it retreat.)

[Treatment of Six Rebounds]
Jueyin Rebound (Liver attacks Spleen Earth; initially due to Earth winning Water, Water's child Wood rebounds against Earth's enemy): Treat with Acid-Cold, assist with Sweet-Pungent, purge with Acid, relax with Sweet.
Shaoyin Rebound: Treat with Salty-Cold, assist with Bitter-Pungent, purge with Sweet, gather with Acid, vent with Bitter, soften with Salty.
Taiyin Rebound: Use Bitter-Hot, assist with Acid-Pungent, purge with Bitter, dry, drain.
Shaoyang Rebound: Treat with Salty-Cold, assist with Bitter-Pungent, soften with Salty, gather with Acid, vent with Bitter. Venting should not avoid Heat; do not offend Warm/Cool; Shaoyin follows same method.
Yangming Rebound: Treat with Pungent-Warm, assist with Bitter-Sweet, purge with Bitter, drain with Bitter, tonify with Acid.
Taiyang Rebound: Treat with Salty-Hot, assist with Sweet-Pungent, firm with Bitter.

Treating various Wins and Rebounds: Heat treated with Cold, Cold with Heat, Warm with Clear, Clear with Warm, Scattered gathered, Suppressed dispersed, Dry moistened, Urgent relaxed, Firm softened, Brittle strengthened, Declining tonified, Strong purged. Calm each Qi, be clear and quiet, then pathogenic Qi declines and returns to its origin. This is the general principle of treatment. (For rebounds winning, double the Qi to regulate, thus achieving balance. "Zong" means belonging. Regulation without losing reason allows residual Qi to return to its belonging. After Win/Rebound decline, tonify and nourish without fixation. Balancing requires clarity and quietness, no reckless resistance, so the moving Qi's Cold/Heat also returns to harmony with Heaven and Earth.)

Kuidu (Measurement) measures the depth of disease; Qiheng (Extraordinary) discusses extraordinary diseases. (Kuidu implies cutting/measuring, seeking pulse principles. Du implies obtaining high/low, measuring by four seasons. Also: All Kuidu/Qiheng methods first use the Qi Kou (Radial Artery) of the Taiyin meridian to determine the Zheng Qi of the four seasons, then measure Qiheng Qi. From *Suwen: Yubai Lunyao*)