属者所统属也。知其所属。则纲领既得。而其条目可例求矣。
诸风掉眩皆属于肝。
肝为风脏。凡风病皆属于肝。诸风。谓中风伤风惊风疠风之类。所该之证多矣。掉谓转动。凡猝倒痉痫抽掣摇战之
类皆是。肝主筋此皆筋之为病也。眩是昏晕。凡昏花妄见。头目旋转。皆是肝开窍于目。故有此病也。西医谓目眩惑昏
花。痉痫抽掣。皆脑髓筋为病谓目系通脑故昏眩。脑气用力太过。则肉缩伸抽掣。究问脑气何故病。此则西医茫然。岂
知肝脉通于脑。开窍于目而土筋。凡西医所谓脑气。皆肝脉所司。而脉筋所以致病。则又肝风为政也。故凡掉眩皆属于。
风而诸风为病。总属之肝。
诸寒收引皆属于肾。
肾司寒气。故凡寒证。皆属之肾。肾又主骨。肾阳四达。则骨体舒展举动轻便。若肢骨拘急而收曲。或 缓而引长。
皆骨不为用也。须知拘收引 。与抽掣缩短者不同。一是寒症一是风症当辨。
诸气 郁。皆属于肺。
五脏六腑之气。无不总统于肺。以肺为气之总管也。故凡治气。皆当治肺。肺立皮毛。 是气之乖于皮毛者。
也说文谓形恶。如紫癜斑瘤。黑痣 鼻之类西医言毛孔下有油核。其管直通皮肤。若面生黑刺。即管塞。之故此即内经
之说也。郁是气遏于内。不得舒发也。见病。如气逆痰滞。血结便闭之类。是气之乖于腹内者。郁与畅反肺气不畅
故郁。宜散降之。
诸湿肿满皆属于脾。
肿在皮肤四肢。满在腹内胀塞。皆湿气壅滞。水不下行。停走于膈膜中也。然湿证尚不止此。故曰诸湿或头目晕沉。
或疟暑泄痢。或周身痹痛。或痰饮 癖。皆属脾土。不制水所致盖脾生油膜之。上膜是三焦主水道油是脾之物油不沾水。
此脾所以利水也。若脾之油失其令则湿气乃。得藏匿。故治湿责之于脾。
诸痛疮痒。皆属于心。
此言诸疮。或血分凝结阻滞其。气气与血争则痛。或血虚生热。兼动风气。风火相扇。则痒。皆属心经血分为病。
治宜和血。又凡病不干血分皆不发痛。故痞臌肿等。均不痛凡是腹痛肢体痛。盖无不关于血分故皆属心。
诸热瞀 皆属于火。
诸热谓发热恶热瘟暑等症。瞀谓眼目昏花。黑暗见鬼等症。 谓筋不得伸。抽掣等证。皆属于火者。盖诸热是火伤
气分。火克肺金也。瞀是心神扰惑。视物昏乱。火属心。心脏火。扰其神故瞀。 是肝筋为火所灼。无血养筋。故缩扯。
与 缓不收有异。当辨之。
诸厥固泄。皆属于下。
厥谓四肢逆冷。固谓腹中瘕积。如寒疝之类。泻谓下利不止。皆属于下。谓属于下焦肾经也。肾阳不能四达。则厥。
肾阳不能上升则泻肾阳不能化气则固结。故皆属于下。宜温之也。
诸痿喘呕。皆属于上。
痿有两证。一是肺痿。肺叶焦。举不能通调津液。则为虚劳咳嗽。一是足痿。胫枯不能行走。则为足痿。然未有足
痿而不发于肺者。盖肺主行津液。由阳明而下润宗筋。足乃能行。肺之津液。不行则宗筋失养故足痿。虽见于下。而亦
属之上焦也。喘属肺之呼不利。呕属胃之饮食。气逆肺胃。均属上焦。上焦属阳。多病火逆宜清之也。
诸禁鼓栗。如丧神守。皆属于火。
禁谓口齿禁切。噤口痢。痉病口禁之类。鼓栗。谓鼓战栗。如疟疾手足摇战之类。如丧神守。谓谵语百合病。恍惚
不安之类盖热极反寒之象。火扰心神之征。皆宜治其火也。
诸痉项强。皆属于湿。
寒湿则筋脉凝热湿则筋脉胀。故皆能发痉与项强之证。
诸逆冲上。皆属于火。
诸逆谓吐咳呛呕等。凡是冲脉气逆头目咽喉胸中受病。均系心肝之火。挟冲脉上行也。宜抑之。
诸胀腹大。皆属于热。
诸胀谓腹内胀满。腹大谓单腹胀。此证是肝不疏泄。脾不运化。肝不疏泄。则小便不利。水停为胀。脾不运化。则
单腹胀。皆属于热者。属于肝木乘脾也。然此与上节火字有别。火属血分热属气分热则气分之水多壅。故主胀大。
诸躁狂越。皆属于火。
躁谓烦躁。狂谓癫狂。越谓升高。 垣。凡此皆三焦与胃火太甚。而血气勃发也。
诸暴强直。皆属于风。
强直僵仆倒地。暴者猝然发作。风性迅速。故能暴发。凡风均属之肝。肝属筋胀。风中筋脉。不能引动。则强直矣。
风者阳动而阴应之也。故风俱阴阳两性中风之阴。则为寒风中风之阳。则为热风无论寒热。均有强直之证。宜细辨之。
诸病有声按之如鼓。皆属于热。
此与肠鸣不同。肠鸣则转气切痛下泄。属水渍入肠。发为洞泻是寒非热也。此有声。乃在人皮里膜内。连网油膜之
中。凡人身连网油膜。均是三焦。乃相火之府。行水之道路也水火相激。往往发声。但其声绵绵。与雷鸣切痛者有异按
之亦能作声。又拒手。如按鼓皮。以其在皮膜间。故按之如鼓。是三焦之火。与水为仇也。故曰皆属于热。盖三焦为行
气之府。气多则能鼓吹其膜中之管使之有声如西洋象皮人搦之则出声是矣。
诸病跗肿疼酸惊骇。皆属于火。
跗足背。凡足肿皆发于厥阴阳明两经。阳明之脉行足背。厥阴之脉。起足大指丛毛内联踝。肝木生热。壅遏胃经之
湿。则循经下注而发足肿。极酸疼也。酸字颇有实义。西医云。凡香港脚必胃中先酿酸水。继而尿中有蛋白形。尿味亦酸
乃发脚肿痛但西医未言所以致酸。与因酸致肿之故。惟内经理可互证。经云肝木在味为酸盖木能生火木能克土土不化水
火又蒸之。则变酸味是酸者湿与热合之味也。羹汤夏月。过夜则酸湿遇热也。冬月则否有湿而无热也。知酸所以致疼肿
而香港脚可治矣。又凡乍惊乍骇。皆是肝经。木郁火发。魂不藏之故。是以皆属于火。
诸转反戾。水液混浊。皆属于热。
转者。左右扭掉也。反者角弓反张也。戾如犬出户下。其身曲戾。即阳明痉病头。曲至膝也。水液混浊。小便不清
也。转在侧属少阳经。反在后属太阳经戾在前属阳明经。水道在膈膜中。属三焦经皆属于热。是水液混浊。固属三焦之
热。而诸转反戾。亦当同属三焦矣。三焦。网膜西人谓之连网。由内达外。包裹赤肉两头生筋以贯赤肉筋连于骨节。故
利曲伸。观此则知转反戾是筋所牵引。实则网膜伸缩使然。故内经与水液同论。以见皆属三焦网膜中之热也。西医乃谓
抽掣痉等。发于脑筋。不免求深反浅。故西人无治之之术也。
诸病水液。澄澈清泠。皆属于寒。
下为小便上为涎唾。其道路总在三焦膜膈之中。无论何证。但据水液。有澄澈清泠之状。即是三焦大虚之候。故曰
皆属于寒。
诸呕吐酸。暴注下迫。皆属于热。
呕谓干呕。是火逆也。吐有寒证。吐酸则无寒证。暴注下。迫里急后重。逼塞不得畅。俗名痢证。皆属于热者。属
于肝经之热也。肝火上逆则呕吐酸。肝火下注则痢。下迫因肝欲疏泄。肺欲收敛。金木不和故欲泻不得。且痢多发于秋。
金克木也。
病机百出。未能尽录但举其凡。以例其余。
“属”指的是统属关系。明白了疾病所属的脏腑经络，就掌握了纲领，那么具体的病症条目就可以据此推求了。
各种风病引起的肢体震颤、头晕目眩，都归属于肝。
肝是主风的脏器，凡是风病都归属于肝。“诸风”，包括中风、伤风、惊风、疠风等类别，所涵盖的病症非常多。“掉”指肢体转动摇动，凡是突然昏倒、痉挛、癫痫发作时的抽搐、摇颤等情况都属于此类。肝主管筋脉，这些都是筋脉发生的病变。“眩”是指昏晕眼花，凡是视物模糊、出现幻象、头目旋转等症状，都是因为肝开窍于目，所以会出现这类疾病。西医认为目眩、视物模糊、痉挛抽搐都是脑髓和筋脉的病变，因为目系连接大脑，所以会昏眩；脑部气机用力过度，导致肌肉收缩、伸展时发生抽搐。但追问脑部气机为何生病，西医则感到茫然。哪里知道肝脉通达于脑，开窍于目并联系筋脉。凡西医所说的脑气功能，都由肝脉所主管，而脉与筋致病，实际上又是肝风在起作用。所以凡是震颤眩晕都归属于风，而各种风病，总归属于肝。
各种寒证引起的肢体收缩牵引，都归属于肾。
肾主管寒气，所以凡是寒证，都归属于肾。肾又主管骨骼。肾阳通达全身，则骨骼舒展，动作轻便。如果肢骨拘急弯曲，或者松弛无力而显得伸长，都是骨骼不能正常发挥作用。须知拘挛收缩牵引，与抽搐缩短是不同的，前者是寒证，后者是风证，应当辨别清楚。
各种气机郁滞，都归属于肺。
五脏六腑的气，没有不由肺统领的，因为肺是气的总管。所以凡是治疗气病，都应当治肺。肺外合皮毛，“皶”（zhì）是指面部皮肤粗糙恶臭，如紫癜、斑瘤、黑痣、酒渣鼻等。西医说毛孔下有油核，其管道直通皮肤，如果脸上长出黑头粉刺，就是管道堵塞。这也就是《内经》的说法。“郁”是指气机遏制在内，不得舒展发散。见到“㿥”（bì）病，如气逆痰滞、血结便秘等，这是气机乖违发生在腹内。郁与通畅相反，肺气不畅所以郁结，宜用疏散、降逆的方法治疗。
各种湿证引起的浮肿胀满，都归属于脾。
肿在皮肤四肢，满在腹内胀塞，都是湿气壅滞，水液不能下行，停聚在膈膜中间。然而湿证还不止于此，所以说各种湿证，或者头目昏沉，或者疟疾暑天泄痢，或者周身痹痛，或者痰饮癖积，都属于脾土不能制水所致。盖因脾生成油膜，上部的膜是三焦，主管水道；油是脾的物质，油不沾水，这就是脾能利水的原理。如果脾的油膜失去其正常功能，湿气就会藏匿其中。所以治疗湿证要责之于脾。
各种疼痛疮疡瘙痒，都归属于心。
这里说的各种疮疡，或者是血分凝结阻滞，气与血相争则痛；或者是血虚生热，兼动风气，风火相煽则痒。这些都归属于心经血分的病变。治疗宜调和血液。另外，凡是病不涉及血分的都不会发生疼痛，所以痞块、臌胀、肿块等都不痛。凡是腹痛、肢体痛，无不关系到血分，所以都归属于心。
各种热病引起的神志昏乱、筋脉拘急，都归属于火。
“诸热”指发热、恶热、瘟疫、暑症等病症。“瞀”（mào）指眼目昏花、黑暗、见鬼等症。“瘛”（chì）指筋脉不能伸展、抽搐等证。这些都归属于火，是因为各种热症是火损伤了气分，火克肺金。“瞀”是心神被扰乱迷惑，视物昏乱，火属于心，心脏之火扰乱心神所以昏乱。“瘛”是肝之筋脉被火灼烧，没有血液滋养筋脉，所以收缩拉扯。这与“㖲”（wěn，缓纵不收）不同，应当辨别。
各种厥逆、二便不通或失禁，都归属于下焦。
“厥”指四肢逆冷。“固”指腹中癥积，如寒疝之类。“泄”指下利不止。这些都归属于下焦，即属于下焦肾经。肾阳不能通达全身则发生厥逆；肾阳不能上升则发生泄泻；肾阳不能化气则发生固结不通。所以都归属于下焦，宜用温补法治疗。
各种痿证、喘证、呕吐，都归属于上焦。
痿证有两种情况：一是肺痿，肺叶焦枯，不能通调津液，则成为虚劳咳嗽；二是足痿，小腿枯瘦不能行走，称为足痿。但没有足痿不是从肺发起的。盖因肺主管运行津液，通过阳明经向下滋润宗筋，脚才能行走。肺的津液不行，则宗筋失养，所以足痿。虽然症状见于下肢，但也归属于上焦。喘属于肺的呼气不利，呕属于胃的饮食气逆。肺和胃都属于上焦。上焦属阳，多病火逆，宜用清法治疗。
各种口噤不语、鼓颔战栗，如同丧失神志守持，都归属于火。
“禁”指口齿紧闭，如噤口痢、痉病口禁等。“鼓栗”指鼓颔战栗，如疟疾手足摇战等。“如丧神守”指谵语、百合病、恍惚不安等。这是热极反寒的现象，是火扰心神的征象。都宜治疗其火邪。
各种痉挛、项背强直，都归属于湿。
寒湿则使筋脉凝滞，湿热则使筋脉肿胀，所以都能引发痉挛和项背强直的病症。
各种气机上冲，都归属于火。
“诸逆”指呕吐、咳嗽、呛逆等。凡是冲脉气逆，头目咽喉胸中受病，都是心肝之火挟带冲脉上行所致。宜用抑制法治疗。
各种腹部胀大，都归属于热。
“诸胀”指腹内胀满。“腹大”指单腹胀。此证是由于肝不疏泄，脾不运化。肝不疏泄，则小便不利，水停聚而成胀；脾不运化，则形成单腹胀。之所以说归属于热，是因为属于肝木乘脾。然而这与上一节提到的“火”字有别。火属于血分，热属于气分。热则气分的水液多壅滞，所以主要表现为胀大。
各种烦躁狂乱、行为越常，都归属于火。
“躁”指烦躁，“狂”指癫狂，“越”指登高爬墙等行为。凡此皆因三焦与胃火太盛，导致血气勃发。
各种突然发生的肢体强直，都归属于风。
强直僵仆倒地，“暴”指猝然发作。风性迅速，所以能暴发。凡风病都归属于肝，肝主管筋脉。风中筋脉，不能引动，则发生强直。风是阳动而阴应之的，所以风兼具阴阳两性。中风中的阴则为寒风，中风中的阳则为热风。无论寒热，均有强直的病症，宜仔细辨别。
各种病证伴有声响，按压腹部如击鼓声，都归属于热。
这与肠鸣不同。肠鸣则是转气切痛、下泄，属于水渍入肠，发为洞泻，是寒证而非热证。此处有声，是在人皮里膜内，连网油膜之中。凡人身体的连网油膜，都是三焦，是相火的府库，也是水液运行的道路。水火相激，往往发声。但其声音绵绵，与雷鸣切痛者不同。按压也能作声，且拒按，如按鼓皮。因为它在皮膜之间，所以按之如鼓。这是三焦之火与水为仇的表现。所以说都归属于热。盖因三焦是行气的府库，气多则能鼓吹其中的管膜使之有声，就像西洋象皮人捏它则会出声一样。
各种病证出现的足背浮肿、疼痛酸楚、惊恐骇怕，都归属于火。
“跗”指足背。凡足肿都发于厥阴、阳明两经。阳明经脉行于足背，厥阴经脉起于足大趾丛毛内，联踝。肝木生热，壅遏胃经的湿气，则循经下注而发足肿，极度酸痛。“酸”字颇有实义。西医说，凡香港脚（脚气病），必胃中先酿酸水，继而尿中有蛋白形状，尿味亦酸，乃发脚肿痛。但西医未言致酸的原因，以及因酸致肿的缘故，只有中医理论可以互证。《内经》说肝木在味为酸。盖木能生火，木能克土，土不化水，火又蒸之，则变酸味。所以酸是湿与热结合的味道。羹汤在夏天过夜则变酸，是湿遇热所致；冬天则否，有湿而无热。知道了酸所以致疼痛肿胀，脚气病就可治疗了。另外，凡是乍惊乍骇，都是肝经木郁火发，魂不藏舍的缘故。所以都归属于火。
各种身体扭转、角弓反张、屈曲不正，水液混浊，都归属于热。
“转”指左右扭动。“反”指角弓反张。“戾”如犬出户下，其身曲戾，即阳明痉病头曲至膝。水液混浊指小便不清。转侧属少阳经，反张在后属太阳经，曲戾在前属阳明经。水道在膈膜中，属三焦经。都归属于热，是水液混浊，固然属于三焦之热，而各种扭转、反张、曲戾，也应当同属三焦。三焦的网膜，西人称之为连网，由内达外，包裹赤肉，两头生筋以贯穿赤肉，筋连于骨节，所以利于屈伸。观此可知，转、反、戾是筋所牵引，实际上是网膜伸缩所致。所以《内经》将水液混浊与此同论，以见皆属三焦网膜中之热。西医却谓抽搐痉挛等发于脑筋，不免求深反浅，所以西医无治之之术。
各种病证的水液，澄澈清冷，都归属于寒。
下指小便，上指涎唾。其道路总在三焦膜膈之中。无论何种病证，只要根据水液呈现澄澈清冷的状态，就是三焦大虚的候象。所以说都归属于寒。
各种呕吐酸水、急骤腹泻、里急后重，都归属于热。
“呕”指干呕，是火逆所致。“吐”有寒证，但“吐酸”则无寒证。“暴注下迫”指里急后重，逼塞不得畅快，俗名痢疾。都归属于热，属于肝经之热。肝火上逆则呕吐酸水，肝火下注则成痢疾。下迫是因为肝欲疏泄，肺欲收敛，金木不和，故想泻而不能畅泻。且痢多发于秋季，是金克木所致。
病机变化百出，未能全部记录，但列举其大概，以类推其余。
"Shu" (belonging/subordination) refers to the relationship of subordination. Understanding which organ or meridian a disease belongs to allows one to grasp the general principles, from which specific symptom categories can be deduced.
All wind diseases characterized by tremors and dizziness belong to the Liver.
The Liver is the zang-organ governing Wind; therefore, all Wind diseases belong to the Liver. "Zhufeng" (various winds) includes conditions such as Zhongfeng (wind-stroke), Shangfeng (wind-cold injury), Jingfeng (wind-induced convulsions in children), and Lifeng (leprosy-like diseases), encompassing a vast array of symptoms. "Diao" refers to rotational movement or trembling; this includes sudden collapse, spasms, epilepsy with convulsions, and shaking. The Liver governs the sinews (tendons); thus, these are pathologies of the sinews. "Xuan" refers to vertigo or blurred vision; conditions such as visual hallucinations, spinning sensations of the head and eyes, occur because the Liver opens into the eyes. Western medicine attributes vertigo, blurred vision, spasms, and convulsions to disorders of the brain marrow and sinews, positing that the optic nerve connects to the brain, causing dizziness, and excessive effort of "brain qi" leads to muscle contraction and convulsive extension. However, Western medicine remains puzzled regarding the etiology of "brain qi" disorders. It is unknown that the Liver meridian connects to the brain, opens into the eyes, and links to the sinews. Whatever Western medicine describes as "brain qi" function is actually governed by the Liver meridian. Pathologies of the meridians and sinews are ultimately driven by Liver Wind. Therefore, all tremors and dizziness belong to Wind, and all Wind diseases ultimately belong to the Liver.
All cold syndromes characterized by contraction and pulling belong to the Kidney.
The Kidney governs Cold Qi; thus, all Cold syndromes belong to the Kidney. The Kidney also governs the bones. When Kidney Yang reaches all parts of the body, the skeletal structure is flexible and movement is light. If the limbs and bones are cramped, contracted, or flaccidly elongated, it indicates the bones are not functioning properly. One must distinguish between cramping/contraction/pulling and convulsive shortening; the former is a Cold syndrome, while the latter is a Wind syndrome.
All qi stagnation and constraint belong to the Lung.
The qi of the five zang and six fu organs is universally commanded by the Lung, as the Lung is the master of qi. Therefore, treating qi disorders should focus on the Lung. The Lung corresponds to the skin and hair. "Zhi" refers to rough, ugly skin texture, such as purpura, tumors, black moles, and rhinophyma. Western medicine notes oil glands under the pores with ducts extending to the skin surface; blackheads indicate blocked ducts. This aligns with the *Neijing*. "Yu" (stagnation) refers to qi constrained internally, unable to disperse. Conditions like "Bi" (obstruction), including qi rebellion with phlegm stasis, blood coagulation, and constipation, represent qi deviation within the abdomen. Yu is the opposite of smooth flow; when Lung qi is not free-flowing, it becomes stagnant, requiring dispersing and descending methods.
All dampness syndromes characterized by edema and fullness belong to the Spleen.
Edema affects the skin and limbs; fullness involves abdominal distension. These result from dampness obstruction and water failing to descend, accumulating in the diaphragmatic membranes. However, dampness syndromes include more: dizziness/heaviness of the head and eyes, malaria, summerheat dysentery, generalized bi-syndrome pain, and phlegm-fluid accumulations. All belong to Spleen Earth failing to control Water. The Spleen generates oily membranes; the upper membrane constitutes the Sanjiao (Triple Burner), governing water pathways. Oil is a product of the Spleen; since oil repels water, this is how the Spleen promotes water metabolism. If the Spleen's oily membranes lose their function, dampness hides within. Thus, treating dampness requires addressing the Spleen.
All pain, sores, ulcers, and itching belong to the Heart.
Regarding various sores and ulcers: if blood stasis obstructs, qi and blood contend, causing pain; if blood deficiency generates heat and agitates Wind, Wind and Fire scorch each other, causing itching. All these belong to pathologies of the Heart meridian and Blood aspect. Treatment should harmonize the blood. Generally, diseases not involving the Blood aspect do not cause pain; thus, masses, distension, and swelling are typically painless. Conversely, abdominal or limb pain invariably relates to the Blood aspect and thus belongs to the Heart.
All heat syndromes characterized by mental confusion and convulsions belong to Fire.
"Zhure" (various heats) includes fever, aversion to heat, plague, and summerheat syndromes. "Mao" refers to blurred vision, darkness, or seeing ghosts. "Chi" refers to inability to extend the sinews, i.e., convulsions. These belong to Fire because various heat syndromes involve Fire damaging the Qi aspect (Fire overcoming Metal/Lung). "Mao" indicates the Heart Spirit being disturbed, leading to visual confusion; Fire corresponds to the Heart, and Heart Fire disturbs the Spirit. "Chi" occurs when Liver sinews are scorched by Fire and lack Blood nourishment, causing retraction. This differs from "Wen" (flaccidity) and must be distinguished.
All jue (reversal cold), retention, and incontinence belong to the Lower Jiao.
"Jue" refers to cold extremities. "Gu" refers to abdominal masses, such as Hanhan (cold hernia). "Xie" refers to persistent diarrhea. All belong to the Lower Jiao, specifically the Kidney meridian. If Kidney Yang cannot circulate, Jue occurs; if it cannot ascend, Xie (diarrhea) occurs; if it cannot transform Qi, Gu (retention/constipation) occurs. Thus, they belong to the Lower Jiao and require warming treatment.
All wei (atrophy), panting, and vomiting belong to the Upper Jiao.
Wei syndromes have two types: Feiwei (Lung atrophy), where lung leaves are dry and fluid distribution fails, leading to consumptive cough; and Zuwei (foot atrophy), where calves waste away, preventing walking. Foot atrophy always originates from the Lung. The Lung governs fluid transport, sending fluids via the Stomach Meridian to moisten the Zongjin (general sinews), enabling leg movement. If Lung fluids fail, Zongjin lose nourishment, causing foot atrophy. Though manifesting in the lower body, it belongs to the Upper Jiao. Panting results from impaired Lung exhalation; vomiting results from rebellious Stomach Qi. Both Lung and Stomach belong to the Upper Jiao. The Upper Jiao is Yang and prone to Fire rebellion, requiring clearing methods.
All mouth closure, shivering, and loss of mental control belong to Fire.
"Jin" refers to locked jaws, as seen in Jin Kou Li (lockjaw dysentery) or spasm-related jaw locking. "Guli" refers to chattering teeth and shivering, as in malaria. "Ru Sang Shenshou" refers to delirium, Baihe Bing (lily disease), and agitation, indicating a loss of mental hold. This is an image of extreme heat turning to cold, a sign of Fire disturbing the Heart Spirit. Treatment should target the Fire.
All spasms and neck stiffness belong to Dampness.
Cold-Damp causes sinew constriction; Heat-Damp causes sinew swelling. Both can induce spasms and neck stiffness.
All rebellious upward rushing Qi belongs to Fire.
"Zhuni" (various rebellions) includes vomiting, coughing, and choking. Any upward rushing of Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) Qi affecting the head, eyes, throat, or chest is due to Heart and Liver Fire carrying the Chong Mai upward. Suppression is indicated.
All abdominal distension and enlargement belong to Heat.
"Zhuzhang" refers to internal abdominal fullness; "Fuda" refers to monolithic abdominal distension (ascites). This arises from Liver failure to soothe and Spleen failure to transform. Liver stagnation leads to difficult urination and water retention causing distension. Spleen dysfunction leads to monolithic distension. This is attributed to Heat because it involves Liver Wood overacting on Spleen Earth. Unlike the previous "Fire" (Blood aspect), this "Heat" is in the Qi aspect, causing excessive accumulation of Qi-phase fluids, leading to distension.
All restlessness, mania, and transgression belong to Fire.
"Zao" is irritability; "Kuang" is mania; "Yue" is climbing high or behaving excessively. These result from excessive Fire in the Sanjiao and Stomach, causing vigorous eruption of Qi and Blood.
All sudden rigidity belongs to Wind.
Rigidity and falling are sudden. Wind is swift, hence sudden onset. All Wind belongs to the Liver, which governs sinews. Wind invading sinews prevents normal movement, causing rigidity. Wind has both Yin (Cold Wind) and Yang (Hot Wind) aspects. Regardless of type, rigidity occurs and must be differentiated carefully.
All diseases with sounds, where pressing feels like a drum, belong to Heat.
This differs from intestinal borborygmi (rumbling), which involves gas, cutting pain, and watery diarrhea due to water entering the intestines (Cold syndrome). Here, the sound arises within the subcutaneous membranes and omental networks. These networks constitute the Sanjiao, the residence of Ministerial Fire and pathway for water. Interaction between Water and Fire generates sound. The sound is continuous, unlike the loud rumbling of Cold. Pressing elicits sound and tenderness, feeling like a drum skin, because it lies between membranes. This indicates Sanjiao Fire opposing Water. Thus, it belongs to Heat. The Sanjiao is the residence of moving Qi; excess Qi blows through the membranous tubes, creating sound, similar to squeezing a rubber figure.
All diseases with dorsal foot swelling, pain, soreness, fright, and terror belong to Fire.
"Fu" refers to the dorsum of the foot. Foot swelling originates in the Jueyin and Yangming meridians. Yangming runs along the dorsum; Jueyin starts at the big toe and connects to the ankle. Liver Wood generating Heat obstructs Stomach Meridian Dampness, which flows downward, causing foot swelling and severe soreness. "Suan" (sour/sore) has significant meaning. Western medicine notes that in podagra (gout), acidic fluid forms in the stomach, protein appears in urine, and urine smells sour, leading to foot swelling and pain. However, Western medicine lacks the etiological explanation for acidity and swelling, which TCM clarifies. The *Neijing* states Liver Wood tastes sour. Wood generates Fire and controls Earth. If Earth fails to transform Water and Fire steams it, the taste becomes sour. Sourness is the flavor of combined Dampness and Heat. Soup turns sour in summer due to Damp-Heat interaction, but not in winter (Damp without Heat). Understanding that acidity causes pain and swelling aids in treating podagra. Additionally, sudden fright and terror stem from Liver Wood stagnation and Fire eruption, causing the Hun (Ethereal Soul) to fail to reside. Thus, they belong to Fire.
All twisting, opisthotonos, and curvature, with turbid fluids, belong to Heat.
"Zhuan" is lateral twisting; "Fan" is opisthotonos; "Li" is curvature, such as in Yangming spasm where the head bends to the knees. Turbid fluids refer to cloudy urine. Twisting involves the Shaoyang meridian; opisthotonos involves the Taiyang meridian; curvature involves the Yangming meridian. The water pathways are in the diaphragmatic membranes, belonging to the Sanjiao. Turbid urine indicates Sanjiao Heat. Similarly, twisting, opisthotonos, and curvature also relate to the Sanjiao. The Sanjiao's net-membranes (omentum), called "lianwang" by Westerners, extend inward and outward, enveloping muscles, with tendons connecting to bones for flexion and extension. Thus, twisting and curvature are caused by tendon traction driven by membrane contraction. The *Neijing* groups these with turbid fluids to show they all stem from Heat in the Sanjiao omentum. Western medicine attributes convulsions to nerves, seeking depth but finding shallowness, leaving them without effective treatment.
All diseases with clear, cold fluids belong to Cold.
Lower fluids are urine; upper fluids are saliva. Their pathways lie within the Sanjiao membranes. Regardless of the disease, if fluids are clear and cold, it indicates severe deficiency of the Sanjiao. Thus, they belong to Cold.
All vomiting of acid, sudden diarrhea, and tenesmus belong to Heat.
"Ou" is dry heaving, caused by Fire rebellion. "Tu" (vomiting) can be Cold, but vomiting acid is never Cold. "Baozhu Xia Po" refers to sudden diarrhea with tenesmus (urgency and straining), commonly known as dysentery. This belongs to Heat, specifically Liver Heat. Liver Fire rebelling upward causes vomiting of acid; Liver Fire sinking downward causes dysentery. Tenesmus arises because the Liver desires dispersion while the Lung desires convergence; Metal-Wood disharmony leads to the desire to defecate without relief. Dysentery often occurs in autumn, reflecting Metal controlling Wood.
The mechanisms of disease are myriad and cannot be fully recorded. Only the general principles are listed here to illustrate the rest.