主白秃及头面久疮，去虫止痛方∶
王不留行（五两） 桃东南枝（五两） 茱萸根皮（五两） 蛇床子（三升） 牡荆（三
升） 苦
竹叶（切，三斗） 蒺藜（三升） 大麻仁（一升）
上八味，以水二斗，煮取一斗，洗疮日再，并治疽及月蚀疮烂。
治白秃方∶
三月三日桃花开者阴干柏子，赤桑根。
上三味，为末，猪脂和，先以灰汁净洗秃处，拭干涂之。
又方∶
细柳枝（一握） 水银 皂荚（炙）
上三味，以醋煎如饧涂之。
主白秃及痈疽百疮方∶
木兰阑皮（一两） 矾石 杜蘅 雄黄 附子大黄 石楠 秦艽 真米 苦参 水银（各
二两） 松脂（六两）
上一十二味，以醋渍一宿，猪膏一斤半煎之，侯附子黄，去滓，乃纳矾石、雄黄，水银
。更着火煮三沸，还湿地待凝，以敷疮，瘥。
又方∶
以牛肉作五味脯，炙令香，及热拓疮上，不过三四度，即瘥。
治头疮肿方∶
烧杏仁令黑磨涂，复取束柴葛蔓及干鱼头烧灰，和薰黄腊月猪脂涂之。
夫为医者虽善于脉候，而不知察于气色者，终为未尽要妙也。故曰∶上医察色，次医听
声，下医脉候。是知人有盛衰，其色先见于面部，所以善为医者，必须明于五色，乃可决生
死，定狐疑。故立候气之法冠其篇首焉。
肝受病色青；心受病色赤，脾受病色黄；肺受病色白；肾受病色黑。（皆先视于本色。）
春，面色青，目色赤，新病可疗，至夏愈。
夏，面色赤，目色黄，新病可疗，至季夏愈。
季夏，面色黄，目色白，新病可疗，至秋愈。
秋，面色白，目色黑，新病可疗，至冬愈。
冬，面色黑，目色青，新病可疗，至春愈。
论曰∶此四时王相本色见，故疗之必愈。夫五脏应就五行，若有病，则因其时色见于面
目，亦犹灼龟于里，吉凶之兆形于表也。
扁鹊云∶病患本色青，欲如青玉之泽，有光润者佳，面色不欲如青蓝之色。若面白目青
是谓乱常，以饮酒过多当风，邪风入肺络于胆，胆气妄泄，故令目青。虽云夭，救不可复生
矣。
病患本色赤，欲如鸡冠之泽，有光润者佳，面色不欲赤如赭土。若面赤目白，忧恚思虑
，心气内索，面色反好，急求棺 ，不过十日死。
病患本色黄，欲如牛黄之泽，有光润者佳，面色不欲黄如灶中黄土。若面青目黄者，五
日死
病患着床，心痛气短，脾竭内伤，百日复愈，欲起彷徨，因坐于地，其亡倚床。能治此
者，是谓神良。
病患本色白，欲如璧玉之泽，有光润者佳，面色不欲白如垩。若面白黑无复生理也。此
谓酣饮过度，荣华已去，血脉已尽。虽遇歧伯，无如之何。
病患本色黑，欲如重漆之泽，有光润者佳，面色不欲黑如炭。若面黑目白，八日死，肾
气内伤也。
病患色青如翠羽者生，青如草滋者死。
赤如鸡冠者生，赤如 血者死。
黄如蟹腹者生，黄如枳实者死。
白如豕膏者生，白如枯骨者死。
黑如鸟羽者生，黑如 煤者死。
凡相五色，面黄目青，面黄目赤，面黄目白，面黄目黑，皆不死。
病患目无精光及齿黑者，不治。
病患面失精光，如土色，不饮食者，四日死。
病患及健人面色忽如马肝，望之如青，近之如黑，必卒死。
论曰∶夫五色者，五脏之华也。故天晴明时，睹万物，辨白黑，审长短。若五色不分，
长短乖错，此为错乱。故人亦然。
黄帝问伯高曰∶察色知病，何如？伯高曰∶白色起于两眉间，薄泽者，病在皮肤；唇色
青黄赤黑者，病在肉；荣气需然者，病在血脉；目色青黄赤白黑者，病在筋；耳焦枯受尘垢
者，病在骨。问曰∶病状如是，取之奈何？伯高曰∶皮有部，肉有柱，气血有输，筋有结，
骨有属。
经曰∶皮部在于四肢；肉柱在于臂 诸阳分肉之间及少阴分肉之间；气血之输在于诸经
络脉，气血留居则盛而起；筋部无阴阳左右，唯疾之所在；骨之属骨空之间，所以受津液而
溢脑髓。若取之者，必须候病间甚者也，间者，浅之少之，甚者，深之多之。随变而调之，
故曰上工。经言∶知一脏为下工；知二脏为中工；参而知之为上工。上工十全九，中工十全
六，下工十全三，此之谓也。
雷公问曰∶人有不病而卒死者，何以知之？黄帝曰∶大气入于脏腑者，不病而卒死矣。
雷公问曰∶病少愈而卒死者，何以知之？黄帝曰∶赤色出于两颧上，大如拇指者，病虽
少愈必卒死矣。黑色出于颜貌，大如拇指者，必卒死。颜貌者，面之首也。（颜当两目下也，
貌当两目上、眉下也。）
扁鹊曰∶察病气色，有赤白青黑四气，不问大小，在人年上者，病也，惟黄气得愈。年
上在鼻上两目间。如下黑气细如绳在四墓发及两颧骨上者，死。或冬三月远期至壬癸日，逢
年衰者不可理，病者死。四墓当两眉坐直上至发际，左为父墓，右为母墓，从口吻下极颐名
为下墓，于此四墓上观四时气。
春见青气节尽，死。
夏见赤气节尽，死。
夏秋见白气节尽，死。
春见白气至秋，死。
夏见白气，暴死，黑气至冬，死。
秋见赤气节尽，死，冬至后甲子日，死。
冬见赤气，暴死，见黄气至长夏，死。
论曰∶凡病黄色入鼻从口入井灶，百日死。井在鼻孔上曲中是。灶在口吻两旁上一寸是
。若入者，丙丁日死。
凡人死色易验。但看年上有黑色横度者，此人不出百日死。若天中从发际两墓皆发黑色
，此人三年死。天中，当鼻直上至发际是也。若颧骨上发黑色应之者，二百日死。
目下有黑色横度年上者，不出三十日死。黑色入口应天中者，不出一年死。
若天中发死色，年上命门上并黄色者，未好半恶也，以天中为主，五年内死。天中发黑
色，法三年内死。所以然者，有二处得主，故五年内死。
凡天中发黑色两颧上发赤色应之者，不出六十日兵死。若年上发赤色应之者，不出三十
日死。若命门上发赤色应之者，不出百日市死、妇人产死、兵死。同气从命门入耳、年上、
死。
赤色从眉冲下入目，五日死或丙丁日死。
黑色在左右眉上，一日死或壬癸日死。
若白色亦死，或庚辛日或二三日死。
赤色入口，三日死，远期丙丁日死。
黑色从天中及年上入目，三日死或壬癸日死，或二三日死，或百日半年死。
青色如针在目下，春死或甲乙日死。
黄色入目匝四边，戊己日死。
黑色准上行或入目，期壬癸日死，远期二十日死，若入耳鼻三日死。（准上者，当鼻上
也，行谓在寿上年上下降接相次。）
黄色横两颧入鼻，一年死。
黑色如拇指在眉上，不出一年暴死。一云三年。
赤色如马，黑马如乌，见面死。（在口傍左右也，右名马，左名乌。）
黑色从眉绕目，死。
赤色在口两旁，死。
黑色如深漆绕口，或白色，皆死。
黄帝问扁鹊曰∶人久有病，何以别生死，愿闻其要。对曰∶按《明堂》察色，有十部之
气，知在何部，察四时五行王相，观其胜负之变色，入门户为凶，不入为吉。白色见冲眉上
者，肺有病，入阙庭者，夏死。黄色见鼻上者，脾有病，入口者，春夏死。青色见人中者，
肝有病，入目者，秋死。黑色见颧上者，肾有病，入耳者，六月死。赤色见颐者，心有病，
入口者冬死。所谓门户者∶阙庭，肺门户；目，肝门户；耳，肾门户；口，心脾门户。若有
色气入者，皆死。黄帝曰∶善。
问曰∶病而辄死，甚可伤也，宁可拯乎？对曰∶脏实则腑虚，腑实则脏虚。以《明堂》
视面色，以针泻调之，百病即愈。鼻孔呼吸，气有出入，出为阳，入为阴，阳为腑，阴为脏，
阳为卫，阴为荣。故曰∶人一日一夜一万三千五百息，脉行五十周于其身，漏下二刻，荣卫
之气行度亦周身也。
夫面青者虚，虚者实之，补虚泻实，神归其室，补实泻虚，神舍其墟，众邪并进，大命
不居。黄帝曰∶善。
五实（未见）
六虚者，皮虚则热，脉虚则惊，肉虚则重，骨虚则痛，肠虚则泄溏，髓虚则惰。
仲景曰∶鼻头色青者，腹中冷，若痛者死。鼻头色微黑者有水气，色白者无血，色黄者
胸上有寒，色赤者为风，色青者为痛，色鲜明者有留饮。
又仲景曰∶病患语声寂然喜惊呼者，骨节间病，言声喑喑然不彻者，心膈间病，言声啾
啾细而长者，头中病。（一作痛）
主治白秃（头皮癣）及头面部经久不愈的疮疡，去除虫毒、止痛的方剂：
王不留行（五两） 桃树东南方向的枝条（五两） 吴茱萸根皮（五两） 蛇床子（三升） 牡荆（三升） 苦竹叶（切碎，三斗） 蒺藜（三升） 大麻仁（一升）
以上八味药，用水二斗，煎煮至剩下一斗药液，用来清洗疮口，每日两次，同时可治疗痈疽及月蚀疮（一种溃烂性疮疡）。
治疗白秃的方剂：
三月三日桃花盛开时采集的阴干的柏子，赤桑根。
以上三味药，研成细末，用猪油调和，先用草木灰水将脱发部位洗净，擦干后涂抹。
另一个方剂：
细柳枝（一把） 水银 皂荚（炙烤）
以上三味药，用醋煎煮至像饴糖那样粘稠，涂抹患处。
主治白秃及痈疽各种疮疡的方剂：
木兰树皮（一两） 矾石 杜蘅 雄黄 附子 大黄 石楠 真米 苦参 水银（各二两） 松脂（六两）
以上十二味药，用醋浸泡一夜，加入一斤半猪油煎煮，等到附子变黄，滤去药渣，然后加入矾石、雄黄、水银。再次用火煮沸三次，放在潮湿的地方等待凝固，敷在疮上，即可痊愈。
另一个方剂：
用牛肉做成五味脯（调味肉干），烤出香味，趁热贴在疮上，不超过三四次，即可痊愈。
治疗头部疮肿的方剂：
烧杏仁至黑色，研磨后涂抹；再取束柴葛蔓及干鱼头烧成灰，与薰黄腊月猪油混合涂抹。
作为医生，虽然擅长脉诊，但如果不善于观察气色，终究未能掌握诊疗的要妙。所以说：上等的医生观察气色，次等的医生听声音，下等的医生只诊脉候。由此可知，人的盛衰情况，其气色首先表现在面部，所以高明的医生，必须精通五色诊法，才能决断生死，消除疑惑。因此，将候察气色的方法列在篇章之首。
肝脏患病，面色发青；心脏患病，面色发赤；脾脏患病，面色发黄；肺脏患病，面色发白；肾脏患病，面色发黑。（都要先观察患者本来的面色。）
春季，面色青，目色赤，新病可以治疗，到夏季痊愈。
夏季，面色赤，目色黄，新病可以治疗，到长夏（季夏）痊愈。
长夏，面色黄，目色白，新病可以治疗，到秋季痊愈。
秋季，面色白，目色黑，新病可以治疗，到冬季痊愈。
冬季，面色黑，目色青，新病可以治疗，到春季痊愈。
论述说：这是四时当令的本色显现，所以治疗必定痊愈。五脏对应五行，如果有病，则因时令不同，气色见于面目，就像在龟甲里灼烧占卜一样，吉凶的征兆显现在外表。
扁鹊说：病人本色若为青色，想要像青玉那样有光泽、润泽才好，面色不希望像青蓝色那样枯暗。如果面白目青，这叫做违背常理，是因为饮酒过多且当风受邪，邪风侵入肺络并连及胆，胆气妄泄，所以导致目青。虽然说是夭折之象，但若救治不当也无法再生。
病人本色若为赤色，想要像鸡冠那样有光泽、润泽才好，面色不希望像赭土那样枯暗。如果面赤目白，是由于忧恚思虑，心气内耗，面色反而显得好，急需准备棺木，不超过十天就会死亡。
病人本色若为黄色，想要像牛黄那样有光泽、润泽才好，面色不希望像灶中黄土那样枯暗。如果面青目黄，五天死。
病人卧床不起，心痛气短，脾脏衰竭内伤，百日后可恢复，想要起身徘徊，却因坐倒在地，最终倚靠床边死去。能治好这种病的，称为神良医生。
病人本色若为白色，想要像璧玉那样有光泽、润泽才好，面色不希望像白垩那样枯白。如果面白黑，就没有生理了。这叫做酣饮过度，荣华已去，血脉已尽。即使遇到歧伯，也无能为力。
病人本色若为黑色，想要像重漆那样有光泽、润泽才好，面色不希望像炭那样枯黑。如果面黑目白，八天死，这是肾气内伤。
病人面色青得像翠鸟羽毛那样润泽的生存，青得像腐烂水草那样枯暗的死亡。
赤色像鸡冠那样润泽的生存，赤色像凝血那样枯暗的死亡。
黄色像蟹腹那样润泽的生存，黄色像枳实那样枯暗的死亡。
白色像猪油那样润泽的生存，白色像枯骨那样枯暗的死亡。
黑色像鸟羽那样润泽的生存，黑色像煤炭那样枯暗的死亡。
凡是观察五色，面黄目青，面黄目赤，面黄目白，面黄目黑，都不会死。
病人眼中没有精光且牙齿发黑的，无法治疗。
病人面色失去精光，像泥土颜色，且不饮食的，四天死。
病人及健康人面色忽然像马肝一样，远看发青，近看发黑，必定突然死亡。
论述说：五色是五脏的外华。所以在天气晴朗明亮时，能看到万物，辨别黑白，审察长短。如果五色不分，长短乖错，这就是错乱。人也一样。
黄帝问伯高说：通过观察气色来了解病情，怎么样？伯高说：白色出现在两眉之间，薄而润泽的，病在皮肤；唇色青黄赤黑的，病在肌肉；营气涩滞不畅的，病在血脉；目色青黄赤白黑的，病在筋；耳朵焦枯受尘垢的，病在骨骼。问：病情如此，如何治疗？伯高说：皮肤有分部，肌肉有柱穴，气血有输注之处，筋有结聚，骨有归属。
经书说：皮部位于四肢；肉柱位于手臂诸阳分肉之间及少阴分肉之间；气血的输注在于诸经络脉，气血停留积聚则盛大隆起；筋部不分阴阳左右，只随疾病所在而定；骨的归属在骨空之间，所以接受津液而溢入脑髓。如果进行治疗，必须观察病情的轻重，轻的，浅刺少刺；重的，深刺多刺。随着变化而调理，所以称为上工。经书说：只知道一脏的是下工；知道两脏的是中工；能综合参详的是上工。上工治愈十例能救活九例，中工治愈十例能救活六例，下工治愈十例能救活三例，说的就是这个道理。
雷公问：有人没生病却突然死亡，怎么知道？黄帝说：大气侵入脏腑的，没生病却突然死亡。
雷公问：病稍微好转却突然死亡的，怎么知道？黄帝说：赤色出现在两颧上，大如拇指的，病虽稍好转必定突然死亡。黑色出现在颜貌（额头），大如拇指的，必定突然死亡。颜貌，是面的上部。（颜指两眼下方，貌指两眼上方、眉毛下方。）
扁鹊说：观察病人气色，有赤白青黑四种气，不论大小，出现在年上（鼻准）部位的，是病，只有黄气出现表示能痊愈。年上在鼻梁上两眼之间。如果下面有黑气细如绳子在四墓（两眉直上至发际、口吻下极颐）及两颧骨上出现的，死亡。或者在冬三月远期至壬癸日，逢上年运衰败的不可医治，病人死亡。四墓当两眉坐直上至发际，左为父墓，右为母墓，从口吻下极颐名为下墓，在这四墓上观察四时气。
春季见到青气节气结束，死亡。
夏季见到赤气节气结束，死亡。
夏秋见到白气节气结束，死亡。
春季见到白气到秋季，死亡。
夏季见到白气，暴死，黑气到冬季，死亡。
秋季见到赤气节气结束，死亡，冬至后甲子日，死亡。
冬季见到赤气，暴死，见到黄气到长夏，死亡。
论述说：凡病黄色进入鼻子，从口进入井灶（鼻孔上曲中、口吻两旁上一寸），百日死。井在鼻孔上曲中。灶在口吻两旁上一寸。如果进入，丙丁日死。
凡人死色容易验证。只要看年上有黑色横度的，此人不出百日死。如果天中（鼻直上至发际）从发际两墓都发出黑色，此人三年死。如果颧骨上发黑色应验的，二百日死。
目下有黑色横度年上的，不出三十日死。黑色入口应天中的，不出一年死。
如果天中发死色，年上命门上并见黄色的，未好半恶，以天中为主，五年内死。天中发黑色，法三年内死。之所以这样，是有两处主事，所以五年内死。
凡是天中发黑色两颧上发赤色应验的，不出六十日兵死。如果年上发赤色应验的，不出三十日死。如果命门上发赤色应验的，不出百日市死、妇人产死、兵死。同气从命门入耳、年上，死。
赤色从眉冲下入目，五日死或丙丁日死。
黑色在左右眉上，一日死或壬癸日死。
如果是白色也死，或庚辛日或二三日死。
赤色入口，三日死，远期丙丁日死。
黑色从天中及年上入目，三日死或壬癸日死，或二三日死，或百日半年死。
青色如针在目下，春死或甲乙日死。
黄色入目匝四边，戊己日死。
黑色准上行或入目，期壬癸日死，远期二十日死，若入耳鼻三日死。（准上者，当鼻上也，行谓在寿上年上下降接相次。）
黄色横两颧入鼻，一年死。
黑色如拇指在眉上，不出一年暴死。一说三年。
赤色如马，黑马如乌，见面死。（在口傍左右也，右名马，左名乌。）
黑色从眉绕目，死。
赤色在口两旁，死。
黑色如深漆绕口，或白色，皆死。
黄帝问扁鹊说：人久病，如何区别生死，希望听到要领。回答说：按《明堂》察色，有十部之气，知道在哪一部，察四时五行王相，观其胜负之变色，入门户为凶，不入为吉。白色见冲眉上者，肺有病，入阙庭者，夏死。黄色见鼻上者，脾有病，入口者，春夏死。青色见人中者，肝有病，入目者，秋死。黑色见颧上者，肾有病，入耳者，六月死。赤色见颐者，心有病，入口者冬死。所谓门户者：阙庭，肺门户；目，肝门户；耳，肾门户；口，心脾门户。若有气色入者，皆死。黄帝说：好。
问：病而辄死，很令人悲伤，可以拯救吗？回答说：脏实则腑虚，腑实则脏虚。用《明堂》视面色，用针泻调之，百病即愈。鼻孔呼吸，气有出入，出为阳，入为阴，阳为腑，阴为脏，阳为卫，阴为荣。所以说：人一日一夜一万三千五百息，脉行五十周于其身，漏下二刻，荣卫之气行度亦周身也。
面青者虚，虚者实之，补虚泻实，神归其室，补实泻虚，神舍其墟，众邪并进，大命不居。黄帝说：好。
五实（未见）
六虚者，皮虚则热，脉虚则惊，肉虚则重，骨虚则痛，肠虚则泄溏，髓虚则惰。
仲景说：鼻头色青者，腹中冷，若痛者死。鼻头色微黑者有水气，色白者无血，色黄者胸上有寒，色赤者为风，色青者为痛，色鲜明者有留饮。
又仲景说：病患语声寂然喜惊呼者，骨节间病，言声喑喑然不彻者，心膈间病，言声啾啾细而长者，头中病。（一作痛）
Mainly treats tinea capitis (white baldness) and chronic sores on the head and face, a prescription to remove parasites and relieve pain:
*Gongbusiliuxing* (Vaccaria Seed, 5 liang), *Taodongnan zhi* (branches of peach tree from the southeast direction, 5 liang), *Zhuyu genpi* (root bark of *Cornus officinalis*, 5 liang), *Shechuangzi* (Cnidium Fruit, 3 sheng), *Mojing* (Vitex trifolia, 3 sheng), *Kuzhuye* (Bitter Bamboo Leaf, sliced, 3 dou), *Jili* (Tribulus Fruit, 3 sheng), *Dama ren* (Hemp Seed, 1 sheng).
The above eight ingredients are decocted in two dou of water until one dou remains. Wash the sores twice daily. This also treats carbuncles and ulcus molle (moon-eating sore).
Prescription for treating tinea capitis:
Collected on the third day of the third lunar month when peach blossoms are in full bloom, dried in shade: *Baizi* (Biota Seed), *Chisanggen*.
The above three ingredients are ground into powder, mixed with lard. First wash the bald area clean with ash lye, dry it, and apply the mixture.
Another prescription:
*Xiuliu zhi* (fine willow branch, one handful), *Shuiyin* (Mercurius, Mercury), *Zaojiao* (Gleditsia Fruit, roasted).
The above three ingredients are decocted in vinegar until thick like maltose, and applied to the affected area.
Prescription mainly for tinea capitis, carbuncles, and various sores:
*Mulan lanpi* (bark of *Magnolia officinalis*, 1 liang), *Fanshi* (Alumen, Alum), *Duhen* (Asarum? Note: likely *Asarum* or similar herb, here kept as Duhen), *Xionghuang* (Realgar), *Fuzi* (Prepared Aconite Root), *Dahuang* (Rhubarb Rhizome), *Shinan* (Acanthopanax Bark), *Zhenmi* (True Rice/Grain), *Kushen* (Sophora Root), *Shuiyin* (Mercurius, Mercury, each 2 liang), *Songzhi* (Pine Rosin, 6 liang).
The above twelve ingredients are soaked in vinegar overnight, then decocted with 1.5 jin of lard. When the *Fuzi* turns yellow, filter out the dregs. Then add *Fanshi*, *Xionghuang*, and *Shuiyin*. Boil again over fire for three boils. Place in a damp area to cool and solidify. Apply to the sore; it will heal.
Another prescription:
Make beef jerky with five flavors, roast until fragrant, and apply while hot to the sore. Within three or four applications, it will heal.
Prescription for treating head sores and swelling:
Burn almond seeds until black, grind, and apply. Also burn bundles of *Shuchai* (likely a local herb name) and kudzu vines along with dried fish heads to ash. Mix with musk (*Xunhuang*) and lard rendered in the twelfth lunar month, and apply.
Although a physician may be skilled in pulse diagnosis, if they do not know how to observe qi and complexion, they have not fully grasped the essence of treatment. Thus it is said: The superior doctor observes complexion, the average doctor listens to voice, and the inferior doctor only diagnoses by pulse. From this, we know that the flourishing or declining state of a person is first manifested in the facial complexion. Therefore, a good physician must understand the five colors to determine life and death and resolve doubts. Hence, the method of observing qi and complexion is placed at the beginning of this chapter.
When the Liver is diseased, the complexion is green; when the Heart is diseased, the complexion is red; when the Spleen is diseased, the complexion is yellow; when the Lung is diseased, the complexion is white; when the Kidney is diseased, the complexion is black. (Observe the patient's original complexion first.)
In Spring, if the complexion is green and the eyes are red, new diseases can be treated and will heal by Summer.
In Summer, if the complexion is red and the eyes are yellow, new diseases can be treated and will heal by Late Summer (Ji Xia).
In Late Summer, if the complexion is yellow and the eyes are white, new diseases can be treated and will heal by Autumn.
In Autumn, if the complexion is white and the eyes are black, new diseases can be treated and will heal by Winter.
In Winter, if the complexion is black and the eyes are green, new diseases can be treated and will heal by Spring.
Discussion: These are the proper colors corresponding to the four seasons, so treatment will surely result in recovery. The Five Zang organs correspond to the Five Elements. If there is disease, the color appears on the face and eyes according to the season, just as auspicious or inauspicious signs appear on the surface after divining with tortoise shell.
Bian Que said: If the patient's base color is green, it should resemble the luster of green jade, which is good. The complexion should not look like dull blue-green. If the face is white and the eyes are green, this is called violating normalcy. It is caused by excessive drinking and exposure to wind, allowing pathogenic wind to enter the Lung collaterals and connect to the Gallbladder, causing reckless leakage of Gallbladder qi, thus making the eyes green. Although it indicates premature death, if saved improperly, life cannot be restored.
If the patient's base color is red, it should resemble the luster of a rooster's comb, which is good. The complexion should not look like dark ochre soil. If the face is red and the eyes are white, it is due to worry, anger, and overthinking, causing internal depletion of Heart qi. If the complexion appears falsely good, prepare a coffin immediately; death will occur within ten days.
If the patient's base color is yellow, it should resemble the luster of ox gallstone, which is good. The complexion should not look like yellow earth from a stove. If the face is green and the eyes are yellow, death occurs in five days.
If the patient is bedridden, suffers from heart pain and shortness of breath, and has exhausted Spleen qi with internal injury, they may recover in a hundred days. If they try to rise but stumble and fall, eventually leaning against the bed to die, a physician who can treat this is considered divine and excellent.
If the patient's base color is white, it should resemble the luster of a jade pendant, which is good. The complexion should not look like white chalk. If the face is white and black, there is no hope for life. This is called excessive indulgence in drink, where vitality is gone and blood vessels are exhausted. Even if Qi Bo were present, nothing could be done.
If the patient's base color is black, it should resemble the luster of heavy lacquer, which is good. The complexion should not look like charcoal. If the face is black and the eyes are white, death occurs in eight days due to internal injury of Kidney qi.
If the patient's complexion is green like a kingfisher feather, they live; if green like rotting grass, they die.
If red like a rooster's comb, they live; if red like clotted blood, they die.
If yellow like a crab's belly, they live; if yellow like unripe kumquat (Zhi Shi), they die.
If white like pig fat, they live; if white like dry bones, they die.
If black like bird feathers, they live; if black like coal, they die.
Generally, observing the five colors: if the face is yellow with green/red/white/black eyes, death does not occur.
If the patient's eyes lack luster and teeth are black, the condition is untreatable.
If the patient's face loses luster, looks like earth, and does not eat, death occurs in four days.
If a patient or healthy person's face suddenly looks like a horse's liver, appearing green from afar and black up close, sudden death will occur.
Discussion: The five colors are the splendor of the five Zang organs. On clear days, we see all things, distinguish black and white, and judge length and shortness. If the five colors are indistinct and lengths are confused, this is disorder. Humans are the same.
Yellow Di asked Bo Gao: How is illness known by observing complexion? Bo Gao said: White appearing between the eyebrows, thin and lustrous, indicates disease in the skin; blue/yellow/red/black lips indicate disease in the flesh; sluggish Ying Qi indicates disease in the blood vessels; blue/yellow/red/white/black eye colors indicate disease in the sinews; scorched/dry ears covered in dust indicate disease in the bones. Asked: If the symptoms are so, how to treat? Bo Gao said: Skin has regions, flesh has pillars, Qi and Blood have transport points, sinews have knots, bones have attachments.
The Classics say: Skin regions are in the limbs; flesh pillars are between the Yang muscle spaces of the arms and the Yin muscle spaces; Qi and Blood transports are in the meridians and collaterals, where stagnation causes swelling; sinew regions have no yin/yang or left/right distinction, depending only on the disease location; bone attachments are in the bone voids, receiving fluids that overflow into the brain marrow. For treatment, one must observe the severity. Mild cases require shallow and few insertions; severe cases require deep and many insertions. Adjust according to changes; thus it is called Superior Artisan. The Classics say: Knowing one Zang makes an Inferior Artisan; knowing two Zangs makes a Medium Artisan; comprehensively understanding makes a Superior Artisan. Superior artisans save nine out of ten; medium artisans save six out of ten; inferior artisans save three out of ten. This is what is meant.
Lei Gong asked: Why do some people die suddenly without apparent illness? Yellow Di said: When massive pathogenic qi enters the Zang-Fu organs, sudden death occurs without prior illness.
Lei Gong asked: Why do some people die suddenly after slight recovery? Yellow Di said: If red color appears on both cheekbones, large as a thumb, despite slight recovery, sudden death will occur. If black color appears on the forehead (Yan Mao), large as a thumb, sudden death will definitely occur. Yan refers to the area below the eyes; Mao refers to the area above the eyes and below the eyebrows.
Bian Que said: Observing pathological qi and complexion, there are four qi colors: red, white, green, and black. Regardless of size, if appearing on the Nian Shang (tip of the nose), it is disease. Only yellow qi indicates recovery. Nian Shang is between the eyes on the nose bridge. If fine black qi like a rope appears on the Si Mu (four tombs: straight up from eyebrows to hairline, left father tomb, right mother tomb; and Xia Mu under the mouth/chin) and on the cheekbones, death ensues. Or during the three winter months, approaching Ren-Gui days, if the annual fortune is declining, it is incurable, and the patient dies. Observe the four seasonal qi on these four tombs.
Green qi appearing in Spring lasts until the solar term ends, then death.
Red qi appearing in Summer lasts until the solar term ends, then death.
White qi appearing in Summer/Autumn lasts until the solar term ends, then death.
White qi appearing in Spring lasts until Autumn, then death.
White qi appearing in Summer causes sudden death; black qi appearing in Winter causes death.
Red qi appearing in Autumn lasts until the solar term ends, then death; after Winter Solstice on Jia-Zi day, death.
Red qi appearing in Winter causes sudden death; yellow qi appearing in Late Summer causes death.
Discussion: Generally, if yellow qi enters the nose and goes from the mouth to Jing/Zao (Jing is above the nostrils; Zao is one cun above the corners of the mouth), death occurs in a hundred days. If it enters, death occurs on Bing-Ding days.
Dead colors in humans are easy to verify. If black qi crosses horizontally on Nian Shang, death occurs within a hundred days. If black qi emanates from Tian Zhong (straight up from nose to hairline) and both tombs, death occurs in three years. If black qi appears on the cheekbones, death occurs in two hundred days.
If black qi crosses horizontally on Nian Shang under the eyes, death occurs within thirty days. If black qi enters the mouth and corresponds to Tian Zhong, death occurs within one year.
If Tian Zhong shows dead color, and Nian Shang/Ming Men show yellow, the condition is half-healed, half-worsened. Taking Tian Zhong as primary, death occurs within five years. If Tian Zhong shows black, death occurs within three years. This is because two areas are dominant, hence death within five years.
If Tian Zhong shows black and cheekbones show red corresponding to it, death by violence occurs within sixty days. If Nian Shang shows red corresponding to it, death occurs within thirty days. If Ming Men shows red corresponding to it, death occurs within a hundred days (market death, childbirth death, or violence death). Same qi entering from Ming Men to ear/Nian Shang causes death.
Red qi rushing down from eyebrows into the eyes causes death in five days or on Bing-Ding days.
Black qi on either eyebrow causes death in one day or on Ren-Gui days.
If white, it also causes death, or on Geng-Xin days or within two-three days.
Red qi entering the mouth causes death in three days, or on Bing-Ding days in the distant future.
Black qi entering the eyes from Tian Zhong and Nian Shang causes death in three days, or on Ren-Gui days, or within two-three days, or within a hundred days/half a year.
Green qi like a needle under the eyes causes death in Spring or on Jia-Yi days.
Yellow qi encircling the eyes causes death on Wu-Ji days.
Black qi moving up from the nose tip or entering the eyes, expected on Ren-Gui days, death in twenty days distant; if entering nose/ears, death in three days. (Nose tip is above the nose; movement means descending sequentially from Shou Shang/Nian Shang.)
Yellow qi crossing cheekbones into the nose causes death in one year.
Black qi like a thumb above the eyebrows causes sudden death within one year (or three years).
Red like a horse, black like a crow, appearing on the face causes death. (Right side is Horse, Left side is Crow.)
Black qi circling the eyes from the eyebrows causes death.
Red qi on both sides of the mouth causes death.
Black qi like dark lacquer circling the mouth, or white, all cause death.
Yellow Di asked Bian Que: How to distinguish life and death in chronic illness? Please explain the essentials. Bian Que replied: According to the *Ming Tang*, observing complexion, there are qi in ten regions. Knowing the region, observe the four seasons and Five Elements' Wang/Xiang states, watch for winning/losing color changes. Entering the "gate" is inauspicious; not entering is auspicious. White appearing above the eyebrows indicates Lung disease; entering Que Ting (glabella) causes death in Summer. Yellow appearing on the nose indicates Spleen disease; entering the mouth causes death in Spring/Summer. Green appearing in the Ren Zhong indicates Liver disease; entering the eyes causes death in Autumn. Black appearing on the cheekbones indicates Kidney disease; entering the ears causes death in the sixth month. Red appearing on the chin indicates Heart disease; entering the mouth causes death in Winter. The so-called gates are: Que Ting is the Lung gate; Eyes are the Liver gate; Ears are the Kidney gate; Mouth is the Heart/Spleen gate. If color qi enters, death ensues. Yellow Di said: Good.
Asked: Death occurring readily in illness is tragic. Can it be rescued? Replied: When Zang is Excess, Fu is Deficient; when Fu is Excess, Zang is Deficient. Use *Ming Tang* to view facial color, and use acupuncture to drain and regulate; all diseases will heal. Nasal breathing involves Qi exiting and entering. Exiting is Yang, entering is Yin. Yang is Fu, Yin is Zang. Yang is Wei (Defensive), Yin is Ying (Nutritive). Thus, a person takes 13,500 breaths in a day and night, and pulses circulate fifty cycles around the body. In two ke (approx. 48 mins), Ying and Wei Qi complete a cycle around the body.
Face green indicates Deficiency. Deficiency should be filled; tonify deficiency and drain excess, so Shen returns to its chamber. Tonify excess and drain deficiency, so Shen abandons its ruin. If all evils advance together, great life cannot remain. Yellow Di said: Good.
Five Excesses (not seen).
Six Deficiencies: Skin deficiency causes heat; Pulse deficiency causes palpitations/fright; Flesh deficiency causes heaviness; Bone deficiency causes pain; Intestine deficiency causes loose stools; Marrow deficiency causes lethargy.
Zhong Jing said: If the nose tip is green, the abdomen is cold; if painful, death. If slightly black, there is water retention; if white, blood deficiency; if yellow, cold in the chest; if red, wind; if green, pain; if bright/shiny, retained fluid.
Also Zhong Jing said: If a patient is silent but likes to cry out suddenly, the disease is in the joints. If speech is hoarse and unclear, the disease is in the heart/diaphragm. If speech is quiet, thin, and long, the disease is in the head.