黄帝问于岐伯曰。人之血气精神者。所以奉生而周于性命者也。经脉者。所以行血气。而营阴阳。濡筋骨利关节者
也。卫气者。所以温分肉充皮肤肥腠理司关阖者也。志意者。所以御精神收魂魄适寒温和喜怒者也。是故血和则经脉流
行。营覆阴阳筋骨劲强关节清利矣。卫气和则分肉解利。皮肤调柔腠理致密矣。志意和则精神专直魂魄不散。恚怒不起。
五脏不受邪矣。寒温。和则六腑化谷。风痹不作。经脉通利。肢节得安矣。此人之常平也。五脏者。所以藏精神。血气
魂魄者也。六腑者。所以化水谷而行津液者也。此人之所以具受于天也。无愚智贤不肖无以相倚也。然有其独尽天寿。
而无邪僻之病。百年不衰。虽犯风雨卒寒。大暑犹有弗能害也。有其不离屏蔽室内。无怵惕之恐。然犹不免于病何也。
愿闻其故。岐伯曰。窘乎哉问也。五脏者。所以参天地副阴阳而运四时化五节者也。五脏者。故有小大高下坚脆端正偏
倾者。六腑亦有小大长短浓薄结直缓急。凡此二十五者。各不同。或善或恶。或吉或凶。请言其方。心小。则安。邪弗
能伤。易伤以忧。心大。则忧不能伤。易伤于邪。心高。则满于肺中 而善忘。难开以言。心下。则藏外。易伤于寒。
易恐以言。心坚。则脏安守固。心脆。则善病消瘅热中。心端正。则和利难伤。心偏倾。则操持不一。无守司也。肺小。
则少饮。不病喘喝。肺大。则多饮。善病胸痹。喉痹逆气。肺高。则上气肩息咳。肺下。则居贲迫肝。善胁下痛。肺坚。
则不病咳上气。肺脆。则苦病消瘅。易伤。肺端正。则和利难伤。肺偏倾。则胸偏痛也。肝小。则脏安。无胁下之病。
肝大。则逼胃迫咽。则苦膈中且胁下痛。肝高。则上支贲切胁。 为息贲。肝下。则逼胃。胁下空。胁下空。则易受邪。
肝坚。则脏安难伤。肝脆。则善病消瘅。易伤。肝端正。则和利难伤。肝偏倾。则胁下痛也。脾小。则脏安。难伤于邪
也。脾大。则苦凑 而痛。不能疾行。脾高。则 引季胁而痛。脾下。则下加于大肠。下加于大肠。则脏苦受邪。脾坚。
则脏安难伤。脾脆。则善病消瘅。易伤。脾端正。则和利难伤。脾偏倾。则善满善胀也。肾小。则脏安难伤。肾大。则
善病腰痛。不可以俯仰。易伤以邪。肾高。则苦背膂痛。不可以俯仰。肾下。则腰尻痛。不可以俯仰。为狐疝。肾坚。
则不病腰背痛。肾脆。则苦病消瘅。易伤。肾端正。则和利难伤。肾偏倾。则苦腰尻痛也。凡此二十五变者。人之所苦
常病也。黄帝曰。何以知其然也。岐伯曰。赤色。小理者心小。粗理者心大。无 KT 者心高。 KT 小短举者心下。
KT 长者心下坚。 KT 弱小以薄者心脆。 KT 直下不举者心端正。 KT 倚一方者心偏倾也。白色。小理者肺
小。粗理者肺大。巨肩反膺陷喉者肺高。合腋张胁者肺下。好肩背浓者肺坚。肩背薄者肺脆背膺浓者肺端正。胁偏疏者
肺偏倾也。青色。小理者肝小。粗理者肝大。广胸反 者肝高。合胁兔 者肝下。胸胁好者肝坚。胁骨弱者肝脆。膺腹
好相得者肝端正。胁骨偏举者肝偏倾也。黄色。小理者脾小。粗理者脾大。揭唇者脾高。唇下纵者脾下。唇坚者脾坚。
唇大而不坚者脾脆。唇上下好者脾端正。唇偏举者脾偏倾也。黑色。小理者肾小。粗理者肾大。高耳者肾高。耳后陷者
肾下。耳坚者肾坚。耳薄不坚者肾脆。耳好前居牙车者。肾端正。耳偏高者肾偏倾也。凡此诸变者持则安减则病也。帝
曰。善然非余之所问也。愿闻人之有不可病者。至尽天寿。虽有深忧大恐。怵惕之志。犹不能减也。甚寒大热。不能伤
也。其有不离屏蔽室内。又无怵HT 之恐。然不免于病者。何也。愿闻其故。岐伯曰。五脏六腑邪之舍也。请言其故。五
脏皆小者。少病苦 心。大愁忧。五脏皆大者。缓于事。难使以忧。五脏皆高者。好高举措。五脏皆下者。好出人下。
五脏皆坚者。无病。五脏皆脆者。不离于病。五脏皆端正者。和利得人心。五脏皆偏倾者。邪心而善盗。不可以为人平。
反复言语也。黄帝曰。愿闻六腑之应。岐伯答曰。肺合大肠。大肠者皮。其应心合小肠。小肠者脉其应肝合胆。胆者筋
其应脾合胃。胃者肉其应肾合三焦膀胱。三焦膀胱者腠理。毫毛其应。黄帝曰。应之奈何。岐伯曰。肺应皮。皮浓者大
肠浓。皮薄者大肠薄。皮缓腹裹大者大肠大而长。皮急者大肠急而短。皮滑者大肠直。皮肉不相离者大肠结。心应脉。
皮浓者脉浓。脉浓者小肠浓。皮薄者脉薄。脉薄者小肠薄。皮缓者脉缓。脉缓者小肠大而长。皮薄而脉波小者。小肠小
而短。诸阳经脉皆多纡屈者。小肠结。脾应肉。肉 坚大者胃浓。肉 么者胃薄。肉 小而么者胃不坚。肉 不称身者
胃下。胃下者下管约不利。肉 不坚者胃缓。肉 无小裹累者胃急。肉 多小裹累者胃结。胃结者上管约不利也。肝应
爪。爪浓色黄者胆浓。爪薄色红者胆薄。爪坚色青者胆急。爪濡色赤者胆缓。爪直色白无约者胆直。爪恶色黑多纹者胆
结也。肾应骨。密理浓皮者三焦膀胱浓。粗理薄皮者三焦膀胱薄。疏腠理者三焦膀胱缓。皮急而无毫毛者三焦膀胱急。
毫毛美而粗者三焦膀胱直。稀毫毛者三焦膀胱结也。黄帝曰。浓薄美恶皆有形。愿闻其所病。岐伯答曰。视其外应以知
其内藏则知所病矣。（起极宏敞结极涵蓄）
起节词义精湛。入后头绪极繁。而驭之以整云垂海立气象万千。其篇法词藻。均极可观。如大将登坛千军万马中。
自有弱扇纶巾之度。
黄帝向岐伯问道：人的血、气、精神，是用来奉养生命并周流于性命之中的。经脉，是用来运行血气，营卫阴阳，濡润筋骨，滑利关节的。卫气，是用来温煦肌肉，充实皮肤，肥厚腠理，主管开阖的。志意，是用来统御精神，收敛魂魄，适应寒温，调节喜怒的。因此，血气和顺则经脉流行，营卫覆盖阴阳，筋骨强劲，关节清利。卫气和顺则肌肉解利，皮肤柔润，腠理致密。志意和顺则精神专注，魂魄不散，愤怒不起，五脏不受邪气侵害。寒温适宜则六腑消化水谷，风痹不发生，经脉通利，肢节安和。这是人正常的健康状态。
五脏，是用来储藏精神、血气、魂魄的。六腑，是用来消化水谷，输布津液的。这是人与生俱来从先天禀受的特征，无论愚笨还是聪明，贤良还是不肖，都没有什么不同可以依靠的。然而，有的人能尽享天年，没有邪僻的疾病，百年不衰，即使遭遇风雨骤寒或大暑，也不能伤害他；有的人虽然不离开遮蔽的室内，没有惊恐忧虑，但仍然不免于生病，为什么呢？希望听您讲讲其中的缘故。
岐伯回答说：您的问问题真让人窘迫啊！五脏，是参配天地，副合阴阳，运转四时，化生五节的器官。五脏有大小、高低、坚脆、端正、偏倾的区别。六腑也有大小、长短、浓薄、结直、缓急的不同。这二十五种情况，各不相同，有的善吉，有的恶凶。请让我说说它们的规律。
心小，则安定，邪气不能伤害，但容易因忧愁而受伤。心大，则忧愁不能伤害，但容易受邪气侵袭。心高，则满溢于肺中，容易健忘，难以用言语开导。心下，则脏器外露，容易受寒邪伤害，容易因言语而惊恐。心坚，则脏气安守稳固。心脆，则容易患消瘅、热中等病。心端正，则和气顺利，难以伤害。心偏倾，则操持不一，没有坚守的主见。
肺小，则饮水少，不患喘喝病。肺大，则多饮水，容易患胸痹、喉痹、逆气等病。肺高，则气上逆，肩息咳嗽。肺下，则压迫贲门，逼近肝脏，容易胁下疼痛。肺坚，则不患咳喘上气病。肺脆，则苦于患消瘅病，容易受伤害。肺端正，则和气顺利，难以伤害。肺偏倾，则胸部偏侧疼痛。
肝小，则脏气安和，没有胁下疾病。肝大，则压迫胃部和咽喉，导致膈中不适且胁下疼痛。肝高，则向上支撑贲门，切压胁部，形成息贍病。肝下，则压迫胃部，胁下空虚，胁下空虚则容易受邪气侵袭。肝坚，则脏气安和，难以伤害。肝脆，则容易患消瘅病，容易受伤害。肝端正，则和气顺利，难以伤害。肝偏倾，则胁下疼痛。
脾小，则脏气安和，难以受邪气伤害。脾大，则苦于凑聚疼痛，不能快步行走。脾高，则牵引季胁疼痛。脾下，则下垂加于大肠之上，下垂加于大肠之上，则脏气苦于受邪气侵袭。脾坚，则脏气安和，难以伤害。脾脆，则容易患消瘅病，容易受伤害。脾端正，则和气顺利，难以伤害。脾偏倾，则容易胀满。
肾小，则脏气安和，难以伤害。肾大，则容易患腰痛，不能俯仰，容易受邪气伤害。肾高，则苦于背脊疼痛，不能俯仰。肾下，则腰尻疼痛，不能俯仰，形成狐疝。肾坚，则不患腰背痛。肾脆，则苦于患消瘅病，容易受伤害。肾端正，则和气顺利，难以伤害。肾偏倾，则苦于腰尻疼痛。以上这二十五种变化，是人常患的痛苦疾病。
黄帝说：怎么知道这些情况呢？岐伯说：面色赤红，纹理细密的，心小；纹理粗大的，心大。无陷窝的，心高；陷窝小且短而上举的，心下；陷窝长而下的，心下且坚；陷窝弱小且薄的，心脆；陷窝直下不举的，心端正；陷窝偏向一方的，心偏倾。
面色白，纹理细密的，肺小；纹理粗大的，肺大。肩膀宽大，胸骨反张，喉结凹陷的，肺高；腋下合拢，胁肋张开的，肺下。肩膀背部丰厚的，肺坚；肩膀背部薄的，肺脆；背膺丰厚的，肺端正；胁肋偏斜疏朗的，肺偏倾。
面色青，纹理细密的，肝小；纹理粗大的，肝大。胸廓宽广，肋骨反张的，肝高；胁肋合拢，肋骨如兔形突出的，肝下。胸胁形态好的，肝坚；胁骨弱小的，肝脆；胸腹形态相称协调的，肝端正；胁骨偏斜上举的，肝偏倾。
面色黄，纹理细密的，脾小；纹理粗大的，脾大。嘴唇上揭的，脾高；唇下纵垂的，脾下；唇坚挺的，脾坚；唇大但不坚挺的，脾脆；唇上下形态好的，脾端正；唇偏斜上举的，脾偏倾。
面色黑，纹理细密的，肾小；纹理粗大的，肾大。耳朵高的，肾高；耳后凹陷的，肾下；耳朵坚挺的，肾坚；耳朵薄且不坚挺的，肾脆；耳朵形态好且向前位于牙车（下颌角）前的，肾端正；耳朵偏斜高起的，肾偏倾。以上各种变化，体质强盛则安，体质减弱则病。
黄帝说：好。但这不是我刚才问的。我希望了解那些不能患病的人，直到享尽天年，即使有深重的忧愁和巨大的恐惧，心神依然不减，严寒酷暑也不能伤害他们；而那些不离开遮蔽室内，又没有惊恐忧虑，却仍然不免于生病的人，为什么呢？希望听听其中的缘故。
岐伯说：五脏六腑是邪气寄居的场所。请让我说说其中的道理。五脏都小的人，少得病，但苦于心神不安，常常愁忧。五脏都大的人，处事迟缓，不容易被忧愁所困扰。五脏都高的人，喜好高抬举措。五脏都下的人，喜好屈居人下。五脏都坚的人，不得病。五脏都脆的人，离不开疾病。五脏都端正的人，和气顺利，得人心。五脏都偏倾的人，心存邪念，善于偷盗，不能为人公正平直，说话反复无常。
黄帝说：我想了解六腑的对应关系。岐伯回答说：肺与大肠相合，大肠外应于皮；心与小肠相合，小肠外应于脉；肝与胆相合，胆外应于筋；脾与胃相合，胃外应于肉；肾与三焦、膀胱相合，三焦和膀胱外应于腠理和毫毛。
黄帝说：对应的原理是怎样的？岐伯说：肺应合于皮。皮厚的，大肠也厚；皮薄的，大肠也薄；皮松弛且腹部宽大的，大肠大而长；皮紧张的，大肠急而短；皮光滑的，大肠直；皮肉紧密结合不相分离的，大肠结。心应合于脉。脉厚的，心脉也厚；脉厚的，小肠也厚；脉薄的，心脉也薄；脉薄的，小肠也薄；脉松弛的，心脉也松弛；脉松弛的，小肠大而长；脉皮薄而脉搏微弱细小的，小肠小而短；所有阳经脉络多有迂曲屈折的，小肠结。脾应合于肉。肌肉坚实丰大的，胃也厚；肌肉瘦小的，胃也薄；肌肉瘦小且弱的，胃不坚；肌肉与身体不相称的，胃位置低下；胃位置低下的，幽门约束不利；肌肉不坚实的，胃气缓弛；肌肉没有细小包裹累赘的，胃气急；肌肉有很多细小包裹累赘的，胃气结；胃气结的，幽门约束不利。肝应合于爪甲。爪甲厚色黄的，胆厚；爪甲薄色红的，胆薄；爪甲坚色青的，胆急；爪甲软色赤的，胆缓；爪甲直色白无拘束感的，胆直；爪甲恶劣色黑多纹的，胆结。肾应合于骨。纹理细密皮厚的，三焦膀胱厚；纹理粗糙皮薄的，三焦膀胱薄；腠理疏松的，三焦膀胱缓；皮紧张而无毫毛的，三焦膀胱急；毫毛美而粗的，三焦膀胱直；毫毛稀少的，三焦膀胱结。
黄帝说：厚薄美恶都有外在形体表现，我想了解它们所导致的疾病。岐伯回答说：观察其外在的对应表现，就可以知道内在脏腑的情况，从而知道所患的疾病了。（起笔宏敞，结尾含蓄蕴藉）
起首的词义精湛。进入正文后头绪极其繁杂，但驾驭得当，整肃有序，气象万千。其篇章结构和辞藻，都非常可观，就像大将登坛，在千军万马之中，自有挥扇纶巾的从容风度。
Huangdi asked Qibo, saying: The blood, qi, and spirit of a person are what sustain life and circulate throughout the vital functions. The meridians (Jingmai) are what transport blood and qi, nourish yin and yang, moisten sinews and bones, and facilitate the joints. The defensive qi (Wei Qi) is what warms the flesh, fills the skin, thickens the interstices (Couli), and controls opening and closing. The will and intent (Zhi Yi) are what govern the spirit, collect the soul and ethereal soul, adapt to cold and heat, and regulate joy and anger. Therefore, when blood and qi are harmonious, the meridians flow smoothly, yin and yang are nourished, sinews and bones are strong, and the joints are clear and unobstructed. When defensive qi is harmonious, the muscles are relaxed and functional, the skin is supple, and the interstices are dense. When will and intent are harmonious, the spirit is focused, the soul and ethereal soul do not scatter, anger does arise, and the five zang organs are not invaded by pathogenic factors. When cold and heat are moderate, the six fu organs digest food and water, wind-bi does not occur, the meridians are unobstructed, and the limbs and joints are at peace. This is the state of normal health in humans.
The five zang organs store the spirit, blood, qi, soul, and ethereal soul. The six fu organs transform water and grain and distribute fluids and jinye. These are endowments received from heaven at birth; there is no difference between the foolish and the wise, the virtuous and the unworthy, that can be relied upon for distinction. However, some people enjoy their full natural lifespan without deviant diseases, remaining vigorous for a hundred years; even if they encounter wind, rain, sudden cold, or intense heat, these cannot harm them. Others, although staying indoors away from drafts and free from fear and alarm, still fall ill. Why is this? I wish to hear the reason.
Qibo replied: Your question is indeed perplexing! The five zang organs correspond to heaven and earth, align with yin and yang, operate according to the four seasons, and transform the five phases. The five zang organs vary in size, height, firmness, correctness, and inclination. The six fu organs also vary in size, length, thickness, knotting, straightness, and tension. These twenty-five variations differ from one another, being either auspicious or inauspicious, good or bad. Let me explain their principles.
If the heart is small, it is stable, and pathogens cannot injure it, but it is easily injured by sorrow. If the heart is large, sorrow cannot injure it, but it is easily injured by pathogens. If the heart is high, it overflows into the lungs, leading to forgetfulness and difficulty in being persuaded by words. If the heart is low, its viscera are exposed, making it susceptible to cold injury and fear induced by speech. If the heart is firm, the viscera are secure and stable. If the heart is fragile, it is prone to Xiao Shan (wasting-thirst) and Re Zhong (heat in the middle). If the heart is correct and upright, it is harmonious and difficult to injure. If the heart is inclined, its actions are inconsistent, lacking steadfastness.
If the lungs are small, the person drinks little and does not suffer from panting or wheezing. If the lungs are large, the person drinks much and is prone to Xiong Bi (chest bi), Hou Bi (throat bi), and rebellious qi. If the lungs are high, there is rebellious qi, shoulder breathing, and cough. If the lungs are low, they press against the贲门 (cardia) and approach the liver, causing pain under the ribs. If the lungs are firm, they do not suffer from cough and rebellious qi. If the lungs are fragile, they suffer from Xiao Shan and are easily injured. If the lungs are correct and upright, they are harmonious and difficult to injure. If the lungs are inclined, there is pain on one side of the chest.
If the liver is small, the viscera are stable, and there is no disease under the ribs. If the liver is large, it presses against the stomach and throat, causing discomfort in the diaphragm and pain under the ribs. If the liver is high, it extends upward, pressing against the cardia and ribs, forming Xi Ben (rebellious qi accumulation). If the liver is low, it presses against the stomach, leaving the area under the ribs empty; this emptiness makes it susceptible to pathogens. If the liver is firm, the viscera are stable and difficult to injure. If the liver is fragile, it is prone to Xiao Shan and easily injured. If the liver is correct and upright, it is harmonious and difficult to injure. If the liver is inclined, there is pain under the ribs.
If the spleen is small, the viscera are stable and difficult to injure by pathogens. If the spleen is large, it causes congestion and pain, preventing rapid walking. If the spleen is high, it pulls on the costal margin, causing pain. If the spleen is low, it descends onto the large intestine; descending onto the large intestine makes the viscera susceptible to pathogens. If the spleen is firm, the viscera are stable and difficult to injure. If the spleen is fragile, it is prone to Xiao Shan and easily injured. If the spleen is correct and upright, it is harmonious and difficult to injure. If the spleen is inclined, it is prone to fullness and distension.
If the kidneys are small, the viscera are stable and difficult to injure. If the kidneys are large, they are prone to lower back pain, inability to bend or twist, and susceptibility to pathogens. If the kidneys are high, they cause pain in the back and spine, preventing bending or twisting. If the kidneys are low, they cause pain in the loins and sacrum, preventing bending or twisting, and may form Hu Shen (fox hernia). If the kidneys are firm, they do not suffer from lower back or spinal pain. If the kidneys are fragile, they suffer from Xiao Shan and are easily injured. If the kidneys are correct and upright, they are harmonious and difficult to injure. If the kidneys are inclined, they suffer from pain in the loins and sacrum. These twenty-five variations constitute the common diseases that afflict humans.
Huangdi said: How do we know this? Qibo said: A red complexion with fine texture indicates a small heart; a coarse texture indicates a large heart. The absence of depressions indicates a high heart; small, short, and elevated depressions indicate a low heart; long and downward depressions indicate a low and firm heart; weak, small, and thin depressions indicate a fragile heart; straight and non-elevated depressions indicate a correct heart; depressions leaning to one side indicate an inclined heart.
A white complexion with fine texture indicates small lungs; coarse texture indicates large lungs. Broad shoulders, reversed sternum, and depressed larynx indicate high lungs; adducted axillae and spread ribs indicate low lungs. Thick shoulders and back indicate firm lungs; thin shoulders and back indicate fragile lungs; thick back and chest indicate correct lungs; inclined and sparse ribs indicate inclined lungs.
A blue/green complexion with fine texture indicates a small liver; coarse texture indicates a large liver. Broad chest and reversed ribs indicate a high liver; adducted ribs and rabbit-like protrusions indicate a low liver. Good chest and rib shape indicate a firm liver; weak rib bones indicate a fragile liver; well-proportioned chest and abdomen indicate a correct liver; inclined and elevated rib bones indicate an inclined liver.
A yellow complexion with fine texture indicates a small spleen; coarse texture indicates a large spleen. Upturned lips indicate a high spleen; drooping lower lips indicate a low spleen; firm lips indicate a firm spleen; large but unfirm lips indicate a fragile spleen; well-formed upper and lower lips indicate a correct spleen; inclined and elevated lips indicate an inclined spleen.
A black complexion with fine texture indicates small kidneys; coarse texture indicates large kidneys. High ears indicate high kidneys; depressed areas behind ears indicate low kidneys; firm ears indicate firm kidneys; thin and unfirm ears indicate fragile kidneys; ears well-formed and positioned forward near the mandible indicate correct kidneys; inclined and high ears indicate inclined kidneys. In all these variations, robust constitution brings health, while weakened constitution brings disease.
Huangdi said: Excellent. But this is not what I asked. I wish to know about those who cannot be diseased, living out their natural lifespan; even with deep sorrow and great fear, their spirit remains undiminished, and extreme cold and heat cannot harm them. Conversely, why do some who stay indoors away from drafts and without fear still fall ill? I wish to hear the reason.
Qibo said: The five zang and six fu organs are abodes for pathogens. Let me explain. Those whose five zang organs are all small get few diseases but suffer from mental unrest and constant worry. Those whose five zang organs are all large are slow in affairs and hard to worry. Those whose five zang organs are all high have lofty ambitions. Those whose five zang organs are all low prefer to submit to others. Those whose five zang organs are all firm have no disease. Those whose five zang organs are all fragile are never free from disease. Those whose five zang organs are all correct are harmonious and win people's hearts. Those whose five zang organs are all inclined have crooked minds, are prone to theft, cannot be fair, and speak inconsistently.
Huangdi said: I wish to hear about the correspondence of the six fu organs. Qibo answered: The lungs connect with the Large Intestine, which corresponds externally to the skin; the heart connects with the Small Intestine, which corresponds externally to the vessels; the liver connects with the Gallbladder, which corresponds externally to the sinews; the spleen connects with the Stomach, which corresponds externally to the flesh; the kidneys connect with the Sanjiao and Bladder, which correspond externally to the interstices and body hair.
Huangdi said: How does this correspondence work? Qibo said: The lungs correspond to the skin. Thick skin indicates a thick Large Intestine; thin skin indicates a thin Large Intestine; loose skin with a large abdomen indicates a large and long Large Intestine; tight skin indicates a tense and short Large Intestine; smooth skin indicates a straight Large Intestine; skin and flesh tightly adhered indicate a knotted Large Intestine. The heart corresponds to the vessels. Thick vessels indicate a thick heart vessel and a thick Small Intestine; thin vessels indicate a thin heart vessel and a thin Small Intestine; loose vessels indicate a loose heart vessel and a large, long Small Intestine; thin skin with weak, small pulses indicates a small and short Small Intestine; many tortuous Yang channel vessels indicate a knotted Small Intestine. The spleen corresponds to the flesh. Firm and large flesh indicates a thick Stomach; small flesh indicates a thin Stomach; small and weak flesh indicates an unfirm Stomach; flesh disproportionate to the body indicates a low Stomach; a low Stomach has poor pyloric function; unfirm flesh indicates a lax Stomach; flesh without small folds indicates a tense Stomach; flesh with many small folds indicates a knotted Stomach; a knotted Stomach has poor upper pyloric function. The liver corresponds to the nails. Thick, yellow nails indicate a thick Gallbladder; thin, red nails indicate a thin Gallbladder; firm, green nails indicate a tense Gallbladder; soft, red nails indicate a lax Gallbladder; straight, white nails without constraint indicate a straight Gallbladder; ugly, black, wrinkled nails indicate a knotted Gallbladder. The kidneys correspond to the bones. Fine texture and thick skin indicate a thick Sanjiao and Bladder; coarse texture and thin skin indicate a thin Sanjiao and Bladder; loose interstices indicate a lax Sanjiao and Bladder; tight skin without body hair indicates a tense Sanjiao and Bladder; beautiful, coarse body hair indicates a straight Sanjiao and Bladder; sparse body hair indicates a knotted Sanjiao and Bladder.
Huangdi said: Thickness, thinness, beauty, and ugliness all have external forms. I wish to know the diseases they cause. Qibo answered: Observe the external correspondences to know the internal zang organs, and thus know the diseases. (The beginning is grand and open; the ending is profound and reserved.)
The introductory words are exquisite. The subsequent text is extremely complex in detail, yet managed with order, creating a magnificent atmosphere. Its chapter structure and rhetoric are highly commendable, like a general taking command, maintaining composure amidst thousands of troops.