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Huangdi asked: When a person suffers from Stomach Guan Yong (abscess of the stomach), how should the diagnosis be conducted? Qibo replied: To diagnose this condition, one should observe the Stomach Pulse. The pulse should be deep and fine. A deep and fine pulse indicates rebellious Qi. Rebellious Qi causes the Renying point (acupoint on the stomach meridian, located at the neck) to become extremely full. An extremely full Renying indicates heat. Since the Renying is the pulse of the Stomach Meridian, when Qi is rebellious and full, heat gathers at the mouth of the stomach and cannot disperse, thus causing an abscess in the stomach region. Huangdi said: Excellent. Why do some people lie down but cannot sleep peacefully? Qibo said: When internal organs are injured and the essence has nowhere to reside securely, peace is lost; therefore, humans cannot separate their illness from their physical state. Huangdi said: Why can some people not lie on their backs? Qibo said: The Lung is the canopy of the five zang organs. When Lung Qi is excessive, the vessels become large. When vessels are large, one cannot lie on their back. This discussion is recorded in the "Qi Heng Yin Yang" chapter. Huangdi said: There is a patient with Jue syndrome (cold limbs or rebellious Qi/blood). The right pulse is deep and tight, while the left pulse is floating and slow. Is this correct? Where is the disease primarily located? Qibo said: In winter, the right pulse should naturally be deep and tight, which corresponds to the four seasons. The left pulse being floating and slow goes against the four seasons. Abnormalities in the left pulse indicate disease in the Kidney, closely related to the Lung, and should manifest as lower back pain. Huangdi said: Why do you say so? Qibo said: The Shaoyin Meridian (Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Meridian) passes through the Kidney and connects to the Lung. Now that a Lung pulse (floating and slow) is obtained, it indicates that the Kidney disease affects the Lung; thus, the Kidney is the root cause of the lower back pain. Huangdi said: Excellent. There is a patient with Neck Yong (cervical abscess). Some were treated with stone needles (bian stones), others with acupuncture, and all recovered. What is the truth behind this? Qibo said: These are diseases with the same name but different stages/severity. For Yong where Qi stagnation is mild, it is suitable to use needles to open and remove the pathogen. For cases where Qi is excessive and blood is aggregated, it is suitable to use bian stones to drain blood stasis. This is what is called treating the same disease differently. Huangdi said: There is a patient suffering from Nu Kuang (mania due to anger). How does this disease arise? Qibo said: It arises from Yang. Huangdi said: How does Yang Qi cause mania? Qibo said: Yang Qi, due to sudden frustration and difficulty in resolution, leads to frequent anger. This disease is named Yang Jue (Yang reversal). Huangdi said: How do we know this? Qibo said: The Yangming Meridian usually has palpable pulsations, whereas the Taiyang and Shaoyang meridians usually do not. If the non-pulsating meridians exhibit large and rapid pulsations, this is the sign. Huangdi said: How should it be treated? Qibo said: Restricting food intake will cure it. Food enters the Yin aspect and generates Qi in the Yang aspect; therefore, restricting food prevents the exacerbation of Yang Qi. Have the patient drink decoctions made from Sheng Tie Luo (Fallen Iron from Smelting Furnace), which has the effect of rapidly descending Qi. Huangdi said: Excellent. There is a patient with body heat, flaccidity, sweating profusely like bathing, aversion to wind, and shortness of breath. What disease is this? Qibo said: This disease is named Jiu Feng (Wind-dampness induced by alcohol consumption). Huangdi said: How should it be treated? Qibo said: Use Ze Xie (Alisma Rhizome) and Bai Zhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome) each in ten parts, and Mi Xian (Dentaria Sibirica/Smilax Glabra) in five parts. Mix them and take three finger-pinches after meals. Regarding the phrase "deep and fine," it refers to the pulse feeling sharp and distinct like a needle upon palpation. Massaging and pressing the pulse area, firmness indicates accumulation of pathogens, while expansiveness indicates a broad disease scope. The "Shang Jing" (Classic of the Upper) discusses the connection between Qi and Heaven. The "Xia Jing" (Classic of the Lower) discusses the changes of diseases. The "Jin Gui" (Golden Cabinet) determines life and death prognosis. The "Kui Du" (Measurement and Estimation) involves measuring and estimating via pulse taking. The "Qi Heng" (Extraordinary and Constant) discusses extraordinary diseases. "Qi" (Extraordinary) means these diseases do not follow the seasonal patterns of mortality. "Heng" (Constant) means ordinary diseases follow seasonal patterns of mortality. "Kui" means to seek and explore the pulse principles carefully. "Du" means to locate the disease site and estimate it according to the four seasons.