Library

The root of the thigh is where the Yin meridians and the thigh channels intersect. The bone cavity at the root of the thigh is located below the pulsating artery in the pubic hair area, situated between the clefts of the legs.

The bone cavity of the sacrococcygeal region is located posterior to the femur (the lateral bone of the buttock), four cun away from it.

The sacrococcygeal bone refers to the coccyx. The femur here refers to the lateral bone of the buttock. Posterior to the femur, at a distance of four cun, lies precisely the location of the sacrococcygeal bone cavity.

Flat bones possess permeable textures for convergence but lack marrow cavities; thus, marrow cannot circulate through them, and they have no openings.

Flat bones refer to the ribs that intersect between the thorax and the spine. "Permeable" refers to the seeping flow of fluids. "Texture" refers to grain or pattern. "Convergence" refers to meeting or joining. "Exchange" refers to circulation and transformation. Flat bones have permeable textures that converge at the thoracic spine; internally, they lack marrow cavities. This explains that "permeable texture convergence" signifies the circulation and exchange of marrow, while "lack of marrow cavities" means there are no openings at either end.

For treating cold-heat disorders via moxibustion, first moxa the Dazhui (GV14) point on the neck, using the patient's age as the number of moxa cones (one cone per year). Next, moxa the Juegu (tip of the coccyx), also using the age as the number of moxa cones.

Marrow is stored in the bones, and bones belong to the Kidney. If the internal marrow becomes deficient, water-toxin from the Kidney may ascend along the meridians, leading to Shulou (scrofula, a condition characterized by cervical lymph node tuberculosis accompanied by chills and fever). As mentioned earlier: Shulou with cold-heat symptoms should be treated by needling the Hanfu point. For excess conditions, needling is used; for deficiency conditions, moxibustion is applied. Therefore, the method for treating cold-heat disorders via moxibustion is described: first, moxa the Dazhui point on the neck, which is the starting point of the spinal column. The number of moxa cones corresponds to the patient's age, calculated based on the year when the lymphatic nodules first appeared. Second, moxa the Juegu (coccyx tip), which is the end of the spinal column, again using the age as the number of moxa cones.

Observe the sunken areas of the Back-Shu points and apply moxibustion there. Observe the depressions that appear on the shoulder when the arm is raised, and apply moxibustion to these areas.

The Shu points of the Zang and Fu organs are all located on the back. Therefore, observe the Back-Shu points; if any appear sunken internally, apply moxibustion bilaterally. The method for observation requires raising the arm and shoulder; when the arm and shoulder are raised, the depressions appearing on the back should be moxaed.

Apply moxibustion to the area between the two hypochondriac regions.

Extending from the shoulder and back to the hypochondrium, apply moxibustion bilaterally to the area between the two hypochondriac regions.

Apply moxibustion to the end of the Jiegu point above the lateral malleolus, and to the space between the fourth toe and the fifth toe.

According to the *Meridian Treatise*: The Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian descends to the end of the Jiegu, emerges anterior to the lateral malleolus, follows the dorsum of the foot, and enters the space between the fourth and fifth toes. Therefore, moxibustion should be applied to the Jiegu near the lateral malleolus and to the space between the fourth and fifth toes.

Apply moxibustion to the depressed vessels and to the posterior aspect of the lateral malleolus.

According to the *Meridian Treatise*: The Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian descends through the popliteal fossa, emerges posterior to the lateral malleolus. Therefore, moxibustion should be applied to the depressed vessels in the popliteal area and to the posterior aspect of the lateral malleolus.

Press the area above the Clavicular Fossa (Quepen); if it feels hard and painful like a tendon knot, apply moxibustion.

The area above the Clavicular Fossa is close to the Shulou nodes in the neck, so it should be pressed. If it feels hard and painful like a tendon knot, apply moxibustion directly to the hard and painful area.

Apply moxibustion to the depression between the bones in the center of the chest.

The depression between the bones in the center of the chest is located in the upper chest, below the throat, at the Tiantu (CV22) point.

Apply moxibustion below the transverse bone of the palm.

Shugu refers to the transverse bone. "Below the transverse bone of the palm" refers to the space within the crease of the transverse bone, specifically the Daling (PC7) point and others.

Apply moxibustion three cun below the umbilicus, at the Guanyuan (CV4) point.

Three cun below the umbilicus is the Guanyuan point. Hence, it is stated as three cun below the umbilicus at Guanyuan.

Apply moxibustion to the pulsating artery at the pubic margin.

This refers to the pulsating artery at the Qichong (ST30) point on both sides of the pubic margin.

Apply moxibustion in the intermuscular space three cun below the knee.

The intermuscular space three cun below the knee contains the Zusanli (ST36) point and others.

Apply moxibustion to the pulsating artery on the dorsum of the foot belonging to the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian.

The pulsating artery on the dorsum of the foot corresponds to the Chongyang (ST42) point of the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian.

Apply moxibustion to one point on the vertex of the head.

The vertex of the head is the Baihui (GV20) point.

For the site bitten by a dog, apply three moxa cones, and then treat it according to the methods for dog bite injuries.

"Nie" is pronounced "ye." This uses the metaphor of a dog bite to clarify the appropriate acupoints for moxibustion, implying that the ulceration of Shulou resembles a dog bite. The site bitten by a dog refers to the Futu (ST32) points on the leg. A dog biting a person typically bites the lower leg from behind; however, in this metaphorical context, the "dog" bites the front of the thigh. Apply three moxa cones to the Futu points. Although the age-based calculation might suggest fewer cones, the muscle tissue here is deep and dense, so three cones are still required, following the treatment principles for dog bites. This implies that just as Shulou damages muscle tissue, a dog bite also damages muscle tissue, and the pathology is similar.

There are twenty-nine locations in total that require moxibustion. If there are ulcerative erosions, apply moxibustion. If the condition does not resolve after moxibustion, examine the meridians for signs of excessive Yang heat, repeatedly needle the corresponding Shu points, and administer herbal medicine.

"Erosion" was erroneously printed as "food" in old editions; it is corrected here. "Shuo" is pronounced "shuo." This concludes the previous discussion, clarifying that moxibustion is indicated for sinking Yang Qi, while excessive Yang heat requires needling and medication. The twenty-nine locations include: Dazhui (1), Juegu (1), Back-Shu points (2), Hypochondriac regions (2), Jiegu (2), Space between fourth and fifth toes (2), Depressed vessels in popliteal area (2), Posterior lateral malleolus (2), Clavicular Fossa (2), Center of chest (1), Transverse bone of palm (2), Guanyuan (1), Pubic arterial pulse (2), Three cun below knee (2), Dorsum of foot (2), Vertex (1), Dog bite sites (2), totaling twenty-nine locations for moxibustion. This applies to ulcerative erosions caused by sinking Yang Qi. If moxibustion fails to resolve the condition, it indicates excessive Yang heat rather than sinking Qi. Therefore, one must identify the meridians with excessive Yang heat, repeatedly needle the relevant Shu points associated with Yang heat, and use herbs to regulate the body. This constitutes the complete method for treating Shulou with cold-heat symptoms. This section explains that essence and marrow are stored in the bone cavities; internal deficiency of essence and marrow leads to Shulou with cold-heat symptoms, and describes the corresponding moxibustion and needling techniques.