Discussion on Qi Reversal

The Yellow Emperor asked: How does the transfer of cold and heat between the five viscera and six bowels occur? Qi Bo replied: When the kidneys transfer cold evil to the spleen, it results in abscesses and shortness of breath. When the spleen transfers cold evil to the liver, it leads to abscesses and spasms of the sinews and vessels. When the liver transfers cold evil to the heart, it causes mental mania and obstruction of the chest and diaphragm. When the heart transfers cold evil to the lungs, it forms a condition known as lung wasting-thirst; the symptoms are that for each portion of water drunk, the urine excreted is double, and this is an incurable disease. When the lungs transfer cold evil to the kidneys, it creates surging water disease; the symptoms are that pressing on the abdomen does not feel hard, water qi lingers in the large intestine, and when walking quickly, a gurgling sound is heard in the intestines, like water contained in a leather bag—this is disease caused by water qi.

When the spleen transfers heat evil to the liver, it results in convulsions and nosebleeds. When the liver transfers heat evil to the heart, it leads to death. When the heart transfers heat evil to the lungs, it transforms into diaphragm wasting-thirst. When the lungs transfer heat evil to the kidneys, it transforms into soft tetany. When the kidneys transfer heat evil to the spleen, it transforms into a wasting and damaging condition; if dysentery with pus and blood appears, death will follow and it cannot be treated.

When the uterus transfers heat evil to the bladder, it results in urinary obstruction and blood in the urine. When the bladder transfers heat evil to the small intestine, it causes obstruction in the diaphragm and intestines, with ulceration in the mouth above. When the small intestine transfers heat evil to the large intestine, it creates concealed masses and hemorrhoids. When the large intestine transfers heat evil to the stomach, there is increased appetite but emaciation of the body, called food-eating disease. When the stomach transfers heat evil to the gallbladder, it is also called food-eating disease. When the gallbladder transfers heat evil to the brain, it leads to a pungent sensation in the bridge of the nose and nasal sinus disease; the symptoms of nasal sinus disease are continuous flow of turbid nasal discharge, which can transform into nosebleeds and blurred vision. Thus, all these diseases arise from reversal of qi.