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The Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) remaining in the abdomen, accumulating and failing to circulate, becomes stagnant and obstructed, unable to follow its normal pathway. This causes fullness in the limbs, hypochondrium, and epigastrium, along with panting and rapid breathing. How should this be treated? (Wei Qi is the fierce Qi derived from water and grain. It circulates within the skin, distributes between the muscle intervals, steams into the Hui Mo (Diaphragmatic Fascia), and scatters in the chest and abdomen. This is the normal course of Wei Qi. When it loses its normal state, it sinks inward following pathogenic factors, remains in the abdomen, accumulates without moving, and becomes stagnant, causing disease.)

Where Qi accumulates in the chest, treat by selecting points on the upper body; where it accumulates in the abdomen, treat by selecting points on the lower body; where both are full, treat by selecting points on the sides. (As described below.) For accumulation in the upper part, reduce Da Ying (Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming), Tian Tu (Conception Vessel), and Lian Quan located in the throat. (Since accumulation in the chest causes panting and rapid breathing, reduction is commonly applied at upper points.) For accumulation in the lower part, reduce Zu San Li and Qi Jie. (Since accumulation in the abdomen causes epigastric fullness, reduction should be applied at lower points.) For fullness in both upper and lower parts, treat both upper and lower, and also select Zhang Men, one cun below the costal margin. In severe cases, use the "Chicken-Foot" needling technique. (When both chest and abdomen are affected and full, take the five upper points and additionally select Zhang Men on the side of the costal margin. If the accumulation is severe, insert needles clustered together in a shape resembling chicken feet.)

If the pulse is large, wiry, and rapid, or if the pulse is absent, or if the abdominal skin is extremely tense, acupuncture is contraindicated.

How can one diagnose diseases of the skin, flesh, blood, Qi, sinews, and bones? If the color rises on the eyebrows with a thin luster, the disease is in the skin. (This corresponds to the Lung.) If the lips show colors of green, yellow, red, white, or black, the disease is in the flesh. (The Spleen opens into the lips.) If Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi) appears moist and leaking, the disease is in the blood and Qi. (Ying Qi is originally formless; phenomena such as sweating from pores, muscle swelling, and diarrhea or dysuria are all referred to as "moist/leaking." Disease in the Ying level involves blood and Qi.) If the eyes show colors of green, yellow, red, white, or black, the disease is in the sinews. (The eyes are the orifice of the Liver, and the Liver governs the sinews.) If the ears are dry, withered, and covered with dust, the disease is in the bones. (The ears are the orifice of the Kidney, and the Kidney governs the bones.)

A person aged fifty or above is considered old; twenty or above is considered strong; eighteen or below is considered young; six years or below is considered small (child). (This distinguishes people into old, strong, young, and small categories based on age. ○ In older editions, the following text appears above the character "Xia".)

Those with a "Gao" (Pasty/Fatty) constitution have abundant Qi. Abundant Qi generates heat; those with heat can tolerate cold. (Gao refers to oil/fat. People with abundant Gao have soft muscles. Those with coarse texture feel cold, while those with fine texture feel hot; thus, they can tolerate cold and have abundant Qi. Because their skin is loose, their abdomen hangs down and is plump.) Those with a "Rou" (Fleshy) constitution have abundant Blood. Abundant Blood fills the form; a filled form implies balance. (People with abundant Rou have skin and flesh tightly adhered, a large body, and balanced sensations of cold and heat.) Those with a "Zhi" (Lean/Dense) constitution have clear/thin blood and smooth but scarce Qi, so their body size cannot be large. This distinguishes them from the general population. (Zhi refers to bone marrow. Those with abundant Zhi have firm muscles, clear blood, and smooth yet scarce Qi, so their body is not large but they can certainly tolerate cold. This describes that people differ in having Gao, Rou, or Zhi, with varying amounts of Qi and Blood. Ordinary people do not have excessive skin, flesh, fat, or pastiness; each matches their own body.)