也。色者。五行之气也。形气相得。感天地之生成。故主富贵大乐。下上之人者。谓左右太少之上下。
合手足三阳之人。而三阴之人不与焉。年加者。始于七岁。每加九年。乃形色不相得者之所大忌也。
夫七岁者。少阳也。加九年。乃十六岁。再加九年。乃二十五岁。盖以手足三阳之人。始于七岁之少阳。
再加穷九之老阳。阳亢极而有悔矣。凡此相加之年。皆为斯人之大忌。不可不自安其分也。如感之则
病行。有所疏失。失则忧矣。倪仲宣曰。五形合手足之三阴。故虽逢阳九。不以为忌。若变而为太少
左右者。此手足之三阳。故为大忌也。
黄帝曰。夫子之言。脉之上下。血气之候。以知形气奈何。岐伯曰。足阳明之上。血气盛。则髯美长。
血少气多。则髯短。故气少血多则髯少。血气皆少则无髯。两吻多画。足阳明之下。血气盛。则下毛
美长至胸。血多气少。则下毛美短至脐。行则善高举足。足趾少肉。足善寒。血少气多。则肉而善瘃。
血气皆少。则无毛。有则稀枯瘁。善痿厥足痹。（瘃音祝寒疮也吻音刎）
以下八节。申明形者。乃皮脉肉筋骨。然藉皮肉经脉之血气。以生养此形。而有上下盛衰之不同
也。夫生长须毛者。乃充肤热肉。淡渗皮毛之血气。然手足三阳之气血。各因本经之经脉所循之处。
而各分皮部。故帝问脉之上下。血气之候。以知形气。盖以各经脉络所循之上下候之。以知形中之气
血也。形者。谓皮肉筋骨也。足阳明之脉。其上行者。挟口环唇下。交承浆。是以皮肤之血气盛。则髯
美而长。血少气多则髯短。气少血多则髯少。气血皆少则无髯。盖血盛则淡渗皮肤而生毫毛。气者。所
以熏肤充身泽毛者也。是以在上之须眉。在下之毫毛。皆藉皮肤之气血以生长。故气少则髯少。血少则
髯短。血气皆少则无髯矣。血气少而不能充皮肤。肥腠理。故两吻多画。盖肌肉不得充满而多瘦纹也。
足阳明之脉。其下行者。循膺胸。下脐腹。从膝膑而至足跗。故在下皮肤之血气盛。则下毛美而长至胸。
血多气少。则下毛美短至脐。血气皆少则无毛。虽有亦稀而枯瘁也。足趾少肉。足善寒者。气之所以熏
肤充身泽毛者也。瘃者。手足寒冷之冻疮。血少则肉而善瘃者。血之所以温肤热肉者也。痿厥足痹者。血
气少而不能营养筋骨也。此言二十五人之形者。皮脉肉筋骨也。然皮肉筋骨之间。又藉血气之所资益。
而有上下盛衰之不同也。
足少阳之上。气血盛。则通髯美长。血多气少。则通髯美短。血少气多则少须。血气皆少则无
须。感于寒湿。则善痹骨痛爪枯也。足少阳之下。血气盛则胫毛美长。外踝肥。血多气少。则胫毛美短。
外踝皮坚而浓。血少气多。则 毛少。外踝皮薄而软。血气皆少则无毛。外踝瘦无肉。
足少阳之经脉。其上行者。循于耳之前后。加颊车。下颈项是以皮肤之血气盛。则通髯美长。血多
气少。则通
髯美短。盖须发乃血之余。是以血多气少。虽短而亦美也。在外者。皮肤为阳。筋骨为阴。病在阳者
名曰风。病在阴者名为痹。爪者筋之余。血气皆少。不能营养筋骨。以致寒湿之邪。留痹而为骨痛爪
枯也。其经脉之下行者。循膝外廉。下辅骨之前。抵绝骨之端。下出外踝之前。循足跗上。是以在下
皮肤分肉之血气盛。则胫毛美长。外踝肥。血多则皮坚而浓。血少则皮薄而软。盖血之所以淡渗于皮
肤者也。
足太阳之上。血气盛则美眉。眉有毫毛。血多气少则恶眉。面多少理。血少气多。则面多肉。血
气和则美色。足太阳之下。血气盛。则跟肉满踵坚。气少血多。则踵跟空。血气皆少。则善转筋踵
下痛。（少理当作小理）
足太阳之脉。起于目内 。循两眉而上额交巅。是以皮肤之血气盛。则眉美而眉有毫毛也。夫充
肤热肉。生须毛之血气。乃后天水谷之所生。在上之髭须。在下之长毛。皆生于有生之后。眉乃先天所
生。故美眉者。眉得血气之润泽而美也。毫毛者。眉中之长毛。因血气盛而生长。亦后天之所生也。
恶眉者。无华彩而枯瘁也。面多小理者。多细小之纹理。盖气少而不能充润皮肤也。血少气多则面多肉。
气之所以肥腠理也。经云。心之合脉也。其荣色也。平脉篇曰。缓则阳气长。其色鲜。其颜光。血气和
者。谓经脉皮肤之血气和调。则颜色鲜美也。盖五脏六腑之俞。皆出于太阳之经。太阳为诸阳主脉也。
转筋踵下痛者。血气少而不能营养筋骨也。
手阳明之上。血气盛则髭美。血少气多则髭恶。血气皆少则无髭。手阳明之下。血气盛则腋下毛美。
手鱼肉以温。气血皆少。则手瘦以寒。
手阳明之脉。其上行者。挟口交人中。上挟鼻孔。是以皮肤之血气盛。则髭美。恶者。稀而枯瘁也。
其经脉之下
行者。循 臂上入两筋之间。出合谷。故血气盛。则腋下毛美。而手鱼肉以温。血气皆少。则手瘦以
寒也。仇汝霖曰。手阳明之脉。出合谷两骨之间。手鱼肉。乃手太阴之部分。阳明之血气盛。而手
鱼肉以温者。脏腑之血气。互相交通者也。
手少阳之上。血气盛则眉美以长。耳色美。血气皆少则耳焦恶色。手少阳之下。血气盛则手卷多
肉以温。血气皆少。则寒以瘦。气少血多。则瘦以多脉。
手少阳之脉。其上行者。出走耳前。交颊上至目锐 。是以皮肤之血气盛。则眉美以长。长者。即
生毫毛之意也。其下行者。从肩 肘臂而上出于手腕。故血气盛。则手卷多肉以温。盖手少阳之血气。
循手表腕。盛则皮缓肉淖。故善于卷握也。多脉者。皮肉瘦而脉络多外见也。仇汝霖曰。阳气者。
所以温分肉。充皮肤。肥腠理者也。是以气少。则皮肉瘦而多脉。
手太阳之上。血气盛则有多须。面多肉以平。血气皆少。则面瘦恶色。手太阳之下。血气盛则掌
肉充满。血气皆少。则掌瘦以寒。
手太阳之脉。其上行者。循于颧颊耳鼻目 之间。是以皮肤之血气盛。则有多须。面多肉以平。血
气皆少。则面瘦色恶。太阳为诸阳主气也。其下行者。循肩 肘臂而下出于手腕。是以血气盛则掌肉
充满。血气皆少。则掌瘦以寒也。以上论手足三阳之血气。各循本经之部分。充肤热肉。淡渗皮毛。肥
腠理。濡筋骨。以养二十五变之形。如血气皆少。则又不能佗佗遗遗之自然矣。
黄帝曰。二十五人者。刺之有约乎。岐伯曰。美眉者。足太阳之脉气血多。恶眉者气血少。其肥
而泽者。血气有余。血而不泽者。气有余。血不足。瘦而无泽者。气血俱不足。审察其形气有余不足
而调之。可以知逆顺矣。
此言足太阳之主脉也。二十五人之形者。皮脉肉筋骨也。以五形之人论之。则当手少阴主脉。今
变为二十有五。合于手足之三阳。故以足太阳主脉。盖十二经脉之俞。皆会于足太阳之经也。故美眉
者。足太阳之脉气血多也。恶眉者。足太阳之脉气血少也。其肌肉肥而颜色润泽者。手足三阳之脉。血
气皆有余也。盖足太阳为诸阳主脉。太阳之脉。气血盛而美眉。则诸阳之脉。血气皆有余。而肌肉肥泽
矣。故当再审察其皮肤。分肉之气血有余不足而调之。可以知逆顺矣。逆顺者。皮肤经脉之血气。交相逆
顺而行者也。知逆顺之有余不足。则知所以调之矣。仇汝霖曰。脉字其字宜玩。盖用脉字。以知足太
阳之脉之气血多少。加其字。以分别肥而泽者。乃诸阳之脉之血气有余也。倪仲宣曰。按口问篇论足太
阳之精气。行于脉外以濡空窍。十二奇邪之走空窍。独取足太阳之外踝。此章论太阳为诸阳主脉。而诸阳
脉之血气有余不足。皆以足太阳为准绳。盖太阳之上。寒水主之。在天为阳。在地为水。在人即为精气。是
以足太阳为诸阳主气。而又为诸阳主精血也。
黄帝曰。刺其诸阴阳奈何。岐伯曰。按其寸口人迎。以调阴阳。切循其经络之凝涩。结而不通者。此
于身皆有痛痹。甚则不行。故凝涩。凝涩者。致气以温之。血和乃止。其结络者。脉结血不行。决之乃行。
故曰气有余于上者。导而下之。气不足于上者。推而休之。其稽留不至者。因而迎之。必明于经隧。乃能持
之。寒与热争者。导而行之。其
宛陈血不结者。则而予之。必先明知二十五人。则血气之所在。左右上下。刺约毕也。
此言手足三阴三阳。皮肤分肉间之气血。皆从脏腑之经隧。而外出于形身者也。盖二十五变之
形者。皮脉肉筋骨也。是以上节论脉之血气。此节论皮肉筋骨之气血焉。诸阴阳者。足之少阴太阴厥
阴。手之少阴太阴。以应五音五行之人也。手之太阳阳明。足之少阳太阳阳明。以应左右太少二十五
变之人也。诸阴阳之血气。所以充肤热肉。渗泽皮毛。肥腠理。濡筋骨者。皆从本脏本腑之经隧。而
出于孙络皮肤。各并本经之脉络以分界畔。此非经脉之血气。故当按其寸口人迎。以知阴阳之有余不
足而调之。切循其经络之凝涩。结而不通者。此于形身中。皆有邪痹于皮肉筋骨之间。甚则留而不行。
以致经络之血气。有所凝涩。盖充肤热肉之气血。从内之经隧。而外出于孙络皮肤。此因邪闭于络脉
之外。气血不得外行。以致凝涩于经络之中。故当致诸阳之气以温之。则寒痹解而血得以和于外矣。其
结络者。血气留结于脉内。以致脉结而血不行。又当决之使行。盖邪闭于皮腠。而致经络之凝涩者。当
理其气。血结于脉络者。当决其血也。故曰气有余于上者。导而下之。不足于上者。推而上之。盖气血
之出于皮肤。而又有上下有余不足之分者。因络脉所出于上下。有疏通阻滞之不同也。其有稽留于经络
中而不至者。因而迎之。此必明于经隧。乃能持之。经隧者。五脏六腑之大络也。胃海所出之气血。而
布散于天下者。从脏腑之大络。而出于孙络皮肤。大络虽与经脉缪处。然上下左右。与经相干。而布于四
末。盖并经而外出于皮部。各随本经之脉以分界限。是以足阳明之上血气盛。则髯美长。足太阳之上血
气盛。则美眉也。寒与热争者。阴阳之血气混乱也。故当导而行之。使各归
于本部。盖手足三阴三阳之血气。行于皮肤分肉之间。如不分界畔。则混乱交争矣。宛陈者。陈
之物。宛积于肠胃之内。以致血气不至。此不因于血结于脉络而不通。故当则而予之。盖用逐陈
之法则。而予夺之也。此手足三阴三阳之血气。本于胃腑之所生。从经隧而外出。故必先明知二十
五人。则血气之所在。左右上下。刺之约法毕矣。如知少宫太宫之人。则知比于足之阳明。而足阳
明之脉。其上行者。挟口环唇。则知经隧之络脉。亦络于唇口。而皮肤之气血。亦分部于唇口也。
仇汝霖曰。此以皆为痛痹之皆字。照应气有余于上。或不足于上。盖十二经隧之络脉孙络。与十二
脏之经脉络脉。并行于形身之上下。若此身中皆为痛痹。则十二经隧之络脉。皆为之不通。如只痹于
足阳明之上。则阳明之上气不足。而下气有余矣。若只痹于足阳明之下。则阳明之下气不足。而上气
有余矣。痹在阳明之部分。则知阳明之气血。结而不通。又不涉于诸阴阳之络矣。此盖假痛痹以申明
皮肤分肉之气血。各并本经而出。各从本经经脉所循之上下。而各分界畔者也。
This is a discussion on complexion and the Qi of the Five Elements. Complexion reflects the Qi of the Five Elements. When form (Xing) and Qi are coordinated, they resonate with the generative forces of Heaven and Earth, thus indicating wealth, honor, and great joy. "People of upper and lower" refers to the distribution of Left/Less-Yang and Right/Greater-Yin or Yang in the upper and lower regions. This involves people of the Hand and Foot Three Yang meridians, excluding those of the Three Yin meridians. "Year addition" begins at age seven, increasing by nine years per cycle; this is a major taboo for those whose form and Qi are not harmonious.
Age seven corresponds to Shao Yang (Lesser Yang). Adding nine years brings one to sixteen; adding another nine brings one to twenty-five. This is because people of the Hand and Foot Three Yang meridians begin at the Shao Yang stage at age seven, and further increase to the extreme of Lao Yang (Old Yang) where the number nine is exhausted. When Yang Qi reaches its peak, regret arises. All such added years are major taboos for these individuals, who must not fail to remain content with their lot. If they contract pathogens, disease will occur; if they make negligence or errors, sorrow will follow. Ni Zhongxuan stated: The five forms combine with the Hand and Foot Three Yin meridians, so even when encountering the number of Yang Nine, it is not considered a taboo. However, if it changes to the state of Less/Greater and Left/Right, this pertains to the Hand and Foot Three Yang meridians, and thus becomes a major taboo.
Huangdi asked: What did you mean by the upper and lower aspects of pulse, the signs of Blood and Qi, used to discern the relationship between Form and Qi? Qibo replied: In the upper part of the Foot Yangming Meridian, abundant Blood and Qi result in beautiful and long facial hair; scanty Blood and abundant Qi result in short facial hair; scanty Qi and abundant Blood result in sparse facial hair; and scanty Blood and Qi result in no facial hair, with many wrinkles at the corners of the mouth. In the lower part of the Foot Yangming Meridian, abundant Blood and Qi result in beautiful and long pubic hair extending to the chest; abundant Blood and scanty Qi result in beautiful but short pubic hair extending to the navel, with a tendency to lift the feet high while walking, less muscle in the toes, and cold feet; scanty Blood and abundant Qi result in emaciated flesh prone to chilblains (Zhu); and scanty Blood and Qi result in no pubic hair, or if present, it is sparse, dry, and withered, predisposing to Wei syndrome (flaccidity), Jue syndrome (cold extremities), and Bi syndrome (painful obstruction) of the foot. (Zhu sounds like Zhu, referring to cold sores/chilblains; Wen sounds like Wen.)
The following eight sections elucidate that "Form" refers to Skin, Vessels, Flesh, Sinews, and Bones. However, relying on the Blood and Qi of the skin, flesh, and vessels to nourish these forms, there are differences in abundance and decline between the upper and lower parts. The growth of beard and body hair is the function of Blood and Qi that fills the skin, warms the flesh, and permeates the pores. The Qi and Blood of the Hand and Foot Three Yang meridians each distribute into the skin regions along the course of their respective meridians. Thus, Huangdi asked about the upper and lower pulses and signs of Blood and Qi to understand Form and Qi, essentially observing the courses of the meridian collaterals to discern the Blood and Qi within the form. "Form" refers to skin, flesh, sinews, and bones. The Foot Yangming Meridian ascends, flanking the mouth and circling the lips below, intersecting at Chengjiang (CV24). Therefore, when the Blood and Qi of the skin are abundant, the beard is beautiful and long; scanty Blood and abundant Qi make it short; scanty Qi and abundant Blood make it sparse; and scanty Blood and Qi result in no beard. Generally, abundant Blood permeates the skin to generate fine hairs; Qi is what steams the skin, fills the body, and moistens the hairs. Thus, the eyebrows and beard above, and the fine hairs below, all rely on the Blood and Qi of the skin for growth. Hence, scanty Qi leads to sparse beards, scanty Blood leads to short beards, and scanty Blood and Qi lead to no beards. Scanty Blood and Qi cannot fill the skin and thicken the interstices, resulting in many wrinkles at the mouth corners due to insufficient muscle fullness.
The descending branch of the Foot Yangming Meridian follows the chest and abdomen, from the knee patella to the dorsum of the foot. Therefore, when the Blood and Qi of the skin in the lower part are abundant, the pubic hair is beautiful and long, reaching the chest; abundant Blood and scanty Qi make it beautiful but short, reaching the navel; scanty Blood and Qi result in no hair, or if present, it is sparse, dry, and withered. Scant muscle in the toes and cold feet occur because Qi fails to steam the skin and moisten the body. Chilblains are frostbite caused by cold hands and feet. Scanty Blood leads to emaciated flesh prone to chilblains because Blood fails to warm the skin and flesh. Wei, Jue, and Bi syndromes of the foot occur because scanty Blood and Qi fail to nourish the sinews and bones. This describes the "Form" of the twenty-five types of people, i.e., skin, vessels, flesh, sinews, and bones. Yet, between these tissues, reliance on the support of Blood and Qi creates differences in abundance and decline between upper and lower regions.
In the upper part of the Foot Shaoyang Meridian, abundant Qi and Blood result in beautiful and long sideburns; abundant Blood and scanty Qi result in beautiful but short sideburns; scanty Blood and abundant Qi result in few beards; and scanty Qi and Blood result in no beards. Contracting Cold-Dampness easily leads to Bi syndrome with bone pain and withered nails. In the lower part of the Foot Shaoyang Meridian, abundant Qi and Blood result in beautiful and long leg hair and a plump lateral malleolus; abundant Blood and scanty Qi result in beautiful but short leg hair and thick, firm skin at the lateral malleolus; scanty Blood and abundant Qi result in little leg hair and thin, soft skin at the lateral malleolus; and scanty Qi and Blood result in no leg hair and a thin, fleshy-less lateral malleolus.
The meridian of Foot Shaoyang ascends along the front and back of the ears, passes through Jiache (ST7), and descends the neck. Thus, abundant Blood and Qi of the skin result in beautiful and long sideburns; abundant Blood and scanty Qi result in beautiful but short sideburns. Beard and hair are the surplus of Blood; hence, abundant Blood and scanty Qi, though short, are still beautiful. Externally, skin is Yang, and sinews/bones are Yin. Disease in Yang is called Feng (Wind); disease in Yin is called Bi (Obstruction). Nails are the surplus of sinews. Scanty Qi and Blood fail to nourish sinews and bones, allowing Cold-Damp pathogens to stagnate and cause Bi syndrome, leading to bone pain and withered nails. The descending branch follows the lateral knee, anterior to the auxiliary bone, reaches the end of Juegu (GB39), exits anterior to the lateral malleolus, and ascends along the dorsum of the foot. Thus, abundant Blood and Qi in the skin and muscles of the lower part result in beautiful and long leg hair and a plump lateral malleolus; abundant Blood makes the skin firm and thick, while scanty Blood makes it thin and soft. Blood is what permeates the skin.
In the upper part of the Foot Taiyang Meridian, abundant Qi and Blood result in beautiful eyebrows with fine hairs; abundant Blood and scanty Qi result in ugly eyebrows and many fine lines on the face; scanty Blood and abundant Qi result in a fleshy face; and harmonious Qi and Blood result in a beautiful complexion. In the lower part of the Foot Taiyang Meridian, abundant Qi and Blood result in full heel flesh and firm heels; scanty Qi and abundant Blood result in hollow heels; and scanty Qi and Blood lead to frequent muscle cramps and pain below the heels. (Shao li should be Xiao li.)
The Foot Taiyang Meridian originates at the inner canthus, ascends along both eyebrows to the forehead and vertex. Thus, abundant Blood and Qi of the skin result in beautiful eyebrows with fine hairs. The Blood and Qi that fill the skin, warm the flesh, and grow beard/hair are generated from postnatal food and water. The beard above and long hair below are born after life begins. Eyebrows are congenital; thus, beautiful eyebrows indicate they are moistened and beautified by Blood and Qi. Fine hairs in the eyebrows grow due to abundant Blood and Qi and are also postnatal. Ugly eyebrows lack luster and are withered. Many fine lines on the face indicate scanty Qi failing to fill and moisten the skin. Scanty Blood and abundant Qi result in a fleshy face because Qi thickens the interstices. The Classic states: The Heart matches the vessels, and its brilliance is in the complexion. The Ping Mai Chapter says: Slow indicates growing Yang Qi, bright color, and radiant face. Harmonious Qi and Blood mean the Blood and Qi of the vessels and skin are balanced, resulting in a fresh and beautiful complexion. Generally, the Shu points of the Zang and Fu organs all emerge from the Taiyang Meridian, which is the master vessel of all Yang meridians. Muscle cramps and heel pain occur because scanty Blood and Qi fail to nourish sinews and bones.
In the upper part of the Hand Yangming Meridian, abundant Qi and Blood result in beautiful mustaches; scanty Blood and abundant Qi result in ugly mustaches; and scanty Qi and Blood result in no mustaches. In the lower part of the Hand Yangming Meridian, abundant Qi and Blood result in beautiful axillary hair and warmth in the thenar eminence; scanty Qi and Blood result in thin, cold hands.
The ascending branch of the Hand Yangming Meridian flanks the mouth, crosses Renzhong (GV26), and ascends beside the nostrils. Thus, abundant Blood and Qi of the skin result in beautiful mustaches. "Ugly" means sparse and withered. The descending branch follows the arm, enters between the two tendons, emerges at Hegu (LI4). Thus, abundant Qi and Blood result in beautiful axillary hair and warmth in the thenar eminence; scanty Qi and Blood result in thin, cold hands. Qiu Rulin said: The Hand Yangming Meridian emerges between the two bones at Hegu. The thenar eminence belongs to the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian. The warmth of the thenar eminence when Hand Yangming Qi and Blood are abundant demonstrates the mutual communication of Zang-Fu Qi and Blood.
In the upper part of the Hand Shaoyang Meridian, abundant Qi and Blood result in beautiful, long eyebrows and beautiful ear color; scanty Qi and Blood result in dry, ugly ears and complexion. In the lower part of the Hand Shaoyang Meridian, abundant Qi and Blood result in a hand capable of grasping, with ample flesh and warmth; scanty Qi and Blood result in cold, thin hands; scanty Qi and abundant Blood result in thin hands with prominent veins.
The ascending branch of the Hand Shaoyang Meridian exits anterior to the ear, crosses the cheek, and ascends to the outer canthus. Thus, abundant Blood and Qi of the skin result in beautiful, long eyebrows. "Long" implies the growth of fine hairs. The descending branch goes from the shoulder, elbow, and arm to the wrist. Thus, abundant Qi and Blood result in a grasping hand with ample flesh and warmth. The Qi and Blood of Hand Shaoyang circulate around the hand and wrist; when abundant, the skin is relaxed and flesh is succulent, facilitating grasping. "Prominent veins" means thin skin and flesh with visible vessels. Qiu Rulin said: Yang Qi warms the muscles, fills the skin, and thickens the interstices. Thus, scanty Qi results in thin skin and flesh with prominent veins.
In the upper part of the Hand Taiyang Meridian, abundant Qi and Blood result in abundant beard hair and a full, flat face; scanty Qi and Blood result in a thin, ugly-faced appearance. In the lower part of the Hand Taiyang Meridian, abundant Qi and Blood result in full palm flesh; scanty Qi and Blood result in a thin, cold palm.
The ascending branch of the Hand Taiyang Meridian follows the zygomatic, cheek, nose, ear, and eye regions. Thus, abundant Blood and Qi of the skin result in abundant beard hair and a full, flat face; scanty Qi and Blood result in a thin, ugly face. Taiyang is the master Qi of all Yang meridians. The descending branch follows the shoulder, elbow, and arm to the wrist. Thus, abundant Qi and Blood result in full palm flesh; scanty Qi and Blood result in a thin, cold palm. The above discusses how the Qi and Blood of the Hand and Foot Three Yang meridians each follow their respective sectors to fill the skin, warm the flesh, permeate the pores, thicken the interstices, and moisten the sinews and bones, thereby nourishing the forms of the twenty-five variations. If Qi and Blood are scanty, the natural, abundant state cannot be maintained.
Huangdi asked: Is there a principle for acupuncture regarding the twenty-five types of people? Qibo replied: Those with beautiful eyebrows have abundant Qi and Blood in the Foot Taiyang Meridian; those with ugly eyebrows have scanty Qi and Blood. Those who are fleshy and lustrous have surplus Qi and Blood; those who are fleshy but not lustrous have surplus Qi but deficient Blood; those who are thin and without luster have deficient Qi and Blood. By examining the surplus or deficiency of their Form and Qi and regulating them accordingly, one can discern favorable and unfavorable outcomes.
This section refers to the Foot Taiyang as the master vessel. The form of the twenty-five types refers to skin, vessels, flesh, sinews, and bones. Discussing the five form types, the Hand Shaoyin should theoretically master the vessels, but now it has become twenty-five, combining with the Hand and Foot Three Yang meridians, hence the Foot Taiyang masters the vessels. Generally, the Shu points of the twelve meridians all converge on the Foot Taiyang Meridian. Thus, beautiful eyebrows indicate abundant Qi and Blood in the Foot Taiyang Meridian; ugly eyebrows indicate scanty Qi and Blood. Fleshy and lustrous muscles indicate surplus Qi and Blood in the Hand and Foot Three Yang meridians. Since Foot Taiyang is the master vessel of all Yang, abundant Qi and Blood in Taiyang leading to beautiful eyebrows implies surplus Qi and Blood in all Yang meridians and fleshy, lustrous muscles. Therefore, one must re-examine the surplus or deficiency of Qi and Blood in the skin and muscles for regulation to discern favorable and unfavorable outcomes. Favorable and unfavorable refer to the alternating flow of Qi and Blood in the skin and vessels. Knowing the surplus or deficiency allows one to know how to regulate. Qiu Rulin noted: The word "Mai" (vessel) is worth pondering. Using "Mai" indicates knowing the amount of Qi and Blood in the Foot Taiyang Meridian; adding "Qi" distinguishes that fleshy and lustrous conditions indicate surplus Qi and Blood in all Yang meridians. Ni Zhongxuan stated: According to the Kou Wen Chapter, the essence-Qi of Foot Taiyang flows outside the vessels to moisten the orifices. For the twelve strange pathogens entering the orifices, one exclusively selects the lateral malleolus of Foot Taiyang. This chapter discusses Taiyang as the master Qi of all Yang, and the surplus or deficiency of Qi and Blood in all Yang meridians is measured by Foot Taiyang. Above Taiyang, Cold Water governs; in Heaven it is Yang, on Earth it is Water, and in humans, it is Essence-Qi. Thus, Foot Taiyang is the master Qi of all Yang and also the master of Essence-Blood for all Yang.
Huangdi asked: How to treat the various Yin and Yang meridians via acupuncture? Qibo replied: Press the Cunkou and Renying pulses to regulate Yin and Yang. Palpate the meridians for stagnation, constriction, or blockage. These correspond to painful Bi syndrome throughout the body, which may severely impede movement, hence termed stagnation. For stagnation, induce Qi to warm it until the Blood harmonizes. For constricted collaterals, where the pulse is knotted and Blood does not flow, puncture them to restore flow. Thus, it is said: For excess Qi above, guide it downward; for deficient Qi above, push it upward. For Qi that stagnates and does not arrive, welcome it along its path. One must clearly understand the Jing Sui (Meridian Channels) to manage this. For Cold-Heat conflict, guide and promote flow. For stasis and old blood that is not knotted, treat according to the situation. One must first clearly understand the twenty-five types of people to know the location of Qi and Blood in the left, right, upper, and lower regions, completing the principles of acupuncture.
This section discusses how the Qi and Blood in the skin and muscles of the Hand and Foot Yin and Yang meridians all emerge externally from the body via the Jing Sui of the Zang-Fu organs. The twenty-five varied forms refer to skin, vessels, flesh, sinews, and bones. Hence, the previous section discussed the Qi and Blood of the vessels, while this section discusses the Qi and Blood of the skin, flesh, sinews, and bones. "Various Yin and Yang" refers to the Foot Shaoyin, Taeyin, Jueyin, and Hand Shaoyin, Taeyin, corresponding to the Five Tones and Five Elements people; and the Hand Taiyang, Yangming, and Foot Shaoyang, Taiyang, Yangming, corresponding to the Left/Right Less/Greater twenty-five varied people. The Qi and Blood of these Yin and Yang meridians, which fill the skin, warm the flesh, permeate the pores, thicken the interstices, and moisten sinews and bones, all emerge from the Jing Sui of their respective Zang-Fu organs into the Luo Ci (Sun Collaterals) and skin, merging with the main meridians to define boundaries. This is not the Qi and Blood of the main meridians; thus, one should press Cunkou and Renying to know the surplus or deficiency of Yin and Yang for regulation. Palpating the stagnation or knotting of the meridians indicates pathogens obstructing the skin, flesh, sinews, and bones, potentially stagnating the Qi and Blood of the meridians. The Qi and Blood filling the skin and flesh emerge from the internal Jing Sui to the external Sun Collaterals and skin. Because pathogens close the exterior of the collaterals, preventing outward flow, Qi and Blood stagnate within the meridians. Therefore, inducing Yang Qi to warm them resolves Cold-Bi and harmonizes the Blood externally. For knotted collaterals, Qi and Blood stagnate internally, causing knotted pulses and stopped Blood flow; these must be punctured to restore flow. Pathogens closing the skin/cuticle causing meridian stagnation require regulating Qi; Blood knotted in collaterals requires puncturing the Blood. Thus, excess Qi above is guided down; deficient Qi above is pushed up. Qi and Blood emerging from the skin have upper/lower surplus/deficiency due to different levels of patency or obstruction in the collaterals. For Qi stagnating in the meridians and not arriving, welcome it along its path. This requires clear understanding of the Jing Sui. The Jing Sui are the large collaterals of the Zang-Fu organs. The Qi and Blood emanating from the Sea of the Stomach are distributed throughout the body, emerging from the large collaterals of the Zang-Fu into the Sun Collaterals and skin. Although the large collaterals intersect with the main meridians, they connect with them up, down, left, and right, distributing to the four extremities. They emerge externally from the meridians into the skin regions, defining boundaries according to their respective meridians. Thus, abundant Qi and Blood above Foot Yangming result in beautiful, long beards; abundant Qi and Blood above Foot Taiyang result in beautiful eyebrows. Cold-Heat conflict represents chaotic Yin-Yang Qi and Blood; guiding and promoting flow returns them to their respective sectors. If the Qi and Blood of the Hand and Foot Yin and Yang meridians flowing in the skin and muscles do not maintain boundaries, they will chaotically contend. "Wan Chen" refers to accumulated stale matter in the intestines and stomach, preventing Qi and Blood from reaching; this is not due to Blood knotted in collaterals, so treatment should be applied according to the situation, using methods to purge the stale matter. The Qi and Blood of the Hand and Foot Yin and Yang meridians originate from the Stomach, emerging externally via the Jing Sui. Thus, one must first understand the twenty-five types to locate Qi and Blood in the left, right, upper, and lower regions, completing the principles of acupuncture. For example, knowing the Shaogong and Taigong types indicates association with Foot Yangming. The ascending branch of Foot Yangming flanks the mouth and circles the lips; thus, the collaterals of the Jing Sui also network to the mouth and lips, and the Qi and Blood of the skin are also distributed to the mouth and lips.
Qiu Rulin stated: The character "Jie" (all/every) in "all are painful Bi" corresponds to "excess Qi above" or "deficient Qi above." The Luo Ci collaterals of the twelve Jing Sui and the meridian collaterals of the twelve Zang organs run parallel up and down the body. If the entire body suffers from painful Bi, the collaterals of the twelve Jing Sui are all blocked. If only Bi occurs above Foot Yangming, then Qi is deficient above Yangming and excessive below. If only Bi occurs below Foot Yangming, then Qi is deficient below Yangming and excessive above. Bi in the Yangming sector indicates knotted and blocked Qi and Blood in Yangming, not involving the collaterals of other Yin and Yang meridians. This likely uses painful Bi to elucidate that the Qi and Blood in the skin and muscles each emerge combined with their respective meridians, following the upper and lower courses of the main meridians to define their own boundaries.