刺委中穴出血,或刺十指头出血,皆是良法,今西北人凡病伤寒热入血分而不解者,悉
刺两手掴中出血,谓之打寒。盖寒随血去,亦即红汗之类也。故凡病伤寒霍乱者,亦宜此法
治之。今东南人有刮痧之法,以治心腹急痛,盖使寒随血去,则邪达于外而脏气始安,此亦
出血之意也。
霍乱吐泻不止,灸天枢、气海、中脘三穴立愈。霍乱危急将死,用盐填脐中,灸二七壮
立愈。转筋,十指拘挛,不能屈伸,灸足外踝骨尖上七壮。
霍乱绞肠痧,以针刺其手指近甲处一分半许出血即安。仍先自两臂捋下,令恶血聚于指
头后刺之。
六脉纲领,曰浮、沉、迟、数、滑、涩。浮、沉以部位言,而虚、实、濡、弱、革、牢
六脉从之。迟、数以至数言,而紧、缓、促、结、代五脉从之。滑、涩以形象言,而长、短
、洪、微、芤、弦、动、伏、散、细十脉从之。此脉之大概也。又有解索、雀啄、屋漏、鱼
翔、弹石、虾游等名,皆死脉。人有四海,脑为髓海,丹田为精海,脐为气海,脾为血海。
人有五余∶头发属心,血之余;眉毛属肝,筋之余;须属肾,精之余;腋毛属脾,肌肉之余
;阴毛属肺、气之余也。又指爪筋之余,筋乃骨之余,骨乃精之余,皮乃血之余,脉乃气之
余,骨节乃五脏之余也。五脏之窍,舌为心苗,心寄窍于耳,眼为肝窍,口为脾窍,鼻为肺
窍,耳为肾窍,肾又开窍于二阴焉。五脏绝症,鼻孔向上而黑者,肺绝也;嘴唇反起黑色者
,脾绝也;鱼目定睛,人中陷者,肝绝也;舌尖黑色,芒刺有胎,心绝也;两耳黑色,肾囊
吊起,肾绝也。以上五绝之症不治,头为诸阳之会,正额属心,心主血,最畏见风,若破伤
风头额肿者,即死。
Puncturing the Weizhong (BL40) acupoint to induce bleeding, or puncturing the tips of the ten fingers to induce bleeding, are both excellent methods. Currently, in the northwest regions, for those suffering from Shanghan (Cold Damage) where heat has entered the blood level and remains unresolved, they all puncture the dorsum of both hands (Guazhong area) to induce bleeding, a practice called "Da Han" (Beating Cold). Since the cold pathogen departs with the blood, this is also a form of "Red Sweat" (Hong Han). Therefore, for those suffering from Shanghan or Huoluan (Cholera-like syndrome), this method is also suitable. Currently, in the southeast regions, people use Gua Sha (Scraping therapy) to treat acute pain in the heart and abdomen. This allows the cold pathogen to depart with the blood, causing the evil qi to reach the exterior so that the Zang-organ Qi can finally be at peace; this is also the intent behind bleeding therapy.
For Huoluan with incessant vomiting and diarrhea, moxibustion on Tianshu (ST25), Qihai (CV6), and Zhongwan (CV12) acupoints will lead to immediate recovery. In critical Huoluan cases nearing death, fill the umbilicus with salt and perform moxibustion for fourteen burns (Erqi Zhuang); this will lead to immediate recovery. For muscle spasms (Zhuanjin) and flexor spasm of the ten fingers preventing flexion and extension, perform seven burns of moxibustion above the tip of the lateral malleolus of the foot.
For Huoluan-induced Jiaochang Sha (Intestinal Colic Sha), prick the area of the fingers near the nail bed, approximately 1.5 fen deep, to induce bleeding, which will bring relief. Prior to pricking, one should first stroke down from both arms to gather the foul blood into the fingertips before pricking.
The six major pulse categories are Floating (Fu), Sinking (Chen), Slow (Chi), Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua), and Choppy (Se). Floating and Sinking refer to the depth of the pulse position, while Deficient (Xu), Excess (Shi), Soft (Ru), Weak (Ruo), Leathery (Ge), and Deep/Firm (Lao) follow these two. Slow and Rapid refer to the pulse rate, while Tight (Jin), Relaxed (Huan), Hasty (Cu), Knotted (Jie), and Intermittent (Dai) follow these two. Slippery and Choppy refer to the pulse image/form, while Long (Chang), Short (Duan), Surging (Hong), Minute (Wei), Hollow (Kou), String-taut (Xian), Moving (Dong), Hidden (Fu), Scattered (San), and Fine (Xi) follow these two. These are the general classifications of pulses. There are also names such as Untying Rope (Jiesuo), Sparrow Pecking (Quezhao), House Leak (Wulou), Fish Swimming (Yuxiang), Striking Stone (Danshi), and Shrimp Swimming (Xiyou); these are all Death Pulses (Jue Mai).
Humans have Four Seas: the Brain is the Sea of Marrow, the Dantian is the Sea of Essence, the Umbilicus is the Sea of Qi, and the Spleen is the Sea of Blood. Humans have Five Remnants: Hair belongs to the Heart and is the remnant of Blood; Eyebrows belong to the Liver and are the remnant of Sinews; Beard belongs to the Kidney and is the remnant of Essence; Axillary hair belongs to the Spleen and is the remnant of Muscle; Pubic hair belongs to the Lung and is the remnant of Qi. Furthermore, fingernails are the remnant of Sinews; Sinews are the remnant of Bones; Bones are the remnant of Essence; Skin is the remnant of Blood; Vessels are the remnant of Qi; and Bone joints are the remnant of the Five Zang organs.
The orifices of the Five Zang organs: The tongue is the sprout of the Heart; the Heart also opens into the ears; the eyes are the orifice of the Liver; the mouth is the orifice of the Spleen; the nose is the orifice of the Lung; the ears are the orifice of the Kidney; and the Kidney also opens into the two yin passages (anterior and posterior).
The terminal syndromes of the Five Zang organs: If the nostrils turn upward and black, it indicates Lung failure; if the lips invert and turn black, it indicates Spleen failure; if the eyes are fixed and staring with a sunken Renzhong (GV26), it indicates Liver failure; if the tip of the tongue is black with prickly projections and thick coating, it indicates Heart failure; if both ears are black and the scrotum retracts, it indicates Kidney failure. The above five terminal syndromes are untreatable. The head is the confluence of all Yang meridians; the frontal forehead belongs to the Heart; the Heart governs Blood and fears wind most; if Wind-stroke (Po Shang Feng) causes swelling of the head and forehead, death ensues.