Suwen · Blood, Qi, Form, and Will

The text

As for the constant numbers of the person: taiyang is always much blood and little qi; shaoyang is always little blood and much qi; yangming is always much qi and much blood; shaoyin is always little blood and much qi; jueyin is always much blood and little qi; taiyin is always much qi and little blood. These are the constant numbers of heaven. Foot-taiyang and shaoyin are exterior and interior; shaoyang and jueyin are exterior and interior; yangming and taiyin are exterior and interior — these are the yin and yang of the foot. Hand-taiyang and shaoyin are exterior and interior; shaoyang and the heart-governor are exterior and interior; yangming and taiyin are exterior and interior — these are the yin and yang of the hand. Now that one knows what the yin and yang of hand and foot suffer: in treating any illness one must first remove the blood, then remove what is suffered; wait upon what is desired; then drain what has surplus and fill what is insufficient. If you wish to know the back shu, first measure the space between the two breasts and fold it in the middle. Then with another stalk of grass take away half of that. Prop the two corners against each other, and lift it to measure the back: let one corner sit above, level with the great vertebra of the spine; the two corners below — at those lower corners are the lung shu. Down one measure more: the heart shu. Down one measure more: the left corner is the liver shu, the right corner the spleen shu. Down one measure more: the kidney shu. These are called the shu of the five zang, the measures for moxa and needling. When the form is at ease and the will is bitter, illness is born in the vessels; treat it with moxa and needling. When the form is at ease and the will is at ease, illness is born in the flesh; treat it with needle and stone. When the form is bitter and the will is at ease, illness is born in the sinews; treat it with compresses and leading. When the form is bitter and the will is bitter, illness is born in the throat; treat it with the hundred medicines. When the form is often startled and afraid, the channels and collaterals do not communicate; illness is born as no feeling. Treat it with pressing and with fermented medicines. These are called the five of form and will. Needle yangming: let out blood and qi. Needle taiyang: let out blood and avoid qi. Needle shaoyang: let out qi and avoid blood. Needle taiyin: let out qi and avoid blood. Needle shaoyin: let out qi and avoid blood. Needle jueyin: let out blood and avoid qi.

The line

When the form is at ease and the will is bitter, illness is born in the vessels; treat it with moxa and needling.

The note

Form and will can fail to meet. Form at ease, will bitter — the illness is in the vessels. First ask whether the days the body is living, and the days the heart is living, are the same day.