Exposition of the Pulse

The swelling of the lower back and pain in the buttocks mentioned in the Taiyang channel are because the first month corresponds to the Taiyang Yin month; Yin corresponds to Taiyang. In the first month, yang qi begins to generate above, but yin qi is still abundant, and yang qi has not fully occupied its proper position, hence the swelling of the lower back and pain in the buttocks. The so-called unilateral deficiency leading to limping is because in the first month, yang qi thaws the ice, and earth qi begins to rise. The so-called unilateral deficiency refers to the residual cold of winter with insufficient yang qi, so unilateral deficiency manifests as limping. The so-called stiffness of the neck pulling on the back is because yang qi rises vigorously and contends with each other, hence stiffness of the neck. The so-called tinnitus is because yang qi, like all things, flourishes and leaps upward, hence tinnitus. The so-called severe cases manifesting as mania and epileptic disorders are because all yang qi gathers above, while yin qi rises from below; the lower part is deficient and the upper part is excessive, hence mania and epileptic disorders. The so-called floating pulse causing deafness is all due to qi. The so-called pathogenic qi entering the interior causing loss of voice is because yang qi, after being excessive, has already declined, hence loss of voice. Excessive sexual activity depletes essence and qi, leading to reversal, resulting in loss of voice and hemiplegia; this is kidney deficiency. When the Shaoyin channel qi does not arrive, reversal occurs.

The heart and rib pain mentioned in the Shaoyang channel is because the Shaoyang channel qi is abundant; abundance is because it is the exterior of the heart. In the ninth month, yang qi is about to end and yin qi is abundant, hence heart and rib pain. The so-called inability to turn over is because yin qi, like storing all things, causes all things to be stored and unable to move, hence inability to turn over. The so-called severe cases manifesting as jumping are because in the ninth month, all things have already declined, and grasses and trees have completely withered; then yang qi leaves its yang position and enters the yin position, yin qi is abundant and yang qi grows downward, hence it is called jumping.

The aversion to cold and shivering mentioned in the Yangming channel is because the Yangming channel corresponds to the Wu month; the fifth month is when yang qi is at its peak and begins to turn to yin. Yang qi is abundant and yin qi adds to it, hence aversion to cold and shivering. The so-called swelling of the lower leg and inability to contract the thigh are because in the fifth month, yang qi is at its peak and begins to turn to yin; yang qi begins to decline in the fifth month, and the qi of one yin rises, beginning to contend with yang qi, hence swelling of the lower leg and inability to contract the thigh. The so-called upward counterflow of qi with panting and edema is because yin qi descends and then rises; when it rises, pathogenic qi lodges between the viscera and bowels, hence edema. The so-called chest pain and shortness of breath are because water qi lodges in the viscera and bowels; water pertains to yin qi, and yin qi is inside, hence chest pain and shortness of breath. The so-called severe cases manifesting as reversal, aversion to people and fire, and fear upon hearing the sound of wood, are because yang qi and yin qi strike each other, and water and fire are averse to each other, hence fear. The so-called desire to close doors and windows and live alone is because yin and yang strike each other, yang qi is exhausted and yin qi is abundant, hence the desire to close doors and windows and live alone. The so-called when the disease occurs, the desire to climb high and sing, or remove clothes and run, is because yin and yang contend again, and pathogenic qi merges externally with the yang divisions, hence causing people to remove clothes and run. The so-called pathogenic qi invading the collateral vessels causing headache, nasal congestion, and abdominal distension, is because Yangming channel qi merges upward; merging upward affects the Taiyin collateral vessels, hence headache, nasal congestion, and abdominal distension.

The abdominal distension mentioned in the Taiyin channel is because Taiyin corresponds to the Zi month; in the eleventh month, the qi of all things is stored internally, hence it is called abdominal distension. The so-called qi rushing upward to the heart with belching is because yin qi is abundant and moves upward to the Yangming channel; the Yangming channel's network connects to the heart, hence it is called qi rushing upward to the heart with belching. The so-called vomiting upon eating is because food fills and overflows upward, hence vomiting. The so-called feeling comfortable as if the disease has subsided after defecation or passing gas is because in the twelfth month, yin qi declines downward, and yang qi is about to emerge, hence it is said that after defecation or passing gas, one feels comfortable as if the disease has subsided.

The lower back pain mentioned in the Shaoyin channel is because Shaoyin corresponds to the kidney; in the tenth month, the yang qi of all things is damaged, hence lower back pain. The so-called vomiting, coughing, and upward counterflow of qi with panting are because yin qi is below and yang qi is above; various yang qi floats without a place to attach, hence vomiting, coughing, and upward counterflow of qi with panting. The so-called unstable complexion and inability to stand for long; upon standing up after sitting for a long time, the eyes see nothing, are because the yin and yang of all things are unstable and without a master. The qi of autumn has just arrived, and light frost begins to fall, just as it is killing all things; yin and yang qi contend internally, hence the eyes see nothing. The so-called shortness of breath and irritability are because yang qi cannot govern affairs; if yang qi cannot govern affairs, then yang qi cannot emerge externally. Liver qi should govern but cannot be realized, hence irritability; the disease name for irritability is Jian Jue. The so-called fear as if someone is about to arrest him is because in autumn, all things have not yet fully departed; yin qi is scarce, and yang qi enters; yin and yang strike each other, hence fear. The so-called aversion to smelling food odors is because there is no qi in the stomach, hence aversion to smelling food odors. The so-called complexion as black as earth is because autumn qi contends internally, hence the complexion changes. The so-called coughing with blood is because the yang vessels are injured; yang qi has not yet filled above, and the vessels are full; being full leads to coughing, hence blood flows from the nose.

The hernia and swelling of the lower abdomen in women mentioned in the Jueyin channel are because Jueyin corresponds to the Chen month; the third month is when yin evil within yang is present, hence it is called hernia and lower abdominal swelling. The so-called lower back and spine pain with inability to bend or extend is because in the third month, all things begin to stir and flourish, and one can only bend but not extend. The so-called hernia, urinary difficulty, and skin swelling are because yin qi is also abundant and the channels are full and obstructed, hence it is called hernia, urinary difficulty. The so-called severe cases manifesting as dry throat and internal heat are because yin and yang strike each other and generate heat, hence dry throat.