Lingshu · The Root of Illness

The text

Illness first, then reversal: treat the root. Reversal first, then illness: treat the root. Cold first, then illness born: treat the root. Illness first, then cold born: treat the root. Heat first, then illness born: treat the root. Discharge first, then other illness born: treat the root. You must first regulate it, and only then treat the other illness. Illness first, then fullness in the center: treat the branch. Illness first, then discharge: treat the root. Fullness in the center first, then a vexed heart: treat the root. There is guest qi; there is shared qi. When stool and urine are not free, treat the branch. When stool and urine are free, treat the root. Illness that issues with a remainder: from root to branch — first treat the root, then the branch. Illness that issues with insufficiency: from branch to root — first treat the branch, then the root. Carefully examine the mild and the severe, and regulate by the mind. The mild, move together; the severe, move alone. Stool and urine first not free, then other illness born: treat the root.

The line

Illness first, then reversal: treat the root. Reversal first, then illness: treat the root. Cold first, then illness born: treat the root.

The note

Illness first, then reversal: treat the root. This chapter almost only repeats that sentence. It is worth repeating: once the root is in disorder, what follows are only shadows.