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Huangdi asked: The twelve meridians correspond to the Five Elements and are divided into the Four Seasons. What causes them to become disordered, and what allows them to be regulated? Qibo replied: When the Five Elements operate in order and the Four Seasons follow their distinct phases, harmony leads to proper functioning, while discordance leads to disorder. Huangdi asked: What is meant by "harmony leading to proper functioning"? Qibo said: The twelve meridians correspond to the twelve months of the year. These twelve months are divided into the Four Seasons. The Four Seasons are Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter, each with its own climatic characteristics. Ying Qi (nutritive qi circulating within the vessels) and Wei Qi (defensive qi circulating outside the vessels) move together; Yin and Yang harmonize with each other; clear qi and turbid qi do not interfere with one another. Under such conditions, the body functions smoothly. Huangdi asked: What is meant by "discordance leading to disorder"? Qibo said: When clear qi remains in the Yin aspects and turbid qi remains in the Yang aspects; when Ying Qi flows smoothly along the meridians but Wei Qi moves in reverse; when clear and turbid qi interfere with each other and cause chaos in the chest, this is called great rebellion. Thus, if qi becomes chaotic in the Heart, it results in mental restlessness, silence, and a posture of bowing the head and crouching still; if chaotic in the Lungs, it results in difficulty breathing, wheezing, and the need to press the hands against the chest to exhale; if chaotic in the intestines and stomach, it results in Huoluan (cholera-like syndrome with vomiting and diarrhea); if chaotic in the arms and shins, it results in Si Jue (cold extremities); if chaotic in the head, it results in Jue Ni (reversal of qi), headache, dizziness, and fainting. For qi chaotic in the heart region, treat with the Shu points of the Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian and the Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian. For qi chaotic in the lung region, treat with the Ying-Spring point of the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian and the Shu point of the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian. For qi chaotic in the intestines and stomach, treat with the Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian and Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian; if ineffective, add Zusanli (ST36). For qi chaotic in the head, treat with Tianzhu (BL10) and Dazhu (BL11); if ineffective, treat with the Ying-Spring and Shu points of the Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian (the Ling Shu text suggests Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian). For qi chaotic in the arms and legs, first puncture the collateral vessels to release blood, then treat with the Ying-Spring and Shu points of the Yangming and Shaoyang meridians. Slow insertion and slow withdrawal is called Dao Qi (guiding qi). Performing tonification and sedation without visible manipulation is called Tong Jing (harmonizing essence). This is not due to excess or deficiency, but rather the conflict of rebellious qi.

Huangdi asked: Suppose there are two people here who act simultaneously and stand together, of equal age, wearing clothes of similar thickness, yet suddenly encountering fierce winds and heavy rain, one falls ill, the other does not, or both die. What is the reason? Qibo replied: There are warm winds in Spring, yang winds in Summer, cool winds in Autumn, and cold winds in Winter. The diseases caused by these seasonal winds manifest differently. Individuals with yellowish complexion, thin skin, and weak flesh cannot withstand the deficient winds of Spring; those with white complexion, thin skin, and weak flesh cannot withstand the deficient winds of Summer; those with pale complexion, thin skin, and weak flesh cannot withstand the deficient winds of Autumn; those with reddish complexion, thin skin, and weak flesh cannot withstand the deficient winds of Winter. Huangdi asked: Do those with black complexions not get sick? Qibo said: Those with black complexions, thick skin, and firm muscles are indeed resistant to injury from the winds of the four seasons. However, those with thin skin, unfirm muscles, and uneven complexion will fall ill if exposed to deficient winds during the late summer. Those with thick skin and firm muscles will not fall ill even if exposed to deficient winds during late summer. If those with thick skin and firm muscles do fall ill, it is because they have been doubly affected by cold, suffering from both internal and external cold pathogens. Huangdi asked: When Zefeng (thieving wind) and pathogenic qi injure humans, causing disease. Now, someone who stays under shelter and never leaves their room suddenly falls ill. What is the reason? Qibo said: This is usually due to prior injury from dampness, which has hidden in the blood vessels and between the muscle layers, lingering for a long time without dispersing. Or perhaps there was a previous fall, leaving bad blood (stagnant blood) inside that has not dissipated. Combined with sudden emotional extremes, improper diet, and irregular exposure to cold and heat, causing the Cou Li (pores and interstitial spaces) to close and blockage to occur, if one then encounters wind and cold, the blood and qi will coagulate. This combines with the old pathogen, resulting in Han Bi (cold bi-syndrome/painful obstruction). If there is heat, sweating occurs; after sweating, one is susceptible to wind. Even without encountering thieving wind, illness will inevitably arise from these accumulated factors. Huangdi asked: What you say seems to be known by patients themselves. If one has not encountered pathogenic wind, nor experienced fear or anxiety, yet suddenly falls ill, what is the reason? Is it only due to ghosts and spirits? Qibo said: This is also due to old pathogens remaining latent. Triggered by aversion in the mind or intense longing, the blood and qi become internally disordered, and the two qi energies clash. The origin of this condition is subtle; it cannot be seen or heard, so it appears as if caused by ghosts and spirits. Huangdi asked: Regarding those cured solely by Zhuyou (incantation therapy), what is the reason? Qibo said: Ancient shamans knew the mutual overcoming relationships among the hundred diseases and understood their origins, so they could cure them through Zhuyou.