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The Qi of the Zang organs refers to the functional activities of the five Zang organs: Liver, Heart, Spleen, Lung, and Kidney. "Fa Shi" (following the seasons) means modeling after the changes of the four seasons in nature. The movement of the heavens manifests the alternation of the four seasons, and the earth gives birth to all living things. The human body possesses five Zang organs, all corresponding to the Five Elements (Wu Xing). Heaven has the Five Elements of the year, the Five Elements of the Ten Heavenly Stems, and the Five Elements of the twelve two-hour periods of a day; the earth has the five grains, five fruits, five domestic animals, five vegetables, and various medicines, each possessing the Five Flavors and containing Five Element characteristics; the Five Elements of the human five Zang organs correspond with Heaven and Earth. Aligning with Heaven, there is the reception of the Five Colors and Six Qi from above; aligning with Earth, there is the response of the Five Bitternesses and Five Desires from below. Thus it is said that the laws of the Zang organ Qi follow the seasons.

Yellow Emperor asked: Combining the human form, modeling the treatment after the Four Seasons and Five Elements, how should one proceed in accordance (conformity)? How should one proceed in opposition? I wish to hear about the principles of gain and loss in this matter.

By combining the meridians of the entire human body, extending from the skin and hair externally to the Fu and Zang organs internally, and employing doctors who model their practice after the Four Seasons and Five Elements of Heaven and Earth, what would be the result? If one models after Heaven and Earth, it is conformity; if one does not model after Heaven and Earth, it is opposition. Treating opposition as conformity results in gain (success), while treating conformity as opposition results in loss (failure). I wish to hear about the matters of conformity and opposition, gain and loss, and inquire further from Qibo.

Qibo replied: The Five Elements are Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. Their alternating prosperity and decline allow us to know life and death, to decide success and failure in treatment, and to determine the Qi of the five Zang organs, the times of remission and exacerbation, and the periods of life and death.

"Geng" is pronounced with a level tone, "Jian" with a departing tone; "Jian Shen" below follows the same pronunciation. The Qi of the four seasons does not exceed the Five Elements. The Five Elements are Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. "Gui" (noble/prosperous) refers to Water prospering in Spring and Fire prospering in Summer; "Jian" (base/declining) refers to Water declining in Autumn and Fire extinguishing in Winter. "Geng Gui Geng Jian" refers to the overlapping succession of generation and transformation, and the coming and going of cold and heat. By understanding the principle of alternating prosperity and decline, one can predict life and death in disease, decide the success or failure of treatment, determine the prosperous Qi of the five Zang organs, and ascertain the severity of illness and the timing of life and death.

The Yellow Emperor said: I wish to hear this completely.
"Cu" means "exhaustively" or "fully."

Qibo said: The Liver governs Spring. The Foot Jueyin (Liver Meridian) and Foot Shaoyang (Gallbladder Meridian) are in charge, corresponding to the days of Jia and Yi. The Liver suffers from tension/spasm; in such cases, urgently consume Sweet flavors to relax it.

The Liver, Heart, Spleen, Lung, and Kidney are the five Zang organs of humans. Among the Zang organs, it is the Liver; among the seasons, it is Spring. Therefore, the Liver governs Spring. Foot Jueyin corresponds to Yi Wood, and Foot Shaoyang corresponds to Jia Wood. Thus, during Spring, the Foot Jueyin and Foot Shaoyang meridians are in charge, corresponding to the days of Jia and Yi. The Liver governs the Wood element of Spring, which has the mechanism of generating Yang Qi and gradual growth. If there is tension without harmony, this is what the Liver suffers from. The method of treatment is to urgently consume Sweet flavors to relax it.

The Heart governs Summer. The Hand Shaoyin (Heart Meridian) and Hand Taiyang (Small Intestine Meridian) are in charge, corresponding to the days of Bing and Ding. The Heart suffers from laxity/flaccidity; in such cases, urgently consume Sour flavors to astringe it.

Hand Shaoyin corresponds to Ding Fire, and Hand Taiyang corresponds to Bing Fire. Thus, during Summer, the Hand Shaoyin and Hand Taiyang meridians are in charge, corresponding to the days of Bing and Ding. The Heart governs the Fire element of Summer, which has the mechanism of flaming upward and rapid movement. If there is flaccidity without speed, this is what the Heart suffers from. The method of treatment is to urgently consume Sour flavors to astringe it. Sour flavors have an astringent effect, assisting Heart Qi to flame upward.

The Spleen governs Late Summer (the transition between Summer and Autumn). The Foot Taiyin (Spleen Meridian) and Foot Yangming (Stomach Meridian) are in charge, corresponding to the days of Wu and Ji. The Spleen suffers from dampness; in such cases, urgently consume Bitter flavors to dry it.

Foot Taiyin corresponds to Ji Earth, and Foot Yangming corresponds to Wu Earth. Thus, during Late Summer, the Foot Taiyin and Foot Yangming meridians are in charge, corresponding to the days of Wu and Ji. The Spleen belongs to Yin Earth and relies on the drying Qi of the Yangming Stomach for support. If there is dampness without dryness, this is what the Spleen suffers from. The method of treatment is to urgently consume Bitter flavors to dry it. Bitter flavor belongs to Fire, so it has the ability to dry.

The Lung governs Autumn. The Hand Taiyin (Lung Meridian) and Hand Yangming (Large Intestine Meridian) are in charge, corresponding to the days of Geng and Xin. The Lung suffers from rebellious Qi ascending; in such cases, urgently consume Bitter flavors to drain/descend it.

Hand Taiyin corresponds to Xin Metal, and Hand Yangming corresponds to Geng Metal. Thus, during Autumn, the Hand Taiyin and Hand Yangming meridians are in charge, corresponding to the days of Geng and Xin. The Lung governs the Metal element of Autumn, which has the mechanism of convergence and clearing/purifying. If Qi rebels upward, this is what the Lung suffers from. The method of treatment is to urgently consume Bitter flavors to drain/descend it. Bitter-Cold properties descend, so they can drain/descend. The previous text mentioned Bitter flavors drying dampness; here it says Bitter flavors drain/descend. This is because receiving the Qi of Sovereign Fire and having a Bitter taste leads to drying; receiving the Qi of Cold Water and having a Bitter taste leads to draining/descending. Inferring from the nature and movement of substances, this can be understood.

The Kidney governs Winter. The Foot Shaoyin (Kidney Meridian) and Foot Taiyang (Bladder Meridian) are in charge, corresponding to the days of Ren and Gui. The Kidney suffers from dryness; in such cases, urgently consume Pungent flavors to moisten it, by opening the interstices (cou li), promoting the flow of body fluids, and unblocking Qi.

Foot Shaoyin corresponds to Gui Water, and Foot Taiyang corresponds to Ren Water. Thus, during Winter, the Foot Shaoyin and Foot Taiyang meridians are in charge, corresponding to the days of Ren and Gui. Water is prosperous in Winter, governed by Kidney Qi. If there is dryness without moisture, this is what the Kidney suffers from. The method of treatment is to urgently consume Pungent flavors to moisten it. Pungent flavor mainly promotes dispersion; how can it moisten? Because Pungent flavor opens the interstices, allowing internal body fluids to circulate outward, and lower body fluids to circulate upward, thus achieving moistening.

Diseases in the Liver will heal in Summer. If not healed in Summer, they will worsen in Autumn. If not fatal in Autumn, they will stabilize in Winter, and recover in Spring. Wind exposure should be avoided.

The Liver belongs to Wood, and Summer belongs to Fire. Fire is the child of Wood, so Liver diseases heal in Summer. If the Child Qi (Fire) is prosperous but the disease does not heal, by Autumn, Metal overcomes Wood, and the disease worsens. If not fatal in Autumn, it stabilizes in Winter because Water generates Wood. By Spring, Wood Qi becomes prosperous again, so recovery occurs in Spring. Wind Qi communicates with the Liver, so wind exposure must be avoided. This describes how Zang organ Qi follows the four seasons of the year.

In Liver diseases, healing occurs on Bing and Ding days. If not healed on Bing and Ding days, exacerbation occurs on Geng and Xin days. If not fatal on Geng and Xin days, stabilization occurs on Ren and Gui days, and recovery occurs on Jia and Yi days.

Healing in Bing and Ding days corresponds to healing in Summer as mentioned above. Exacerbation in Geng and Xin days corresponds to worsening in Autumn if not healed in Summer. Stabilization in Ren and Gui days corresponds to stabilization in Winter if not fatal in Autumn. Recovery in Jia and Yi days corresponds to recovery in Spring. This describes how Zang organ Qi follows the four seasons of the Ten Heavenly Stems.

Patients with Liver diseases feel clear-headed (Hui) at dawn, symptoms worsen in the late afternoon (Xia Pu), and become quiet/stable at midnight.

"Hui" means clear-minded. "Jing" means quiet/stable. Dawn is when Wood Qi is prosperous; feeling clear-headed at dawn corresponds to the meaning of recovering in Spring and on Jia/Yi days. Late afternoon is when Metal Qi is prosperous; Metal overcomes Wood, so symptoms worsen then, corresponding to worsening in Autumn and on Geng/Xin days. Midnight is when Water Qi is prosperous; Water generates Wood, so symptoms become quiet then, corresponding to stabilization in Winter and on Ren/Gui days. This describes how Zang organ Qi follows the four seasons (time periods) of a day.

The Liver desires dispersion. In such cases, urgently consume Pungent flavors to disperse it. Use Pungent flavors to tonify, and Sour flavors to drain.

Liver disease causes Wood stagnation, so the Liver desires dispersion. The method of treatment is to urgently consume Pungent flavors to disperse it, as Pungent flavors promote dispersion. When Liver Qi is stagnant and desires dispersion, dispersing it is equivalent to tonifying it, so use Pungent flavors to tonify. Since Pungent dispersion is tonification, Sour astringency is drainage, so use Sour flavors to drain. This describes how Zang organ Qi follows the Five Flavors of the Earth.

Diseases in the Heart will heal in Late Summer. If not healed in Late Summer, they will worsen in Winter. If not fatal in Winter, they will stabilize in Spring, and recover in Summer. Warm food and hot clothing should be avoided.

The Heart belongs to Fire, and Late Summer belongs to Earth. Earth is the child of Fire, so Heart diseases heal in Late Summer. If the Child Qi (Earth) is prosperous but the disease does not heal, by Winter, Water overcomes Fire, and the disease worsens. If not fatal in Winter, it stabilizes in Spring because Wood generates Fire. By Summer, Fire Qi becomes prosperous again, so recovery occurs in Summer. Fire Qi communicates with the Heart, so warm food and hot clothing must be avoided. This describes how Zang organ Qi follows the four seasons of the year.

In Heart diseases, healing occurs on Wu and Ji days. If not healed on Wu and Ji days, exacerbation occurs on Ren and Gui days. If not fatal on Ren and Gui days, stabilization occurs on Jia and Yi days, and recovery occurs on Bing and Ding days.

Healing in Wu and Ji days corresponds to healing in Late Summer. Exacerbation in Ren and Gui days corresponds to worsening in Winter if not healed in Late Summer. Stabilization in Jia and Yi days corresponds to stabilization in Spring if not fatal in Winter. Recovery in Bing and Ding days corresponds to recovery in Summer. This describes how Zang organ Qi follows the four seasons of the Ten Heavenly Stems.

Patients with Heart diseases feel clear-headed at noon, symptoms worsen at midnight, and become quiet/stable at dawn.

Noon is when Fire Qi is prosperous, so patients feel clear-headed at noon, corresponding to recovery in Summer and on Bing/Ding days. Midnight is when Water Qi is prosperous; Water overcomes Fire, so symptoms worsen then, corresponding to worsening in Winter and on Ren/Gui days. Dawn is when Wood Qi is prosperous; Wood generates Fire, so symptoms become quiet then, corresponding to stabilization in Spring and on Jia/Yi days. This describes how Zang organ Qi follows the four seasons of a day.

The Heart desires softness/pliability. In such cases, urgently consume Salty flavors to soften it. Use Salty flavors to tonify, and Sweet flavors to drain.

Heart disease causes Fire to flame upward, so the Heart desires softening. The method of treatment is to urgently consume Salty flavors to soften it, as Salty flavors can soften hardness. When Heart Qi flames upward and desires softening, softening it is equivalent to tonifying it, so use Salty flavors to tonify. Since Salty softening is tonification, Sweet relaxation is drainage, so use Sweet flavors to drain. This describes how Zang organ Qi follows the Five Flavors of the Earth.

Diseases in the Spleen will heal in Autumn. If not healed in Autumn, they will worsen in Spring. If not fatal in Spring, they will stabilize in Summer, and recover in Late Summer. Damp food, overeating, damp environments, and wet clothing should be avoided.

"Damp food" was mistakenly written as "warm food" in old editions and is corrected here. It refers to water-damp substances. "Ru yi" refers to wet clothing. The Spleen belongs to Earth, and Autumn belongs to Metal. Metal is the child of Earth, so Spleen diseases heal in Autumn. If the Child Qi (Metal) is prosperous but the disease does not heal, by Spring, Wood overcomes Earth, and the disease worsens. If not fatal in Spring, it stabilizes in Summer because Fire generates Earth. By Late Summer, Earth Qi becomes prosperous again, so recovery occurs in Late Summer. Dampness Qi communicates with the Spleen, so damp food, overeating, damp ground, and wet clothing must be avoided. This describes how Zang organ Qi follows the four seasons of the year.

In Spleen diseases, healing occurs on Geng and Xin days. If not healed on Geng and Xin days, exacerbation occurs on Jia and Yi days. If not fatal on Jia and Yi days, stabilization occurs on Bing and Ding days, and recovery occurs on Wu and Ji days.

Healing in Geng and Xin days corresponds to healing in Autumn. Exacerbation in Jia and Yi days corresponds to... [Note: Text implies worsening in Spring, stabilization in Summer]. Recovery in Wu and Ji days corresponds to recovery in Late Summer. This describes how Zang organ Qi follows the four seasons of the Ten Heavenly Stems.

Patients with Spleen diseases feel clear-headed in the late afternoon (Wei hour), symptoms worsen at sunrise, and become quiet/stable in the late afternoon.

"Bu" (referring to time) sounds like "Di," meaning afternoon. The period after noon (Wei hour) is when Earth Qi is prosperous, so patients feel clear-headed, corresponding to recovery in Late Summer and on Wu/Ji days. Sunrise is when Wood Qi is prosperous; Wood overcomes Earth, so symptoms worsen then, corresponding to worsening in Spring and on Jia/Yi days. Late afternoon (Shen/You hours) is when Metal Qi is prosperous; Earth generates Metal, so symptoms become quiet then. Taking Liver and Heart as examples, symptoms are quiet when Fire Qi is prosperous at noon; now they are quiet in the late afternoon, illustrating that when Child and Mother Qi are prosperous, symptoms become quiet. This describes how Zang organ Qi follows the four seasons of a day.

The Spleen desires relaxation. In such cases, urgently consume Sweet flavors to relax it. Use Bitter flavors to drain, and Sweet flavors to tonify.

Spleen disease causes Earth to lose its gentleness, so the Spleen desires relaxation. The method of treatment is to urgently consume Sweet flavors to relax it, as Sweet flavors can moderate the Middle Jiao. When Spleen Qi desires relaxation, Bitter drainage constitutes drainage, so use Bitter flavors to drain. Since Bitter drainage is drainage, Sweet relaxation is tonification, so use Sweet flavors to tonify. This describes how Zang organ Qi follows the Five Flavors of the Earth.

Diseases in the Lung will heal in Winter. If not healed in Winter, they will worsen in Summer. If not fatal in Summer, they will stabilize in Late Summer, and recover in Autumn. Cold food and cold clothing should be avoided.

The Lung belongs to Metal, and Winter belongs to Water. Water is the child of Metal, so Lung diseases heal in Winter. If the Child Qi (Water) is prosperous but the disease does not heal, by Summer, Fire overcomes Metal, and the disease worsens. If not fatal in Summer, it stabilizes in Late Summer because Earth generates Metal. By Autumn, Metal Qi becomes prosperous again, so recovery occurs in Autumn. Drinking cold liquids and physical cold damage the Lung, so cold food and cold clothing must be avoided. This describes how Zang organ Qi follows the four seasons of the year.

In Lung diseases, healing occurs on Ren and Gui days. If not healed on Ren and Gui days, exacerbation occurs on Bing and Ding days. If not fatal on Bing and Ding days, stabilization occurs on Wu and Ji days, and recovery occurs on Geng and Xin days.

Healing in Ren and Gui days corresponds to healing in Winter. Exacerbation in Bing and Ding days corresponds to worsening in Summer if not healed in Winter. Stabilization in Wu and Ji days corresponds to stabilization in Late Summer if not fatal. Recovery in Geng and Xin days corresponds to recovery in Autumn. This describes how Zang organ Qi follows the four seasons of the Ten Heavenly Stems.

Patients with Lung diseases feel clear-headed in the late afternoon, symptoms worsen at noon, and become quiet/stable at midnight.

Late afternoon is when Metal Qi is prosperous, so patients feel clear-headed then, corresponding to recovery in Autumn and on Geng/Xin days. Noon is when Fire Qi is prosperous; Fire overcomes Metal, so symptoms worsen then, corresponding to worsening in Summer and on Bing/Ding days. Midnight is when Water Qi is prosperous; Metal generates Water, so symptoms become quiet then, also reflecting the quietness when Child Qi is prosperous. This describes how Zang organ Qi follows the four seasons of a day.

The Lung desires convergence. In such cases, urgently consume Sour flavors to converge it. Use Sour flavors to tonify, and Pungent flavors to drain.

Lung disease causes Qi to scatter, so the Lung desires convergence. The method of treatment is to urgently consume Sour flavors to converge it. Sour flavors primarily converge. When Lung Qi scatters and desires convergence, converging it is equivalent to tonifying it, so use Sour flavors to tonify. Since Sour convergence is tonification, Pungent dispersion is drainage, so use Pungent flavors to drain. This describes how Zang organ Qi follows the Five Flavors of the Earth.

Diseases in the Kidney will heal in Spring. If not healed in Spring, they will worsen in Late Summer. If not fatal in Late Summer, they will stabilize in Autumn, and recover in Winter. Avoid roasted hot foods and fire-dried warm clothes.

"Cui" sounds like "Cui," same as in other chapters. "Zhu" sounds like "Shuai." Cui Zhu hot food refers to food roasted by fire. Wen Zhi clothes refer to clothes dried by fire. The Kidney belongs to Water, and Spring belongs to Wood. Wood is the child of Water, so Kidney diseases heal in Spring. If the Child Qi (Wood) is prosperous but the disease does not heal, by Late Summer, Earth overcomes Water, and the disease worsens. If not fatal in Late Summer, it stabilizes in Autumn because Metal generates Water. By Winter, Water Qi becomes prosperous, so recovery occurs in Winter. The Kidney is a Water organ; if dry and not moist, it suffers. Therefore, avoid roasted hot foods and fire-dried warm clothes. This describes how Zang organ Qi follows the four seasons of the year.

In Kidney diseases, healing occurs on Jia and Yi days. If not healed on Jia and Yi days, exacerbation occurs on Wu and Ji days. If not fatal on Wu and Ji days, stabilization occurs on Geng and Xin days, and recovery occurs on Ren and Gui days.

Healing in Jia and Yi days corresponds to healing in Spring. Exacerbation in Wu and Ji days corresponds to worsening in Late Summer if not healed in Spring. Stabilization in Geng and Xin days corresponds to stabilization in Autumn if not fatal in Late Summer. Recovery in Ren and Gui days corresponds to recovery in Winter. This describes how Zang organ Qi follows the four seasons of the Ten Heavenly Stems.

Patients with Kidney diseases feel clear-headed at midnight, symptoms worsen in the four seasonal months (Chen, Xu, Chou, Wei), and become quiet/stable in the late afternoon.

Midnight is when Water Qi is prosperous, so patients feel clear-headed then, corresponding to recovery in Winter and on Ren/Gui days. The four seasonal months (Chen, Xu, Chou, Wei) are when Earth Qi is prosperous; Earth overcomes Water, so symptoms worsen then, corresponding to worsening in Late Summer and on Wu/Ji days. Late afternoon is when Metal Qi is prosperous; Metal generates Water, so symptoms become quiet then, corresponding to stabilization in Autumn and on Geng/Xin days. This describes how Zang organ Qi follows the four seasons of a day.

The Kidney desires firmness/solidity. In such cases, urgently consume Bitter flavors to firm it. Use Bitter flavors to tonify, and Salty flavors to drain.

Kidney disease causes Water to flood, so the Kidney desires firmness. The method of treatment is to urgently consume Bitter flavors to firm it. Bitter flavor belongs to Fire, so it can firm (Yin). When Kidney Qi is moist and desires firmness, firming it is equivalent to tonifying it, so use Bitter flavors to tonify. Since Bitter firming is tonification, Salty softening is drainage, so use Salty flavors to drain. This describes how Zang organ Qi follows the Five Flavors of the Earth.

When pathogenic Qi invades the body, it acts according to the cycle of overcoming. Diseases heal when transmitted to the organ it generates, worsen when transmitted to the organ that overcomes it, stabilize when reaching the organ it generates, and recover when returning to its own dominant position. One must first determine the pulses of the five Zang organs before discussing the times of remission and exacerbation, and the periods of life and death.

Summarizing the above meaning, the diseases of the Liver, Heart, Spleen, Lung, and Kidney mentioned above are all due to pathogenic Qi lodging in the body. Thus it is said: "When pathogenic Qi invades the body, it acts according to the cycle of overcoming." For example, Dry Metal injures the Liver, Cold Water overwhelms the Heart, Wind Wood attacks the Spleen, Hot Fire scorches the Lung, and Dampness invades the Kidney. The fact that diseases of the five Zang organs heal is because they reach the organ they generate. The fact that diseases of the five Zang organs worsen is because they reach the organ that overcomes them. The fact that severe diseases of the five Zang organs stabilize is because they reach the organ they generate. The fact that they recover after stabilizing is because they return to their own dominant position. To decide between remission/exacerbation and life/death, one must diagnose the pulse to know. Therefore, one must first determine the pulses of the five Zang organs before discussing the times of remission and exacerbation, and the periods of life and death, as mentioned above.

This section discusses how the Qi of the five Zang organs follows the Four Seasons of Heaven and the Five Flavors of Earth.

Patients with Liver diseases experience pain in both hypochondriac regions radiating to the lower abdomen, making them prone to anger. In deficiency patterns, they suffer from blurred vision and hearing loss, excessive fear, and a sensation as if someone is about to capture them. Treatment should involve the Jueyin and Shaoyang meridians. If Liver Qi rebels, causing headache, deafness/tinnitus, and cheek swelling, bloodletting should be performed on these meridians.

"Huang" sounds like "Huang," same as in other chapters. The Jueyin Liver meridian distributes along the costal and hypochondriac regions and reaches the lower abdomen, so Liver disease presents as pain in both hypochondriac regions radiating to the lower abdomen. Anger is the emotion of the Liver, so Liver disease makes people prone to anger. If Liver Qi is internally deficient and cannot ascend, vision becomes blurred and hearing diminishes. If vital Qi fails to reach, fear arises, resembling being hunted, with a startled appearance. Treatment should take the Jueyin and Shaoyang meridians. This is because Shaoyang is the Zhongjian (intermediate) Qi of Jueyin. If Liver Qi rebels upward, causing headache, cheek swelling, and deafness/tinnitus, blood should be drawn from the Jueyin and Shaoyang meridians.

Patients with Heart diseases experience pain in the chest, pain in the anterior chest, back, and interscapular region, and pain in the inner aspect of both arms. In deficiency patterns, the chest and abdomen become distended, and there is pulling pain between the hypochondrium and the waist. Treatment should involve the Shaoyin and Taiyang meridians, and bloodletting under the tongue. For altered conditions, bloodletting at Weizhong (BL40) should be performed.

"Jia" is the same as "Jia" (scapula). This discussion of Heart disease mentions the Pericardium meridian to clarify that the Heart itself does not receive disease. The *Ling Shu: Jing Mai* chapter states: The meridian of the Heart Master (Pericardium) originates in the chest, runs along the chest and out to the hypochondrium. Therefore, Heart disease presents with chest pain, fullness and pain in the hypochondrium. It also states: Running along the axilla, between the Taiyin (Lung) and Shaoyin (Heart) meridians. Taiyin is Lung, Shaoyin is Heart, so anterior chest/back pain relates to Heart disease, and scapular pain relates to Lung disease. It also states: Entering the elbow, descending the arm, so pain in the inner aspect of both arms occurs. Internal deficiency of Heart Fire leads to Earth lacking generation (Fire does not generate Earth), resulting in abdominal distension extending to the chest, hence deficiency presents with large chest and abdomen. The meridians cannot circulate through the chest, hypochondrium, and back, causing pulling pain between the hypochondrium and waist.

Treatment involves the Shaoyin and Taiyang meridians. Shaoyin is the Heart; when Heart Qi is harmonious, the Pericardium is also harmonious. Taiyang refers to the Heart as the Great Yang within Yang. Bloodletting under the tongue takes the opening of the Heart orifice to刺出 (puncture and release) blood. "Altered conditions" refers to initial disease in the Pericardium meridian changing to the Luo collateral branches of the Taiyang meridian. One should puncture Weizhong (BL40) and draw blood. Weizhong is the He-Sea point of the Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian, located in the center of the popliteal fossa.

Patients with Spleen diseases experience heavy body, frequent muscle atrophy/wasting, inability to flex the feet, difficulty walking, and pain in the soles of the feet. In deficiency patterns, there is abdominal fullness, borborygmus, undigested stool diarrhea (Sun Xie), and food not transforming. Treatment should involve the Taiyin, Yangming, and Shaoyin meridians, focusing on blood.

The muscles of the whole body are governed by Spleen Earth, so Spleen disease presents with heavy body and muscle wasting. "Wei" is similar to Bi syndrome. The Foot Taiyin Spleen meridian originates at the big toe and ascends to the knee. Spleen disease causes the foot to be flaccid and unable to hold, leading to difficult walking and sole pain. Internal deficiency of Spleen Earth prevents the distribution of essence, causing abdominal fullness. Deficiency-cold of Earth Qi causes borborygmus and undigested stool diarrhea. Treatment involves taking the meridians, primarily Taiyin and Yangming. Including Shaoyin is because Fire and Earth generate each other (Fire is the mother of Earth). "Blood" refers to unblocking the meridians.

Patients with Lung diseases experience wheezing, coughing, rebellious Qi, shoulder and back pain, sweating, and pain in the sacrum, yin region, thigh, knee, thigh bone, calf, and foot. In deficiency patterns, there is shortness of breath, inability to complete inhalation/exhalation cycles, deafness, and dry throat. Treatment should involve the Taiyin meridian, outside the Taiyang meridian, and inside the Jueyin meridian, focusing on blood.

"Kao" is pronounced with a level tone, following this pattern for other chapters. Dysfunction of Lung Qi causes wheezing, coughing, and rebellious Qi. Disharmony of the Lung meridian causes shoulder/back pain and sweating. The Taiyang meridian combines with the Lung and runs through the skin and hair. The Taiyang meridian runs from the lumbar spine, through the buttocks into the popliteal fossa, to the end of the foot. Now, Taiyang Qi is disharmonious with the Lung, causing pain in the sacrum, yin region, thigh, knee, thigh bone, calf, and foot. The Jueyin meridian passes through the diaphragm and injects into the Lung. Now, internal deficiency of Liver Qi prevents it from passing through the diaphragm to inject into the Lung, causing shortness of breath and inability to complete breathing cycles. "Xi" refers to respiration. From Jueyin out...