典藏书目

The *Mingtang Shangjing* (Superior Classic of the Acupuncture Mings) states: Regarding the posterior hairline, there are cases where the nape hair is long. The hair extends down to the bone. There are also cases without a distinct nape hairline, where the hair aligns level with the Tianyou (TE16) acupoint.
In such instances,
there are no visible hair roots. How should acupoints be located? The answer is: These hairs cannot be rigidly fixed as standards. Generally speaking, this is the situation. If it is precisely determined that the Zhongfu (LU1) acupoint is correctly positioned, then the lateral distance from each side is
two cun.
This constitutes the method for determining acupoints. (The following text states: Three cun directly above the midpoint between the two eyebrows is the anterior hairline. Three cun directly above the Dazhui (GV14) acupoint is the posterior hairline.)

The *Xiajing* (Lower Classic) states: Qibo defined one cun as eight fen. Because people vary in height and body constitution (fat or thin), acupoint location may be inaccurate. Bian Que used the first segment of the middle finger as
one cun.
However, because some individuals have long bodies and short hands, while others have short bodies and long hands, acupoint location remains inaccurate. Sun Simiao used the transverse crease of the thumb joint as
one cun.
This also leads to discrepancies. Currently, we use the distance between the two transverse creases on the inner aspect of the second segment of the middle finger of the left hand in men or the right hand in women as
one cun. (If the finger is flexed, measure laterally; the distance between the depressions at the corners of the upper and lower segments of the middle finger, representing near and far points, equals one cun. This is called the "body-inch" or Tongshen Cun.) Since adopting this measurement method for moxibustion treatment, most illnesses have been cured. Therefore, this is now adopted as the standard. The Bronze Man (acupuncture model) also states: Use the attribute of the middle finger as one cun. The *Suwen* (Basic Questions) confirms: This is the Tongshen Cun. Previously, ropes were often used for measurement, but ropes tend to shrink and are inaccurate. Now, using thin bamboo strips to mark and measure cun yields accurate results for treating diseases. Some use wax paper strips. However, thin bamboo slips are prone to breaking, and wax paper sticks to the hands, making it difficult to handle. Using the pith of rice straw is easier and superior to using ropes.

The classic text states: Regarding the nail and the corner of the nail, the medial and lateral aspects, the inner and outer sides, and the depressions within the concavities, one must be precise and careful. For example, if an acupoint is several cun away from a certain landmark, even if the distance matches another point's location, they naturally belong to different meridians.
When moxa is applied to the Gaohuang (BL43) acupoint, it is said that there are four ribs and three interspaces in between. When moxa is applied to the "middle," it means that among the four ribs, there are necessarily three interspaces. One should apply moxa to the central interspace, not to the two lateral interspaces.
The *Qianjin Fang* states: The classic text mentions "three interspaces horizontally across one cun." This implies three applications of moxa with two spaces in between. Within one cun, there are three moxa applications. Each moxa application measures three fen. The span of three moxa grains constitutes
one cun.
It further states: The method for measuring "one fu" involves covering the hand and extending four fingers. Measuring horizontally across the upper and lower segments of these four fingers defines one fu. There are two types of "fu." One type uses three fingers as one fu. If treating weak legs (Jiaoruo), use four fingers as one fu. (See Hongjiaojiao / Foot-leg disease.)