Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms

Volume: Body Parts 2

A deep and slippery pulse is natural for the season

The Kidney corresponds to the months of the Boar and the Rat original: "亥子" (Hai and Zi), the 10th and 11th months of the lunar calendar, coinciding with the peak of Winter.. If a pulse is diagnosed as deep and slippery during this time, it is the natural pulse of the internal organ and is unaffected by external interference.

A floating and detached pulse indicates trouble in the Spleen

Referencing the Classic of Difficult Issues original: "難經" (Nan Jing), the physician Yunqizi stated: In winter, the Kidney pulse should be deep and slippery. If it is instead floating and relaxed, this indicates that Earth is "riding" 乘 (cheng): a term in Five Elements theory where one element overpowers another out of the natural order upon Water. Therefore, the disaster lies within the Spleen The Spleen belongs to the Earth element, which blocks Water..

A color like crow feathers is auspicious; a shape like charcoal soot is dangerous

The color of the Kidney is black. The "crow feather" black is a black that contains hints of blue-green. Since blue-green belongs to the Liver (Wood), this represents Water generating Wood a "mother-son" relationship in Five Elements theory, which is considered auspicious. "Charcoal soot" is a black that contains hints of yellow. Since yellow belongs to the Spleen (Earth), and Earth overcomes Water, this indicates a state of distress or danger.

Cold leads to excessive saliva; scorched agitation indicates a depletion of Water

When Water is excessive, the internal Fire is extinguished. When Fire is extinguished, the body becomes cold. This cold causes fluids to overflow upward, resulting in frequent spitting of saliva. Conversely, when Fire is too strong, the Water (fluids) dries up, leading to "scorched agitation"—a term describing the erratic movement of vital fluids and a constant craving for drink.

"Running Piglet" is an accumulation below the navel; ultimately the bones will wither

"Jiujing" original: "究竟" means "ultimately." The Classics state: An accumulation in the Kidney is called Running Piglet 奔豚 (bentun): a sensation of gas or energy rushing up from the lower abdomen to the chest, named for its likeness to a panicked piglet.. It originates in the lower abdomen and rises to just below the heart. It moves up and down at unpredictable times. If it persists for a long time, it causes gasping and "bone-withering" atrophy or weakness of the limbs, as the vital energy and hair are depleted daily.

Excess leads to dreams of heavy hips; deficiency leads to walking by the water’s edge

The Classics say: When the Kidney pulse indicates "excess" 實 (shi): a state of over-abundance or blockage of energy/pathogens, the Kidney's essence and blood become stagnant and cannot flow freely. Therefore, in dreams, one feels a sense of... The text here is incomplete in the original transcription.

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