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The great collateral of the Stomach is named Xuli (虚里, located at the apex of the heart). It penetrates the diaphragm, connects with the Lung, and emerges below the left breast. Its pulsation is palpable to the hand and reflects the condition of Zongqi (宗气, Pectoral Qi / Gathering Qi). (This passage explains that the great collateral of the Stomach shows slight pulsation below the left breast, seemingly moving the clothing, which allows one to verify the Stomach Qi at Xuli.) If the pulsation is rapid, panting-like, frequent, and intermittent, it indicates disease in the Middle Jiao (中焦). (If the movement at Xuli is vigorous like panting or rapid with interruptions, it is due to the failure of Zhongqi [Middle Qi] to maintain its post.) If the pulse is knotted (Jie, 结) and feels horizontal across the fingers, there are accumulations (Ji, 积). (When the pulse at Xuli occasionally stops or feels blocked horizontally under the fingers, it is caused by stagnation of Stomach Qi.) If the pulse is absent, death ensues. (Absence of the pulse at Xuli indicates certain death.) If the pulsation below the breast is vigorous enough to move the clothing, it signifies leakage of Zongqi. (This passage states that when the pulse at Xuli beats strongly, truly vibrating with the clothing, it is a sign that Zongqi is insecure and leaking massively outward, indicating exhaustion of Middle Qi. ○ In cases of Yin deficiency and consumptive weakness, there is often palpitation and anxiety below the heart; this is the pulsation of Xuli. However, slight pulsation indicates mild disease, while vigorous pulsation indicates severe disease; thus, the severity can be assessed thereby. Inhaled air enters the Stomach to be transmitted to the Lung; the Five Zang and Six Fu organs all transmit Qi through it. This is how Stomach Qi rises to become Zongqi. Qi is the mother of Water; where Qi gathers, Water generates. This is how Lung Qi descends to generate Kidney Water. Now, if Stomach Qi transmits to the Lung but the Kidney fails to grasp it, Zongqi leaks upward, and Kidney Water dries up downward. The more deficient the Kidney, the less place for Qi to reside; if Qi does not return to its origin, Yin becomes more deficient. Therefore, those who wish to grasp Qi and return it to its root should use purely sweet agents to tonify True Yin as the method.)

Diseases of the Liver present with pain in both hypochondriac regions radiating to the Lower Abdomen, causing irritability. (This is Excess pathogenic factor of the Liver.) Deficiency manifests as blurred vision, deafness, excessive fear, and a sensation as if being pursued by someone. Treatment involves bleeding selected vessels (Select areas where the meridian blood is abundant, following this pattern for others). Diseases of the Heart present with pain in the chest, fullness and distension in the hypochondrium, pain below the ribs, pain between the chest, back, and scapulae, and pain in the medial aspect of both arms. (This is Excess pathogenic factor of the Heart Meridian.) Deficiency manifests as abdominal distension, pain drawing from the hypochondrium to the waist. Treatment involves bleeding the Hand Shaoyin and Hand Taiyang meridians (Prick below the tongue base to bleed). For altered diseases (Bian Bing, 变病: conditions belonging to Shaoyin but with different symptoms), prick the Yinxi (Yinxi, EX-HT5) point to bleed. (In altered diseases, pricking the Yinxi point allows bloodletting to expel pathogens.) Diseases of the Spleen present with heavy body, easy hunger, muscle flaccidity, foot weakness/inability to walk properly, spasms of the lower legs, and pain in the soles. (This is Excess pathogenic factor of the Spleen Meridian.) Deficiency manifests as abdominal fullness, borborygmus, undigested stool in diarrhea, and food retention. Treatment involves bleeding the Foot Taiyin, Foot Yangming, and Foot Shaoyin meridians. (Spleen deficiency leads to loss of transportation and transformation, failing to regulate Middle Qi. The Spleen and Stomach are exterior-interior pairs; the Kidney governs Water, and Water can assist Dampness to injure the Spleen. Thus, one should select the Foot Taiyin and Yangming meridians, and also bleed the Foot Shaoyin to treat cold-excess, such as puncturing Rangu (Rangu, KI2) for Spleen-related heart pain.) Diseases of the Lung present with wheezing, coughing, rebellious Qi, shoulder and back pain, and sweating. (This is Excess pathogenic factor of the Lung Meridian.) Pain extends to the sacrum, yin region, thighs, knees, thighs (butterfly area), and feet. (These diseases involve the Foot Shaoyin meridian due to Qi sinking to the lower part, with the Mother organ affecting the Child organ; hence, the Foot Shaoyin is additionally selected for treatment.) Deficiency manifests as shortness of breath, inability to complete inhalation, deafness, and dry throat. Treatment involves bleeding the lateral aspect of the Hand Taiyin and Foot Taiyang, and the medial aspect of the Foot Jueyin. ("Lateral" refers to anterior, "medial" refers to posterior, referring to the Foot Shaoyin pulse. Observe the pulses on both feet; if any part of the Shaoyin shows fullness or congestion differing from normal, remove it to drain excess.) Diseases of the Kidney present with abdominal distension, swelling of the calves, wheezing and coughing, heavy body, nocturnal sweating, and aversion to wind. (This is Excess pathogenic factor of the Kidney Meridian.) Deficiency manifests with pain in the chest (the Kidney meridian flows into the chest), distension and pain in the large and small abdomen (the Kidney meridian ascends from Youmen to Henggu, running along the midline of the abdomen, half cun on either side, traversing the interior of the abdomen), cold extremities with cold limbs (Qing Jue, 清厥), and unhappiness. (Yang Qi of the four extremities receives Qi from the chest and abdomen. Disease in the chest/abdomen prevents Yang Qi from disseminating to the extremities, causing coldness and cold limbs. The chest contains Danzhong [Pericardium], the seat of joy; thus, pain leads to unhappiness.) Treatment involves bleeding the Foot Shaoyin and Foot Taiyang meridians. (Generally, acupuncture follows the principle of tonifying deficiency and draining excess. However, if there is blood stasis in the meridians, one must first remove the blood vessels before balancing the excess and deficiency. Thus, the treatment methods for Zang organ excess and deficiency are as described above.)