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Huangdi asked: "There is a person who is pregnant for nine months and becomes aphonic (aphonia, loss of voice). What is the cause of this?" Qibo replied: "The collateral vessels of the uterus (Baogong) are obstructed." The Emperor asked: "Why do you say so?" Qibo said: "The collateral vessels of the uterus are connected to the Kidney. The Shaoyin (Lesser Yin) meridian passes through the Kidney and connects to the root of the tongue; therefore, speech is impaired." The Emperor asked: "How should it be treated?" Qibo said: "No treatment is needed; it will recover naturally in the tenth month." The *Stimulation Method* (Cifa) states: "Do not damage what is deficient, nor tonify what is excessive, lest you create a severe disease (Zhen), and then proceed with regulation." By 'do not damage what is deficient,' it means that for a person who is emaciated and weak, one should not use Bian stones (sharp stone tools for surgery/therapy). By 'do not tonify what is excessive,' it means that if there is a palpable mass in the abdomen and purgation is used, purging will cause the essence to leak out while the pathogen remains dominant in the interior; thus, it is said that a severe disease (Zhen) is formed.

Huangdi asked: "A person has fullness under the hypochondrium and rebellious Qi, lasting for two or three years without resolution. What disease is this?" Qibo said: "This disease is named Xiji (Breathing Accumulation). It does not interfere with eating. Moxibustion and acupuncture are contraindicated. Accumulations require Daoyin (guided breathing and movement exercises) combined with herbal medicine; herbs alone cannot cure it independently."

Huangdi asked: "A person has swelling in the thighs and calves, and pain circling the navel. What disease is this?" Qibo said: "This disease is named Fuliang (Hidden Liang Beam). This is rooted in Wind pathogens. The pathogenic Qi overflows into the Large Intestine and adheres to the Huang (Ming/Meng) membrane. The source of the Huang is below the navel; therefore, there is pain circling the navel. Do not manipulate it aggressively; manipulation will lead to difficulty in urination (strangury)."

Huangdi asked: "A person has a very rapid pulse at the Chi position, with spasmodic tendons visible. What disease is this?" Qibo said: "This is called Zhenjin (Spasmodic Tendons). Such a person must have abdominal tightness. If white or black color appears on the face, the disease is severe."

Huangdi asked: "A person suffers from headache that persists for several years without cessation. How did they acquire it? What is the name of this disease?" Qibo said: "It should be due to exposure to severe Cold, which penetrated inward to the Marrow. Since the Brain is the master of the Marrow, the rebellious Qi of the Brain causes headache, and the teeth also hurt. This disease is named Nue Ni (Rebellious Reversal)."

The Emperor said: "Excellent."

Huangdi asked: "There is a person with a sweet taste in the mouth. What is the name of this disease? How was it acquired?" Qibo said: "This is the overflow of the Qi of the Five Zang organs, named Pi Dan (Spleen Heat/Dysfunction). When flavors enter the mouth, they are stored in the Stomach, and the Spleen transports their essence. If fluids remain in the Spleen, it causes a sweet taste in the mouth. This arises from rich and fatty foods. Such people must frequently eat sweet, delicious, and fatty foods. Fatty foods generate internal heat, and sweet foods cause fullness in the middle Jiao. Therefore, the Qi overflows upward, transforming into Xiao Ke (Wasting and Thirsting syndrome). Treatment uses Lantcao (Orchid stem/Acorus), to eliminate stale and accumulated heat."

Huangdi asked: "There is a person with a bitter taste in the mouth. Acupoint Yanglingquan is selected for treatment. What is the name of this disease? How was it acquired?" Qibo said: "This disease is named Dan Dan (Gallbladder Heat/Dysfunction). The Liver is the General, whose decisions depend on the Gallbladder. The pharynx serves as its conduit. Such people often deliberate but cannot decide, leading to Gallbladder deficiency and rebellious Qi overflowing, causing bitterness in the mouth. Treatment involves the Front-Mu and Back-Shu points of the Gallbladder. The treatment details are found in the chapter *Yin Yang Twelve Officials Mutual Assistance*."

Huangdi asked: "There is a person with Lin (Strangury/Difficulty in urination), urinating dozens of times a day. This indicates Deficiency. The body is hot like a charcoal fire, the neck and chest feel blocked/rejected, the Renying (Carotid artery) pulse is restless and vigorous, and there is wheezing and rebellious Qi. This indicates Excess. The Taiyin pulse is fine as a hair, indicating Deficiency. Where is the disease located? What is its name?" Qibo said: "The disease is in the Taiyin, the excess is in the Stomach, and it significantly affects the Lung. This disease is named Nue (Rebellious Reversal). It is a fatal condition and untreatable. This is what is referred to as 'Five Excesses and Two Deficiencies.'"

Huangdi asked: "What are the Five Excesses and Two Deficiencies?" Qibo said: "The so-called Five Excesses refer to the excess of five pathogenic Qi factors. The two deficiencies also refer to the deficiency of pathogenic Qi. Now, externally there are five excesses, and internally there are two deficiencies. This person is neither purely exterior nor purely interior, which clearly indicates death."

Huangdi asked: "There are people born with Dianji (Epilepsy/Mental disorder). What is the name of this disease? How was it acquired?" Qibo said: "This disease is named Taibing (Fetal Disease). It is acquired during fetal development in the womb. At that time, the mother suffered a great fright. The Qi rushed upward and did not descend, and the essence and Qi co-resided, causing the child to develop Dianji after birth."

Huangdi asked: "There is a person with abdominal distension resembling water retention. Their pulse is large and tight. The body has no pain, the form is not emaciated, but they cannot eat and eat little. What is the name of this disease?" Qibo said: "The disease originates in the Kidney and is named Feng (Wind) affecting the Kidney (Shen Feng). In Shen Feng, if the patient cannot eat and is prone to fright, and after fright the Heart Qi withers, death ensues."

The Emperor said: "Excellent."