...is the region of closure and storage. The land is characterized by high hills and ridges. Wind, cold, and ice are arrayed there. Its people enjoy living in the wilds and consume dairy. Their internal organs are prone to cold, which produces "fullness" diseases Conditions characterized by abdominal distension or stagnation. The treatment is best suited for moxibustion original: 灸焫 "jiǔ ruò"; the practice of burning mugwort near the skin to apply heat. Therefore, the art of moxibustion also originated from the Northern regions.

The South is the region where Heaven and Earth grow and nourish, and where Yang energy is most abundant. The land is low, the water and soil are weak, and it is where mist and dew gather. The people have a taste for sour foods and eat fermented things. Consequently, the people have fine skin textures and a reddish complexion. Their diseases are contracture and numbness original: 攣痹 "luán bì"; stiffness of the limbs and loss of sensation. The treatment is best suited for fine needles. Therefore, the nine types of needles also originated from the Southern regions.

The Center is a land that is flat and damp. It is the place where Heaven and Earth produce a great variety of living things. Its people eat a diverse diet and do not labor strenuously. Therefore, their diseases are mostly flaccidity original: 痿 "wěi"; weakness or wasting of the limbs, "reversal cold," and fevers. The treatment is best suited for Daoyin original: 導引 "dǎo yǐn"; exercises involving stretching and regulated breathing and massage. Therefore, these practices also emerged from the Central regions.

Thus, the Sage combines these various methods for treatment, ensuring each is used where it is most appropriate. The reason why different treatments can all cure the same disease is that the physician understands the true nature of the illness and knows the grand principles of healing.

Discourse on Piercing Heat

original: 刺熱論 "Cì Rè Lùn"; a chapter on using acupuncture to treat fevers and heat-related illnesses

The Yellow Emperor asked: "What are the heat diseases of the five Zang The five "solid" internal organs: Liver, Heart, Spleen, Lung, and Kidney organs?"

Qi Bo replied: "In Liver heat disease, the urine turns yellow first, followed by abdominal pain and a desire to lie down. The body feels hot. When the heat 'contends' Contending refers to the struggle between the pathogenic factor and the body's righteous Qi, there is raving speech and fright. The area under the ribs feels full and painful, the hands and feet are restless, and the patient cannot sleep peacefully. The condition is most severe on Geng and Xin days; heavy sweating occurs on Jia and Yi days These refer to the Ten Heavenly Stems of the Chinese calendar, used here to track the progression of illness based on Five Elements theory. If the organ's energy reverses, death occurs on Geng and Xin days. The Liver belongs to Wood. Geng and Xin belong to Metal. Metal overcomes Wood, hence death occurs. Treat this by piercing the Foot Reverting Yin and Lesser Yang channels. Reverting Yin is the Liver meridian. If its energy reverses, it causes a spinning headache because the pulse leads to the top of the head.

In Heart heat disease, there is first a feeling of unhappiness for several days, followed by the onset of heat. When the heat contends, there is sudden heart pain, irritability, a feeling of stuffiness, a tendency to vomit, headache, a red face, and an absence of sweating. The condition is most severe on Ren and Gui days; heavy sweating occurs on Bing and Ding days. If the energy reverses, death occurs on Ren and Gui days. Pierce the Hand Lesser Yin and Greater Yang channels. Lesser Yin is the Heart meridian; Greater Yang is the Small Intestine meridian.

In Spleen heat disease, there is first a heavy feeling in the head, pain in the cheeks, irritability, a bluish tint to the face, and a desire to vomit. The body is hot. When the heat contends, there is back pain so severe that the patient cannot bend or look up. The abdomen feels full with diarrhea, and both jaws are painful. The condition is most severe on Jia and Yi days; heavy sweating occurs on Wu and Ji days. If the energy reverses, death occurs on Jia and Yi days. Pierce the Foot Greater Yin and Bright Yang channels.

In Lung heat disease, there is first a cold shivering sensation that makes the fine hairs stand up, an aversion to wind and cold, a yellow coating on the tongue, and a hot body. When the heat contends, there is panting and coughing, with pain that moves through the chest, breasts, and back."