五脏子母虚实，鬼贼微正，若不达旨意，不易得而入焉。在前者为实邪，子能
令母实，拒贼伤于母，其子又引母所克者妻、来相助，故曰实邪也。在后者为虚邪，
母引子之鬼贼至，由母能使子虚也，《内经》云∶子能令母实，母能令子虚，此之谓
也。妻来乘夫为微邪，夫来乘妻为贼邪，法当泻鬼补本脏。本脏自病为正邪，当虚
则补之，实则泻之，《内经》云∶滋苗者必固其根，伐下者必枯其上，逆其根，伐其
本，则败其真矣。心主热，自病或大热，泻心汤主之，实则烦热，黄连泻心汤主之，虚
则惊悸，生犀散主之。肺乘心，微邪，喘而壮热，泻白散主之。肝乘心，虚邪，风
热，煎大羌活汤下大青丸主之。脾乘心，实邪，泄泻身热，泻黄散主之。肾乘
心，贼邪，恐怖恶寒，安神丸主之。肺主燥，自病则喘嗽，燥则润之，实则喘而气
盛，泻白散主之，虚则喘而少气，先益黄散、后阿胶散主之。心乘肺，贼邪，热而
喘嗽，先地黄丸、中导赤散、后阿胶散、主之。肝乘肺，微邪，恶风眩冒昏愦嗽，
羌活膏主之。肾乘肺，实邪，憎寒嗽清利，百部丸主之。脾乘肺，虚邪，体重吐
痰泄泻嗽，人参白术散主之。肝主风，自病则风搐拘急，肝苦急，急食甘以缓之，
佐以酸苦，以辛散之，实则风搐力大，泻青丸主之，虚则风搐力小，地黄丸主之。
心乘肝，实邪，壮热而搐，利惊丸、凉惊丸主之。肺乘肝，贼邪，气盛则前伸呵欠
微搐，法当泻肺，先补本脏，补肝，地黄丸主之，泻肺，泻白散主之。脾乘肝，微
邪，多睡体重而搐，先当定搐，泻青丸主之，搐止再见后证，则别立法治之。肾乘
肝，虚邪，憎寒呵欠而搐，羌活膏主之。脾主湿，自病则泄泻多睡，体重昏倦，脾
苦湿，急食苦以燥之，实则泄泻赤黄，睡不露睛，泻黄散主之，虚则泄泻色白，睡
露睛，白术散主之。肝乘脾，贼邪，风泻而呕，茯苓半夏汤主之。心乘脾，虚邪，
壮热体重而泻，羌活黄芩苍术甘草汤主之。肺乘脾，实邪，能食不大便而呕吐嗽，
煎槟榔大黄汤下葶苈丸。肾乘脾，微邪，恶寒泄泻，理中丸之类主之。肾主寒，
自病则足胫寒而逆，人之五脏，惟肾无实，小儿疮疹变黑陷，则是肾实，水克退心
火。心乘肾，微邪，内热不恶寒，桂枝汤主之。肺乘肾，虚邪，喘嗽皮涩寒，百
部丸主之。肝乘肾，实邪，拘急气搐身寒，理中丸主之。脾乘肾，贼邪，体重泄
泻身寒，理中丸主之。凡五脏虚弱，是自己正令不行，乃鬼贼之所克害，常补本脏
之正气，假令肺病喘嗽，时于初春见之，法当补肾，见于夏，救肺，见于秋，泻肺，
见于冬，补心、泻本脏，又名寒嗽。大抵五脏各至本位，即气盛不可更补，到所克
位，不可更泻。
五脏之间的子母虚实关系，以及鬼贼、微正等邪气传变规律，如果不能透彻理解其旨意，就很难掌握其中的要领。从前脏传到后脏（我生者）为实邪，即“子能令母实”；或者被克者（贼邪）伤害了母脏，其子脏又引来母脏所克制的脏腑（妻/所胜者）来相助，所以称为实邪。从后脏传到前脏（生我者）为虚邪，即母脏引来了克制子脏的鬼贼之邪，这是因为母脏能使子脏虚弱，《内经》说：“子能令母实，母能令子虚”，说的就是这个道理。妻（所胜者）来乘袭夫（所不胜者）为微邪，夫来乘袭妻为贼邪，治法应当泻除鬼贼之邪，补益本脏。本脏自病为正邪，应当虚则补之，实则泻之，《内经》说：“滋润苗叶者必须稳固其根，砍伐下部者必须使其上部枯萎”，如果逆乱根本，砍伐本源，就会败坏真气。
心脏主热，若心自病出现大热，用泻心汤主治；若实证表现为烦热，用黄连泻心汤主治；若虚证表现为惊悸，用生犀散主治。肺金乘袭心火，属微邪，症状为气喘且壮热，用泻白散主治。肝木乘袭心火，属虚邪，症状为风热，用煎剂大羌活汤送服大青丸主治。脾土乘袭心火，属实邪，症状为泄泻身热，用泻黄散主治。肾水乘袭心火，属贼邪，症状为恐怖恶寒，用安神丸主治。
肺脏主燥，若肺自病则气喘咳嗽，燥邪当用润法治疗；若实证表现为气喘且气盛，用泻白散主治；若虚证表现为气喘且少气，先用益黄散，后用阿胶散主治。心火乘袭肺金，属贼邪，症状为热而喘嗽，先用地黄丸，中用导赤散，后用阿胶散主治。肝木乘袭肺金，属微邪，症状为恶风、眩晕昏愦、咳嗽，用羌活膏主治。肾水乘袭肺金，属实邪，症状为憎寒、咳嗽清稀，用百部丸主治。脾土乘袭肺金，属虚邪，症状为身体沉重、吐痰、泄泻、咳嗽，用人参白术散主治。
肝脏主风，若肝自病则风搐拘急，肝苦急，应紧急食用甘味药以缓急，佐以酸苦味药，并用辛味药发散；若实证表现为风搐有力，用泻青丸主治；若虚证表现为风搐无力，用地黄丸主治。心火乘袭肝木，属实邪，症状为壮热而抽搐，用利惊丸、凉惊丸主治。肺金乘袭肝木，属贼邪，症状为气盛则前伸、呵欠、轻微抽搐，治法当泻肺，先补本脏（肝），用地黄丸主治肝，用泻白散主治肺。脾土乘袭肝木，属微邪，症状为多睡、身体沉重而抽搐，先应当止搐，用泻青丸主治，抽搐停止后再见其他证候，则另立法治疗。肾水乘袭肝木，属虚邪，症状为憎寒、呵欠而抽搐，用羌活膏主治。
脾脏主湿，若脾自病则泄泻多睡、身体沉重、昏倦，脾苦湿，应紧急食用苦味药以燥湿；若实证表现为泄泻色赤黄、睡觉不露睛，用泻黄散主治；若虚证表现为泄泻色白、睡觉露睛，用白术散主治。肝木乘袭脾土，属贼邪，症状为风泻且呕吐，用茯苓半夏汤主治。心火乘袭脾土，属虚邪，症状为壮热、身体沉重而泄泻，用羌活黄芩苍术甘草汤主治。肺金乘袭脾土，属实邪，症状为能食但不大便且呕吐咳嗽，用煎剂槟榔大黄汤送服葶苈丸。肾水乘袭脾土，属微邪，症状为恶寒泄泻，用理中丸之类主治。
肾脏主寒，若肾自病则足胫寒冷且逆冷，人的五脏中，只有肾没有实证，小儿疮疹变为黑陷，则是肾实，这是水克退心火的表现。心火乘袭肾水，属微邪，症状为内热而不恶寒，用桂枝汤主治。肺金乘袭肾水，属虚邪，症状为喘嗽、皮肤干燥涩滞且寒，用百部丸主治。肝木乘袭肾水，属实邪，症状为拘急、气搐、身寒，用理中丸主治。脾土乘袭肾水，属贼邪，症状为身体沉重、泄泻、身寒，用理中丸主治。
凡是五脏虚弱，是因为自身的正气不能正常运行，而被鬼贼之邪所克制伤害，常需补益本脏的正气。举例来说，肺病出现喘嗽，如果在初春见到，治法应当补肾；如果在夏季见到，救肺；如果在秋季见到，泻肺；如果在冬季见到，补心并泻本脏（肺），这又被称为寒嗽。大抵五脏之气到达本位时，即气盛不可再补；到达其所克制的方位时，不可再泻。
The relationships of deficiency and excess among the Five Zang organs regarding mother-son generation, as well as the transmission patterns of Gui Ze (Ghost Thief), Wei Zheng (Slight Correct), etc., cannot be easily mastered if their purport is not thoroughly understood. Transmission from the preceding organ to the succeeding organ (one I generate) constitutes Excess Evil (Shi Xie); this is "the son can make the mother excessive." Alternatively, if the conquering element (Thief Evil) injures the mother organ, its son organ may summon the organ conquered by the mother (Wife/Superior) to assist, thus termed Excess Evil. Transmission from the succeeding organ to the preceding organ (one that generates me) constitutes Deficiency Evil (Xu Xie); this occurs when the mother organ brings the Gui Ze (ghost thief) that conquers the son, because the mother can cause deficiency in the son. The *Neijing* states: "The son can make the mother excessive, and the mother can cause deficiency in the son," which refers to this principle. When the Wife (Superior) conquers the Husband (Inferior), it is Slight Evil (Wei Xie); when the Husband conquers the Wife, it is Thief Evil (Ze Xie). The treatment method should involve draining the Gui Ze evil and tonifying the affected Zang organ itself. Disease originating within the same organ is Proper Evil (Zheng Xie); it should be tonified if deficient and drained if excessive. The *Neijing* states: "To nourish the sprouts, one must surely secure the roots; to cut down the lower parts, one must surely wither the upper parts." To go against the root and cut the source will ruin the true Qi.
The Heart governs Heat. If the Heart suffers self-disease manifesting as severe heat, *Xiexin Tang* (Heart Draining Decoction) is indicated. If excess manifests as vexatious heat, *Huanglian Xiexin Tang* (Coptis Heart Draining Decoction) is indicated. If deficiency manifests as palpitations and fright, *Shengxi San* (Raw Rhinoceros Horn Powder) is indicated. Lung Metal conquering Heart Fire is Slight Evil, presenting with wheezing and high fever, treated with *Xiebai San* (Draining White Powder). Liver Wood conquering Heart Fire is Deficiency Evil, presenting with wind-heat, treated with a decoction of *Da Qianghuo Tang* (Great Notopterygium Decoction) administered with *Daqing Wan* (Great Indigo Pill). Spleen Earth conquering Heart Fire is Excess Evil, presenting with diarrhea and body heat, treated with *Xiehuang San* (Draining Yellow Powder). Kidney Water conquering Heart Fire is Thief Evil, presenting with terror and aversion to cold, treated with *Anshen Wan* (Calming Spirit Pill).
The Lung governs Dryness. Self-disease of the Lung presents with wheezing and cough; dryness requires moistening. Excess presents with wheezing and abundant Qi, treated with *Xiebai San*. Deficiency presents with wheezing and shortness of breath, initially treated with *Yihuang San* (Benefiting Yellow Powder) followed by *Ejiao San* (Donkey-Hide Gelatin Powder). Heart Fire conquering Lung Metal is Thief Evil, presenting with heat, wheezing, and cough, treated initially with *Dihuang Wan* (Rehmannia Pill), subsequently with *Daochi San* (Guiding Out Red Powder), and finally with *Ejiao San*. Liver Wood conquering Lung Metal is Slight Evil, presenting with aversion to wind, dizziness, confusion, and cough, treated with *Qianghuo Gao* (Notopterygium Paste). Kidney Water conquering Lung Metal is Excess Evil, presenting with aversion to cold, clear cough, and profuse urination, treated with *Bubai Wan* (Stemona Pill). Spleen Earth conquering Lung Metal is Deficiency Evil, presenting with heavy body, expectoration, diarrhea, and cough, treated with *Renshen Baizhu San* (Ginseng and Atractylodes Macrocephala Powder).
The Liver governs Wind. Self-disease of the Liver presents with wind convulsions and stiffness/tension. The Liver dislikes tension; urgently use sweet flavors to relax it, assist with sour and bitter flavors, and disperse with pungent flavors. Excess presents with forceful wind convulsions, treated with *Xieqing Wan* (Draining Green Pill). Deficiency presents with weak wind convulsions, treated with *Dihuang Wan*. Heart Fire conquering Liver Wood is Excess Evil, presenting with high fever and convulsions, treated with *Lijing Wan* (Relieving Convulsion Pill) and *Liangjing Wan* (Cooling Spirit Pill). Lung Metal conquering Liver Wood is Thief Evil; if Qi is abundant, there is forward extension, yawning, and slight convulsions. The method is to drain the Lung. First tonify the affected organ (Liver) with *Dihuang Wan*, and drain the Lung with *Xiebai San*. Spleen Earth conquering Liver Wood is Slight Evil, presenting with excessive sleep, heavy body, and convulsions. First, stop the convulsions with *Xieqing Wan*; after convulsions cease, if subsequent symptoms appear, establish a new treatment strategy. Kidney Water conquering Liver Wood is Deficiency Evil, presenting with aversion to cold, yawning, and convulsions, treated with *Qianghuo Gao*.
The Spleen governs Dampness. Self-disease of the Spleen presents with diarrhea, excessive sleep, heavy body, and lethargy. The Spleen dislikes dampness; urgently use bitter flavors to dry it. Excess presents with yellow-red diarrhea and sleeping with eyes closed, treated with *Xiehuang San*. Deficiency presents with white-colored diarrhea and sleeping with eyes open, treated with *Baizhu San*. Liver Wood conquering Spleen Earth is Thief Evil, presenting with wind-diarrhea and vomiting, treated with *Fuling Banxia Tang* (Poria and Pinellia Decoction). Heart Fire conquering Spleen Earth is Deficiency Evil, presenting with high fever, heavy body, and diarrhea, treated with *Qianghuo Huangqin Cangzhu Gancao Tang* (Notopterygium, Scutellaria, Atractodes Lancea, and Licorice Decoction). Lung Metal conquering Spleen Earth is Excess Evil, presenting with ability to eat but no bowel movement, vomiting, and cough, treated with a decoction of *Binglang Dahuang Tang* (Betel Nut and Rhubarb Decoction) administered with *Tingli Wan* (Descurainia Seed Pill). Kidney Water conquering Spleen Earth is Slight Evil, presenting with aversion to cold and diarrhea, treated with *Lizhong Wan* (Regulate the Middle Pill) and similar formulas.
The Kidney governs Cold. Self-disease of the Kidney presents with cold and reversal in the feet and shins. Among the five Zang organs, only the Kidney has no Excess condition; however, if pediatric smallpox/variolous lesions turn black and sink inward, this indicates Kidney Excess, where Water overcomes and retreats Heart Fire. Heart Fire conquering Kidney Water is Slight Evil, presenting with internal heat without aversion to cold, treated with *Guizhi Tang* (Cinnamon Twig Decoction). Lung Metal conquering Kidney Water is Deficiency Evil, presenting with wheezing, cough, dry/rough skin, and cold, treated with *Bubai Wan*. Liver Wood conquering Kidney Water is Excess Evil, presenting with stiffness, Qi convulsions, and cold body, treated with *Lizhong Wan*. Spleen Earth conquering Kidney Water is Thief Evil, presenting with heavy body, diarrhea, and cold body, treated with *Lizhong Wan*.
Generally, when any of the five Zang organs is weak, it is because its own proper command does not function, allowing Gui Ze evils to conquer and harm it; one should commonly tonify the righteous Qi of the affected Zang organ. For example, if Lung disease presents with wheezing and cough: if seen in early Spring, the method is to tonify the Kidney; if seen in Summer, rescue the Lung; if seen in Autumn, drain the Lung; if seen in Winter, tonify the Heart and drain the affected organ (Lung). This is also called Cold Cough. Broadly speaking, when the Qi of each Zang organ reaches its own position, it is abundant and should not be further tonified; when it reaches the position it conquers, it should not be further drained.