典藏书目

All leprosy-like diseases (Lai Bing) are caused by exposure to malignant wind pathogens and violating taboos. Initially, one may notice changes in the skin and hair, or experience intense itching as if insects were crawling under the skin, or see objects in front of the eyes like hanging threads. Speech becomes inconsistent, and the mind is often filled with fear and panic. Lumps resembling peach or plum pits may appear within the skin and flesh, presenting as hidden redness or blackness. The hands and feet become numb and paralyzed, insensitive to needle pricking, and the soles of the feet cannot touch the ground for walking. During eating, the mouth opens and makes sounds, similar to speech. The body suffers from sores and pain, and both elbows feel bound by ropes. This is called Black Lai (Hei Lai).

In cases of White Lai (Bai Lai), the voice is hoarse and broken, vision is unclear, and the four limbs are numb and paralyzed. The joints feel as if burning with fire, and there is a feeling of stifling heat in the heart. The hands and feet are weak and flaccid, while the back and spine are tight and urgent. The muscles feel as if hacked apart. Hidden swellings rise under the skin of the body and limbs, often appearing white within the flesh. Polyps may grow in the nose, and white opacities (Bai Zhu) may form over the pupils, leading to blindness. This is called White Lai.

The term "Deficiency Consumption" (Xu Lao) refers to the conditions of Five Labors (Wu Lao), Six Extremes (Jiu Ji), and Seven Injuries (Qi Shang). The Five Labors are: first, Labor of Will (Zhi Lao); second, Labor of Thought (Si Lao); third, Labor of Heart (Xin Lao); fourth, Labor of Worry (You Lao); fifth, Labor of Emaciation (Shou Lao). Additionally, Lung Labor manifests as shortness of breath and facial swelling, with loss of smell and taste. Liver Labor presents with dry and dark complexion, bitter taste in the mouth, inability to guard the spirit, fearfulness preventing solitary sleeping, and blurred vision. Heart Labor involves sudden forgetfulness, difficult and hard stools, or occasional watery diarrhea, and sores in the mouth. Spleen Labor causes stiffness and bitterness at the root of the tongue, making it difficult to swallow saliva. Kidney Labor results in difficulty bending and extending the back, dysuria with reddish-yellow urine and dribbling, pain inside the penis, dampness in the yin region, sores on the scrotum, and fullness and urgency in the lower abdomen.

The Six Extremes are: first, Extreme of Qi, causing internal deficiency, insufficiency of the five Zang organs, excess of pathogenic factors, deficiency of healthy Qi, and reluctance to speak. Second, Extreme of Blood, causing lack of luster in the complexion, falling eyebrows and hair, and sudden forgetfulness. Third, Extreme of Sinews, causing frequent muscle spasms, pain in all ten fingers and nails, and extreme fatigue preventing prolonged standing. Fourth, Extreme of Stomach, causing emaciation and soreness, toothache, painful heat in the hands and feet, inability to stand, and reluctance to move. Fifth, Extreme of Flesh, causing emaciation, lack of moisture and luster, and food failing to nourish the muscles. Sixth, Extreme of Essence, causing shortness of breath with faint inhalation, internal deficiency, insufficiency of Qi in the five Zang organs, falling hair and eyebrows, sadness, and forgetfulness.

The Seven Injuries include: first, Yin Cold; second, Impotence (Yin Wei); third, Internal Urgency (Li Ji); fourth, Continuous seminal emission; fifth, Scanty essence and dampness in the yin region; sixth, Clear essence; seventh, Painful frequent urination and inability to complete sexual intercourse. Furthermore, overeating injures the Spleen, leading to belching, desire to lie down, and yellow complexion. Anger causing Qi rebellion injures the Liver, leading to blood deficiency and dim vision. Forceful lifting and sitting long on wet ground injure the Kidney, leading to scanty essence, lower back pain, cold extremities, and coldness below. Physical cold and cold drinks injure the Lung, leading to shortness of breath, coughing, and nasal congestion. Worry and excessive thought injure the Heart, leading to fright, forgetfulness, and irritability. Wind, rain, cold, and heat injure the Form, leading withered and premature aging of skin and hair. Great fear without restraint injures the Will (Zhi), leading to mental confusion and unhappiness.

In men who are normally healthy, a large pulse indicates consumption; an extremely deficient pulse also indicates consumption. In male consumption disease, the pulse is floating and large, accompanied by烦热 (frequent heat) in the hands and feet, worsening in spring and summer, and improving in autumn and winter. Symptoms include Yin cold, spontaneous seminal emission, and acid weakness. At the Cun Kou position, a floating and slow pulse indicates floating as deficiency and slow as consumption; deficiency leads to insufficient Wei Qi, and consumption leads to exhausted Ying Qi. A straight-upward rushing pulse indicates slowness, rebellion, and deficiency. A choppy pulse without Yang signs indicates scanty Kidney Qi; a choppy pulse at the Cun and Guan positions indicates lack of Blood and Qi, accompanied by cold reversals, signifying severe deficiency. A floating, slightly moderate pulse all indicate deficiency; a moderate and large pulse indicates consumption. A pulse where slight and soggy qualities contend indicates the Five Labors; a pulse where weak and slight qualities contend indicates deficiency damage leading to the Seven Injuries. For treatments involving decoctions, moxibustion warming, needles, and stones, there are separate specific formulas. Methods of tonification, nourishment, and guidance are attached hereafter.

The *Yang Sheng Fang* (Prescriptions for Nourishing Life) states: One should maintain silence to nourish the Spirit, hold the breath until its limit, and exhale lightly. It also advises against excessive talking or loud calling to prevent spiritual exhaustion. It further states that one should not cry, shed tears, or produce excessive saliva and mucus, as these deplete fluids and cause throat dryness and extreme thirst.

It also states: At cockcrow, strike the teeth thirty-six times, then lick the lips and rinse the mouth. Touch the tongue to the outer surface of the teeth and swallow the saliva three times. This expels parasites, tonifies deficiency consumption, and strengthens the body.

The *Yang Sheng Fang · Dao Yin Fa* (Guiding and Pulling Methods) states: Push both cheeks outward with both hands while keeping the hands stationary. Pull the elbows inward tightly, doing the same for the inner waist, and hold the position. Then release the elbows outward to disperse Qi in the elbows, arms, and waist. Use maximum force, rise only when feeling suffocated, and repeat seven times to remove elbow labor.

It also states: Embrace both breasts with both hands, strain vigorously, and shake forward and backward using maximum force for two sets of seven (14 times). Keep the hands stationary, shake the elbows up and down for three sets of seven (21 times). This removes internal elbow labor, directs Heart Qi downward, and ensures smooth circulation of all blood vessels throughout the body without stagnation.

It also states: Sit with heels together and toes pointing outward. Press knees against the mat and push them outward to create tension. Extend both hands fully and take posture to both sides, tightening gradually for three sets of seven (21 times). This removes the Five Labors, lower back and knee pain, and cold-induced Spleen Bi syndrome.

It also states: Kneel on one foot while sitting. Curl the foot inward with both hands on the inner thigh, straining downward. Push the body outward simultaneously. Move toward the heart for two sets of seven (14 times). Repeat on the other side. This removes the Five Labors, leg and arm pain/distension, and cold knees and yin region.

It also states: Sit embracing both knees, sink down about 3 cun 2 fen, hug tightly toward the body with maximum force. Lift the feet toward the body as if rising from a folding chair, hold the posture, then sit back down. Move up and down for three sets of seven (21 times). This removes internal deficiency consumption of the waist, feet, and arms, and bladder cold.

It also states: Rotate both feet outward and sit flat. Intentionally move the knee joints to make bones vibrate. Pull outward ten times (not rotating).

It also states: Step on each other's feet, tighten toward the yin end. Hold both knees with hands, pull to both sides with maximum force, press for two sets of seven (14 times) to finish. Take posture to both sides of the body for two sets of seven (14 times), stretch the waist forward and backward seven times. This removes Heart Labor, hemorrhoids, and cold knees. When harmonizing before total damage, speak little and prefer quietness. Sit cross-legged, embrace knees with both hands, pull to both sides with maximum force for three sets of seven (21 times), repeating on both sides. Tilt head left and right upward and outward. This removes back stiffness and arm labor.

It also states: Step on each other's feet so palms meet. Tighten feet with maximum force. Extend both hands long, palms facing toward the back of the head and neck, reaching the shoulders. Pull toward the head and shoulders, hands toward the mat, moving back and forth seven times. Raise hands, join hands seven times. Start with maximum force at the corners of both hands, keep the waist straight, and do not move the feet. This removes the Five Labors and Seven Injuries, harmonizing cold and heat in the lower body. Frequent use maintains harmony and comfort.

It also states: One foot steps on the ground, the other knee is bent. Embrace below the Dubi (ST35) point with both hands, pulling tightly toward the body with maximum force. Switch sides for four sets of seven (28 times). This removes the Five Labors and stagnant Qi at Zusanli (ST36).

It also states: Snake Qi method. Lie curved, then straighten the body to rise. Squat, close eyes, follow the Qi, hold breath, eat little just to clear the intestines, practice Qi swallowing as food, use saliva as liquid. Go out in spring, hide in winter, neither spend nor nurture. This treats the Five Labors and Seven Injuries.

It also states: Toad Qi method. Sit upright, shake both arms, hold breath for twelve cycles. This treats the Five Labors, Seven Injuries, and edema.

It also states: Rotate both feet outward, draw/extend ten times. This removes various labors of the heart and abdomen. Rotate both feet inward, draw/extend ten times, stop after five breaths leaving the heart. This removes all various labor diseases and rashes of the body.