灵枢经·师传 Teachings Handed Down by the Master

Huangdi said: 'I have heard that the former masters kept certain things in their hearts that were never set down in prescriptions. I wish to hear them, store them in mind, and pattern my conduct upon them — using them above to govern the people, and below to govern my own body — so that the common people might be free of illness, high and low might live in harmony and affection, virtue and beneficence might flow down to them, their descendants might be free of care, and this might be handed down to later generations without end. May I hear of this?' Qibo said: 'How far-reaching a question this is! Governing the people and governing oneself, governing others and governing this body, governing the small and governing the great, governing a state and governing a household — in none of these can one succeed by going against what is proper; only by following it can one succeed. And "following" does not refer solely to yin and yang and the channels, to discoursing on the compliance or rebellion of qi — the common people, too, all wish to have their own intentions followed.'

Huangdi said: 'How does one follow this?' Qibo said: 'On entering a state, ask about its customs; on entering a household, ask about its taboos; on ascending the hall, ask about its rites; on approaching a patient, ask what brings them ease.'

Huangdi said: 'How does one bring ease to a patient?' Qibo said: 'When there is heat in the middle causing wasting-thirst disorder, coolness brings ease; in conditions of cold in the middle, warmth brings ease. When there is heat in the stomach, it consumes food quickly, causing the person to feel an emptiness at the heart and to be constantly hungry. When the skin above the navel is hot and there is heat in the intestines, the stool comes out yellow and like gruel. When the skin below the navel is cold and there is cold in the stomach, the abdomen becomes distended; when there is cold in the intestines, there is rumbling in the intestines and diarrhea with undigested food. When there is cold in the stomach and heat in the intestines, there is both distension and diarrhea; when there is heat in the stomach and cold in the intestines, one drinks rapidly and there is pain and distension in the lower abdomen.'

Huangdi said: 'When the stomach desires a cold drink but the intestines desire a hot drink, the two are in mutual opposition — how then does one bring ease? Moreover, princes and nobles and great men, rulers who feast on meat, are arrogant and self-indulgent, following their desires and slighting others, so that no one is able to restrain them; to restrain them would go against their will, yet to comply with them would aggravate their illness. How then does one bring them ease? And in treating them, what should come first?' Qibo said: 'It is the nature of people that none fail to hate death and love life. Tell them of the ruin that awaits them, speak to them of the benefit that is available, guide them toward what brings them ease, and open their understanding to what causes them suffering — even one who is unreasonable, how could such a person fail to listen?'

Huangdi said: 'How, then, does one treat them?' Qibo said: 'In spring and summer, treat the branch first and the root afterward; in autumn and winter, treat the root first and the branch afterward.'

Huangdi said: 'How does one bring ease when the two desires are in mutual opposition?' Qibo said: 'To bring ease in such cases, one's food and drink and clothing should also be suited to cold and warmth — in cold weather one should not be so chilled as to shiver, and in hot weather one should not sweat excessively. As for food and drink, that which is hot should not be scorchingly hot, and that which is cold should not be icy cold. When cold and warmth are moderated and suitable, the qi will thereby be sustained, and evil and deviant influences will not be brought about.'

Huangdi said: 'The chapter on the Root Viscera uses the bodily form, the limbs and joints, and the muscles to observe the size of the five viscera and six bowels. But now, in the case of princes and nobles and great men, rulers who attend court and hold the throne, when they are questioned, who would be permitted to touch and examine them before giving an answer?' Qibo said: 'The bodily form and the limbs and joints are the outer covering of the viscera and bowels — this is not the same as inspection of the face.'

Huangdi said: 'I already know how the qi of the five viscera may be inspected in the face — but how does one come to know and inspect them by means of the limbs and joints?' Qibo said: 'Among the five viscera and six bowels, the lung serves as their canopy; a broad, prominent shoulder and a sunken throat are signs by which its condition can be observed externally.' Huangdi said: 'Good.'

Qibo said: 'Among the five viscera and six bowels, the heart serves as their ruler; the supraclavicular fossa is its pathway, and a well-developed breastbone allows one to observe the condition of the xiphoid process.' Huangdi said: 'Good.'

Qibo said: 'The liver serves as the general among the viscera, sending its influence to be observed externally; to know its firmness, observe the size of the eyes.' Huangdi said: 'Good.'

Qibo said: 'The spleen serves as a guard, receiving grain and provisions; observe the condition of the lips and tongue, whether favorable or unfavorable, to know whether the outlook is fortunate or unfortunate.' Huangdi said: 'Good.'

Qibo said: 'The kidney governs the exterior, extending hearing into the distance; observe the condition of the ears, whether favorable or unfavorable, to know its nature.' Huangdi said: 'Good. I wish to hear of the signs of the six bowels.'

Qibo said: 'Among the six bowels, the stomach serves as their sea; a broad frame, a thick neck, and an expansive chest allow the five grains to be well contained. A long nasal passage indicates the condition of the large intestine. Thick lips and a long philtrum indicate the condition of the small intestine. Full pouches beneath the eyes indicate that the gallbladder is vigorous. Nostrils that flare outward indicate that the bladder leaks and fails to hold urine. A prominent ridge at the center of the nasal bridge indicates that the triple burner is well restrained. These are the signs by which the six bowels are observed. When the upper, middle, and lower thirds of the body are all in proportion, the viscera are at peace and in good condition.'