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Yellow Emperor asked: When wind pathogen invades the human body, it may manifest as chills and fever (Hanre), heat in the middle jiao (Rezhong), cold in the middle jiao (Hanzhong), severe wind (Lifeng, a severe skin disease such as leprosy), or hemiplegia (Piangu). Although caused by wind, the diseases differ, and their names vary. Some penetrate deeply into the five zang organs and six fu organs. I do not understand the explanation; I wish to hear your theory?

Qibo replied: Wind pathogen hides between the skin and hair follicles. It cannot communicate internally nor be excreted externally. Wind is characterized by its ability to move rapidly and change frequently. When the interstices (Couli, referring to skin pores and tissue spaces) open, one feels chilly and cold; when they close, one experiences fever and chest fullness. In cases of cold, appetite decreases; in cases of heat, muscles emaciate, causing shivering. With chest fullness and inability to eat, this condition is named Chills and Fever (Hanre).

When wind pathogen enters the stomach along the Yangming meridian and ascends via the vessel to the inner canthus of the eye: if the person is obese, wind cannot be excreted externally, leading to Heat in the Middle Jiao (Rezhong) with yellow eyes; if the person is thin, wind escapes externally combined with cold, leading to Cold in the Middle Jiao (Hanzhong) with tearing. When wind pathogen enters together with the Taiyang meridian, it travels through the Shu points of various vessels and scatters between the muscle layers (Fenrou). Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) is fierce and agile. If evil interferes with Wei Qi, obstructing the pathway, it causes muscle swelling and sores; if Wei Qi stagnates and fails to circulate, it results in insensitivity of the flesh (Ren). Lifeng occurs when Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi) is hot and floating, and the qi is turbid, causing collapse of the nasal bridge, deterioration of complexion, and ulceration of the skin. When wind-cold lodges in the vessels and does not depart, it is called Lifeng, also known as Hanre.

Wind contracted on Jia-Yi days in spring affects the Liver Wind (Gan Feng); on Bing-Ding days in summer, it affects the Heart Wind (Xin Feng); on Wu-Ji days in late summer, it affects the Spleen Wind (Pi Feng); on Geng-Xin days in autumn, it affects the Lung Wind (Fei Feng); on Ren-Gui days in winter, it affects the Kidney Wind (Shen Feng). Wind invading the Shu points of the five zang and six fu organs also creates Zang-Fu Wind, entering their respective gates. Wind striking different parts is called Pian Feng. Wind ascending via the Fengfu point (GV16) is called Brain Wind (Nao Feng). Entering the connections of the head, it is Eye Wind (Mu Feng) with cold eyes. Wind after drinking alcohol is Leakage Wind (Lou Feng). Wind during sweating from sexual intercourse is Internal Wind (Nei Feng). Wind after washing hair is Head Wind (Shou Feng). Long-standing wind entering inward is Intestinal Wind (Chang Feng) with undigested stool; wind remaining at the surface interstices is Leakage Wind (Xie Feng). Thus, wind is the chief of all diseases. Its changes lead to other illnesses without fixed patterns, yet always involve wind pathogen.

Lung Wind presents with excessive sweating, aversion to wind, pale complexion, frequent coughing, shortness of breath, symptoms improving during the day and worsening at night. Diagnosis is at the supraorbital region, with white color.

Heart Wind presents with excessive sweating, aversion to wind, dryness, irritability, red complexion. Severe cases involve slurred speech. Diagnosis is at the mouth, with red color.

Liver Wind presents with excessive sweating, aversion to wind, sadness, slightly blue-green complexion, dry throat, irritability, occasional aversion to women. Diagnosis is below the eyes, with green color.

Spleen Wind presents with excessive sweating, aversion to wind, lethargy, desire to remain inactive, pale yellow complexion, loss of appetite. Diagnosis is on the nose, with yellow color.

Kidney Wind presents with excessive sweating, aversion to wind, facial edema, lower back and spine pain, inability to stand upright, black complexion, difficulty in urination. Diagnosis is on the muscle surface, with black color.

Stomach Wind presents with excessive sweating on the neck, aversion to wind, dysphagia, chest obstruction, abdominal distension, worsening upon exposure to cold, diarrhea from cold food. Diagnosis shows emaciated body with large abdomen.

Head Wind presents with headache, facial sweating, aversion to wind. Symptoms worsen one day before the windy day, making it impossible to go out or enter rooms. On the windy day, symptoms improve slightly.

Leakage Wind presents with excessive sweating, inability to wear single clothes, sweating while eating, severe whole-body sweating, panting, aversion to wind, wet clothes, dry mouth with thirst, inability to perform labor.

Exudative Wind (Xie Feng) presents with excessive sweating soaking clothes, dry mouth, wind infiltration above, inability to labor, whole-body pain with cold sensation.

(Huangdi) asked: How do pathogens in the meridians present, and how should acupuncture be applied? (Qibo) answered: Heaven has stellar degrees, Earth has river waters, and humans have meridians. Heaven and Earth's warmth rises like waves. When pathogens enter the vessels, cold causes blood stasis, heat causes fluid abundance, and deficient evil enters. Similarly, water ripples in wind, arterial pulses rise intermittently, moving steadily within vessels. At the Cun Kou pulse, size varies: large indicates pathogen arrival, small indicates peace. Movement is irregular, Yin and Yang shifting, defying fixed measures. Observe carefully via Three Parts and Nine Hopes (Sanbu Jiuhou). Intercept early. Insert needle during inhalation, avoid Qi rebellion. Retain quietly to prevent pathogen spread. Rotate needle during inhalation until Deqi (arrival of Qi) is achieved. Withdraw during exhalation, removing excess Qi, termed Expelling (Xie).

(Huangdi) asked: How to tonify deficiency? (Qibo) answered: Palpate and stroke, press and disperse, push and press, flick to engorge, grasp and descend, unblock and scatter, draw open the gate to seal Shen (Spirit). Insert at end of exhalation, retain until Deqi. Know the value of timing, do not wait till dusk. Protect Qi once arrived. Withdraw during inhalation to keep Qi inside, press the pore to store True Qi (Zhen Qi). Retained Qi is Tonification (Bu).

(Huangdi) asked: How to await Qi? (Qibo) answered: Pathogens move from collaterals to meridians, lodging in blood vessels. Their temperature is unsettled, rising like waves, coming and going. Thus, when approaching, press to stop, then treat. Do not attack the surge directly. True Qi is Meridian Qi. If Meridian Qi is greatly deficient, do not attack incoming Qi. If awaiting evil is imprecise, and the main wave passes, expelling will deplete True Qi, which cannot recover, allowing evil to accumulate. Once gone, it cannot be chased. Timing must be precise. Wait for evil's arrival to expel. Premature or delayed needling exhausts Qi and fails to cure. Knowing the moment is like a trigger; ignorance is like striking a mallet. One who knows the mechanism acts instantly; one who does not strikes futilely.

(Huangdi) asked: When true and evil merge without wave formation, how to await? (Qibo) answered: Examine the fullness or emptiness of Sanbu Jiuhou to regulate. Not knowing Sanbu means failing to distinguish Yin/Yang and Heaven/Earth. Earth corresponds to lower, Heaven to upper, Human to middle. Regulate Central Fu organs to define three parts. Ignorance of Sanbu Jiuhou locations leads to error even for skilled practitioners. Punishing the innocent is great confusion. Disrupting major meridians makes True Qi irrecoverable. Mistaking excess for deficiency, or evil for truth, using needles without principle becomes a thief of Qi, dispersing Ying and Wei. Loss of True Qi allows evil to lodge, shortening life. Not combining with Four Seasons and Five Elements leads to attacking Zheng (Righteous Qi) instead of Xie (Evil), causing death. New pathogens have no fixed location; pushing moves them forward, pulling moves them up. Expelling upon encounter cures immediately.

(Huangdi) asked: How to diagnose those prone to wind with chilliness and sweating? (Qibo) answered: Those with weak muscles and loose interstices are prone to wind. (Huangdi) asked: How to diagnose weak muscles? (Qibo) answered: Soft muscles without distinct texture indicate weakness; rough skin with loose texture indicates loose interstices.