典藏书目

The organ that subdues the Heart is the Kidney; the Heart is subdued by the Lung. The Heart favors the bitter taste and is injured by the salty flavor. As the zang-organ corresponding to three transformations and eight steamings, when in harmony, it results in a joyful and happy disposition. Diseases primarily manifest as fright epilepsy, fear, palpitations, delirious speech, mania, restlessness, and drooling from the corners of the mouth. In smallpox, the lesions are red.

The organ that subdues the Liver is the Lung; the Liver is subdued by the Spleen. The Liver favors the sour taste and is injured by pungent and spicy flavors. As the zang-organ corresponding to initial transformation and six steamings, when in harmony, it strengthens the Hun and Po spirits and generates intention and wisdom. Diseases primarily manifest as wind-induced spasms and convulsions, and red, swollen, painful eyes. In smallpox, the lesions are vesicular (water-like).

The organ that subdues the Lung is the Heart; the Lung is subdued by the Liver. The Lung favors the pungent (spicy) taste and is injured by the bitter taste. As the zang-organ corresponding to two transformations and seven steamings, when in harmony, it ensures clear breath, lucid spirit, and strong Hun. Diseases primarily manifest as wheezing, chest fullness, cough, and excessive accumulation of deficiency phlegm. In smallpox, the lesions suppurate.

The organ that subdues the Spleen is the Liver; the Spleen is subdued by the Kidney. The Spleen favors the sweet taste and is injured by sour and astringent flavors. As the zang-organ corresponding to four transformations and nine steamings, when in harmony, it aids digestion of grains and foods and enhances the perception of flavors. Diseases primarily manifest as vomiting, hiccups, infantile malnutrition (Gan syndrome), diarrhea, dysentery, tidal fever, and anorexia for milk or food. In smallpox, the lesions form scabs.

The organ that subdues the Kidney is the Spleen; the Kidney is subdued by the Heart. The Kidney favors the salty taste and is injured by the sweet taste. As the zang-organ corresponding to five transformations and ten steamings, when in harmony, it promotes playful laughter and robust spirit. Diseases primarily manifest as blackened teeth, gingival ulceration resembling sand collapse, and purulent discharge from the ears. In smallpox, the lesions are black and depressed.

The left cheek corresponds to the region of the Liver, aligning with the Guan position of the left hand pulse, representing the Wood of Wind. The forehead corresponds to the region of the Heart, aligning with the Cun position of the left hand pulse, representing the Fire of Sovereign. The nose corresponds to the region of the Spleen, aligning with the Guan position of the right hand pulse, representing the Earth of Dampness. The right cheek corresponds to the region of the Lung, aligning with the Cun position of the right hand pulse, representing the Metal of Dryness. The chin (Yi) corresponds to the region of the Kidney, aligning with the Chi position of the left hand pulse, representing the Water of Cold. Previously, there were theories regarding "Initial Qi" and "Second Qi," which are largely inaccurate; details can be found in my separate work, *Mai Fu*.

For children under five years old, the Cun, Guan, and Chi pulses cannot be diagnosed; instead, one observes the Tiger's Mouth (web between thumb and index finger) vein on the left for boys and the right for girls. The first segment of the index finger, at the Yin position, is the Wind Gate; if the vein is visible here, the disease is easy to treat. The second segment, at the Mao position, is the Qi Gate; if the vein extends here, the disease is deep. The third segment, at the Chen position, is the Life Gate; if the vein extends here, the disease is critical.

A purple color indicates Heat; red indicates Cold Damage (Shanghan); green indicates Fright Wind; white indicates Infantile Malnutrition (Gan disease). Only a faint yellow color is considered a normal sign. A black color indicates a critical condition.

If the vein enters the palm, it indicates Internal Hooking. If the vein curves inward, it indicates Wind-Cold. If it curves outward, it indicates Food Stagnation. When the disease is severe, if the vein curves inward, recovery is still possible; if it curves outward, fewer than one in ten thousand will survive.

For children over five years old, use one finger to palpate the Cun, Guan, and Chi positions. Six beats per respiration cycle indicate peace/health; seven to eight beats indicate Heat; four to five beats indicate Cold. A floating and wiry pulse indicates Wind Epilepsy; a deep and moderate pulse indicates Food Injury; a rapid pulse indicates Fright; a fine pulse indicates Cold; a single fine pulse indicates Gan Consumption; a surging pulse indicates Parasite Accumulation; a floating and slow pulse with tidal fever indicates Stomach Cold.

For infants under half a year old, examine the area between the eyebrow ends and the hairline using the middle, ring, and index fingers. If the infant's head is to the left, raise the right hand to examine; if the head is to the right, raise the left hand. The index finger near the hairline represents the Upper position; the ring finger near the eyebrows represents the Lower position; the middle finger represents the Middle position. If all three fingers are hot, it indicates external Wind invasion with nasal cold and cough. If all three fingers are cold, it indicates external Cold invasion and internal dietary injury, leading to fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. If the index and middle fingers are hot, it indicates Upper Heat and Lower Cold. If the ring and middle fingers are hot, it indicates complication with Fright. If only the index finger is hot, it indicates Food Stagnation.