Lingshu · Water Distention

The text

The Yellow Emperor asked Qi Bo: Water, and skin distention, drum distention, intestinal growth, stone conglomeration, stone water — how does one tell them apart? Qi Bo answered: When water first rises, the lids of the eyes swell a little, as after newly lying down and rising. The neck vessel moves; there is cough from time to time; cold between the yin of the thighs; the feet and shins swell; then the belly is large — the water is already formed. Press the belly with the hand: it rises after the hand, like a bag of water. This is the sign. The Yellow Emperor said: How does one watch for skin distention? Qi Bo said: Skin distention: cold qi lodges between the skin. It is drum-taut and not firm; the belly is large; the whole body is swollen; the skin is thick. Press the belly: it sinks and does not rise; the color of the belly does not change. This is the sign. What of drum distention? Qi Bo said: The belly swells and the whole body is large — large as in skin distention. The color is ashen-yellow; the abdominal sinews rise. This is the sign. What of intestinal growth? Qi Bo said: Cold qi lodges outside the intestines and struggles with wei qi. Qi cannot ying; something is tethered; it clings and lodges within; foul qi then rises; polyp-flesh is born. When first born it is as large as a hen's egg; little by little it grows; when formed it is like carrying a child. After a long time it leaves the store; press it and it is firm; push it and it moves; the monthly affair comes down in its time. This is the sign. What of stone conglomeration? Qi Bo said: Stone conglomeration is born in the womb. Cold qi lodges at the child's-gate; the child's-gate closes and blocks; qi cannot pass. Foul blood that should drain does not drain; clots stay and lodge, growing larger day by day, the form like carrying a child; the monthly affair does not come down in its time. All are born in women. They may be guided and brought down. The Yellow Emperor said: Skin distention and drum distention — may they be needled? Qi Bo said: First drain the blood networks of the distention, then regulate the channels. Needle away the blood networks.

The line

Qi Bo answered: When water first rises, the lids of the eyes swell a little, as after newly lying down and rising. The neck vessel moves; there is cough from time to time; cold between the yin of the thighs; the feet and shins swell; then the belly is large — the water is already formed.

The note

Water, skin distention, drum distention, intestinal growth, stone conglomeration — they must be told apart. Told apart, the shapes differ; the root is the same: water-qi that has stopped. Distinguish first, and you will not treat them as one.